Bible Commentaries

Hosea 14:1 — pardon the penitent, is introduced making large promises of blessings, in allusion to those copious dews which refresh the green herbs, and which frequently denote, not only temporal salvation, but also the rich and refreshing comforts of the Gospel, 4-7. Their reformation from idolatry is foretold, and their consequent prosperity, under the emblem of a green flourishing fir tree, 8; but these promises are confined to those who may bring forth the fruits of righteousness, and the wicked are declared

Matthew 2:4 — Verse Matthew 2:4. The chief priests — Not only the high priest for the time being, called כהן הראש cohen ha-rosh, 2 Kings 25:18, and his deputy, called כהן משנה cohen mishneh, with those who had formerly borne the high priest's office; but also, the chiefs or

Matthew 24:2 — Verse Matthew 24:2. See ye not all these things? — The common text, and many manuscripts, have ουβλεπετε, Do ye not see, or consider? But the negative particle is omitted by several excellent manuscripts, by the Coptic, Sahidic, Armenian, Ethiopic, Slavonic, Vulgate,

Matthew 27:9 — likely that the original reading was δια τοι προφητου, and the name of no prophet mentioned. This is the more likely, as Matthew often omits the name of the prophet in his quotations. See Matthew 1:22; Matthew 2:5; Matthew 2:15; Matthew 13:35; Matthew 21:4. Bengel approves of the omission.It was an ancient custom among the Jews, says Dr. Lightfoot, to divide the Old Testament into three parts: the first beginning with the law was called THE LAW; the second beginning with the Psalms was called THE PSALMS;

Luke 4:18 — Verse Luke 4:18. The Spirit of the Lord — This is found in Isaiah 61:1; but our Lord immediately adds to it Isaiah 42:7. The proclaiming of liberty to the captives, and the acceptable year (or year of acceptance) of the Lord, is a manifest allusion to the

John 1:4 — Verse John 1:4. In him was life — Many MSS., versions, and fathers, connect this with the preceding verse, thus: All things were made by him, and without him was nothing made. What was made had life in it; but THIS LIFE was the light of men. That is, though

John 10:35 — is here used for λογος κρισεως: and it is called λογος Θεου, because it is the judgment that properly belongs to God, and which they who give it on earth give only as acting in the stead of God. A way of speaking very like to this is found in Hebrews 4:13, where the writer says, προς ὁν ἡμιν ὁ λογος, with whom we have to do, i.e. by whom we are to be judged."But the words λογος Θεου may be here understood for the order, commission, or command of God; and so it properly signifies, Luke 3:2; and

John 15:16 — best who is most proper for the Gospel ministry.To be a genuine preacher of the Gospel, a man must -1. Be chosen of God to the work.2. He must be placed in the true vine-united to Christ by faith.3. He must not think to lead an idle life, but labour.4. He must not wait till work be brought to him, but he must go and seek it.5. He must labour so as to bring forth fruit, i.e. to get souls converted to the Lord.6. He must refer all his fruit to God, who gave him the power to labour, and blessed him

John 19:23 — about to offer the expiatory victim for the sin of the world. And it is worthy of remark that the very dress he was in was similar to that of the Jewish high priest. The following is the description given of his dress by Josephus, Ant. b. iii. c. 7, s. 4: "Now this coat (χιτων) was not composed of two pieces, nor was it sewed together upon the shoulders and sides, but it was one long vestment, so woven as to have an opening for the neck; not an oblique one, but parted all along the back and breast;

John 5:4 — Verse John 5:4. Angel — "Of the Lord," is added by AKL, about 20 others, the AEthiopic, Armenian, Slavonic, Vulgate, Anglo-Saxon, and six copies of the Itala: Cyril and Ambrose have also this reading. If this reading be genuine, and the authorities which support

Acts 1:4 — Verse Acts 1:4. And, being assembled together — Instead of συναλιζομενος, being assembled together, several good MSS. and versions read συναυλιζομενος, living or eating together, which refers the conversation reported here to some particular time, when he sat

Acts 13:34 — Verse 34. No more to return to corruption — To the grave, to death, the place and state of corruption; for so we should understand the word διαφθοραν in the text.The sure mercies of David. — τα οσια δαβιδ τα πιστα. These words are quoted literatim

Acts 24:5 — Verse Acts 24:5. For we have found this man, c.] Here the proposition of the orator commences. He accuses Paul, ant his accusation includes four particulars:-1. He is a pest, λοιμος an exceedingly bad and wicked man.2. He excites disturbances and seditions against

Acts 4:6 — Verse Acts 4:6. Annas — Though this man was not now actually in the office of high priest, yet he had possessed it for eleven years, bore the title all his life, and had the honour of seeing five of his sons fill that eminent place after him-an honour that

Romans 16:23 — way.Erastus the chamberlain of the city — Treasurer of the city of Corinth, from which St. Paul wrote this epistle. This is supposed to be the same person as is mentioned Acts 19:22. He was one of St. Paul's companions, and, as appears from 2 Timothy 4:20, was left about this time by the apostle at Corinth. He is called the chamberlain οικονομος, which signifies the same as treasurer; he to whom the receipt and expenditure of the public money were intrusted. He received the tolls, customs, c., belonging

1 Corinthians 15:52 — ready to appear before the judgment seat of God.For the trumpet shall sound — By this the apostle confirms the substance of the tradition, there shall be the sound of a trumpet on this great day; and this other scriptures teach: see Zechariah 9:14; Matthew 24:31; John 5:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, in which latter place, the apostle treats this subject among the Thessalonians, as he does here among the Corinthians. See the notes there.Shall be raised incorruptible — Fully clothed with a new

1 Corinthians 4:7 — Verse 1 Corinthians 4:7. For who maketh thee to differ — It is likely that the apostle is here addressing himself to some one of those puffed up teachers, who was glorying in his gifts, and in the knowledge he had of the Gospel, c. As if he had said: If thou hast all

2 Corinthians 4:2 — Verse 2 Corinthians 4:2. But have renounced — απειπαμεθα. We have disclaimed the hidden things of dishonesty; τα κρυπτα της αισχυνης, the hidden things of shame; those things which wicked men do; and which they are ashamed to have known, and ashamed to own. Dr. Whitby

2 Corinthians 6:1 — CHAPTER VI. We should not receive the grace of God in vain, having such promises of support from him, 1, 2. We should act so as to bring no disgrace on the Gospel, 3. How the apostles behaved themselves, preached, suffered, and rejoiced, 4-10. St. Paul's affectionate concern for the Corinthians, 11-13. He counsels them not to be yoked with unbelievers, and advances several arguments why they should avoid them, 14-16. Exhorts them to avoid evil companions and evil practices, on the promise

Galatians 2:1 — andTitus, 1.Shows that he went thither by revelation; and what he did whilethere, and the persons with whom he had intercourse, 2-8.How the apostles gave him the right hand of fellowship, 9, 10.Here he opposes Peter at Antioch, and the reason why, 11-14.Shows that the Jews as well as the Gentiles must be justified byfaith, 15, 16.They who seek this justification should act with consistency,17, 18.Gives his own religious experience, and shows, that through thelaw he was dead to the law, and crucified