Bible Commentaries

Genesis 1:2 — 3:8; and which, as a mighty rushing wind on the day of pentecost, filled the house where the disciples were sitting, Acts 2:2, which was immediately followed by their speaking with other tongues, because they were filled with the Holy Ghost, Acts 2:4. These scriptures sufficiently ascertain the sense in which the word is used by Moses.Moved — מרחפת merachepheth, was brooding over; for the word expresses that tremulous motion made by the hen while either hatching her eggs or fostering her young.

Genesis 9:13 — general it may be sufficient to say that the rainbow is a mere natural effect of a natural cause:1. It is never seen but in showery weather.2. Nor then unless the sun shines.3. It never appears in any part of the heavens but in that opposite to the sun.4. It never appears greater than a semicircle, but often much less.5. It is always double, there being what is called the superior and inferior, or primary and secondary rainbow.6. These bows exhibit the seven prismatic colours, red, orange, yellow, green,

Acts 2:41 — Verse 41. They that gladly received his word — The word ασμενως, which signifies joyfully, readily, willingly, implies that they approved of the doctrine delivered; that they were glad to hear of this way of salvation; and that they began immediately

Acts 2:44 — Verse 44. And, all that believed — οι πιστευοντες, The believers, i.e. those who conscientiously credited the doctrine concerning the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, and had, in consequence, received redemption in

Acts 4:36 — Verse Acts 4:36. Joses — Or, Joseph, as many excellent MSS. read; but who he was, farther than what is here said, we know not.Surnamed Barnabas — Or, Barsabbas, according to the Coptic.The son of consolation — υιοςπαρακλησεως; As παρακλησις signifies

Romans 14:1 — CHAPTER XIV. In things indifferent, Christians should not condemn each other, 1. Particularly with respect to different kinds of food, 2-4. And the observation of certain days, 5, 6. None of us should live unto himself, but unto Christ, who lived and died for us, 7-9. We must not judge each other; for all judgment belongs to God, 10-13. We should not do any thing by which a weak brother

1 Corinthians 10:1 — the Jewish history were typical of the greatest mysteries of the Gospel; particularly their passing through the Red Sea, and being overshadowed with the miraculous cloud, 1, 2. The manna with which they were fed, 3. And rock out of which they drank, 4. The punishments inflicted on them for their disobedience are warnings to us, 5. We should not lust as they did, 6. Nor commit idolatry, 7. Nor fornication as they did; in consequence of which twenty-three thousand of them were destroyed, 8. Nor tempt

1 Corinthians 10:33 — with the glutton and drink with the drunkard? So they partake of the Lord Jesus who are under the influence of pride, self-will, hatred, censoriousness, c., and who carry their self-importance and worldly spirit even into the house and worship of God?4. A spirit of curiosity too much indulged may, in an irreligious man, lead to covetousness and theft: in a godly man, to a troublesome and unscriptural scrupulosity of conscience, productive of nothing but uneasiness to itself, and disturbance to others.

Galatians 3:20 — Paul's meaning is evident from his use of the same words in other places, 1 Timothy 2:5: ἑις γαρ Θεος, c., for there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, that is, there is only one God and one mediator for the whole human race Ephesians 4:5-6: One Lord, one faith, one baptism, εἱς Θεος και πατηρ παντων, ONE GOD and Father of ALL. The sense of the whole is: Moses was the mediator of one part of Abraham's seed, viz. the Israelites; but of the other seed, the Gentiles, he was certainly

Ephesians 6:12 — that the Jews called their own city שר של עולם sar shel olam, κοσμοκρατωρ, the ruler of the world and proves that David's words, Psalms 2:2, The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, are applied by the apostles, Acts 4:26, to the Jewish rulers, αρχοντες, who persecuted Peter and John for preaching Christ crucified. But commentators in general are not of this mind, but think that by principalities, c., we are to understand different orders of evil spirits, who are

Ephesians 6:18 — those principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and the spiritual wickednesses in heavenly places, with whom he has to contend. The panoply, or whole armour of God, consists in,1. the girdle;2. the breast-plate;3. the greaves;4. the shield;5. the helmet; and6. the sword. He who had these was completely armed.And as it was the custom of the Grecian armies, before they engaged, to offer prayers to the gods for their success, the apostle shows that these spiritual warriors must

Colossians 4:3 — Verse Colossians 4:3. Praying also for us — Let the success and spread of the Gospel be ever dear to you; and neglect not to pray fervently to God that it may have free course, run, and be glorified.A door of utterance — θυραν του λογου. The word θυρα, which

1 Thessalonians 5:1 — the armour of God, being called to obtain salvation by Christ, who died for them; that whether dead or alive, when the day of judgment comes, they may live for ever with him; and that they should comfort and edify each other with these considerations, 4-11. He exhorts them to remember those who labour among them, and are over them in the Lord; and to esteem such highly for their work's sake, 12, 13. He charges them to warn, comfort, and support those who stood in need of such assistance, and to be

1 Timothy 3:15 — full revelation given; and the foundation on which this truth rests are the grand facts detailed in the Gospel, especially those which concern the incarnation, miracles, passion, death, and resurrection of Christ, and the mission of the Holy Spirit.4. Lastly, others refer the whole to το της ευσεβειας μυστηριον, the mystery of godliness; and translate the clause thus: The mystery of godliness is the pillar and ground of the truth; and, without controversy, a great thing. This gives a very good sense,

Titus 3:3 — Precept. Conjug., says: Σωματος εστι κηδεσθαι, μη δουλευοντα ταις ἡδοναις αυτου, και ταις επιθυμιαις· "We must take care of the body, that we may not be enslaved by its lusts and pleasures." And Josephus, speaking of Cleopatra, Antiq., lib. xv. cap. 4, says: Γυναικα πολυτελη, και δουλευουσαν ταις επιθυμιαις· "She was an expensive woman, enslaved to lusts."

Philemon 1:8 — requested, and for more: "Having confidence in thy obedience, I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say."St. Paul's discourse at Miletus; his speech before Agrippa; his Epistle to the Romans; that to the Galatians, Galatians 4:11-20; to the Philippians, Philippians 1:29; Philippians 2:2; the second to the Corinthians, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; and indeed some part or other of almost every epistle, exhibit examples of a similar application to the feelings and affections of the

Hebrews 2:9 — glory and honour." Howsoever it be taken, the sense is nearly the same:1. Jesus Christ was incarnated. 2. He suffered death as an expiatory victim. 3. The persons in whose behalf he suffered were the whole human race; every man-all human creatures. 4. This Jesus is now in a state of the highest glory and honour.

Hebrews 6:6 — death which he suffered, and was justly made a public example by being crucified. This shows that it is final apostasy, by the total rejection of the Gospel, and blasphemy of the Saviour of men, that the apostle has in view. See the note on "Hebrews 6:4".

1 John 2:20 — word χρισμα signifies not an unction, but an ointment, the very thing itself by which anointing is effected; and so it was properly rendered in our former translations. Probably this is an allusion to the holy anointing oil of the law, and to Psalms 14:7: God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness-he hath given thee the plenitude of the Spirit, which none of thy fellows-none of the prophets, ever received in such abundance. By this it is evident that not only the gifts of the Spirit, but the

Revelation 20:4 — Verse Revelation 20:4. I saw thrones — Christianity established in the earth, the kings and governors being all Christians.Reigned with Christ a thousand years. — I am satisfied that this period should not be taken literally. It may signify that there shall be