Bible Commentaries

Genesis 15:6 — faith only," and trying to find here a corroboration of the great Lutheran heresy. There is no truth whatever in such views. Morris even discovered (?) here "a new covenant,"Henry M. Morris, The Genesis Record (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1976), p. 325. and Unger hailed the passage as "the pattern of a sinner's justification"!Merrill F. Unger, op. cit. p. 61. (1)    It is absolutely impossible properly to observe this place as the record of a new covenant. Genesis 12:1 f contains

Genesis 19:35-38 — neither the invention of national hatred of the Moabites and Ammonites, nor was it placed here as a brand upon those tribes. These `discoveries' of criticism, imbued with hatred of the Bible, are overthrown by the fact, that, according to Deuteronomy 2:9; Deuteronomy 2:19, Israel was ordered not to touch the territory of either of these tribes because of the descent from Lot."C. F. Keil, op. cit., p. 238. The names Moab and Ammon are apparently symbolic: "Moab (Genesis 19:37) closely resembles the

Genesis 36 overview — what is here written. (1) This chapter shows that God continued to be interested in all people, not merely the covenant family, and that His ultimate purpose was the blessing of "all the families of the earth," even as mentioned to Abraham (Genesis 12:1 ff). (2) It was just as necessary to register the generations of Esau as it was to register those of Jacob, "in order to show that the Messiah did not spring from the former, but from the latter."Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Whole Bible, Vol. 1

Genesis 6:5 — with" man, is dramatically evident. THE FIRST HARDENING OF HUMANITY The entire Bible deals with the phenomenon of Judicial Hardening, and this is the first instance of it. Only four such occasions are evident in the Holy Scriptures, the others being: (2) the hardening of the entire pre-Christian world (Abraham excepted), as explained in Romans 1; (3) the hardening of the whole of mankind (except a remnant) at the time of the First Advent of Christ, and (4) the final judicial hardening of the entire

Exodus 18 overview — reception accorded him by Moses, and the ensuing advice from Jethro with reference to the judges. Jethro's arrival with Moses' wife and their two sons (Exodus 18:1-6); his conversation with Moses (Exodus 18:7-11); his worship of the true God (Exodus 18:12); his observance of Moses' work (Exodus 18:13-16); his advice to Moses (Exodus 18:17-23); Moses' acceptance of that advice (Exodus 18:18-26 and Deuteronomy 1:9-18); and Jethro's departure (Exodus 18:27) are subdivisions of the chapter. Keil suggested

Psalms 107 overview — Commentary, 369. For example, Psalms 107:10-16 refers to the years of captivity, as does Psalms 137. Some, but not all, of the psalms in this book are alleged to be liturgical. Psalms 108, for example, is made up of Psalms 57:7-11 as united with Psalms 60:5-12, "Which was obviously complied for liturgical purposes."Ibid., p. 370. Fifteen of the psalms in this section are ascribed to David. ISRAEL RESTORED FROM CAPTIVITY TO CANAAN We have paid little attention in this commentary to the theory that the Five

Psalms 46 overview — destruction of Sennacherib's army before the walls of Jerusalem in 701 B.C. Here is what these scholars wrote: "Psalms 46-48 form a group of three which we may assign with little doubt to the reign of Hezekiah, when Sennacherib's army was suddenly destroyed (2 Kings 19:35). They all three strike the same note of gratitude, confidence and praise, which is found in Isaiah's references to the same event (Isaiah 29-31; Isaiah 33; Isaiah 37).J. R. Dummelow's Commentary, p. 348. "This Psalm looks back to the deliverance

Psalms 73 overview — character and have many features in common… They are national and historical… They have a definite doctrine of God, who is presented as "The Shepherd of Israel" (Psalms 80:1), and the people are the sheep of his pasture (Psalms 74:1; Psalms 77:20; Psalms 79:13)… History is used for instruction, admonition and encouragement."J. R. Dummelow's Commentary, p. 358. Dr. DeHoff summarized this entire book as follows: Psalms 73 handles the problem of the wicked's prosperity; Psalms 74 discusses

Psalms 78 overview — which has ever been punished by national calamities."Alexander Maclaren, Vol. II, p. 386. The purpose of this psalm was stated thus by Miller: (1) "Israel is warned not to follow the past pattern of sins as seen in their ancestors (Psalms 78:1-4); and (2) the current generation was warned to provide adequate instruction and guidance to the next generation (Psalms 78:5-8)."C. M. Miller, co-author with Anthony L. Ash, p. 270. In the commentaries that I have examined, there are two gross errors which should

Leviticus 13 overview — different physical disorders resulted in the sufferer's being brought to the priest for diagnosis. Knight identified the following diseases as coming under inspection in this chapter: "(1) The horrible anaesthetic leprosy that exists unto this day; (2) tuberculous leprosy that begins with a skin disease and develops into deformities; (3) several kinds of skin eruptions resembling leprosy, but sometimes disappearing spontaneously; and (4) a number of diseases known and treated today under such names

Deuteronomy 8 overview — chapter has two divisions: (1)    A recital of many of the events of the deliverance and the forty years' wanderings for the purpose of persuading Israel to be unwavering in their loyalty and obedience to God (Deuteronomy 8:1-17), and (2)    The warning that if they are not faithful to God, they will certainly be destroyed and cast out of Canaan as were the nations Israel was about to thrust out. "The focal point of this chapter is Deuteronomy 8:17. with its picture

James 2:13 — discussion of this in my Commentary on Hebrews, pp. 189-191. However, it is in the New Testament that the full impact of God's mercy comes to its glorious climax in the crucifixion of the Son of God that men through him might have eternal life. On James 2:14-26: This paragraph is perhaps the most disputed and misunderstood passage in the New Testament; but the interpretation presented here flows out of deep convictions: (1) that here indeed we have the inspired word of God; (2) that this portion of the

James 4:8 — Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded. Draw nigh to God … The exact equivalent of this expression, "Let us draw near," as used in Hebrews 10:22 ff, has a marked application to conversion, faith, repentance and baptism, all three being specifically referred to. See full comment on that passage in my Commentary on Hebrews, pp. 229-232. It is of special importance that Hebrews was also written

1 Peter 1:22 — unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently: Hart paraphrased the meaning of the first clause here thus, "They must realize that they have cleansed themselves ideally at baptism"; J. H. A. Hart, op. cit., p. 52. and that this is surely the meaning of it appears to be certain when the passage is compared with Acts 2:40. On Pentecost Peter admonished those whom he was exhorting to be baptized to "save yourselves from this crooked generation." Here

1 Peter 3:15 — here substituted the Saviour's name where the prophet wrote "the Lord of hosts, Jehovah Sabaoth" — a change which would be nothing less than impious if the Lord Jesus Christ were not truly God. B. C. Caffin, The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 22, 1 Peter (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1950), p. 131. Sanctify … Christ as Lord… What is meant by sanctifying the Lord? Mason tells us that linguistically it is closely akin to "hallowing" the

1 Peter 5:1 — shall be revealed: In this verse, "There is neither self-exaltation nor disparagement, nor any hint of primacy, such as some have claimed for Peter." Roy S. Nicholson, Beacon Bible Commentary, Vol. 10 (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 1967), p. 299. The storm of persecution coming upon the church naturally focused Peter's mind upon "the need for adequate leadership." David H. Wheaton, New Bible Commentary, Revised (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1970),

1 John 2:8 — Why did John stress the newness of it? He may have had in mind the word of Christ himself who declared that, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto the householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure things both new and old" (Matthew 13:52). The above view seems correct, since it answers all of the questions that naturally rise with reference to the verse; but, while holding to the above explanation, we also notice another. ANOTHER EXPLANATION "The contrast between the old and new

Revelation 12:3 — And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his heads seven diadems. Behold, a great red dragon … There is no doubt of who is symbolized by this. It is Satan (Revelation 12:9). The word "dragon" is in the dictionaries of every nation under the sun; and none can question the choice of such a word to symbolize the devil. In this vision, the dragon was presented in a form and appearance absolutely unlike any mythological

Revelation 13:11 — three now comes out of ground (he's the dirty one); and his, obviously, is intended as a counter-description of the Holy Spirit. Vernard Eller, The Most Revealing Book of the Bible (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1974), p. 132. For more on this beast, see under "The Beast Out of the Earth" in the chapter introduction. He is identified as the institution, or organization, of false religion opposed to God's truth and persecuting God's people. No doubt the pagan priests

Revelation 7:14 — … This verse is the principal proof-text for sponsors of the Great Tribulation theory; but the words "they that came are translated from the present middle participle, meaning they continue to come." James D. Strauss, op. cit., p. 126. Bruce translated this, "These are the comers. F. F. Bruce, op. cit., p. 646. This positively identifies the "coming" of these white-robed saints w dispensation. "The whole history of the church is a time of tribulation. James William