Bible Commentaries

Genesis 3 overview — Paradise Lost This chapter details the temptation and fall of humanity and their consequent expulsion from Eden. The tempter is introduced (Genesis 3:1); the temptation is presented (Genesis 3:2-5); the fall of Eve, then Adam, (Genesis 3:6); the consequent shame, loneliness and fear (Genesis 3:7-8); their confrontation with God and their futile excuses (Genesis 3:9-13); the curse of the serpent and the word of hope for mankind (Genesis 3:14-15);

Genesis 35:21 — It is amazing that none of the details about Jacob's reaction to this crime, nor any other consequence of it, is cited here. His morality is mentioned again in Deuteronomy 33:6, and the fact of its costing him his birthright appears in 1 Chronicles 5:1.

Exodus 34 overview — Moses who had broken the first tablets was required to replace them himself, whereas God had made the first tablets (Exodus 34:1-4). God fulfilled his promise to show Moses something of his glory, made at the conclusion of the last chapter (Exodus 34:5-8). God renewed the covenant with Israel (Exodus 34:9-26). And in the final paragraph, we have the final descent of Moses from mount Sinai (Exodus 34:27-35).

Psalms 7:10-11 — them, protecting and preserving them from the ravages of the wicked. The last six verses (Psalms 7:12-17) return to a description of God's judgment upon evil men, who appear here as the enemies of the hated and slandered righteous man of Psalms 7:1-5.

Proverbs 11:10 — "When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; And when the wicked perish, there is shouting." "What's good for the righteous is good for the city."Broadman Bible Commentary (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1971), Vol. 5, p. 39. There is a direct connection between the morality of the population and the happiness and prosperity of the unit, whether of an individual city or community, or of an entire society. Nations where the will of God is ignored will find an increasing

Proverbs 22:29 — Word 5. "Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men." "Diligence would not commend a man so highly unless it was accompanied by unusual skill, dexterity, ingenuity and creativeness."The Pulpit

Proverbs 29:25 — you, my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, who after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell. Yea, I say unto you, Fear him" (Luke 12:4-5).

Isaiah 25 overview — prolepsis, that is, an anticipation of the rejoicing and praise of God which the redeemed of all ages will sing. However, the song of exultation contains other tremendously significant prophecies which seem to break into the song itself, as in Isaiah 25:6-12. The three paragraphs of the chapter are: praise of God for the great things he has done (Isaiah 25:1-5), the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and the prophecy of the end of death (Isaiah 25:6-8), and the ultimate triumph of God over all his enemies

Jeremiah 15 overview — course, the first nine verses of this chapter, especially the first four, continue the thought of the last chapter. Henderson suggested the following chapter divisions:E. Henderson, The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah (London: Hamilton, Adams, and Company, 1851), p. 93. Judah had sinned beyond the possibility of God's averting their punishment (Jeremiah 15:1-4); continued prophecy of Judah's destruction (Jeremiah 15:5-9); beginning of Jeremiah's lament (Jeremiah 15:10-11); destruction of Judah inevitable

Jeremiah 5:19 — serve strangers" "Serving strangers is a detail that would not fit the Scythians, who sold their prisoners as slaves."Anthony L. Ash, Psalms (Abilene, Texas: A.C.U. Press, 1987), p. 79. Thus we should add this to the details mentioned under Jeremiah 5:18, above.

Luke 23:22-23 — JESUS 1.    He asked that the Jews take him and judge him according to their own law (John 18:31). 2.    He announced a verdict of innocence (Luke 23:4). 3.    He sent him to Herod. (Luke 23:5-10). 4.    He announced Jesus' innocence had been confirmed by Herod also (Luke 23:13-15). 5.    He twice offered to substitute a lighter punishment (chastisement) (Luke 23:16; Luke 23:22). 6.    He

John 8:12 — am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. JESUS, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD I am the light of the world … is the second of the seven great "I am's" of John. See: John 6:35; 8:12; 10:9; 10:11; 11:25; 14:6; and 15:5. Several suggestions of what might have prompted such a metaphor by Jesus are: (1) the great lamps kindled in the temple court during the feast of tabernacles, (2) the glorious sun rising at that very moment

Acts 16 overview — This chapter has the continuation of the second missionary tour, relating the revisiting of Lystra and Derbe (Acts 16:1-5), the Macedonian call (Acts 16:6-10), the conversion of Lydia and others in Philippi (Acts 16:11-15), the healing of the demoniac girl (Acts 16:16-18), beating and imprisonment of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:19-24), earthquake and conversion of the jailer

Galatians 5:22-23 — to be "in God" (1 Thessalonians 1:1). From the above citations, there can be no way to avoid the truth that Christians are in God, and God is in them. But note also the following: If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). Paul's writings alone contain 169 references to being "in Christ, in him, in the Lord, in the beloved, etc." If Christ is in you … the spirit is life (Romans 8:10). It is Christ that liveth in me (Galatians 2:20). That Christ may

Galatians 5:26 — jealousy are two of the fundamental fleshly lusts, especially degrading and unbecoming in the church of Jesus Christ. Nothing that anyone is or has is of himself, but of God. As Russell said: `Even Jesus said, `The Son can do nothing of himself' (John 5:19)." John William Russell, Compact Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1964), p. 471. All of the miracles of our Lord were done as a result of prayer to the Father. See John 11:42 and comment in my Commentary

Galatians 6:15 — For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. For full discussion of this thought, see under Galatians 5:6. The significance of its recurrence here is that of focusing upon Paul's main theme continuing right through this chapter and to the very end of it, namely, that of the Law of Moses vs. the Law of Christ, forcing the conclusion that "Law of Christ"

Ephesians 6 overview — Dummelow, Commentary on the Holy Bible (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1937), p. 966. Paul here continued his discussion of reciprocal relationships: (2) between children and parents (Ephesians 6:1-4), and (3) between slaves and masters (Ephesians 6:5-9). His final great admonition to strength in the Lord through putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20) was followed by practical words regarding the bearer of the letter (Ephesians 6:21-22), and the benediction (Ephesians 6:23-24).

Colossians 1:28 — writer has no patience with the translations and "authorities" that scale down the meaning of "perfect" in this passage, equating it with "completeness" or "maturity." Christ used this word of God himself (Matthew 5:48), and one would hardly speak of God's being mature! NO! This verse is the quintessence of the entire system of Christianity. See my article on "The Perfection of Christians" under Ephesians 1:4.

2 Thessalonians 1:12 — Jesus may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according, to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. In you and ye in him … For discussion of this expression and six other similar concepts in the New Testament, see my comments on Galatians 5:23. The reference to the "work of faith," above, and the emphasis here upon the indwelling Christ, show that, although the Second Coming is not out of mind in these verses, nevertheless, "The primary emphasis here would seem to be on

Ruth 4:12 — inappropriate, but the significance of it lies, perhaps, in the fact of Tamar's having been a foreigner (a Canaanite), a non-Israelite, just like Ruth the Moabitess. Tamar and Ruth are both mentioned in the genealogy of Christ in the N.T. (Matthew 1:3; Matthew 1:5), thus the blessing of the elders that day was fully realized in time.