Bible Commentaries

Genesis 8:14-16 — wives with thee." Aalders pointed out that the word "dried," or "dried up," used in Genesis 8:13, "Means "free of water," while the word used here means, "dry and firm."G. Ch. Aalders, Genesis Vol. 1 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), p. 178. Thus, it would have been a mistake for Noah to have descended from the ark at an earlier date. The simple way of calculating the duration of the Flood is simply to compare this verse with Genesis 7:11. From the year 600 of Noah's life, 2nd month,

2 Kings 6:32-33 — the king himself would appear shortly after the arrival of the messenger. The king, of course, was ready to execute Elisha, but Elisha's bold word, "THUS SAITH JEHOVAH," frustrated the king's evil intention. This narrative will be concluded in 2 Kings 7.

Psalms 80 overview — DESOLATE NATION PROBLEMS OF THE CORRUPT VINE The first of these titles we have taken from Leupold, and the other is our own, based upon the fact of the "rather full development of the figure of Israel as a vine of God's planting."H. C. Leupold, p. 579. There are two divisions in the psalm: (1) a prayer (Psalms 80:1-7); and (2) the metaphor of the vine. The occasion of the psalm is difficult, if not impossible, to determine. Barnes summarized various views as follows: "This psalm strongly resembles

Leviticus 8:18-21 — ram upon the altar: it was a burnt-offering for a sweet savor: it was an offering made by fire unto Jehovah; as Jehovah commanded Moses." The variations in this once-for-all ceremony, with Moses officiating, from instructions provided in Leviticus 1-7 are in no sense evidence of "various sources" or "different traditions." The differences were required by the unique circumstances of this initial establishment of the priesthood of Israel. Never again would Moses officiate at these sacred altars, a

Isaiah 45 overview — all those wonderful victories (Isaiah 45:4-6); God reveals himself as the one true and only Deity who made light and darkness, refuting the absurd theory of the Persians that there were two gods, one of the good, and the other of the evil (Isaiah 45:7-8); the foolishness of those who question the mysterious providence of God in his relationship with his children (Isaiah 45:9-12); the remainder of the chapter has references to the absurdity of idolatry, a few allusions to the dark, lying oracles of

Zechariah 1 overview — This chapter has one of the most impressive calls to righteousness in the whole Bible (Zechariah 1:1-6), and the first two of eight remarkable visions: (1) that of the horsemen in the myrtle grove (Zechariah 1:7-11), with the divine interpretation of the vision (Zechariah 1:11-17), and (2) the vision of the four horns and the four smiths, including its divine interpretation (Zechariah 1:18-21). Despite the purpose of Zechariah's prophecy being that of conveying

Zechariah 8 overview — would like to omit keeping the fast day on the tenth of Ab (tenth month), which marked the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, some seventy years prior to their seeking an answer from Zechariah. The prophet's answer (that part of it in Zechariah 7) refused even to discuss their illegal fast day, born of self-pity, not of the Word of God, and celebrating the wrong thing; but, instead, he had challenged them to "Hear the word of Jehovah," repeatedly admonishing them to "return unto Jehovah" by

Acts 6 overview — faith (Acts 6:1), that Stephen's rise to prominence was a result of his appointment as one of the seven chosen to administer the distribution of food to the needy, an appointment brought about by complaints of neglecting the Grecian widows (Acts 6:2-7), and that his popularity, ability in debate, and fearless proclamation of the truth resulted in a Pharisaical plot against him, leading to his arrest (Acts 6:8-15). Many things of very great significance come to view in this little chapter: there was

Ephesians 4:30 — conversation. In addition to "grieving" the Holy Spirit, mentioned here, the New Testament reveals a number of other ways in which people may sin against the Holy Spirit: They may lust against him (Galatians 5:16). They may resist him (Acts 7:51). They may lie to him (Acts 5:3). They may try him (Acts 5:9). They may insult him (do despite unto) (Hebrews 10:24). They may blaspheme against him (Mark 3:29). They may "quench" him (1 Thessalonians 5:19). The day of redemption …

Ephesians 6:21-22 — beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known unto you all things: whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts. This message is nearly identical with Colossians 4:7 f, indicating that Tychicus was also the bearer of other letters besides this one. Tychicus was a native of Asia (Acts 20:4), is named among the delegates to the Gentile churches who went with Paul to Jerusalem, and was mentioned as a messenger of Paul

Philippians 3:15 — sincere desire to know and to do God's will, and without any wish or preference except to do the will of God." David Lipscomb, A Commentary on the New Testament Epistles, Volume IV (Nashville: The Gospel Advocate Company, 1964), p. 210. He cited John 7:17 and Hosea 6:3 as confirming his conclusion. Mounce arrived at a similar conclusion, thus: "The condition for future enlightenment is to walk according to present light." Robert H. Mounce, op. cit., p. 772. Indeed, if one does not walk in

Colossians 4:3 — as Paul prayed for others, he himself felt the need of the supporting prayers of brethren in Christ. That God may open … As Nielson reminded us, "This reminds us that even though the spread of the gospel is under divine direction (Acts 16:7), it is also subject to satanic hindrances (1 Thessalonians 2:18)." John B. Nielson, op. cit., p. 422. The mystery of Christ … See other Pauline references to "the mystery" (Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:3; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians

Hebrews 12:26 — more will I make to tremble not the earth only, but the heaven. As in the case of the author's seizing upon a verse of scripture never before particularly noted and making it the basis of the entire elaboration upon the subject of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:11 ff; Psalms 110:4), the very same thing is done in this place, where he refers to the earthquake at Sinai, and then to Haggai's prophecy of another such disturbance (Haggai 2:6), making the latter a prophecy of the end of the world. Such faith and

Hebrews 13:16 — purposefully, continually, prayerfully, and faithfully, of his money and other possessions for the forward movement of the faith. A child of God who fails in this duty must be adjudged lacking in a vital area of duty. For thoughts on tithing see under Hebrews 7:8. The use of such a word as "communicate" in this place also enjoins the personal involvement of the Christian in deeds of philanthropy and aid of such persons as missionaries, with whom a personal contact, by means of communication, is to

1 Peter 4:11 — ministering as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Oracles … "This is a word used to refer to the laws given to Moses (Acts 7:38), to the Hebrew Scriptures (Romans 3:2), and to the word of God (Hebrews 5:12, RSV)." Raymond C. Kelcy, op. cit., p. 91. Ministereth, ministering … God supplies … The whole duty of Christians is classified under the general heading

2 Peter 2:13 — Paul's "wages of sin is death." Evil behavior is its own wages. Revel in the day-time … "Daytime revelry is a feature of extreme dissipation; for the Christian, the day is the time of work (John 9:4; Romans 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:7 f)." David H. Wheaton, op. cit., p. 1255. Spots and blemishes … These are a reference to apostate Christians whose wicked and immoral behavior was a disgrace to the body of Christ. Reveling in their deceivings … The Greek text here

Revelation 1 overview — the salvation of people, but especially with the execution of judgment, not merely upon the church alone, but upon all people. The judgment is the theme of Revelation, and that subject is stated in the master-sentence of the whole book in Revelation 1:7. In the first paragraph (Revelation 1:1-3), the writer introduces himself, states the nature of what he is about to write, and pronounces a double beatitude upon those who read, and upon those who hear and keep the words of the prophecy. The second

Revelation 14:16 — … There was no laborious effort on the part of Christ; he merely threw the whole judgment into gear, and it was executed. The widespread association of the angels with Christ in the final judgment (Matthew 13:41; Matthew 13:49; 2 Thessalonians 1:7, etc.) naturally suggests that innumerable angels will be operative under Christ's authority in the execution of the final judgment. The presence of a number of angels in the judgment scene here is in full harmony with this. They gather the golden grain

Revelation 15:5 — Barclay, op. cit., p. 121. In this, he joins so much of the rest of the New Testament in absolutely ignoring and bypassing the Jewish temple. "This phrase, tabernacle of the testimony is found in only one other place in the New Testament (Acts 7:44)," Martin Rist, op. cit., p. 479. where it occurs in the address of Stephen. One of the most significant things in the New Testament is this absolute bypassing of the Jewish temple by New Testament writers. The author of Hebrews is another conspicuous

Revelation 17:3 — beast." Leon Morris, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Vol. 20, Revelation (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1969), p. 205. "It would be foolish to underestimate her. Even John finds himself marveling (Revelation 17:7)." Michael A. Wilcock, op. cit., p. 160.