Bible Commentaries

Genesis 6:1 — this series, the key to understanding the O.T. is a thorough knowledge of the N.T., and therefore we shall first review the status of this chapter as revealed in the N.T. NEW TESTAMENT LIGHT ON THIS CHAPTER The Flood was received as history. 1 Peter 3:20: "The longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is eight souls, were saved by water." 2 Peter 3:5-6: "This they willfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth compacted

Exodus 27:9-19 — obvious, often escapes discovery until one is confronted by the impasse it implies. It reminds us that this plan, produced in the study, was never actually implemented."J. Coert Rylaarsdam, The Interpreter's Bible, Vol., I (New York: Abingdon Press, 1953), p. 1036. The following diagram, known for centuries, shows exactly how these instructions were implemented:1234567891011121314151617181920112This arrangement of the 60 pillars235 cubits apart satisfies perfectly the34Biblical requirement that twenty

Psalms 118:8-9 — disappointment was with Saul the king of Israel. "It is better to take refuge in Jehovah" Why is it "better?" Barnes answered that question: "(1) It is better because man is weak… God is Almighty; (2) man is selfish… God is benevolent; (3) man is often treacherous and deceitful… God is faithful; and (4) in some emergencies, such as death, man cannot help… God can assist us in any extremity."Barnes' Notes on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, a 1987 reprint

Psalms 32 overview — ancient inscription of the word "Maschil," meaning "didactic," that is, "intended to instruct," it is certainly not any form of instruction on "how to be saved." "This meaning of the psalm cannot be maintained." F. Delitzsch, Old Testament, Vol. V., p. 393. Those who might be interested in a further discussion of these questions are referred to Chapter 4 in Vol. 6 of my New Testament series of commentaries (Romans), especially pp. 145-158. It is sufficient here to point out that David, who is usually

Psalms 33:8-9 — and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast." These verses continue to establish the praiseworthiness of God upon the basis of his being the Creator and Sustainer of all things in the kingdom of Nature. "Let all the earth fear Jehovah" (Psalms 33:8). The mighty Creator is also the Judge of all men; and this universal commandment for the whole world to fear God is here backed up with three tremendous reasons, which are: (1) God's great power which he showed in Creation (Psalms 33:9); (2) God's

Psalms 38:17-18 — RECAPITULATION OF Psalms 38:1-10 "For I am ready to fall, and my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin." These verses also plead certain reasons why God might consent to forgive David. "For I am ready to fall" He is at his

Psalms 38:19-20 — unregenerated humanity is merely to "do good." David found it so; and Christians of all ages can attest the truth of his experience. "Cain slew his brother Abel. And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and his brother's righteous." (1 John 3:12).

Psalms 9:3-4 — "When mine enemies turn back, They stumble and perish at thy presence. For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; Thou sittest in the throne judging righteously." See alternate reading for Psalms 9:3 under Psalms 9:2. "Thou hast maintained my right." These words indicate that God had already revealed to David the triumph over enemies which, although yet future, was what prompted this outpouring of thanksgiving and praise on David's part. "God has

Isaiah 52:13-15 — they understand." Here is the introduction to the several revelations in this Great Passional, as it was called by Rawlinson. (1) The superlative exaltation of The Servant; (2) the marred visage of the Servant brought on by his extensive suffering; (3) the sprinkling of all nations, a reference to the incredible success of his kingdom; and (4) the patronage of kings, and the adherence of the great men of the earth to his teachings, are all subjects that are treated in Isaiah 53. As Rawlinson said,

Amos 3:3-6 — gin is set for him? shall a snare spring from the ground, and have taken nothing at all? Shall the trumpet be blown in a city, and the people not be afraid? Shall evil befall a city, and Jehovah hath not done it? These verses are the prelude to Amos 3:7-8, below; and they consist of a series of questions, each of which demands a negative answer from the hearers, an answer that is not awaited, for it is considered obvious. "Shall two walk together" Israel's having forsaken God's way means that they

Malachi 4:5 — the Lord… He shall go before his face in the Spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to walk in the wisdom of the just; to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him" (Luke 1:13-17). If there had been any spiritual discernment whatever among the whole roster of Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, scribes, and Elders of Israel, - if they had possessed the slightest degree of spiritual perception, they would instantly have recognized

Matthew 26:58 — Lord "afar off" in this instances has been cited as one of the reasons that he faltered and denied Jesus. Had he been with Jesus as was that "other disciple," presumably John, he might have endured without denying his Lord (John 18:13). Other preconditions that led to Peter's fall are seen in that he: (1) contradicted Jesus' word, (2) relied on his own strength, (3) turned to carnal weapons, (4) sustained the Lord's rebuke, (5) followed afar off, (6) accepted a place in the company

Luke 2:44-45 — sermon of the Restoration, in which were these analogies: (1) Many continue along life's way believing that Jesus is in their company, when actually he is not. (2) The search for Christ begins with kinsfolk and neighbors, but he is not with them either! (3) Then, let men return to Jerusalem, that is, to the gospel that was first preached in Jerusalem, to the true teachings of the New Testament. (4) Sure enough, Jesus was found in the temple, a figure of his church; and that is where he is found today.

Luke 4:4 — spiritual, and not merely physical; therefore, if man should take a forbidden course in the fulfillment of his physical needs, without regard to his spiritual nature, he forfeits life in the highest and best sense. The passage cited here was Deuteronomy 8:3. Materialism concerns itself only with bread; but God never intended this to be the exclusive goal of humanity.

John 3:16 — to Christ, but to John the apostle. This whole chapter may be read in less than five minutes; and thus there is nothing unusual or atypical in the Master's brief exhortation of Nicodemus concerning those "heavenly things" mentioned in John 3:12. To make of these short remarks some big sermon and to allege on that basis that the interview must have been terminated already is to overlook the near certainty that this interview was longer than a mere five minutes. Moreover, after Nicodemus

Romans 1:28 — penalty of sin, some sins, in particular, being cited in scripture as sins against "the body" (1 Corinthians 6:18). The affections of people are corrupted (Romans 1:26), and they reach a state of loving darkness rather than the light (John 3:20). The intellect is darkened, and people become vain, or foolish, in their imaginations (Romans 1:21). Also, there is finally an adverse, punitive change effected in people, that being the action that God himself takes against the incorrigibly wicked.

Colossians 2:8 — hundreds that are made in this context: The apostle does not condemn sound philosophy. James Macknight, op. cit., p. 526. Paul is not condemning philosophy properly so-called. J. R. Dummelow, Commentary on the Holy Bible (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1937), p. 983. Clearly the apostle condemns false philosophy. Ernest G. Ashby, A New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1969), p. 486. Empty deceit stands in qualifying apposition with philosophy. G. G. Findlay, Colossians

2 Timothy 3:17 — Timothy. "Man" is generic and means "human being." All persons who walk in the way of God are made complete and completely furnished unto every good work by the Holy Scriptures. As Lenski said: The value of these two verses (2 Timothy 3:16-17) is beyond question. It is a proof passage for verbal inspiration and for much more besides. As a proof passage it is outstanding and yet forms only a part of the entire volume of proof and evidence for verbal inspiration. It is one of the peaks

Hebrews 2:16 — no dog ever forgave the quarry; no poisonous serpent ever forgave the victim; no hawk ever forgave the prey; and even in the Law of Moses, there was never any such thing as actual forgiveness, since sins were remembered again every year (Hebrews 10:3). How utterly unaccountable, therefore, is the heavenly grace exhibited on behalf of sinful man, a grace conveyed at such awful cost! The fact of God's willingness to undertake the redemption of man, despite all precedent to the contrary, and without

Revelation 3:22 — heaven, indicating that these letters to seven ancient churches have a relevance infinitely beyond the circle of the original recipients. "They are a composite word to the church universal throughout time." Robert H. Mounce, op. cit., p. 130. A SUMMARY REGARDING THE SEVEN LETTERS The background. The discerning student cannot fail to see that Jewish persecution against the church is active in these letters, in which "the synagogue of Satan" is twice mentioned (Revelation 2:9;