Bible Commentaries

Genesis 13:1 — Press, 1962), p. 167. and Simpson asserted that the expression, "Lot was with him is an incorrect gloss, as the absence of the mention of Lot in Genesis 12:9-20 indicates."Cuthbert A. Simpson, The Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 1 (New York: Abingdon Press, 1953), p. 583. However, the proof that Lot did in fact accompany Abram to Egypt, in addition to its having been logically and smoothly affirmed in this very verse, appears in what Lot himself "saw" in Genesis 13:10. "He saw that the plain of the lower Jordan

Genesis 49:4 — place to settle, and that before they ever entered Canaan (Numbers 32). They erected an unauthorized place of worship (Joshua 22:10-34). In the days of Deborah and Barak, his tribe violated their pledge and refused to answer the call to arms (Judges 5:15-16).

Exodus 37 overview — This chapter records the building of the Ark and the Mercy-seat (Exodus 37:1-9), instructions for which are recorded in Exodus 25:10-22; the Table of Showbread (Exodus 37:10-16), instructions for which are in Exodus 25:28-30; the Golden Candlestick (Exodus 37:17-24), the instructions being in Exodus 25:31-40; the Altar of Incense (Exodus 37:25-28), instructions being found in

2 Kings 4 overview — and the last consist of multiplying food, thus belonging to the same class as our Lord's feeding of the four and the five thousands and Elijah's increasing the meal and the oil of the widow of Sarepta (1 Kings 17:10-16)."The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 5, p. 63. Nobody knows how these miracles were performed. The sacred author has not informed us, and the speculative guesses of scholars are of no value whatever. "Rationalistic attempts to explain these wonders exhibit weakness and feebleness that are

2 Kings 5:8-9 — complied with Elisha's request. "So Naaman came… and stood at the door of the house of Elisha" At first glance, this seems to say that Naaman was standing at Elisha's door, intending to be admitted to his house, but Naaman's own words (2 Kings 5:11) indicate that Naaman had merely driven up to the front of Elisha's house, expecting the prophet to come out of his house and serve Naaman in his chariot. Thus it was Naaman and his impressive party, chariots, horses and all, that "stood at the door

Jeremiah 23 overview — PROPHECY OF CHRIST AND A DENUNCIATION OF FALSE PROPHETS By far the most important thing in this chapter is the glorious prophecy of Jesus Christ in Jeremiah 23:5-6. Beginning in Jeremiah 23:9 and extending to the end of the chapter is a lengthy discourse against the false prophets The location of this chapter is significant. Jeremiah had just concluded the chapter in which he had severely denounced the sins

Numbers 31:32-41 — Moses gave the tribute, which was Jehovah's heave-offering, unto Eleazar the priest, as Jehovah commanded Moses." The enormous quantities of live-stock mentioned here were "in accordance with the habits of the Midianites in the days of Gideon (Judges 6:5) and of their modern representatives today."Thomas Whitelaw, op. cit., p. 402. It is also noticeable that the numbers given here are "round numbers," apparently being calculated in round thousands. Whitelaw also stated that, "The Israelites seem always

2 Corinthians 9 overview — logic of any kind supports it. "These verses are not a misplaced fragment, for the connection in thought is close with the preceding verses." Frank G. Carver, Beacon Bible Commentary (Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press, 1968), Vol. 8, p. 584. These verses are an intensification of Paul's appeal to the Corinthians to make good on their promises of a year ago and to make up a bountiful contribution for the poor saints in Jerusalem. As the careful student of the New Testament soon learns,

Galatians 3:1 — after failing with a different method at Athens is refuted by the fact that in Galatia, long before Paul came to Corinth, his message was the same. Foolish Galatians … By such an adjective, Paul did not violate the Saviour's injunction in Matthew 5:22. It is the same word Jesus used in Luke 24:25." William Sanday, Ellicott's Commentary on the Holy Bible (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1959), p. 440. Phillips' translation renders this "You dear idiots," and the

Ephesians 1:14 — Bibles and start "walking by the Spirit"! Regarding the New Testament teaching of what this gift is, what it does for Christians, and what it is not, and some of the synonyms by which it is called in the New Testament, see under Galatians 5:22 ff. The "love, joy and peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, etc.," which mark the true Spirit of promise in Christian hearts are here considered to be one in kind with the joys of the redeemed in heaven. The Christian life, faithfully

Ephesians 2:20 — that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:13-20). (3) The foundation person is Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 3:11). (4) The foundational personnel was made up of the apostles and prophets of the New Testament, as revealed here. (5) The foundational doctrines of Christianity (six of these) are enumerated in Hebrews 6:1-2. Significantly, many different metaphors are needed to set forth the many facets of Christ's relationship to his people on earth. He is called the bridegroom,

Ephesians 4:28 — "had been" criminals were welcome, their sins were not welcome. The word of God reveals some acceptable methods of acquiring property, these being: (1) by inheritance, (2) by work, (3) by reception of it as a gift, (4) through merchandising, (5) through investment, etc.; two of the acceptable methods and one of the unacceptable methods appear in this verse, the latter being, of course, stealing.

1 Timothy 2 overview — Wycliffe Bible Commentary, New Testament (Chicago: Moody Press, 1971), p. 847. Nute said it stressed "the importance of public prayer"; Alan G. Nute, A New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1969), p. 509. Spence was sure that the thing in view here is "prayers offered by the congregation." H. D. M. Spence, Ellicott's Bible Commentary, Vol. VIII, Introduction to the Pastorals (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1959), p.

2 Timothy 3:1 — or the age of the church on earth." Carl Spain, Commentary on 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus (Austin, Texas: R.B. Sweet, 1970), p. 138. "The days of the Messiah are often alluded to by the Hebrew prophets as `the last days' (Isaiah 2:2; Hosea 3:5; Micah 4:1)." H. D. M. Spence, Ellicott's Commentary on the Holy Bible, Vol. VIII (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1970), p. 232. Grievous times … Although perhaps a better rendition than "perilous times," as

Titus 1:15 — things are pure." J. Glenn Gould, Beacon Bible Commentary, Vol. IX (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 1969), p. 673. Of course, Paul was not speaking of speech, behavior or conduct, but of things. Lenski also found in this a reference to 1 Timothy 4:4-5, where Paul stated that "every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, etc." R. C. H. Lenski, op. cit., p. 906. Their mind and their conscience are defiled … Chrysostom said with reference to this that, "When the

Hebrews 3:18 — And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient? The Book of Hebrews makes a great thing of obedience, affirming that even Christ was made perfect by it (Hebrews 5:8-9) and that the salvation he authored is "unto all them that obey him"; and also marking especially the obedience of so illustrious a person as Abraham (Hebrews 11:8). In this verse, disobedience is made the basis of God's denying Israel

James 1:3 — Perfection." The proving of your faith … This would be better translated if rendered "the testing" of your faith. R. C. H. Lenski, Interpretations of the Epistle to the Hebrews and the Epistle to James (Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1954), p. 525. Abraham, the father of the faithful was tested (Genesis 22:1); and it is a foregone certainty that none of the spiritual children of Abraham may expect otherwise than that their faith also will be tested. The testing begins with the Lord's

1 Peter 1:20 — manifested at the end of the times for your sake, Who was foreknown indeed … The redemptive visitation of our world by the Son of God was known in purpose from the beginning, but "was kept in silence through times eternal" (Romans 16:25); it "in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men" (Ephesians 3:5); it was "hidden for ages and generations" (Colossians 1:26). Before the foundation of the world … "This means `before Creation.'"

Jude 1:21 — pleaded that the faithful should do, we have this: (1) work at your faith; (2) give constant attention to prayer; (3) receive, cultivate and cherish the indwelling Spirit; (4) keep yourselves in God's love through strict obedience to his will; and (5) wherein one is frustrated or discouraged by failures (and there will be failures); (6) look unto the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ who will save the last unworthy one of us if we give him half a chance to do so! Eternal life … Notice that this

1 Samuel 25:14-17 — speak to him." This passage reveals that David and his men indeed had guarded Nabal's flocks of sheep for a long while, giving them marvelous protection. "We know of raids on two walled towns in this south country, one by the Philistines (1 Samuel 23:1-5) and one by the Amalekites (1 Samuel 30:1-2). How much more, then, must the shepherds in the open country have been in constant danger from marauders, unless they had someone like David to be a wall of protection to them."The Interpreter's Bible, Vol.