Bible Commentaries

Exodus 17 overview — Two events are recorded in this chapter: (1) Water from the Rock (Exodus 17:1-7); and (2) the repulsing of the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16). There is a remarkable likeness in the record of these episodes, despite the radical differences. WATER WAR The danger (Exodus 17:1-3). The danger (Exodus 17:8). The deliverance (Exodus

2 Kings 16:5-6 — besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him. At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drove the Jews from Elath; and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there, unto this day." "2 Kings 16:5 here is practically identical with Isaiah 7:1."International Critical Commentary, op. cit., p. 457. In fact, Isaiah probably is the author of a great many passages in Kings. From the account in Isaiah we learn the reason for this war against Judah. Syria, mentioned first here, was the leader

Ezra 7:18-22 — brethren" This commission to Ezra was about as near a blank check with unlimited authority as any king ever granted. It exhibits the utmost confidence and trust in Ezra by Artaxerxes. The only limit imposed here is that of the maximum withdrawals in Ezra 7:22. "The surplus was actually used in beautifying the temple, as indicated in Ezra 7:27."The Pulpit Commentary, op. cit., p. 111. "The king's treasure-house" This is a reference to the sub-treasury of the satrapy of Syria, which included all of the

Psalms 30:6-7 — hide thy face; I was troubled." "I shall never be moved" (Psalms 30:6). "His heart was lifted up, and in a spirit of self-glorification, he gave command for the numbering of the people."The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 8, p. 219. "Of thy favor" (Psalms 30:7). This is an acknowledgment on David's part that in those days of prosperity and egotistical pride, he had not been fully conscious that it was God's favor which had elevated him, not his own ability or skill. "Thou didst hide thy face" (Psalms 30:7).

Psalms 33:6-7 — existence by God. His simple word was all that was required to bring them into existence. "By the breath of his mouth" (Psalms 33:6). This is merely another way of saying, "by God's Word." "He gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap" (Psalms 33:7). Here we have a classical example of how some translators, confronting a word of many meanings, sometimes choose the worst possible rendition. (In our New Testament Series, Vol. 11, we commented extensively upon this, pp. 219, 222.) "As a heap" (Psalms

Psalms 95:10 — that shall be saved among the legions of alleged believers in Christ. Christians, in ordering their walk before God, should ever remember that, "Narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life; and few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:14). Those scholars who like to dwell on the liturgical use of this psalm, generally assign it to the great Jewish Festival of Tabernacles. At Psalms 95:7, above, a priest is supposed to have interrupted the singing with the blunt warning of Psalms

Matthew 21:44 — whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust. The apostle Peter, referring to this metaphor, quoted Isaiah 28:16 and added, "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient" (1 Peter 2:7-8). Thus, our Lord's reference to the Pharisees' falling on that stone (himself) is a reference to their stumbling at his word. The passage also suggests Daniel 2:45 and the "stone cut out of the mountain without hands" which smote the kingdoms

Deuteronomy 7:1-5 — you, and he will destroy thee quickly. But thus shall ye deal with them: ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and hew down their Asherim, and burn their graven images with fire." The list of nations here in Deuteronomy 7:1 is also found in Genesis 15:19-21; Exodus 3:8; Deuteronomy 1:4; Deuteronomy 20:17; Joshua 3:10; Joshua 24:11, a "total often of these being enumerated in all."C. F. Keil, Commentary on the Old Testament, Deuteronomy (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans

John 10:31 — The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Some "moderns," so-called, have alleged from this verse that the author of John was a stranger to the laws and customs of Judaea before 70 A.D. But as Richardson said, "Acts 7:58 f records a case of mob stoning such as is said to have been impossible."Alan Richardson, op. cit., p. 135. Again … indicates that the Jews had repeatedly sought an opportunity to stone Jesus

John 12:34 — sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? Out of the law … means out of the Old Testament, rather than being restricted in meaning to the Pentateuch. The passages they might have had in mind are Psalms 110:4; Isaiah 9:7; Ezekiel 37:25; and Daniel 7:14. In all of these, the everlasting dominion of the Messiah is implied or stated. The multitude were also present when Jesus spoke of the Son of man (John 12:23), and thus it was no impropriety for them to question "Who

John 7:33 — the powers of hell were not sufficient to have harmed the little finger of Jesus. Finally, when the blow fell, it was with our Lord's full knowledge and consent. I go unto him … The words" I go" in this place are like those in John 7:8; and the perceptive words of Hunter shed more light upon what might have been the meaning there. He wrote: Possibly the Greek word meaning "to go up" carries here (in John 7:8) not its usual geographical sense but the SPIRITUAL one it has

John 7:43 — So there arose a division in the multitude because of him. See under John 7:13. Although the multitude continued to be divided, the division within the Sanhedrin was rapidly diminishing, as the hatred of practically all of them hardened toward Jesus.

John 7:44 — And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. See under John 7:30-33. Although the purpose of the Pharisees was set upon taking Jesus and destroying him, God restrained them until the appointed time.

Acts 7 overview — crown should have worn such a name. It is said of Stephen in the New Testament that he was a man: Full of faith (Acts 6:5). Full of grace (Acts 6:8, English Revised Version). Full of power (Acts 6:8). Full of light (Acts 6:15). Full of scripture (Acts 7). Full of wisdom (Acts 6:3; Acts 6:10). Full of courage (Acts 7:51-56). Full of love (Acts 7:60). Ibid., p. 322. The providence of God overruled the tragic event of Stephen's death (1) by making it the occasion for the scattering of the church which

Romans 7 overview — system of Christianity). These three considerations of the relationship between the law of Moses and Christianity make up the subject of the entire seventh chapter, in which Paul took them up one by one and in the reverse order, proving first (Romans 7:1-5) that Christians are not bound in any sense whatever to the law of Moses, next showing holy the law made sin abound (Romans 7:6-13), and then demonstrating why no flesh could be justified by the law (Romans 7:14-25).

Romans 8 overview — eighth, being signaled by the adverb "now." "There is therefore NOW no condemnation, etc." Thus, in the very first clause of this chapter, one encounters the dramatic affirmation and proof that the condition just described in Romans 7 was not describing Paul's or any other Christian's experience, but was a depiction of something prior to and diverse from the situation prevailing "now." Brunner commented on this fact thus: With a sharp turn, Paul now breaks off reflections

2 Corinthians 11:1 — great majority at Corinth had Paul's confidence. He believed they would bear with him and not misunderstand his motives. Carver said, "Again he is giving voice to his underlying confidence in the church at Corinth, as expressed in 2 Corinthians 7:4; 2 Corinthians 7:14; 2 Corinthians 7:16; 2 Corinthians 8:24, and 2 Corinthians 9:2." Frank C. Carver, Beacon Bible Commentary (Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press, 1968), Vol. 8, p. 601. Some would understand this verse as imperative, i.e.,

Revelation 3:6 — He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. This is identical with the admonition addressed to all seven of these churches. See discussion of it under Revelation 2:7.

1 Samuel 7:13-14 — of Saul. Such opinions are incorrect because the words "all the days of Samuel" are a limitation upon what is meant. "This passage teaches that the victory was only temporary and far from conclusive; and this is implicit in the text itself. 1 Samuel 7:13 b shows that the warfare was continuous."The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 290. Keil agreed with this, "1 Samuel 7:13 shows that the Philistines made efforts to recover the cities lost to Israel, but that so long as Samuel lived they were unable

1 Samuel 7:2 — the battle about to be described,"Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 2, p. 914. is not accurate. Such an impression is made only upon persons who fail to see the parenthetic nature of the verse. This type of writing is often found in Scripture. "In 1 Samuel 7:2-4 and 1 Samuel 7:13-17, the author does not intend to relate specific events, but to give a panoramic view of high points connected with Samuel."John T. Willis, p. 87. "And all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord" This speaks of the grief