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);

Psalms 105:39-41 — He opened the rock, and waters gushed out; They ran in the dry places like a river." There were many wonders during the wilderness period, but only these are cited here: (1) The pillar of cloud and of fire by day and by night is recorded in Exodus 13:21-22. (2) The miraculous food of quails and the manna are featured in Exodus 16. (3) The water from the rock appears in Exodus 17.

Proverbs 21:27 — "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind." The thought here is very similar to that of Proverbs 21:3. See the comment there. The Anchor Bible has it this way: "A sacrifice offered by wicked men is an abomination, all the more so if one bring it with a shameful purpose."Ibid. Some of the shameful purposes that may prompt the wicked to offer a sacrifice

Proverbs 25:13 — "As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, So is a faithful messenger to them that send him; For he refresheth the soul of his masters." This subject appears in previous proverbs Proverbs 13:17 and Proverbs 17:2. See our comments there. It is amazing that "the cold of snow" would have been available in harvest time. This is either a reference to one's remembrance of the cold of snow, or to some device by which it was really available. Visitors to Monticello,

Proverbs 3 overview — DeHoff recognized three divisions in this chapter: "(1) a call to complete commitment (Proverbs 3:1-10), (2) the happiness and blessing of those who trust in God (Proverbs 3:11-20), and (3) the confidence and security of those who walk with God (Proverbs 3:21-35)."George DeHoff's Commentary, Vol. III, p. 255. Halley noted that the big words in the chapter

Leviticus 24:22 — upon the blasphemer. "Disaster must descend upon the land where the Name is cursed, the lordship of the living God is repudiated, no matter whether the offender is a native Israelite or a resident foreigner."Nathaniel Micklem, Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 2 (New York: Abingdon Press, 1953), p. 119.

Isaiah 20 overview — same subject as the previous one, it came at a later date and was attended by different circumstances. There are several things of particular interest in these brief verses: (1) there is the three-year witness of Isaiah's going naked and barefoot; (2) there is the only reference to Sargon in the Old Testament; and (3) the absolute promise of God to Judah of their deliverance from this particular threat of the Assyrians. Our title here mentions only Egypt, although it also includes Ethiopia. Both

Matthew 11:9 — But wherefore went ye out? to see a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. John was the last and greatest of the prophets, foretelling: (1) the near approach of the kingdom of God, (2) that Jesus would take away the sin of the world, and (3) that the Jewish nation would be destroyed for rejecting him (see under Matthew 3:10). He was more than a prophet in that he did not merely foretell the Messiah but presented him to the people

Matthew 24:35 — Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. This verse affirms two propositions: (1) that heaven and earth shall pass away, and (2) that Christ's words shall not pass away. The reference to the first of these grew out of the fact that he had just described the passing away of the heavens and the earth, and he made his word to be more permanent and abiding than any material substance.

Deuteronomy 2:8-13 — nation (Moab) to whom God had given land as a possession, noting also that God would not allow Israel to take any possession that God had not given to Israel. Here is another example of what was mentioned above relative to the statement in Deuteronomy 2:5. Moses also enhanced this reference to God as the sovereign of all the earth (Acts 17:26) by throwing in the statement in Deuteronomy 2:10-12. The mighty race of the Rephaim had preceded Moab in that territory, but when they proved themselves no longer

Acts 20:19 — Serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews. Paul's hardships and trials were of epic proportions, as the bare catalogue of them (2 Corinthians 11:23-33) proves. Even the journey upon which he was then embarked had been drastically revised due to a plot against his life (Acts 20:3). Tears … This mention of Paul's weeping was repeated later (Acts 20:31); and from this it may

Acts 24 overview — Jerusalem were legally represented by a lawyer named Tertullus, and in which Paul convincingly spoke on his own behalf. Events of this chapter (except the last paragraph) occurred only twelve days from the time Paul entered Jerusalem from Caesarea (Acts 21:17). For discussion of Felix, see under Acts 23:24, and for notes on Ananias under Acts 23:2.

Galatians 6:15 — 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" in Galatians 6:2, is not a mere afterthought with regard to the general rule of "love thy neighbor," but an emphasis upon that glorious entity, the Law of Jesus Christ, which is antithetical to the Law of Moses, abrogating and replacing it altogether.

Ephesians 6 overview — Dummelow said of the last verse, "It is a worthy conclusion to this immortal Epistle!" J. R. 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

Philippians 2:29 — Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy; and hold such in honor. Dummelow thought that: The apostle heaps commendations upon Epaphroditus, apprehending seemingly that he might have a cool reception (Philippians 2:29-30), since he is going home prematurely and without having rendered all the service expected. J. R. Dummelow, op. cit., p. 974. It is very difficult, however, for this writer to agree with that, because the severe "nigh-unto-death" illness

2 Thessalonians 3:3 — "faith" in this passage, as follows: Paul writes from Corinth that while everyone has the chance, not all have the desire to arrive at the faith ([@Pistis] here is the faith of the gospel, or Christianity). By a characteristic play upon the word, Paul, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, hurries on to add, "but the Lord is faithful." James Moffatt, op. cit., p. 51. The general idea of the verse is that a trustworthy God is more than a match for untrustworthy men.

1 Timothy 3:12 — qualifications whatever, is too unreasonable to believe. No! The people who are determined to appoint female deacons will have to find their authority and their guidelines somewhere else than in the New Testament. See comment on this clause under 1 Timothy 1:2.

Hebrews 1:14 — Testament. CONCERNING ANGELS In view of the attention lavished in this chapter upon angels and their place in the economy of redemption, it is considered appropriate to set forth some of the basic scriptural teachings concerning them. They are innumerable (Hebrews 12:22); and from such impressions as may be gathered from our Saviour's reference to "legions of angels" (Matthew 26:53) and the use of words like "archangel" (Jude 1:1:9), as well as from our Lord's making angels of little children

Judges 3:1-6 — sons and served their gods" "The nations Jehovah left… to prove Israel" This passage gives two reasons why the Lord did not drive out all of the Canaanites before Israel, namely: (1) to prove them, whether or not they would obey the Lord; and (2) to teach those ignorant of it, the art of war; (3) A third reason is also given, namely, that of punishing Israel for their disobedience. The bankruptcy of radical criticism is seen in the fact that Moore declared these reasons to be "a contradiction"International

Revelation 21:13 — on the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. East … north … south … west … The order of the mention of these is intriguing: In Numbers 2:3 ff, the tribes are arranged in a square, the sides of which look ESWN, in Ezekiel NESW, in Revelation ENSW, a change that seems deliberate. Ibid. "Both John and Ezekiel seem deliberately to have avoided having the gates in the order observed