Bible Commentaries

Exodus 33:1-6 — Clements who wrote: "We should remember that ornaments often took the form of amulets, designed to ward off evil spirits, and so could possess a decidedly pagan character."Ronald E. Clements, Exodus (Cambridge: University Press, 1972), p. 211. See Genesis 35:4. Yet another objection is that God in Exodus 33:5 commanded Israel to do something they had already done in Exodus 33:4. This is easily understood by the discernment that Exodus 33:5 may be parenthetical to show why Israel had put off their ornaments.

Exodus 39 overview — This chapter details the making of: (1)    the Ephod (Exodus 39:1-5); (2)    the Breastplate (Exodus 39:8-21); (3)    the Robe of the Ephod (Exodus 39:22-26); (4)    the fine Garments of the priests (Exodus 39:27-29); (5)    and the Crown

Isaiah 40:9-11 — that "thou that preachest the Gospel" is a better rendition than appears in the American Standard Version. Note that "the Lord's arm and the Lord's hand" in Isaiah 40:10, as Rawlinson pointed out is a favorite expression of Isaiah, occurring in "Isa. 5:25; 9:12; 10:4; 11:11; 31:3; 51:9; 53:1; and 62:3."The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 1Ob, p. 67. This is a good place to notice that other verses in this same chapter exhibit expressions and usages peculiar to Isaiah. In Isaiah 40:5, we have the words "The

Isaiah 55:12-13 — shall come up the myrtle-tree: and it shall be to Jehovah for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." When the Lord uprooted his vineyard, took away the hedge, broke the wall, and laid it waste, briars and thorns came up (Isaiah 5:5-6), the Old Israel suffered; but the New Israel under the New Covenant will be abundantly blessed. It should always be remembered that no individual of the old racial Israel is excluded from the New Covenant. Any or all of them may indeed be redeemed

Matthew 10:18 — Yea, and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. This prophecy was fulfilled when the apostles were arraigned before Herod (Acts 5:18; Acts 12:1), before the Sanhedrin, and perhaps before other authorities.

Matthew 3:3 — ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight. The passage here quoted is Isaiah 40:3, but Isaiah is not the only prophet who prophesied of the mission of the great herald of the gospel age. Another equally significant prophecy is Malachi 4:5-6 in which the office and work of the herald are explicitly foretold. It is from Christ himself that one learns this passage's application to John. Jesus had identified himself as the Messiah to his disciples, but the disciples had been troubled by

Deuteronomy 22 overview — Commentary, Deuteronomy (New York: Abingdon Press, 1929), p. 334. 1.    On Lost Property (Deuteronomy 22:1-3). (Compare Exodus 23:4 ff). 2.    On Assisting Fallen Beasts (Deuteronomy 22:4). (Compare Exodus 23:5). 3.    Against the Interchange of Clothes (Deuteronomy 22:5). In Deuteronomy only. 4.    Regard for the Animal Kingdom (Deuteronomy 22:6-7). In Deuteronomy only. 5.    A Banister Required

Deuteronomy 25 overview — Here we have a total of six paragraphs on: (1)    limiting the infliction of corporal punishment as a legal penalty (Deuteronomy 25:1-3); (2)    muzzling the ox on the threshing floor (Deuteronomy 25:4); (3)    rules regarding Levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5-10); (4)    a special law regarding wrestling (Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 5 overview — that material here. There are a few very minor differences in the two reports, of which Alexander said, "These differences are of little moment."W. L. Alexander, The Pulpit Commentary, Deuteronomy (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1950), p. 84. Scott listed the so-called "differences" between the two as follows: (1) hortatory additions; (2) more definite and emphatic statement; (3) raising of wife's status; (4) humanitarian motive for observing sabbath; (5) additional incentive for

Mark 1:4-5 — prepared people to receive and adore the Messiah. This baptism was of God, and those who rejected it rejected God's message (Luke 7:30). In God's plan of redemption, a new birth was the essential prerequisite, a birth of water and of the Spirit (John 3:5). The birth of water (John's baptism) was available to men in the preaching of the herald; and, for those who accepted it, the birth from the Spirit would follow, in time, when it was made possible through the Saviour's death. The fact that those who

Mark 14:34 — Life (John 12:31), every demonic device in the arsenal of the evil one being employed against the Saviour. (2) Perhaps even more important, there was the burden of human transgression that he bore. God made him to be sin upon our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21). He bore our sins in his body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24). (3) The Saviour's supernatural knowledge of the fate evil men were bringing upon themselves was complete; and the knowledge that the chosen people, through their leaders, were bringing upon

John 14:11 — Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Exactly the same teaching had been given previously. See John 5:36 and John 10:37-38.

John 7:1 — And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for he would not walk in Judaea, because the Jews sought to kill him. See under chapter heading above. The plot to kill Jesus had been in existence about eighteen months already (John 5:18).

Acts 21:8 — New Testament (Cincinnati, Ohio: Bosworth, Chase Hill, Publishers), p. 389. such preachers were ranked after apostles and prophets and above pastors and teachers in Ephesians 4:12. Timothy was another evangelist in the New Testament sense (2 Timothy 4:5). The use of the word as a title for authors of the gospels did not arise until much later. We abode with him … As McGarvey said, "His house must have been a capacious one, as it enabled him to entertain the nine men who made up Paul's company."

1 Corinthians 1:16 — And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. Stephanas … was of "the firstfruits of Achaia" (1 Corinthians 16:15), evidently having been baptized by Paul before the beginning of his great work in Corinth (Acts 18:5 ff).

1 Corinthians 5:12-13 — For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves. Despite what was said under 1 Corinthians 5:5 of the unique authority involved in delivering the sinner "to Satan," it may not be supposed that putting away evil men out of the Christian fellowship has no relevance now. However it is to be done, it must be done. Morris said, "Paul's

Galatians 1:7 — some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. This verse should be read in close connection with the previous one. Regarding the exact meaning, Ramsay preferred as the simplest and best, "that which the English Revised Version (1885) gives in the margin," William M. Ramsay, A Historical Commentary on St. Paul's Epistle to the Galatians (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1965), p. 264. giving the thought thus: "A different gospel which is nothing else save that

Galatians 3:2 — candid when they use terminology that confuses this, as Dummelow, who said: "The apostle upbraids their speedy change from faith to legal observances," J. R. Dummelow, Commentary on the Holy Bible (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1937), p. 950. leaving room for the allegation that something other than the Mosaic Law is meant. The hearing of faith … This is a shameful rendition of a phrase which actually means "the obedience of faith." James Macknight, Apostolical Epistles

Titus 3:5 — to the teaching here. Scripture is always the best comment on Scripture. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:27). Of this verse, Spence said, "The apostle has grandly paraphrased his words here in Titus 3:5." H. D. M. Spence, op. cit., p. 261. And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11). Of this verse, Beasley-Murray

James 1 overview — lacking in nothing." In this chapter, the following requirements for those who would be perfect are advocated: (1) be joyful in trials (James 1:2-4); (2) in ignorance and uncertainties, let the Christian pray in faith without doubting (James 1:5-8); (3) in economic disparities, the rich and the poor alike are to rejoice at their new status in Christ (James 1:9-11); (4) God is not to be blamed for temptations, but the source of temptation must be recognized as lying within Christians themselves;