Bible Commentaries

Genesis 35:22-29 — and the sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid: Gad and Asher: these are the sons of Jacob that were born to him in Paddan-aram. And Jacob came unto Isaac his father to Mamre, to Kiratharba (the same is Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac sojourned." Genesis 35:26 should not be read as stating that Benjamin was actually born in Paddan-aram, for as Speiser noted, this is merely an "apparent" meaning.E. A. Speiser, op. cit., p. 274. As a group, the twelve were indeed born in Paddan-aram; and even Benjamin was

Genesis 8:1 — This chapter continues the story of the Flood, including the period of the ark's flotation, its coming to rest, and the decrease of the waters (Genesis 8:1-5), the sending forth of the raven and the dove (Genesis 8:6-12), the disembarkation (Genesis 8:13-19), and Noah's burnt-offering with God's response (Genesis 8:20-22). "And God remembered Noah, and all the beasts, and all the cattle that were with him

Exodus 18:5-7 — chapter, saying, "Since even at Rephidim they could have been said to be at the mountain of God, there seems to be no real problem in the order of the narrative."Philip C. Johnson, Wycliffe Bible Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1962), p. 67. In Exodus 18:5, the translation is somewhat ambiguous, since it does not clarify "his sons and his wife" as belonging to Moses. Newer versions correct this. Also, in Exodus 18:6, it sounds as if Jethro is speaking to Moses, but the next clause states that Moses went

Psalms 124 overview — Palestine as early as 1400 B.C. "Aramaisms cannot be made a criterion for determining date."Paul T. Butler, p. 213. This conclusion regarding Aramaisms is mandatory since the discovery of the, "Ras Shamra corpus of Canaanite religious poetry dating back to 1500 to 1400 B.C."Merrill F. Unger, p. 912. Therefore, conclusions of scholars like Allen, McCullough and others who, from the existence of Aramaisms in this psalm, propose a post-exilic date of it are evidently in error. The psalm itself favors Davidic

Jeremiah 52 overview — FULFILLED This chapter is usually styled "Historical Appendix"; but its obvious application to the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecies suggests the title we have given it. Although many writers speak of this chapter's being a copy of 2 Kings 24:18 to 2 Kings 25:30,Charles Lee Feinberg in Ezekiel (Chicago: Moody Press), p. 687. this is true only of certain verses in this chapter. The chapter does apparently quote from 2 Kings, "but with a very significant omission (regarding events leading to the assassination

Ezekiel 32 overview — in Wycliffe Bible Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1962), p. 749. Cooke stated that it illustrates more vividly than any other passage in the Old Testament the notions of the Underworld current in those times.International Critical Commentary, p. 355. (1) It is international and universal. Great and small, foreign and remote peoples are all there. (2) It is conceived of as "in the depths of the earth." The grave is only six feet deep; but in the sense of its significance it indeed goes to the "heart

Amos 9 overview — entails the final and total destruction of both Jewish kingdoms, as such, including even the overthrow of the Jerusalem temple, accounted as sacred by all Israel (Amos 9:1-4). The certainty of this was emphasized by means of Amos' third doxology (Amos 9:5-6). The vaunted position of the Jews as God's chosen people, a fact the Jews had mistakenly interpreted as a perpetual heavenly endorsement of their earthly, secular monarchy, is announced as being solemnly withdrawn by the Lord in the announcement

2 Corinthians 11:1 — even these "are divided into two classes, the leaders and the led; and Paul does not always keep these separate in his mind." J. W. McGarvey, Second Epistle to the Corinthians (Cincinnati, Ohio: The Standard Publishing Company, 1916), p. 225. Yet in this chapter, "He clearly appealed to those who were led and denounced those who led them." Ibid. The great majority at Corinth had Paul's confidence. He believed they would bear with him and not misunderstand his motives. Carver said,

2 Corinthians 6:4 — Christian endurance. He calls it the root of all goods, the mother of piety, the fruit that never withers, a fortress that is never taken, a harbor that knows no storms. William Barclay, The Letters to the Corinthians (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1954), p. 237. This great word flies like a banner over the whole succeeding list. All of the following difficult circumstances, called by Chrysostom "a blizzard of troubles," Ibid. and by Broomall "a multicolored rainbow glowing with the

2 Corinthians 7:1 — certified to the Corinthians because of their status as God's true temple. Holiness in the fear of God … Only those who are holy shall see God (Hebrews 12:10; Hebrews 12:14). Absolute perfection is required of all who would enter heaven (Matthew 5:48). How then can any man be saved? It is admitted by all that perfection in any absolute sense is impossible for mortal man. The answer lies in the perfection of Jesus Christ; and those who accept his gospel, believing, repenting and being baptized

Galatians 1:24 — And they glorified God in me. For thoughts regarding the glory of God, see under Galatians 1:5. As Pink said, "To honor that blessed One whose we are and whom we serve, to so conduct myself that fellow saints glorify God in me, that is to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things (Titus 2:10)." Arthur W. Pink, op. cit., p.

Galatians 1:6 — loco. Ye are so quickly removing… The present tense indicates that the defection of the Galatians was well under way and still going on. There are several possible meanings of this clause: (a) It refers to moral speed, J. W. McGarvey, op. cit., p. 250. that is, they were more quickly accepting the false teaching than they had accepted the gospel at first; (b) it means, "So soon after Paul's visit to them"; John Wesley, op. cit., in loco. or (c) it means, "So soon after their conversion."

Ephesians 1:7 — which tells sinful people what it is, because it is clear enough that many are spurning the manner of being united with God "in Christ" through faith, repentance and submission to God's ordinance of baptism (1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27). Redemption through his blood … The New Testament presents the blood of Jesus Christ as the purchase price of the church, the grounds of redemption and the great atonement (Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 1:18-20; Colossians

Philippians 1:6 — but in God. It was the conduct of those Philippians up to that point which inspired Paul with confidence concerning their ultimate destiny. As Hendriksen put it: Your perseverance in sympathetic participation in the work of the gospel (Philippians 1:5) has convinced me that you are the objects of divine preservation (Philippians 1:6). These two must not be separated William Hendriksen, op. cit., p. 51. It is true that God did foreordain and predestinate such souls to eternal life; but there was absolutely

Philippians 2:12 — ourselves. This does not mean that we can and must effect our salvation. Frances Foulkes, op. cit., p. 1133. Far more acceptable are such comments as: Work out your own salvation. Though salvation is through Christ it must be worked out by obedience (Hebrews 5:8). With fear and trembling. That is, earnest anxiety. James William Russell, op. cit., p. 489. Work out your own salvation. Christ's work of atonement is finished … Your own; it is each man's own work; no human friend, no pastor, not even an

2 Timothy 1:18 — fact no student of the word may deny. A further word on this from Hendriksen will suffice: Paul at times expresses the wish that eschatological blessings be granted to those who, while the apostle is writing, are still living on earth (1 Thessalonians 5:23 b); (and therefore) the conclusion that Onesiphorus had actually died is not necessary. William Hendriksen, op. cit., p. 240. It is best, therefore, to view this rather difficult passage, not as any kind of prayer on behalf of the dead; but, as Gealy

2 Peter 2 overview — false teachers and their judgment (2 Peter 2:1-3). Historical illustration of Divine judgment on the wicked, and care of the righteous (2 Peter 2:4-10 a). Further description of the false teachers (2 Peter 2:10 b-14). The example of Balaam (2 Peter 2:15-16). The libertines are themselves slaves (2 Peter 2:17-19). The consequences of apostasy (2 Peter 2:20-22). The connection this chapter has with other New Testament writings on the subject was pointed out by Paine, who observed that the warnings here

1 John 1:2 — manifested … Moffatt was doubtless correct in capitalizing "Life" in both verses. "Manifested" is a term frequently used in the New Testament of the appearance of the Son of God in flesh (1 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 1:20, 1 John 3:5; 1 John 3:8). It is further illuminated by the counterpart of it in the gospel, "The word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:31). John also used the same word to describe the resurrection appearances of Jesus (John 21:1; John 21:14). And

1 John 5:5 — of God" carries with it the idea of equality with God; and so the Jews of Jesus' day understood it. For example: Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him … because he said that God was his Father, making himself equal to God (John 5:18). Christ confessed under oath that he was the Son of God (Mark 114:62), and the Pharisees mad that the crime for which they demanded his crucifixion (John 19:7). Knowing that he would be put to death for this claim, Jesus carefully avoided making

Revelation 17:10 — Hendriksen declared that the emphasis is on remain." William Hendriksen, op. cit., p. 204. "In the language of the Apocalypse, this entire gospel age is but a little while (Revelation 11:2-3; Revelation 12:6; Revelation 12:14; Revelation 13:5)." Ibid. This dispensation is indeed only "a little while" as it relates to eternity and to all the things of God. Plummer also agreed that, "This short space (as in KJV) describes the remainder of the time of the world's existence."