Bible Commentaries

Genesis 14:21-24 — that he promised Jehovah such restraint in case the victory for which he prayed was granted. Melchizedek also acknowledged that it was in answer to Abram's prayers that the victory had been granted. Thus, there is no way to make the passage in Exodus 6:3 refer to anything other than to increased and more specific knowledge of Jehovah than had been granted to Abram, who did most certainly know Jehovah, and by that name, as indicated here. The generosity and magnanimity of Abram appear dramatically

Genesis 6:9 — conveying the sense of relativity regarding Noah's perfection. That is, in comparison with the people among whom he lived, his life was perfect in the sight of God. "Earth was filled with violence" This is supplemental to what was revealed in Genesis 6:5 regarding man's wickedness. Evil, as demonstrated in the life of Cain, the first murderer, always issues at last in unrestrained, vicious violence. "All flesh had corrupted their way" Note that the wickedness and unrestrained lawlessness and violence

Psalms 51 overview — upon the mercy of God in prayers for pardon."The Layman's Bible Commentary, Vol. 9, p. 85. The scriptural background of this psalm is 2 Samuel 11-12. Ash's discerning words about this psalm are: "This is the zenith of the penitential psalms (Psalms 6; Psalms 32; Psalms 38; Psalms 102; Psalms 130; Psalms 143). There may be no more impassioned or beautiful prayer for forgiveness and renewal in the Bible than here. The poet's wrongdoing has overwhelmed him. His remorse and his plea are intense."Anthony

Leviticus 4 overview — This chapter and through Leviticus 5:13 set forth the divine regulations concerning the sin-offering, both this offering and the one presented in the next section (Leviticus 5:14 to Leviticus 6:7) which is called the guilt-offering are distinguished from the three offerings which have already been given in Leviticus 1-3, called "sweet-smelling" offerings to God. The sin-offering and the guilt-offering are not so designated. The difference

Isaiah 57 overview — Jews never again resorted to idolatry, after their return from Babylon. We are positively certain, therefore, that such postulations as those of Wardle that, "This chapter is an invective against the pro-Samaritan party,"Peake's Commentary Series, p. 469. after the return from Babylon, are absolutely untenable and incorrect, being unsupported by any evidence whatever, and contrary to the known facts of history. It is distressing to see alleged "scholars" of our own times still parroting such old, discredited,

Numbers 18 overview — prescription of tithes and their use as the support of the priests and Levites. There are three different sections of the Word of God that deal with the same subject: (1)    the passage before us (2)    Deuteronomy 15:5-6; Deuteronomy 15:11; Deuteronomy 15:18 (3)    Leviticus 27:30-33 There is considerable variation in the laws which has been explained in various ways. This chapter gives a much more extensive list of the things to be tithed than the

Deuteronomy 4 overview — the central demand of the suzerain for pure devotion and obedience to the maker of the covenant; (4)    blessings and cursings invoked upon the lesser parties to the covenant; (5)    invocation of witnesses; (6)    the requirement to transmit the knowledge of the covenant to subsequent generations; (7)    allusions to the dynastic issue.Meredith G. Kline, Wycliffe Bible Commentary, Deuteronomy (Chicago: Moody Press,

Romans 10:17 — subjective as well as objective meaning, which is literally, "word received by hearing," that is, "the spoken word.") Coneybeare and Howson, Life and Letters of St. Paul (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1966), pp. 306, 524. Word of Christ … instead of "word of God," as in KJV, does not alter the meaning, the word of Christ and the word of God being identical. Jesus said: For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath

Romans 8:12-14 — that they are really living when they give way to the flesh, whereas in reality they are heading straight for eternal death. R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Augsburg Publishing House, 1963), p. 517. Significantly, there is no relaxation of moral requirements for those who are in Christ. Believing and obeying the gospel, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, and thereby rejoicing in the grace of God, do not for a moment cause sin to

1 Corinthians 1:26 — called. Indeed, the truly wise, the really noble, also received the Lord, despite the tragedy of many failing to do so. The treasurer of Queen Candace became a Christian (Acts 8:27). The proconsul of Crete, Sergius Paulus, accepted the gospel (Acts 13:6-12). Dionysius the Areopagite, a mighty judge at Athens, believed (Acts 17:34). Crispus and Sosthenes were both rulers of a synagogue when they obeyed the gospel (Acts 18:8; Acts 18:17). Erastus, Chamberlain of the City of Corinth, became a Christian

1 Corinthians 14:26 — harmony had not been invented. A very early description of Christian worship stated that "they sang by turns a hymn to Christ as God"; Henry Bettenson, Documents of the Christian Church (New York and London: Oxford University Press, 1947), p. 6. and there can hardly be any doubt that this was true. Teaching … would refer to the instruction of ordinary, uninspired teachers; and in this, it corresponds roughly to preaching in the present time. Revelation … is a reference to the

1 Corinthians 9:24 — contend along with others in the church, and not as some kind of free-lance operator; (2) discipline is required (Hebrews 12:1); (3) some win; others do not win; (4) a host of spectators views the contest (Hebrews 12:1); (5) patience is necessary; (6) the winner receives the prize. The contrasts are: (1) only one may win an earthly race; all may win the heavenly; (2) the earthly reward is but a trifle; the heavenly reward is eternal life. The prize … Johnson objected to interpreting this

Ephesians 5:3-4 — befitting; but rather giving of thanks. This is another of Paul's catalogues of vice, none of them, not even all of them together being any complete list of sins, but merely typical. Other lists are in Romans 1:29 ff, 1 Corinthians 5:11 ff; 1 Corinthians 6:9 ff, Galatians 5:19 ff and Colossians 3:5 ff. Fornication is prominently mentioned in practically all of these, due to its prominence in the pagan culture from which Gentile converts to Christianity had been recruited. As Bruce said: We may think it

Colossians 3:3-4 — Galatians 2:20. Significantly, the consummation of all the Christian's hope shall be achieved "at the coming of Christ, which will be a personal and visible appearing of himself." Arthur W. Pink, Gleanings from Paul (Chicago: Moody Press, 1967), p. 334. Another wonderful thought on being "hid with Christ" was also given by Bruce in reply to a question, "How is our life hid with Christ in God?" He wrote: Here is J. B. Lightfoot's answer: "The apostle's argument is

Hebrews 11:1 — correct in the observation that this is not a formal definition of faith at all, but "rather a plain statement with regard to its nature and province." <footnote R. Milligan, New Testament Commentary (Nashville: Gospel Advocate Company, 1962), Vol. 9, p. 298. Macknight said, "The word for `evidence' (or `assurance') denotes a strict proof or demonstration; a proof which thoroughly convinces the understanding and determines the will." <footnote James Macknight, Apostolic Epistles

Hebrews 6:13-15 — no greater, he sware by himself, saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And thus having patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For notes regarding God's swearing, see under Hebrews 3:10 and under Hebrews 6:16. The reference to Abraham is for the purpose of holding him up as an example. He was the most illustrious of the patriarchs and prophets, of whom the author had already said that his readers should imitate them. There seems also to be a special reason

James 4:5 — formula for introducing a Scriptural quotation. We agree with Lenski who said, "We are not convinced that the question is a formula of quotation; if it were, we should certainly expect the addition of saying that." R. C. H. Lenski, op. cit., p. 631. The proof that this does not introduce a quotation from the Bible is that no quotation is given, a problem which has perplexed the commentators extensively. Rather than being troubled by the presentation of different views on it, we shall be content

1 Peter 1:19 — Christ's purpose of redeeming people was the great motivation of coming into the world. WHY CHRIST CAME He came to save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21). He came to give his life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). He came to suffer and rise again (Luke 24:46; Matthew 20:28). He came to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). He came to be a propitiation for sin (Romans 3:25). He came that we might receive the reconciliation (Romans 5:11). He came to buy us with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19). He came

2 Peter 2:9 — well have used "under punishment" as a short form for "under sentence of punishment." It seems clear from Matthew 8:29, that there is "a time" appointed for the punishment of the wicked, a time yet future. (See Judges 1:6). See more on this below. This verse is actually the culmination of all Peter had been saying, reaching all the way back to 2 Peter 2:4. As Kelcy said, "The protasis (that is, the conditional clauses antecedent to a conclusion) begins in 2 Peter

1 John 3:24 — holiness and love."John R. W. Stott, op. cit., p. 151. In this connection, it is also appropriate to point out that no one was ever truly "in Christ" who was not baptized "into him," as the New Testament repeatedly affirms (Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:26-27; 1 Corinthians 12:13). And hereby we know that he abideth in us … this is only another way of saying, "hereby we know we are truly Christians." By the Spirit he gave us … In Christians, this refers to "the