Bible Commentaries

Genesis 2 overview — narrative of the previous chapter. There is in this chapter a continuation of exactly the same pattern observable in the first, where, for example, Days 4, 5, and 6 are in each case elaborations of that phase of creation presented in Days 1, 2, and 3, respectively. (See notes above.) It is most logical and fully in keeping with the unity of the entire book, therefore, to find here in Genesis 2 an elaboration of what was revealed in Genesis 1. In addition to this, the author of Genesis (whom we believe

Colossians 4:7-8 — and that of the Ephesians to their destinations, and if, as is often thought, Ephesians was a circular letter, he carried it to other churches as well. The New Bible Dictionary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1962), p. 1302. Lockyer also pointed out that "Tychicus also had a mission to fulfill in Crete (2 Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12)." Herbert Lockyer, All the Men of the Bible (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1958), p. 332. Paul spoke of this

1 Timothy 2:6 — his own accord (John 10:17-18). There are no less than seven centers of initiative which are discernible in the crucifixion of Christ; and thus it is proper to say that: (1) God crucified Christ; (2) Christ crucified himself (gave himself willingly); (3) the Jews crucified him; (4) the Romans crucified him; (5) all mankind crucified him; (6) Satan crucified him; and (7) every man crucified him. A study of these is very rewarding. See in my Commentary on Romans, pp. 137ff. The inestimable worth of our

Titus 2:14 — of the saved from the pursuit of iniquity is again apparent in this. Christ did not come to save men in their sins, but from their sins. Purify unto himself a people… White accurately pointed out that Paul very likely has in mind here Ezekiel 37:23, thus: I will save them out of their dwelling places wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so they shall be my people, and I will be their God. On the basis of this, White went on to affirm "that there is an allusion to holy baptism

Titus 2:9-10 — view to thwarting, or criticizing, the master's will. Purloining… "The particular form of theft implied is the abstraction or retention for one's self of a part of something entrusted to one's care." Newport J. D. White, op. cit., p. 193. Luke used the same word with reference to Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:2-3. That they may adorn the doctrine of God… The lot of a Christian slave was as nearly intolerable as possible. Without anything except the bare necessities for existence,

Titus 3:8 — be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men: Faithful is the saying… This is not a formula for introducing either a hymn or a proverb, despite the widespread prejudice to that effect. See under 2 Timothy 2:13, above. This is merely Paul's equivalent of the "Amen, Amen" sometimes used by Jesus. Scholars cannot agree upon whether it should be applied here to what precedes, or what comes after. Many refer it to the epic pronouncement in Titus 3:5-7;

Hebrews 10:36 — For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise. Verse 36 and through the end of this chapter conclude the fourth great exhortation of Hebrews. The exhortation is based on a number of considerations, among which are these: (1) We have a great high priest who has opened up the new and living way through the

Hebrews 3:3 — system, no less than the Christian, was divine in its origin; and many New Testament passages emphasize the connection of Old Testament references with that new Israel which supplanted the old (1 Corinthians 10:6; 1 Corinthians 10:11; Romans 15:4; John 5:39; Acts 17:2-3). It was in view of this unity that Jesus said, And ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves cast forth without. And they shall come from the east and west, and from the north

Hebrews 4:11 — belongs to them as a heritage, and by faith they may live in the good of it here and now." J. Barmby, The Pulpit Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1962), Vol. 21, Hebrews, p. 109. Disobedience, as in Hebrews 3:18 (which see), is the great enemy of that final possession of the rest of God; and the ever-present possibility of disobedience and temptations that woo people to disobedience are factors that contravene the complete enjoyment of that rest in this

James 4:4 — of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2; Romans 7:1-6; Revelation 21:2; Revelation 22:17). The marriage metaphor was extensively used in the Old Testament, as in Isaiah 54:5; and the new Israel of God, the church, naturally took it over. Jesus used it in John 3:29; and also in Matthew 12:39. The crass literalism sometimes adopted in viewing this chapter obscures the meaning completely, as Oesterley testified, "It must be confessed that these verses are very difficult to understand." W. E. Oesterley,

James 5:11 — classify as "patient"; however, he endured despite every temptation. The patience of Job … "Job is mentioned only here in the New Testament," Walter W. Wessel, op. cit., p. 962. however, the book of Job is quoted in 1 Corinthians 3:19, which refers to Job 5:13. The Lord is full of pity, and merciful … Punchard suggested that James here "in the fullness of his gratitude, coined a word for this single phrase. `Great-hearted' would be close to its meaning," E. G.

1 Peter 2:18 — with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. In subjection to your masters … Peter's instructions here are in full harmony with Paul's instructions to the Ephesians and the Colossians (Ephesians 5:6 ff; Colossians 3:22 ff). "The sacred writers use language of studied moderation, carefully avoiding any expressions which might be regarded as exciting to violence or revolutionary outbreaks." B. C. Caffin, op. cit., p. 74. Of course, Christianity was squarely

1 Peter 4:3 — "the rest of your time" in 1 Peter 4:2, comprises the whole earthly life of the people Peter was addressing. The time past may suffice … "Literally, for sufficient is the past. There is an irony in the word similar to that in 1 Peter 3:17." A. J. Mason, Ellicott's Bible Commentary, Vol. VIII (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1959), p. 424. The primary thought here is that through their own experience those Christians who had forsaken Gentile debaucheries to

2 Peter 2:11 — admitted to be possibly the true one by Plummer. He said: "Against them" may possibly mean "against the false teachers." … The angels bring no accusation against the false teachers, but leave all judgment to God (Deuteronomy 32:35-36; Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30). This explanation avoids the awkwardness of making "dignities" in verse 10 mean "good authorities" and making it refer in this verse to "evil powers only." Alfred Plummer, op. cit.,

3 John 1:12 — Demetrius' character were cited. (1) "the witness of all men," that is, general consensus of opinion. This is good up to a point but can be wrong. (2) Testimony from a trusted friend is more reliable ("I testify … too"); but (3) the integrity of Christian character in which "the gospel exhibits itself … in life" crowns all else.Paul W. Hoon, The Interpreter's Bible, Vol. XII (New York: Abingdon Press, 1956), p. 312. Demetrius … Nothing is certainly

Revelation 12:13 — to God." To be sure, he did that also, but such an understanding of the passage imports a time element that does not belong there. When did he persecute the woman? As soon as he was cast down to earth. That persecution existed in Eden (Genesis 3:15) and has been going on ever since. The woman is to be identified with God's people throughout all dispensations. That brought forth the man child … is therefore to be viewed merely as an identification of the woman (which certainly included

Revelation 15:6 — there came out … the seven angels … All was in readiness for the judgment to be executed. The appearance of these angels seems to be significant, as indicated by the golden girdles resembling the apparel of Christ himself (Revelation 1:13), apparently conveying that they were wearing the livery of their Master and therefore engaged in his business, just as a jockey wears the colors of the owner in a horse race. The judgment belongs to Christ. Arrayed with precious stone … This

Revelation 16:15 — post, his clothes were taken off and burned, and he was sent away naked in disgrace. F. F. Bruce, A New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1969), p. 657. There could be another hint of the same thing in Revelation 3:17-18. "The kind of spiritual preparedness that Christ requires is the discernment which cuts through the deceptive propaganda of Satan and his henchmen." Robert H. Mounce, op. cit., p. 301. Of course, the great thrust of these verses is that,

Revelation 19:6 — designation for God in this prophecy. It occurs ten times in the New Testament; once it is in an Old Testament quotation (2 Corinthians 6:18); and the other nine times are in Revelation (Revelation 1:8; Revelation 4:8; Revelation 11:17; Revelation 15:3; Revelation 16:7; Revelation 16:14; Revelation 19:6; Revelation 19:15; Revelation 21:22). William Barclay, op. cit., p. 173. The Almighty God is eternal, and there has never been the fraction of an instant when he was not in complete and universal control

Revelation 5:7 — the standpoint of the apostle John. "The moment is that of his appearance in heaven, fresh from the suffering and triumph of the cross." F. F. Bruce, A New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1969), p. 643. This was, of course, some decades prior to the writing of Revelation. The tense of the verbs here, as noted by Carpenter, bears this out: "He came, and he has taken the roll out of the hand of him that sat on the throne." W. Boyd Carpenter,