Bible Commentaries

Genesis 18:9-10 — unbelieving laughter, a little later, on the basis that: "For all Sarah knew, the promise of a child was merely a gesture made by meddlesome travelers; her impetuous reaction was one of derision."Ibid., p. 131. Nevertheless, we cannot fault Sarah as being faithless, for the writer of Hebrews declared that, "By faith, even Sarah herself, received power to conceive a seed when she was past age" (Hebrews 11:11). Whatever Sarah's initial impression might have been, she was promptly to receive concrete and

Isaiah 54:11-17 — thy children shall be taught of God"! Membership in the Jewish nation was via natural birth and the circumcision that followed (in the case of males) some eight days later. Thus, unless such individuals were carefully instructed and reared in their faith, they remained as persons who had no knowledge whatever of God. The words here show that a new system was being followed during the reign of Messiah. Just as Jeremiah had foretold: "For they shall all know me (in the days of the New Covenant), from

John 14:9 — the good shepherd, the living water, the Son of God, the Son of man, the light of the world, the bread of life, the way, the truth, and the life coupled with his mighty signs — all of this had still left Philip unable to make the great step of faith in Jesus as God; and there seems to be in the Saviour's words here an element of wonder that Philip had somehow failed to take it in. Show us the Father … We do not know just what Philip meant by this request, but Hunter thought he desired

John 9:18-19 — The Jews therefore did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight, and asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth

Acts 10:36 — evangelization." Ibid. But that remark is an unbelievable affirmation that (1) the lordship of Jesus Christ, (2) the mighty works of the Master, (3) the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, (4) the final judgment of all men, (5) the remission of sins through faith in Christ, and (6) the fact of Christ's being appointed to be the Judge of all men in the last day — that none of these things is relevant to evangelizing Gentiles! Dibelius' contention in this is as wild, irresponsible and unbelievable as

Romans 1:11-12 — For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may, be established; that is, that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine. Here is revealed the reason why Paul wanted to go to Rome, namely, that he might establish the church there. In a sense, it had already been established there for many years, at least to the extent of its having been able to

Romans 12:4-5 — another through pride, envy or jealousy. In Christ … is a key phrase, as often noted here, in the book of Romans. Those alone who have been "baptized into Christ" are truly in him; and this does not overlook the absolute necessity of faith and repentance also. Can it really be said of any man who will not be baptized, as Christ commanded all people to be — can it truly be said of such a man that he BELIEVES (!) in Christ? Let every man answer that one for himself.

Romans 14:19 — "edifice," and thus conveying the thought of building up the church, instead of tearing it down. There are almost unlimited areas of thought and discussion which are absolutely without profit and can lead only to doubts, questionings, and loss of faith. These shall be avoided at all cost. Paul here prescribed, as a substitute for such negative activities, the positive and constructive type of behavior which is consciously directed to building up and strengthening one's fellow Christians. This

Romans 14:22 — The faith which thou hast, have to thyself before God. Happy is he that judgeth not himself in that which he approveth. Have to thyself before God … is a vindication of the strong in their possession of Christian liberty. They truly enjoy this liberty

Romans 16:20 — contrast with conflict, discord, and division. He is therefore the God of peace. The assurance given in this verse is the encouragement to heed the admonitions. Each element is significant. God will crush Satan; he will crush him under the feet of the faithful; and he will do it speedily. The promise of a victorious issue undergirds the fight of faith. John Murray, op. cit., p. 236. Likewise, Hodge commented: The apostle, in giving them the assurance of the effectual aid of God, calls him the God of

Romans 4:1 — right for God to call all the Gentiles without respect to the law or circumcision, the lack of such being no impediment to their call. Also, by the choice of such an example, Paul was making it obviously ridiculous to require Gentile converts to the faith to submit to a system that was not even a prerequisite for the call of Abraham.

1 Corinthians 8:13 — loving concern for weak and immature Christians, and bound upon all true Christians their responsibility for setting the correct example, regarding the scruples of others and for establishing a pattern of behavior which will build up others in the holy faith of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:13 — But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak. According to that which is written … This was Paul's formal designation of what he was about to quote as a passage from

2 Corinthians 6:10 — things. Sorrowful … rejoicing … This dual quality of the Christian life pertains to all believers, and not merely to Paul. In a world of sin, mortality, and many frustrations, "sorrow" is inevitable; but the distinguishing characteristic of faith in Christ is joy. Paul exemplified this as did no other. In his Philippian letter, for example, written from a dungeon in Rome, the words, "Rejoice, and again I say, Rejoice" are almost a litany throughout it. How marvelous are the joys

2 Corinthians 6:6 — had provided the power to understand and overcome all hardships. Many of the greatest problems of the Old Testament would probably never have been explained without the matchless learning and perceptive powers of this great apostle. Justification by faith, the spiritual body of Christ, the significance of "in Christ," the mystery of the hardening of Israel — and many other subjects are singularly illuminated by the mind of Paul. In longsuffering … Even yet, after so many centuries,

2 Corinthians 8:18 — gospel even at this early date, a fact confirmed by Luke's introduction (2 Corinthians 1:1-5). Through all the churches … The brother mentioned was known "through all" the churches. It is amazing that the same scholars who pin so much faith in the absolute superlatives of 2 Corinthians 7:13-15 are here very quick to affirm that "Here, ALL may refer only to the churches sharing in the collection"! Floyd V. Filson, op. cit., p. 372. This, however, is arbitrary. Certainly, some

Ephesians 3:16 — earnest of their redemption at the time they were baptized into Christ (see Acts 2:38-39; Ephesians 1:13). The prayer in this verse is to the effect that the Spirit of God within them would be a source of power, more firmly establishing them in the faith. Wedel spoke of the confusion and uncertainty many feel with regard to such a thing as the "indwelling" Spirit of God thus: The concept of the Holy Spirit is at best vague in popular understanding; and even theologians can be puzzled by

Ephesians 4:14-15 — doctrine, by the slight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ. There are two things which contribute to the seduction of Christians away from the holy faith. These are: (1) the natural instability of many persons who are captivated by novelty, easily misled, swayed by popular fashion, etc. As Barclay said of such people, "They are always under the influence of the last person with whom they talked."

1 John 2:3 — only thing necessary to eternal life was the knowledge of the true God."James Macknight, op. cit., p. 41. Hereby we know … Similar words are used several times in this letter to introduce "tests" by which the validity of one's faith might be tested (1 John 2:5; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:19; 1 John 3:24; 1 John 4:2; 1 John 4:6; 1 John 4:13, and 1 John 5:2). In the last analysis, it is keeping the commandments of the Lord, walking in the light, doing the truth, obeying the word,

1 John 5:11 — eternal life! To live forever in joy in God's very presence, to know the Creator, to see the Saviour face to face, to know as we are known — such conceptions can be understood only in part. And yet, this is the essential central message of the faith in Christ. This life is in his Son … Here is the Johannine equivalent of the apostle Paul's "in Christ," having exactly the same meaning as a reference to the corporate body of Christians who have believed God's testimony that Jesus