Bible Commentaries

Exodus 4:1 — people would believe him (Exodus 3:18). In respect to the natural weakness of the flesh, God was not displeased with him, but gave three signs, which however discernible in later wonders, were here specifically for the purpose of establishing Moses' faith and removing his objections. The three were: (1) the rod-serpent; (2) the leprosy, and (3) the water changed to blood. "They will not believe me" This is quite a human thing that Moses did here. When looked at purely from the human standpoint, what

Exodus 4:6-8 — shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign." This second sign, like the first, was given that THEY might believe, but it surely was MOSES whose faith also was dramatically strengthened and increased by these tremendous wonders. The disease here called leprosy "was definitely not the same as Hansen's disease, now called leprosy,Wilbur Fields, op. cit., p. 111. because the "whiteness" here mentioned

Psalms 116:10-11 — means clear to this writer exactly what is meant here. As Leupold said, "These verses are admittedly difficult, even to the despair of some commentators."H. C. Leupold, p. 806. The various versions translate this with amazing differences. RSV: I kept my faith even when I said, "I am afflicted." I said in my consternation, "Men are a vain hope." MOFFATT: Though I cried out, "I am crushed," thinking in my distraction, all men are a failure," yet I had faith. NIV: I believed, therefore I said, "I am greatly

Matthew 8:10 — And when Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. The centurion's faith contrasted sharply with the lack of it in the Jewish leaders who, although they should have been the first to recognize Christ and believe on him, were nevertheless his carping critics and sworn enemies.

Mark 7:27 — for it is not meet to take the children's bread and cast it to the dogs. Some have been puzzled by our Lord's attitude of discouraging this appellant for his mercy by such a reply as this; but we may readily believe with Trench that: He saw in her a faith which would stand the test and knew that she would emerge victorious; and not only so, but with a mightier and purer faith than if she had borne away her blessing at once and merely for the asking.Richard Trench, Notes on the Miracles (Old Tappan,

Luke 6:46 — And why call me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? It is not in mere believing, nor in mere profession of faith, nor in the acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord, that salvation is received but it is through doing the things he commanded. This fundamental truth has been compromised and negated by religious theories from the Reformation to the present time; but

Luke 8:47-48 — And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people for what cause she touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. Her fears might have resulted from the fact that, by such a touch, she had brought ceremonial uncleanness to Jesus, with some consequence of rebuke; but she was reassured in the most emphatic manner. Made thee

John 20:11 — without at the tomb weeping: so as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb. Mary did not leave the tomb, as did Peter and John, but remained there to weep. It is not known if she was alone, or what time of day this occurred. It is received in faith and reverence, as from the eyewitness account of an apostle, and with full consciousness that the revelation we have received, though inspired: is nonetheless fragmentary, but fragmentary only as regards inconsequential details. Of the great central

John 3:36 — and for all others, they would continue to be under the wrath of God. He that believeth … he that obeyeth not … These are among the most decisive words in the New Testament with regard to what is meant by "believeth," or "faith" as frequently used by New Testament writers. In all instances, it is an OBEDIENT FAITH that is meant, and never is some special quality of faith apart from obedience intended. Salvation by "faith alone" is an erroneous tenet of human

John 7:38 — etc." We reject the comment of Tenney that "`Let him come unto me and drink,' and `he that believeth on me' are practically synonymous terms."Merrill C. Tenney, op. cit., p. 135. On the other hand, the expressions are poles apart in meaning, faith being an action of the mind and heart, and coming being an action of both soul and body. Faith is subjective; coming is objective. Faith is allied to thought; coming is allied to deeds. That this is certain appears from writings throughout the New

Acts 3:3-5 — and John about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him, with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something from them. The beggar is not here represented as having any faith in Christ, or indeed that he had any other concern than the hope of receiving gifts from those entering the temple. McGarvey flatly declared that "It is evident from the account of the cure that previous to it he had no faith at all."

Acts 8:13 — proposition make a fool out of Simon; and, whatever he was, he was no fool. On this basis, therefore, we reject such notions as the following: (Simon) believed in the genuineness of Philip's miracles, but did not believe in God with a spiritual and saving faith. J. R. Dummelow, Commentary on the Holy Bible (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1937), p. 829. Simon himself also believed, but it was not a sincere belief in Jesus Christ. John William Russell, Compact Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids,

Romans 8:24 — seeth? Attention is directed to the English Revised Version (1885) margin where appears the alternate translation, "By hope were we saved." Translators and commentators are sensitive about salvation's being ascribed to anything else except faith; but the word of God honors no such inhibitions, affirming positively that people are saved "by grace" (Ephesians 2:8), "by the gospel" (1 Corinthians 15:1-2), "by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth" (Acts 4:10-12),

2 Corinthians 1:23-24 — But I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I forbare to come to Corinth. Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for in faith ye stand fast. I call God for a witness … Some call this an oath; but others deny it. Even God himself, for a righteous purpose, "interposed with an oath" (Hebrews 6:17); and Paul's appeal

Colossians 2:5-6 — For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. In the spirit … By not capitalizing spirit, the translators indicate that the "Holy Spirit" is not referred to here. Again, this verse is the language of a man who knows the people whom he is addressing. I am absent in

1 Thessalonians 4:10 — brethren, that ye abound more and more; Abound more and more … This is very similar to 1 Thessalonians 4:1, which see. A strong bond of affection had sprung up among the Macedonian Christians struggling against the pagan culture to maintain the faith and purity to which they were committed. A similar bond automatically exists wherever faithful souls are striving to maintain faith and purity in the midst of divisive and contrary influences. This writer often marveled at the strong bonds of affection

1 Timothy 3:9 — holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. The mystery of the faith … Here is the same as "the great mystery" mentioned a few moments later (1 Timothy 3:16). The doctrine of mystery as unfolded in the New Testament is rather extensive, as fully elaborated

Hebrews 11:11 — By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, seeing she counted him faithful who had promised. When three angels appeared in human form to Abraham who received them and fed them, they promised that Sarah should bear

Hebrews 11:2 — For therein the elders had witness borne to them. Therein means "in faith just like that mentioned." "The elders" are the great and worthy patriarchs of the past, particularly of the Hebrew scriptures; and the "witness borne to them" is the witness of the scriptural records concerning them. Significantly,

Hebrews 11:22 — By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. This was in the same spirit of faith exhibited by Jacob when he gave a similar commandment concerning his remains,