Bible Commentaries

Psalms 126 overview — 126:1-2, speaks of himself as one of them, or as participating in those feelings which they had when the exile was closed, and when they returned to their own land. Who the author was, it is in vain now to conjecture.It is evident from the psalm Psalms 126:5, that, when it was composed, there was still some trouble - something that might be called a “captivity,” from which the psalmist prays that they might be delivered; and the object of the psalm would seem to be in part, in that trial to find encouragement

Psalms 18:26 — engañoso en su propia conducta; quien no es directo en sus tratos; quien aprovecha las circunstancias para imponer a otros y promover sus propios fines; que es agrio, duro, cangrejo, incómodo, inflexible, cruel. Se convierte en perverso en Deuteronomio 32:5; Proverbios 8:8; Proverbios 19:1; Proverbios 28:6; pervertido aquí, y en 2 Samuel 22:27; Salmo 101:4; Proverbios 11:2; Proverbios 17:2; Proverbios 22:5; y torcida en Proverbios 2:15. La palabra no aparece en ninguna otra parte del Antiguo Testamento.

Isaiah 54:5 — it, ‘For thy husband is thy Maker.’ The word rendered ‘husband,’ from בעל ba‛al, denotes properly the lord, maker, or ruler of anyone; or the owner of anything. It often, however, means, to be a husband Deuteronomy 21:13; Deuteronomy 24:1; Isaiah 62:5; Malachi 2:11, and is evidently used in that sense here. The idea is, that Yahweh would sustain to his people the relation of a husband; that he who had made them, who had originated all their laws and institutions, and moulded them as a people (see

Jeremiah 7:29-33 — hill-sides” Jeremiah 3:2.Jeremiah 7:30They have set their abominations ... - Probably a reference to the reign of the fanatic Manasseh, in whose time the worship of Astarte and of the heavenly bodies was the established religion of the land 2 Kings 21:3-5, and even the temple was used for idolatrous services. The people had never heartily accepted Josiah’s reformation.Jeremiah 7:31The high places - Here, probably, not natural hills, but artificial mounts, on which the altars were erected.Tophet (marginal

Hosea 11:6 — them, because of their own counsels - Their counsels, wise after this world’s wisdom, were without God, against the counsels of God. Their destruction then should come from their own wisdom, as it is said, “Let them fall by their own counsels” Psalms 5:10, and Job saith, “He taketh the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the cunning is carried headlong” Job 5:13, i. e., it is the clean contrary of what they intend or plan; they purpose, as they think, warily; an unseen power whirls their

Zechariah 11:10 — signified that this relation was at an end.That I might dissolve My covenant which I had made with all the people - Rather, “with all the peoples,” that is, with all nations. Often as it is said of Israel, that they brake the covenant of God Leviticus 26:15; Deuteronomy 31:16, Deuteronomy 31:20; Isaiah 24:5; Jeremiah 11:10; Jeremiah 31:32; Ezekiel 16:59; Ezekiel 44:7, it is spoken of God, only to deny that He would break it (Leviticus 26:44; Judges 2:1, and, strongly, Jeremiah 33:20-21), or in prayer that

John 9:39 — here, has been by some understood in the sense of condemnation - “The effect of my coming is to condemn the world. But this meaning does not agree with those places where Jesus says that he came not to condemn the world, John 3:17; John 12:47; John 5:45. To judge is to express an opinion in a judicial manner, and also to express any sentiment about any person or thing, John 7:24; John 5:30; Luke 8:43. The meaning here may be thus expressed: “I came to declare the condition of men; to show them their

Acts 2:33 — heaven, triumphant over all his enemies. The use of the word “right hand” to denote “power” is common in the Scriptures: Job 40:14, “Thine own right hand can save thee”; Psalms 17:7, “Thou savest by thy right hand them that trust in thee”; Psalms 18:35; Psalms 20:6; Psalms 21:8; Psalms 44:3; Psalms 60:5, etc.Exalted - Constituted King and Messiah in heaven. Raised up from his condition of humiliation to the glory which he had with the Father before the world was, John 17:5.And having received ...

Acts 2:44 — prayer and praise. One of the best means for strengthening the faith of young converts is for them often to meet together for prayer, conversation, and praise.Had all things common - That is, all their property or possessions. See Acts 4:32-37; Acts 5:1-10. The apostles, in the time of the Saviour, evidently had all their property in common stock, and Judas was made their treasurer. They regarded themselves as one family, having common needs, and there was no use or propriety in their possessing

Romans 11:6 — notion of the Jews, that we are justified by obedience to the Law. He reminds them that in the time of Elijah it was because God had reserved them; that the same was the case now; and therefore their doctrine of merit could not be true; see Romans 4:4-5; Galatians 5:4; Ephesians 2:8-9.Otherwise grace ... - If people are justified by their works, it could not be a matter of favor, but was a debt. If it could be that the doctrine of justification by grace could be held and yet at the same time that the

Romans 6:14 — For sin ... - The propensity or inclination to sin.Shall not have dominion - Shall not reign, Romans 5:12; Romans 6:6. This implies that sin ought not to have this dominion; and it also expresses the conviction of the apostle that it would not have this rule over Christians.For we are not under law - We who are Christians are not subject to that law

Romans 8:16 — spirit - To our minds. This pertains to the adoption; and it means that the Holy Spirit furnishes evidence to our minds that we are adopted into the family of God. This effect is not infrequently attributed to the Holy Spirit, 2 Corinthians 1:22; 1Jo 5:10-11; 1 Corinthians 2:12. If it be asked how this is done, I answer, it is not by any revelation of new truth; it is not by inspiration; it is not always by assurance; it is not by a mere persuasion that we are elected to eternal life; but it is by

1 Corinthians 3:19 — especially those opinions when they were opposed to the simple but sublime truths of revelation. See the note at 1 Corinthians 1:20-21.Is foolishness with God - Is esteemed by him to be folly. See the note at 1 Corinthians 1:20-24.For it is written ... - Job 5:13. The word rendered “taketh” here denotes to clench with the fist, gripe, grasp. And the sense is:(1) However crafty, or cunning, or skillful they may be; however self-confident, yet that they cannot deceive or impose upon God. He can thwart their

1 Corinthians 9:13 — prepare supplies for the sanctuary, such as oil, wine, incense, etc. They had the care of the revenues, and after the time of David were required to sing in the temple, and to play upon instruments. Numbers 3:1-36; Numbers 4:1, Numbers 4:30, Numbers 4:35, Numbers 4:42; Numbers 8:5-22; 1 Chronicles 23:3-5, 1 Chronicles 23:24, 1 Chronicles 23:27; 1 Chronicles 24:20-31.Live of the things of the temple - Margin, “Feed;” that is, are supported in their work by the offerings of the people, and by the provisions

1 Timothy 2:6 — the salvation of all. Whatever proof of his desire for their salvation can be derived from this in relation to any of the race, is proof in relation to all. On the meaning of the phrase “he gave himself a ransom,” see the Matthew 20:28 note; Romans 3:25 note; on the fact that it was for “all,” see the notes on 2 Corinthians 5:14.See also the Supp. note on the same passage.To be testified in due time - Margin, “a testimony.” The Greek is, “the testimony in its own times,” or in proper times - τὸ μαρτύριον

1 Timothy 6 overview — Analysis Of The Chapter This chapter 1 Timothy 6:0 embraces the following subjects of counsel and exhortation: (1) The kind of instruction which was to be given to servants; 1 Timothy 6:1-5. They were to treat their masters with all proper respect, 1 Timothy 6:1; if their masters were Christians, they were, on that account, to serve them with the more fidelity, 1 Timothy 6:2; and any opposite kind of teaching would tend only to stir up

2 Timothy 4 overview — This chapter, 2 Timothy 4:0, comprises the following subjects:1. A solemn charge to Timothy, to be faithful in preaching the gospel, and in the whole work of the ministry, 2 Timothy 4:1-5. The particular reason given for this charge was, that the time was approaching when men would not endure sound doctrine, but would turn away from the truth. Hence, Timothy is exhorted to be faithful in his work, and to be prepared to endure the trials

James 5:9 — be. It is needless to say that this spirit - the offspring of pride - will make any man lead a wretched life; and equally needless to say that it is wholly contrary to the spirit of the gospel. Compare Luke 3:14; Phi 4:11; 1 Timothy 6:8; Hebrews 13:5.Lest ye be condemned - That is, for judging others with this spirit - for this spirit is in fact judging them. Compare the notes at Matthew 7:1.Behold, the judge standeth before the door - The Lord Jesus, who is soon to come to judge the world. See

Jude 1:11 — Woe unto them! - See Matthew 11:21.For they have gone in the way of Cain - Genesis 4:5-12. That is, they have evinced disobedience and rebellion as he did; they have shown that they are proud, corrupt, and wicked. The apostle does not specify the points in which they had imitated the example of Cain, but it was probably in such things

Revelation 19:16 — or whether it was open to the breeze. Grotius supposes that this name was on the edge or hilt of the sword which depended from his thigh.A name written - Or a title descriptive of his character.King of kings, and Lord of lords - As in Revelation 17:5, so here, there is nothing in the original to denote that this should be distinguished, as it is, by capital letters. As a conspicuous title, however, it is not improper. It means that he is, in fact, the sovereign over the kings of the earth, and that