Bible Commentaries

Psalms 108 overview — This psalm is ascribed to David, and there is no reason to doubt the correctness of the title in this respect. The psalm is not an original composition, but is made up, with slight alterations, of parts of two other psalms, Psalms 57:7-11; Psalms 60:5-12.When the psalm was so arranged, or why the parts of two former psalms were thus brought together to form a new composition, it is impossible now to determine. It “may” have been for a mere purpose of art; or it may, more probably,

Psalms 112 overview — religion in respect (a) to the posterity of the man, Psalms 112:2; (b) in securing wealth, Psalms 112:3; (c) in the light which springs up in darkness, Psalms 112:4; (d) in the discretion with which such a man is enabled to manage his affairs, Psalms 112:5; (e) in the firmness and composure of his mind in times of danger and trouble, Psalms 112:6-8; (f) in his being so prosperous, and so exalted, that he will become an object of envy to the wicked, Psalms 112:9-10.

Psalms 79 overview — into the heritage of God; they had defiled the sanctuary; they had made Jerusalem desolate; they had murdered the inhabitants; and the nation had become a reproach before the world, Psalms 79:1-4. II. A prayer for the divine interposition, Psalms 79:5-6. III. Reasons for that prayer, or reasons why God should interpose in the case, Psalms 79:7-13. These reasons are, (a) that they had devoured Jacob, Psalms 79:7; (b) that the people, on account of their sins, had been brought very low, Psalms 79:8;

Isaiah 61 overview — to his office, and the consolatory nature of his message Isaiah 61:1-3. II. The happy effects and privileges of his coming Isaiah 61:4-9. 1. The effects of his coming in restoring the old wastes, and in building up the long-fallen ruins Isaiah 61:4-5. (1) The aid of others would be called in for this. (2) The sons of foreigners would become tributary to them, and feed their flocks and plow their fields, and dress their vines - that is, the pagan world would become subject to the church. 2. The privileges

Jeremiah 50 overview — Many critics have endeavored to show that this prophecy Jer. 50–51 was not written by Jeremiah. Others grant that Jeremiah was the true author, yet assert that the prhophecy has been largely interpolated. The arguments for its authenticity are briefly stated in the following:(a) The superscription Jeremiah 50:1,

Deuteronomy 33 overview — The Blessing contains:(1) an Introduction, Deuteronomy 33:1-5;(2) the Benedictions pronounced on the tribes individually, Deuteronomy 33:6-25;(3) a Conclusion, Deuteronomy 33:26-29.It was no doubt spoken by Moses, probably on the same day and to the same assembly as the Song Deuteronomy 32:1-43, as soon as lie

Philippians 4 overview — yoke-fellow” to render assistance to those women who had labored with him in the gospel; Philippians 4:3. II. Commands; Philippians 4:4-9. He commands them to rejoice in the Lord always, Philippians 4:4; to let their moderation be known to all, Philippians 4:5; to have no anxiety about worldly matters, but in all their necessities to go to God, Philippians 4:6-7; and to do whatever was honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, Philippians 4:8-9. III. A grateful acknowledgment of their kindness; Philippians

2 Timothy 3:3 — and quarrels. Webster. The Greek here is διάβολοι diaboloi - “devils” - the primitive meaning of which is, “calumniator, slanderer, accuser;” compare the notes at 1 Timothy 3:11, where the word is rendered “slanderers.”Incontinent - 1 Corinthians 7:5. Literally, “without strength;” that is, without strength to resist the solicitations of passion, or who readily yield to it.Fierce - The Greek word used here - ἀνήμερος anēmeros - does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It means “ungentle,

2 Timothy 4:5 — But watch thou in all things - Be vigilant against error and against sin, and faithful in the performance of duty; See the Matthew 25:13 note; 1 Corinthians 16:13 note.Endure afflictions - See the notes at 2 Timothy 2:3. The Greek word here is the same which is there rendered “endure hardness.”Do the work of an evangelist - On the word “evangelist,” see the notes on Acts 21:8. The

Titus 1:1 — Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ - See notes at Romans 1:1; compare the notes at 1 Corinthians 9:1-5.According to the faith of God’s elect - Compare the Romans 8:33 note; Ephesians 1:4 note; 2 Timothy 2:10 note. The meaning of the word rendered here, “according to” - κατὰ kata - is, probably, with reference to; that is, he was appointed to be an apostle

Titus 2:6 — which young men are prone, will, sooner or later, bring ruin to the body and the soul.(4) They are just at the period of life when they are exposed to special temptations, and when they need to exercise a special guardianship over their own conduct.(5) Like others, they may soon die; and they should be habitually in such a frame of mind, as to be prepared to stand before God. A young man who feels that he may be soon in the eternal world, cannot but be sensible of the propriety of having a serious

Hebrews 13:21 — expected through the Saviour.To whom be glory forever and ever - That is, to Christ; for so the connection evidently demands. It is not uncommon for the apostle Paul to introduce doxologies in this way in the midst of a letter; see the notes, Romans 9:5. It was common among the Jews, as it is now in the writings and conversation of the Muslims, when the name of God was mentioned to accompany it with an expression of praise.

Hebrews 7:19 — better hope; that is, by means of the ground of hope furnished by the gospel, to wit, that God is now reconciled. and that we can approach him with the assurance that he is ready to save us.We draw nigh unto God - We have access to him; notes, Romans 5:1-2.

James 1:2 — Compare James 2:1.Count it all joy - Regard it as a thing to rejoice in; a matter which should afford you happiness. You are not to consider it as a punishment, a curse, or a calamity, but as a fit subject of felicitation. Compare the notes at Matthew 5:12.When ye fall into divers temptations - Oh the meaning of the word “temptations,” see the notes at Matthew 4:1. It is now commonly used in the sense of placing allurements before others to induce them to sin, and in this sense the word seems to be

1 Peter 1:13 — in which the Orientals were accustomed to dress. They wear loose, flowing robes, so that, when they wish to run, or to fight, or to apply themselves to any business, they are obliged to bind their garments close around them. See the notes at Matthew 5:38-41. The meaning here is, that they were to have their minds in constant preparation to discharge the duties, or to endure the trials of life - like those who were prepared for labor, for a race, or for a conflict.Be sober - See the 1 Timothy 3:2

1 Peter 1:19 — But with the precious blood of Christ - On the use of the word blood, and the reason why the efficacy of the atonement is said to be in the blood, see the notes at Romans 3:25. The word “precious” (τίμιος timios) is a word which would be applied to that which is worth much; which is costly. Compare for the use of the noun (τιμή timē) in this sense, Matthew 27:6, “The price of blood;” Acts 4:34; Acts 5:2-3; Acts 7:16. See

1 Peter 4:5 — used in Acts 21:13; “I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem.” 2 Corinthians 12:14; “the third time I am ready to come to you.” Compare the word “ready” - ἑτοιμος hetoimos - in Matthew 22:4, Matthew 22:8; Matthew 24:44; Matthew 25:10; Luke 12:40; Luk 22:33; 1 Peter 1:5. The meaning is, not that he was about to do it, or that the day of judgment was near at hand - whatever the apostle may have supposed to be true on that point - but that he was prepared for it; all the arrangements

Revelation 13:6 — kept, and which was the seat of the Jewish worship before the building of the temple. It is thus used to denote a place of worship, considered as the dwelling-place of God, and is in this sense applied to heaven, Hebrews 8:2; Hebrews 9:11; Revelation 15:5. It seems to be used here in a general sense to denote the place where God was worshipped; and the meaning is, that there would be a course of conduct in regard to the true church - the dwelling-place of God on the earth - which could properly be

Revelation 16:15 — Behold, I come as a thief - That is, suddenly and unexpectedly. See the Matthew 24:43 note; 1 Thessalonians 5:2 note. This is designed evidently to admonish people to watch, or to be in readiness for his coming, since, whenever it would occur, it would be at a time when people were not expecting him.Blessed is he that watcheth - Compare Matthew 24:42-44. The

Revelation 17:14 — These shall make war with the Lamb - The Lamb of God - the Lord Jesus (See the notes at Revelation 5:6); that is, they would combine with the papacy in opposing evangelical religion. It is not meant that they would openly and avowedly proclaim war against the Son of God, but that they would practically do this in sustaining a persecuting power. It