Bible Commentaries

Psalms 22:1-31 — ’Set to Aijeleth hash-Shahar’ (the hind of the morning); probably the name of some well-known song, to the melody of which the Ps. was intended to be sung. 1. The opening words (in the Aramaic form) were quoted by our Lord on the Cross (Matthew 27:46). It has been supposed that He repeated the whole Ps., and that the remainder was drowned in the tumult and jeers of the mob. 2. And am not silent] RM ’but find no rest.’ 3. The praises of Israel] which have deservedly surrounded God

Leviticus 14:1-57 — of its removal. The scarlet wool may have betokened the healthy blood now coursing in the veins of the erewhile leper. The same materials were employed in the ritual for purification after contact with dead bodies: see Numbers 19:6 and cp. Psalms 51:7. 7. The release of the living bird signified the removal of the uncleanness, perhaps also the restored liberty of the leper. Cp. the release of the goat on the Day of Atonement, Leviticus 16:21, Leviticus 16:22. 10. A tenth deal (i.e. part) of an ephah,

Leviticus 25:1-55 — matters treated in this chapter are closely related to those in Leviticus 23, and their separation is another indication that we are dealing with a book made up of different elements. Observe again the change of number in Leviticus 25:14, Leviticus 25:17 and the interruption caused by Leviticus 25:18-22. Cp. what is said above in intro. to Leviticus 21. 1-7. The law of the Sabbatical Year: see also Exodus 23:10-11; Deuteronomy 15:1-11; Deuteronomy 31:9-13. This law rests on the principle that the land

Ezekiel 12:21-11 — On Prophecy, True and False After rebuking certain prevalent forms of contempt for prophecy (Ezekiel 12:21-28), Ezekiel reproves the false prophets (Ezekiel 13:1-16) and false prophetesses (Ezekiel 13:17-23) of Israel. A visit from the elders next supplies the occasion for an announcement of the principles on which God deals both with false enquirers and with the prophets who answer them (Ezekiel 14:1-11). (a) Contempt of Prophecy Rebuked (Ezekiel 12:21-28) This

Ezekiel 35:1-38 — reference to the idolatrous worship associated with them: see Deuteronomy 33:15. 5 Idumea] RV ’Edom.’ This v. makes clear the connexion of Ezekiel 35 with the present passage. To cast it out] better, perhaps, ’to possess it.’ 7. Have Hfted up mine hand] have sworn. 8. They are at hand to come] The restoration of Israel is viewed as close at hand. 13. Bereaved thy nations] RV ’been a bereaved of thy nation.’ The famines to which the land of Israel had been subject

Hosea 7:1-16 — but to take part with delight in their wicked practices. 4. The fire of lust is likened to a baker’s oven. But the simile seems also to include the passion of anger which worked in the heart and produced acts of violence, such as regicide. 5-7. A scene from the palace. The king carouses with his courtiers, who have formed a plot against him, and wait the fitting moment to rise and put him to death. It would appear that Hosea has in his mind the assassination of a king at a feast, or just

Deuteronomy 28:1-68 — blessings associated with the keeping of them, and the curses entailed upon disobedience. 1-14. The Blessings for Obedience. 5. Store] lit. ’kneading-trough’ as in Exodus 12:34. The basket is that used for holding bread: see Genesis 40:17; Leviticus 8:2; Matthew 14:20. 7. Seven ways] (at once), a proverbial saying expressing a disorderly rout. 12. See on Leviticus 26:4 and on chapter Deuteronomy 11:10. 15-48. The Curse for Disobedience. 22. The sword] rather, ’drought.’ 23,

Acts 6:1-15 — Stephen and the Seven 1-7. The Hebrew-speaking Jews, who were in a majority in the Church of Jerusalem, were inclined to despise and neglect the minority who spoke Greek. In particular, the Greek-speaking widows received less food than their Hebrew-speaking sisters. This led

Acts 8:1-40 — Philip] The deacon and evangelist, not the Apostle (see Acts 8:1 and Acts 8:14). The city of Samaria] doubtless the capital, called (like the district) Samaria, and also (since the time of Herod the Great) Sebaste, in honour of Augustus (Sebastos). 7. Unclean spirits] Whether the NT. demoniacs were really possessed, or were insane persons whose delusion took the form of a belief that they were possessed, is an open question. In either case the miracles of healing performed on them are remarkable

Acts 9:1-43 — of Saul is to regarded as a miraculous event. The way for it may have been prepared by Stephen’s speech, by the spectacle of the constancy of the Christian martyrs, and by Saul’s own consciousness of the imperfections of the Law (Romans 7:7 to Romans 8:11). Yet there is no indication that he was anything but a violent enemy of Christianity until the moment of his conversion. His own language on this point is quite clear (1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:12-16; 1 Timothy 1:13). St. Paul

Romans 5:1-21 — upon the character (4) strengthens our expectation of glory, (5) and this expectation is confirmed by a sense of God’s love implanted by the Holy Ghost. (6) We are right in trusting utterly to such love as God revealed by the death of Christ. (7) Its like has never been known among men, for we were not good, (8) but sinful, when Christ died for us. (9) In view of this, we may trust Him to save us to the end. (10) For if God sacrificed His Son for His enemies, He will surely save His friends.

1 Corinthians 2:1-16 — death. The Crucifixion he dwelt upon all the more emphatically that he knew it must be an unattractive doctrine to many. 3. In weakness] His first visit was paid at a time when he was either sick in body from his recurrent malady (2 Corinthians 12:7), or sick at heart from his failure at Athens (Acts 17:32), and dreading lest he were again to fail among these argumentative Greeks. Fear and.. much trembling] The Apostle frequently uses this expression to indicate an overpowering anxiety for the

2 Corinthians 2:1-17 — Paraphrase. ’Now with regard to the person who has been the occasion of this grief, he has grieved not me only, but to some extent (not to be too harsh) the Church. (6) And the sentence pronounced by the majority is quite sufficient punishment for him. (7) Do not inflict any further punishment, but forgive and encourage him, lest he be driven to despair. (8) Show him that you are actuated by Christian love. (9) For the main purpose of my letter has been accomplished now that you have given proof of your

2 Timothy 4:1-22 — Paul’s day is almost over, Timothy must wage his warfare alone. Ready to be offered] lit. ’being poured out as a drink offering’: a reference to the shedding of his own blood in his approaching martyr’s death: cp. Philippians 2:17, where the same word is used. 7. A good fight] rather, ’I have contested the good contest.’ The reference is not to a battle, but to a contest in the games: cp. 1 Corinthians 9:25. Kept the faith] ’The faith’ is here regarded

Hebrews 10:1-39 — unsubstantial, lacking all the qualities of the original except perhaps outlined form; the very image is an exact reproduction of the original. Continually] is perhaps best taken with the preceding verb, ’offered.’ Comers thereunto] see on Hebrews 7:25. 2. Conscience of sin] i.e. consciousness of sin, sense of guilt: cp. Hebrews 9:9. 3. The continual repetition of the sacrifices served only to remind the worshippers of the continuity of the need of cleansing. 5. The quotation is from Psalms 40:6-8,

James 5:1-20 — Hosts.’ It is not found elsewhere in the NT., except once in a quotation (Romans 9:29). 5. As in a day of slaughter] omit ’as,’ and cp. Jeremiah 12:3; Jeremiah 25:34. 6. The just] RV ’righteous one,’ may refer (as Acts 3:14; Acts 7:52) to our Lord, but is perhaps a general statement, although in that case the plural rather than the singular would naturally be used. 7-11. A message of patience and hope to the persecuted Christians. 7. There will be a final Judgment, when justice

1 John 2:1-29 — Believers 1. My little children] The diminutive implies the fatherly care which the aged Apostle felt for his disciples. Advocate] The word thus translated is used by St. John alone of the NT. writers. Elsewhere (John 14:16, John 14:25; John 15:26; John 16:7) it is rendered ’Comforter.’ Literally it means one who is called to the side of another for counsel and help. The rendering ’Advocate’ suits the passages in the Gospel (see RM in loco). The Son and the Holy Spirit both act as

2 John overview — perhaps on account of their brevity and their private character, which would render them not likely to be mentioned frequently by the Fathers. Yet there are several references to them in the first four centuries. It is said in the Muratorian Canon (170 a.d.) that John wrote at least two Epistles. Irenæus (180 a.d.) twice ascribes the Second Epistle to St. John. The Old Italic Version (180 a.d.) has both Epistles. Clement of Alexandria (190 a.d.) refers to the First Epistle as ’the larger

3 John overview — perhaps on account of their brevity and their private character, which would render them not likely to be mentioned frequently by the Fathers. Yet there are several references to them in the first four centuries. It is said in the Muratorian Canon (170 a.d.) that John wrote at least two Epistles. Irenæus (180 a.d.) twice ascribes the Second Epistle to St. John. The Old Italic Version (180 a.d.) has both Epistles. Clement of Alexandria (190 a.d.) refers to the First Epistle as ’the larger

Revelation 13:1-18 — which there rises to meet him a ’beast,’ i.e. something inhuman: signifying the Roman empire, which came to the Province of Asia, in which were the Churches addressed in Rev., from the sea. The beast has ten horns and seven heads: cp. Daniel 7. On the horns are diadems and on the heads ’names of blasphemy,’ i.e. blasphemous titles: cp. Revelation 17:3. The ten horns (see on Revelation 12:3) are the ten emperors from Augustus to Titus. The seven horns are those of the ten who had