Bible Commentaries

Genesis 1:1 — ’eres (earth) as "land." By translating it this way here we can see that Moses wanted his readers to realize that God created and therefore owned all land (cf. Genesis 12:7 and all subsequent references to the Promised Land; Psalms 24:1). [Note: Sailhamer, "Genesis," p. 19.] This verse is important because it contradicts six popular philosophies: 1.    Atheism-God does exist. 2.    Pantheism-God is distinct from His creation. 3.    Polytheism-"Created"

Leviticus 25:35-55 — was evidently unique among the ancient Near Eastern nations, though not among smaller tribal groups. [Note: See Edward Neufeld, "The Prohibitions Against Loans at Interest in Ancient Hebrew Laws," Hebrew Union College Annual 26 (1955):355-412.] When poor Israelites sold themselves as servants to wealthier Israelites, their masters were to treat them as brothers and not as slaves (Leviticus 25:39-43). ". . . the original law in the Book of the Covenant [Exodus 21:1-6 and Deuteronomy

Ezekiel 12 overview — prophets and prophetesses announced hope and reasons for optimism. Why should the people listen to Ezekiel (ch. 13)? Third, the leaders in Judah were ultimately responsible. If there were to be any judgment, it would be on them, not the exiles (ch. 14). Fourth, if real danger of judgment should exist, then they would only have to find some righteous man to intercede for them before God. Thus they would be delivered (ch. 14). Fifth, how could Ezekiel possibly believe that God would judge his own chosen

Deuteronomy 17:14-20 — Kings 17:14-20 Moses recognized that when Israel settled in Canaan and took on the characteristics of other nations (e.g., a homeland, political organization, etc.) her people would desire a king. As he revealed the mind of God here, a king was permissible, but

Deuteronomy 20:1-20 — Israel but also of all the earth, these interests [of warfare] extended far beyond Israel’s narrow concerns. He was, however, Israel’s God in a special way, and as such He would lead His people in battle as the divine warrior (Deuteronomy 20:4)." [Note: Idem, "A Theology . . .," p. 82.] In all wars Israel was to remember that God was with her and to rely on His help with confidence regardless of the enemy’s strength (Deuteronomy 20:1-4). Christians too should recall

Mark 3:16-19 — The following table shows the 12 disciples as they appear in the four lists that the Holy Spirit has given us in Scripture.Matthew 10:2-4Mark 3:16-19Luke 6:14-16Acts 1:131.Simon PeterSimon PeterSimon PeterPeter2.AndrewJamesAndrewJohn3.JamesJohnJamesJames4.JohnAndrewJohnAndrew5.PhilipPhilipPhilipPhilip6.BartholomewBartholomewBartholomewThomas7.ThomasMatthewMatthewBartholomew8.MatthewThomasThomasMatthew9.James,

John 16:8 — The Spirit’s coming would result in heightened conviction among unbelievers concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. [Note: See Chafer, 3:210-24: "The Convicting Work of the Spirit;" and John Aloisi, "The Paraclete’s Ministry of Conviction: Another Look at John 16:8-11," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 47:1 (March 2004):55-69.] Before then, that conviction

Acts 6:1 — This is probably because when Jesus was present, or had just departed to heaven, the New Testament writers referred to His followers in relationship to Him. Afterward they identified them in relation to one another and society. [Note: Blaiklock, p. 74.] Two types of Jews made up the Jerusalem church. Some were native "Hebrews" who had lived primarily in Palestine, spoke Aramaic predominantly but also Greek, and used the Hebrew Scriptures. The others were "Hellenists" who originally

Romans 13:7 — Paul, as Jesus, commanded believers to give back (Gr. apodote) to the government what we owe for services it renders (cf. Mark 12:14; Mark 12:17). Paying taxes has always been repugnant to people, including Christians. Some Christians argue this way. Since the government uses my tax money for purposes that are contrary to God’s will, I do not want to support evil by paying

1 Corinthians 1:18-5 — principal theological discourses and as such deserve special attention. "These three key discourses deal, respectively, with the wisdom of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:18 to 1 Corinthians 2:16), the nature of Christian community (1 Corinthians 12:4 to 1 Corinthians 13:13), and the resurrection of the dead (chap. 15). In each instance Paul’s reflections on the topic are deliberate and focused, and lead him to develop a more or less extended and coherent argument. Moreover, each of these passages

2 Corinthians 3:6 — Corinthians 9:21; 1 Corinthians 11:25; Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 13:20). [Note: See Rodney J. Decker, "The Church’s Relationship to the New Covenant," Bibliotheca Sacra 152:607 (July-September 1995):290-305; 608 (October-December 1995):431-56.] The New Testament uses diatheke exclusively for "covenant." It always refers to an arrangement that one person makes, as in a last will and testament, which another party may accept or reject but cannot alter. The Greek word that describes

Ephesians 6:11 — disunity of the body of Christ. However what Paul said here doubtless applies to all of Satan’s aims and attacks. These offensives come to us from a very intelligent and experienced strategist, and they are frequently deceptive (cf. Ephesians 4:14). From other Scripture we know that Satan is behind many of our temptations, having received permission to assail us from God (e.g., Job 1-2). He uses the world system and our flesh (sinful nature) as his tools. He also attacks us directly himself

Hebrews 5:11-12 — 6:12, Gr. nothroi in both cases) form an inclusio that frames this pericope and sets it off as a distinct textual segment. This Greek word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. The first two warnings in Hebrews were against drifting (Hebrews 2:1-4) and disbelief (Hebrews 3:7-19). All the warning passages in Hebrews involve actions in relation to the Word of God. "It is commonly assumed on the basis of Hebrews 5:11 to Hebrews 6:3 that the community addressed had failed to mature in faith

James 1:21 — 1:21 The filthiness in view seems to be all kinds of unclean behavior that lies outside the will of God, including anger and wrath. The "remains of wickedness" are those evil habits of life we carry over from the unredeemed world (cf. Psalms 17:4; Luke 6:45). The believer should accept submissively what God has revealed and should respond cooperatively to what He commands. The Word of God will then have good soil in which to grow, and it will yield an abundant harvest of righteous conduct in

James 2:19 — James refuted the argument of the objector stated in James 2:18. Genuine faith does not always result in good works. The demons believe that what God has revealed about Himself is true. The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4) was and is the pious Jew’s daily confession of his faith. Nevertheless the demons continue practicing evil works. They understand what their behavior will bring upon them, but rather than turning from their evil ways they only shudder as they

2 John 1:7 —      This verse gives the reason for the exhortation in 2 John 1:6 and links what follows with 2 John 1:4-6. ". . . the wandering prophets and preachers did present a problem. Their position was one which was singularly liable to abuse. They had an enormous prestige; and it was possible for the most undesirable characters to enter into a way of life

Revelation 11:19 — Chronicles 35:3. What happened to it after that is not known. Many scholars believe it perished in Shishak’s invasion, during Manasseh’s apostasy, when Nebuchadnezzar burned the temple in 586 B.C., or during the Babylonian captivity (cf. 1 Kings 14:26; 2 Kings 25:9; 2 Chronicles 33:7; Jeremiah 3:16. Jewish tradition held that Jeremiah hid the ark in a cave on Mt. Sinai (2 Maccabees 2:4-8). There was no ark in the second temple. [Note: Flavius Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, 5:219:5.] The "second

Revelation 2:26-29 — 5. Promise 2:26-29 The prize for faithfulness was the privilege of reigning with Christ in His earthly kingdom (cf. Revelation 1:6; Revelation 12:5; Revelation 19:15; Psalms 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 20:4-6). As with the promises in the other letters, this one is probably for all believers and would encourage them to overcome the temptations this Jezebel held out. The Lord intended the prospect of this blessing to motivate the unfaithful in the church

1 Samuel 7:5-14 — 2. National repentance and deliverance 7:5-14 Mizpah (lit. watchtower, indicating an elevated site) was about two miles northwest of Samuel’s hometown, Ramah, on the central Benjamin plateau. [Note: On the significance of the six-fold repetition of Mizpah in this story, see John A. Beck,

2 Samuel 5:1-12 — 3. David’s acceptance by all Israel 5:1-12 In 1004 B.C. David became king of all Israel and Judah. [Note: See Merrill, p. 243.] This was his third anointing (cf. 1 Samuel 16:13; 2 Samuel 2:4). The people acknowledged David’s previous military leadership of all Israel, as well as God’s choice