Bible Commentaries

Ezekiel 41:1-4 — The holy place and the most holy place 41:1-4

Daniel 11:3-4 — The rise and fall of Alexander the Great 11:3-4

Daniel 2:4-13 — 2. The failure of the king’s wise men 2:4-13

Matthew 18:21-22 — disciple should forgive an erring brother before he stopped forgiving. The rabbis taught that a Jew should forgive a repeated sin three times, but after that there need be no more forgiveness (Amos 1:3; Amos 2:6). [Note: Carson, "Matthew," p. 405; Lenski, p. 708.] Peter suggested seven times and probably felt very magnanimous doing so. Seven was a round number, sometimes regarded as a perfect number, obviously exceeding what the scribes taught (cf. Leviticus 26:21; Deuteronomy 28:25; Psalms

Mark 12:29-30 — Mark’s account included Deuteronomy 6:4, which Matthew omitted. This verse, the first in the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; cf. Deuteronomy 11:13-21; Numbers 15:37-41) that the Jews repeated twice daily, provides a basis for Deuteronomy 6:5. Shema is the first Hebrew word in this passage, and

Luke 21:7 — dispersion and disaster for the Jews. Now Jesus announced that another similar catastrophe was coming. They associated this with the Lord’s return and the end of the present age, the present age being the age before the messianic kingdom (cf. Matthew 24:2-3). Significantly Luke did not record the other questions they asked Him about the sign of His coming and of the end of the age (Matthew 24:3). Matthew and Mark concentrated on Jesus’ answer to the question about Jesus’ return, but Luke

Luke 6:13-16 — Jesus selected the Twelve from the larger group of learners who followed Him around (cf. Matthew 10:2-4; Acts 1:13). Only Luke mentioned that Jesus called the Twelve "apostles" (lit. sent ones). Luke used this term six times in this Gospel (Luke 6:13; Luke 9:10; Luke 11:49; Luke 17:5; Luke 22:14; Luke 24:10) and 28 times in Acts. Each of the

John 19:28 — All things necessary for the fulfillment of Scripture that predicted the provision of redemption were almost accomplished (Gr. teleiothe). John was speaking proleptically again (cf. John 12:23; John 17:1; John 17:4); He spoke anticipating what would happen. Obviously Jesus still had to die. As the moment of His death drew nearer, Jesus expressed His thirst. This showed His true humanity. A man in Jesus’ physical condition would have also experienced torture

Acts 11:22-24 — As the apostles had done previously when they had heard of the Samaritans’ salvation, they investigated when word of the salvation of Gentiles reached Jerusalem (Acts 8:14-15). They chose a representative to visit the scene to evaluate what was happening. The Lord obviously controlled these men in their choice of an observer. Barnabas (cf. Acts 4:36-37) was an excellent man for this mission since he, like some of the

Romans 8:23 — commencement of the believer’s Christian life is His pledge that He will complete the process of salvation. Even though He has redeemed and adopted us, there is more of redemption and adoption for us to experience in the future (Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:30; 1 John 3:2). When will that take place? It will happen at the Rapture, when He glorifies our bodies by making them immortal (Philippians 3:20-21; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:44; John 14:1-2). The judgment seat of Christ will follow, when we

1 Corinthians 6:2 — judging unbelievers in the future may be Daniel 7:18; Daniel 7:22; Daniel 7:27. This judgment will evidently take place just after the Lord returns to earth at His second coming to set up His millennial kingdom. We will be with Him then (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Since the Lord will delegate the authority to judge unbelievers to Christians in the future, Paul concluded that we are competent to settle disputes among ourselves now. In the light of future eschatological judgment, any decisions that believers

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 — The contrast between outward deterioration and inward renewal 4:16-18

Ephesians 6:10-20 — 6:10-20 That this section is distinct from the five that precede it is evident from two facts. Paul introduced it differently, and the emphasis in it is on God’s resources. Earlier Paul urged the strengthening and growth of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12; Ephesians 4:16). Now he explained the need for this. The body is at war with a spiritual enemy. We do not just walk, but we also war. "These two responsibilities (home and work on the one hand, and spiritual combat on the other) are quite different

Ephesians 6:19-20 — needed bold utterance and courageous clarity in all of his ministry opportunities, but especially in the defense he anticipated in the imperial court (cf. Acts 28:30-31). There are nine references in Acts alone to various people witnessing boldly (Acts 4:13; Acts 4:29; Acts 4:31; Acts 9:27-29; Acts 14:3; Acts 18:26; Acts 19:8; Acts 13:46) plus others elsewhere in the New Testament (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:12). "The word for ’boldness’ is made up of two words meaning ’all’ and

Colossians 1:7-8 — Epaphras had evangelized the Colossians. It is unlikely that this Epaphras is the same man that Paul referred to as Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:25; Philippians 4:18; Philippians 4:23 since this Epaphras appears to have been from Asia Minor and that Epaphroditus was evidently from Macedonia. Since evangelizing Colossae Epaphras had come to Rome and was now ministering to the apostle during his first Roman imprisonment

Hebrews 10:26-27 — "The word ’we’ cannot refer to any other group of people than his readers and himself [cf. Hebrews 2:1]." [Note: Marshall, pp. 141-42.] Willful sin in the context of Hebrews is deliberate apostasy, turning away from God (Hebrews 2:1; Hebrews 3:12; Hebrews 6:4-8). If an apostate rejects Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, there is nothing else that can protect him or her from God’s

James 1:18 — life was a gift of God’s grace. We need to keep this in mind when we read James’ discussion of faith and works that follows in chapter 2. James also agreed with Paul that our salvation springs from the sovereign volition of God (cf. Romans 4:21-22; 2 Corinthians 4:6). He initiated it. The "first fruits" probably refer to all Christians who persevere in spite of trials. All believers will bring glory to God’s name, but believers who remain faithful to Christ will please Him

James 2:23 — trusted and obeyed God when tested. "In the sacrifice of Isaac was shown the full meaning of the word (Genesis 15:6) spoken . . . years before in commendation of Abraham’s belief in the promise of a child." [Note: Mayor, p. 104.] James seems to have included the fact that God called Abraham His friend for the following reason. He wanted to show that continued obedient faith, not just initial saving faith, is what makes a person God’s intimate friend (cf. James 4:4;

1 Peter 2:2 — 3:18). "It is sad when Christians have no appetite for God’s Word, but must be ’fed’ religious entertainment instead. As we grow, we discover that the Word is milk for babes, but also strong meat for the mature (1 Corinthians 3:1-4; Hebrews 5:11-14). It is also bread (Matthew 4:4) and honey (Psalms 119:103)." [Note: Wiersbe, 2:400.] Ask God to give you a greater appetite for His Word. God’s Word is pure in that it is free from deceit (cf. 1 Peter 1:22-25). "Salvation"

Revelation 18:4-8 — The call for God’s people to leave Babylon 18:4-8