Bible Commentaries

Psalms 43:4 — 2. Promise to praise 43:4 If God would bring him back to Jerusalem, he vowed to praise God publicly in the sanctuary.

Jeremiah 10:14 — Everyone who worships idols is stupid and ignorant (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:4-6). Their inability to do anything shames those who glorify them.

Jeremiah 4:21 — He longed to stop hearing this bad news and seeing the signal that indicated the need to flee for safety (cf. Jeremiah 4:6).

John 16:1-4 — The reason for this Revelation 16:1-4 Jesus introduced this teaching by explaining further why He was telling His disciples these things.

Romans 7:21 — The statement of this "principle" or "law" summarizes Paul’s thought. [Note: See Saucy, "’Sinners’ Who . . .," pp. 405-11.] Six ’laws’ are to be differentiated in Romans: (1) the law of Moses, which condemns (Romans 3:19); (2) law as a principle (Romans 3:21); (3) the law of faith, which excludes self-righteousness (Romans 3:27); (4) the law of sin in

1 Corinthians 12:12 — The apostle spoke of this comparison in other epistles as well (Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:11-13; Colossians 1:18; Colossians 2:19). He probably adapted the idea of the body politic, an essentially secular but commonly understood concept, to illustrate the church. There can be unity in a body without uniformity. Here the apostle

2 Corinthians 12:12 — so he described them as being done among them rather than as having done them. Paul’s perseverance in his apostolic mission in Corinth despite much opposition distinguished him from the false apostles (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:1; 2 Corinthians 11:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Acts 18:6; Acts 18:9-10; Acts 18:12-16). "Signs," "wonders," and "miracles" are synonymous terms that emphasize respectively their authenticating value, astonishing effect, and supernatural power. "These

Ephesians 4:20-32 — The new man 4:20-32 Paul turned from how not to walk to the positive responsibility Christians have to live in holiness.

2 Timothy 2:15 — Positively, in contrast, Timothy should be "diligent" (lit. zealous) to make sure that when he stood before God he would receive the Lord’s approval and not be ashamed (cf. 1 John 2:28). [Note: Cf. White, 4:165.] Most important in gaining this goal was the way he would proclaim God’s truth. He must teach it consistent with God’s intended meaning and purpose. "Handling accurately" (lit. cutting straight) is a figure that paints a picture

Hebrews 13:20 — Elsewhere John and Peter called Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd (John 10:14) and the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). Here He is the Great Shepherd, greater than any in Judaism. This is another expression of Jesus’ superiority over the Mosaic system. "As the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ died for the sheep (John 10:11).

Hebrews 5:11 — dullness in receptivity is a dangerous condition for those who have been called to radical obedience. The importance of responsible listening has been stressed repeatedly in the sermon (Hebrews 2:1 . . .; cf. Hebrews 3:7-8, Hebrews 3:15; Hebrews 4:1-2; Hebrews 4:7 b)." [Note: Lane, p. 136.] "One of the first symptoms of spiritual regression, or backsliding, is a dullness toward the Bible. Sunday School class is dull, the preaching is dull, anything spiritual is dull. The problem is

Hebrews 6:4 — The writer could describe Christians fairly as those who were once "enlightened" (cf. Hebrews 10:32; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6). The "heavenly gift" of which they have "tasted" (cf. Hebrews 2:9) at conversion seems to refer to salvation (cf. John 4:10; Romans 6:23; James 1:17-18). Any attempt to interpret tasting as only partial appropriation (i.e.,

James 1:8 — In this context the "double-minded" (dipsychos, lit. two-sided; cf. James 4:8) man is one who trusts and obeys God part of the time but not consistently. A double-minded person is one who has a divided opinion or allegiance (e.g., Lot; cf. 1 Clem. 11:2). He is unsteady, fickle, staggering, and reeling like a drunken man. [Note:

James 4:7 — In view of God’s certain supply of this grace we need to adopt a definite stance toward the people involved in this conflict. Ten aorist imperatives in James 4:7-10 demand decisive action. They sound like military commands and reflect how seriously James viewed double-mindedness. [Note: Hiebert, James, p. 236.] Toward God we must submit in humility. This means making what is of importance to Him important

James 5:10 — One could use just about any one of the Hebrew prophets as an example of patient endurance in suffering (cf. James 1:4).

1 Peter 1:17 — "If" means "since" here (a first class condition in Greek). We do call on God as our Father because He is our Father (Matthew 6:4; Matthew 6:6; Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:2; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6). Nevertheless He is also the Judge of all, and He judges impartially, not on the basis of appearances but on the basis of reality. Since we must all stand before God for an evaluation

1 John 3:12 — Cain’s murder of Abel evidenced control by Satan rather than by God. Cain was jealous because of Abel’s greater righteousness, and this motivated him to kill his brother (Genesis 4:3-8; cf. John 8:40; John 8:42; John 8:44). Often our pride tempts us to dislike those who are more righteous than we are because they make us feel guilty by comparison. This is the only Old Testament reference in John’s epistles and the only proper

1 John 4:14 — the flesh as the apostles did. However, we can see God too and can bear witness with the apostles that God sent Jesus Christ into the world. We can share the apostles’ experience that John said was his goal in writing this epistle (1 John 1:3-4). We can see God both in the manifestation of His love and in God’s life behind that love as we observe Christians loving one another. This verse then is a high point in John’s argument. This is the only place in John’s epistles where

Revelation 12:11 — who would yet suffer martyrdom during the last half of the Tribulation. The word of God to which they bear testimony is another key to their success along with the Lamb’s blood (cf. Revelation 1:2; Revelation 1:9; Revelation 6:9; Revelation 20:4). They would consent to die rather than proving unfaithful to Christ. "The blood of the martyrs, rather than signaling the triumph of Satan, shows instead that they have gained the victory over the dragon by their acceptance of Jesus’ Cross

Revelation 19:8 — The angelic chorus continued to describe the preparation of the bride for the wedding feast. God graciously enabled her to clothe herself in fine linen (cf. Revelation 6:4; Revelation 8:3; Revelation 9:5; Revelation 15:6; Revelation 18:12; Revelation 19:14; Genesis 41:42; Isaiah 61:10; Daniel 10:5; Daniel 12:6-7). "Bright" indicates divine glory. [Note: Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, s.v. "Lampo