Bible Commentaries

Ezra 6 overview — 4. The completion of construction ch. 6 Darius not only approved his predecessor Cyrus’ decree, he issued one himself that gave even greater support to the Jews in their building project.

Psalms 136:4-9 — Psalms 136:4 expresses the theme of this thanksgiving, namely: God’s wonderful acts. Then the psalmist mentioned specific acts. Psalms 136:5-9 describe aspects of God’s work in creating the world.

Psalms 18:30-31 — God’s way is perfect, and His Word is trustworthy. He is the only true God, a reliable defense and a solid foundation for His people (cf. Deuteronomy 32:4; Deuteronomy 32:31).

Psalms 87:4-6 — 2. The population of Zion 87:4-6 The English translators have rendered Psalms 87:4 as a quotation. Who is saying these words? Evidently these are the words of those who speak glorious things concerning Zion (Psalms 87:3). What are they saying? They appear to be ascribing equal glory

Jeremiah 23:29 — God’s true words were as penetrating as fire and as powerful as a hammer (cf. Hebrews 4:12). Both fire and a hammer can be destructive, yet refining. [Note: Drinkard, p. 350.]

Jeremiah 6:13 — Everyone was guilty and worthy of judgment, from all levels of society including the false prophets and the unfaithful priests. They all behaved selfishly and deceived others (cf. Jeremiah 4:3-5).

Lamentations 3:64-65 — Jeremiah believed that the Lord would pay his enemies back as they deserved (cf. Psalms 28:4; 2 Corinthians 3:17). He would harden their hearts and so bring judgment on them.

Ezekiel 2:1 — will have fellowship and with whom he will speak." [Note: A. B. Davidson, The Book of the Prophet Ezekiel, p. 15.] "The expression "son of man" [Heb. ben ’ish] is a common Semitic way of indicating an individual man (Psalms 4:2; Psalms 57:4; Psalms 58:1; Psalms 144:3; Jeremiah 49:18; Jeremiah 49:33; Jeremiah 50:40; Jeremiah 51:43)." [Note: The New Scofield Reference Bible, p. 840.] "Son of man" (Heb. ben ’adam) is a distinctive title in this prophecy

Mark 2:27-28 — sense, Mark’s statement about Jesus in Mark 2:28 identifies Him again for the reader as God. [Note: See Daniel Doriani, "The Deity of Christ in the Synoptic Gospels," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 37:3 (September 1994):333-50.] Jesus had the right to determine how people should use the Sabbath. As mentioned previously, there is some question as to whether the words in this verse were those of Jesus or of Mark (cf. Mark 2:10). ". . . the exousia [authority] of

Luke 9:18-27 — 4. Peter’s confession of faith 9:18-27 Luke’s account contains three parts: Jesus’ question and Peter’s reply, Jesus’ prediction of His passion, and Jesus’ explanation of the implications for the disciples.

John 17:1 — "These things Jesus spoke" (NASB, Gr. tauta elalesen Iesous) clearly connects what follows with what Jesus had just been saying (cf. John 14:25; John 16:1; John 16:4; John 16:25; John 16:33). Lifting up the eyes to heaven indicated prayer, as did Jesus’ words (cf. Psalms 121:1; Psalms 123:1; Ezekiel 33:25; Daniel 4:34; John 11:41). Perhaps John included the detail of Jesus lifting

Acts 6:6 — Laying hands on someone symbolized the bestowal of a blessing (Genesis 48:13; et al.). It also represented identification with the person (Leviticus 1:4; Leviticus 3:2; et al.), commissioning as a kind of successor (Numbers 27:23), and granting authority (Acts 8:17-19; Acts 9:17; Acts 13:3; Acts 19:6; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Timothy

Romans 6:11 — 6:3; Romans 6:6; Romans 6:9). Now he said that we should count on their being true. We must not just understand them but believe them. He used the same Greek word (logisthesetai) here as he did in his explanation of justification (Romans 2:26; Romans 4:3-6; Romans 4:8-11; Romans 4:22-24). God puts righteousness down on the believer’s account. Similarly we should put it down as true that our relationship to sin and death has changed. Only as we do so will we relate to temptation, sin, and death

1 Corinthians 12:17 — Different functions as well as different members are necessary in the body (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:4). Paul’s point was not the inferiority of some members but the need for all members.

2 Corinthians 8:1-2 — others rather than to the duty of his readers. The behavior of the Philippian, Thessalonian, Berean, and perhaps other Christians manifested the grace of God. These believers were both poor and persecuted (cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; Acts 16:20; Acts 17:5). Notwithstanding they demonstrated joy and generosity (cf. Romans 12:8; Philippians 4:15). "In 2 Corinthians 8:1 a similar pattern to that of 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 is used to describe the Macedonian participation in the collection.

Colossians 1:15 — "First-born" (Gr. prototokos) may denote either priority in time or supremacy in rank (cf. Colossians 1:18; Exodus 4:22; Psalms 89:27; Romans 8:29; Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 1:15). It may also denote both of these qualities. Both seem to be in view here. Christ was before all creation in time, and He is over all creation in authority. In view of the context (Colossians

2 Timothy 4:6-8 — C. Paul’s role in the last days 4:6-8 Paul revealed that he was about to die to impress on Timothy further the importance of remaining faithful to the Lord.

2 Timothy 4:9-22 — V. CONCLUDING PERSONAL INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION 4:9-22 Paul concluded his last inspired epistle by giving Timothy personal instructions and information to enable him to carry out the apostle’s last wishes.

1 John 4:20-3 — A. The Meaning of Brotherly Love 4:20-5:3a John proceeded to clarify how to love our brethren. In the process, he dealt with potential excuses for not loving them.

Jude 1:3-4 — II. THE PURPOSE OF THIS EPISTLE VV. 3-4 Jude explained his reason for writing this letter to introduce what follows and to impress the urgency of his subject on his readers.