Bible Commentaries

Ezra 1:1-4 — Cyrus’ edict 1:1-4 "It is not strange according to the Semitic style to start a book with a waw ["And" or "Now"], especially when the author intended to write a continuation of the history of his people. He connects the history which he wants

Job 4:1-22 — B. The First Cycle of Speeches between Job and His Three Friends chs. 4-14 The two soliloquies of Job (chs. 3 and 29-31) enclose three cycles of dialogue between Job and his three friends. Each cycle consists of speeches by Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, in that order, interspersed with Job’s reply to each address.

Psalms 42:1-2 — As water from a brook sustains a deer physically, so God Himself sustains people spiritually (cf. John 4:14). The psalmist was thirsty for God. He could not obtain the refreshment he needed yet, but he looked forward to finding it soon.

Proverbs 1:2-6 — 2. The purpose of the book 1:2-6 "The Book of Proverbs has two purposes: to give moral skillfulness and to give mental discernment. The first purpose is developed in Proverbs 1:3-4; then, after a parenthetical exhortation in Proverbs 1:5, the second purpose is developed in Proverbs 1:6." [Note: Ross, p. 904.] "The purpose of all these sections [all the sections of the book] is the inculcation of certain cardinal social

Proverbs 24:23-34 — IV. COLLECTION 4: SIX MORE SAYINGS OF THE WISE 24:23-34 The first sentence in Proverbs 24:23 indicates that what follows was not part of the collection of 30 sayings that preceded. Other wise men (lit. sages) evidently provided these proverbs.

Ecclesiastes 1:2 — taketh under the sun?’ (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3). Just in case we missed it, he put the same key at the back door (Ecclesiastes 12:8)." [Note: Warren W. Wiersbe, "Ecclesiastes," in The Bible Exposition Commentary/Wisdom and Poetry, p. 478.] "Vanity" (Heb. hebel) probably does not mean "meaningless." As Solomon used this word in Ecclesiastes he meant lacking real substance, value, permanence, or significance. [Note: Hebel appears 38 times in Ecclesiastes and only

Jeremiah 22:15 — The measure of a king’s greatness is not really the beauty and cost of his palace but his righteousness and justice. Jehoiakim’s father, Josiah, had been a great king, and God had blessed him because he practiced these virtues (cf. John 4:34).

Jeremiah 26:16 — The officials and some of the people then defended Jeremiah, saying that he had brought a message from Yahweh, and should not die for having done so. They concluded that he was neither a false prophet nor a blasphemer (cf. John 19:4).

Jeremiah 30:22 — Israel and Yahweh would again be in a covenant relationship as people and God (cf. Jeremiah 7:23; Jeremiah 11:4; Jeremiah 31:33; Genesis 17:7; Exodus 6:7; Leviticus 26:12; Deuteronomy 7:2-6; Isaiah 35; Ezekiel 36:28).

Jeremiah 34:2 — The prophet was to go to King Zedekiah and tell him that Israel’s God was going to deliver Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar, who would burn it (cf. Jeremiah 21:4-7; 2 Kings 25:6-9). His rebellion against Babylon’s authority would not succeed.

Lamentations 1:2 — The prophet personified Jerusalem as a young girl abandoned by her lovers and betrayed by her friends (cf. Jeremiah 4:30; Jeremiah 30:14). Normally weeping gives way to sleep at night, but when it does not, sorrow is very great indeed.

Lamentations 3:66 — The Lord would pursue them anywhere they might go and destroy them in His anger. The Lord did this to Jeremiah’s enemies when the city fell to the Babylonians (cf. Jeremiah 39:4-7; Jeremiah 52:7-11; Jeremiah 52:24-27).

Mark 1:35-39 — 1. The first preaching tour of Galilee 1:35-39 (cf. Luke 4:42-44) While these verses record the itinerant ministry of Jesus, Mark’s emphasis was clearly on Jesus’ spiritual preparation for that ministry. It highlighted His dependence on His Father.

Romans 4:18-22 — 5. The exemplary value of Abraham’s faith 4:18-22 Paul concluded his proof that faith was the only method of justification before the Cross by showing that what Abraham did in trusting God is essentially what everyone must do.

Ephesians 4:10 — Paul identified the descended Christ with the ascended Christ who now is in position to rule over all (cf. Ephesians 1:22). He fills all things with His fullness (cf. Colossians 1:18-19; Colossians 2:9; Proverbs 30:4).

Philippians 1:6 — him in this great task. This verse does not teach that God will keep all Christians persevering in the faith and in good works faithfully until they die. Believers can and do resist, oppose, and limit God’s sanctifying work in them (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19). Perseverance in faith and good works is not automatic for the Christian. The New Testament writers consistently urged us to persevere recognizing that some Christians will not do so (Titus 2:11-13; Hebrews 2:1; Hebrews 4:1;

Philippians 4:15-20 — B. The previous gifts 4:15-20 Paul seems to have intended the references in these verses to previous gifts that the Philippians had sent him to dispel any doubts they may have had about the genuineness of his gratitude.

Colossians 3:1-4 — A. The basic principle 3:1-4 To encourage his readers to turn away from their false teachers, Paul reminded them of their union with Christ. He also urged them to continue living in keeping with their position in Christ.

Hebrews 1:5-14 — B. The Superiority of God’s SON 1:5-14 The writer proceeded to explain the exaltation of Jesus Christ to help his readers appreciate the fact that He fulfilled Old Testament prophecy concerning the Son of David. He did this so they would appreciate Him properly and not overemphasize the

James 1:5-8 — 3. Help in adopting this attitude 1:5-8 James’ reference to "lacking" nothing (James 1:4) led him to digress briefly from his discussion of trials to explain (through James 1:8) the wisdom necessary to deal with trials appropriately.