Bible Commentaries

Psalms 125:4-5 — 2. The choices before God’s people 125:4-5 However, even though God’s people are secure, they have a choice concerning how they will live. They can be faithful to the Lord, or depart from Him and live sinful lives. In Psalms 125:4, the psalmist asked God to bless those of His people

Psalms 6:8-10 — 4. Assurance of recovery 6:8-10 Apparently David received an answer to his petition. It may have come through a prophet or just the inner conviction that he would recover (cf. Psalms 20:6; Psalms 22:21; Psalms 28:6; Psalms 31:19; Psalms 56:9; Psalms 69:30;

Ezekiel 20:32-35 — them to become like the idolaters all around them who served wood and stone. He would be their king, He swore, and bring judgment on them. But He would re-gather them to their land from the distant countries where He had scattered them (cf. Ezekiel 36:14-38; Ezekiel 37:21-23; Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Isaiah 11:11-16; Isaiah 49:17-23; Isaiah 60; Isaiah 61:4-9; Jeremiah 23:1-8; Amos 9:11-15; Zechariah 10:8-12; et al.). The descriptions of God doing this with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm recall the

Hosea 4:18 — Even when the Israelites were not under the influence of liquor (cf. Hosea 4:11), they still played the harlot continually. The rulers of the people, who were to be as shields protecting the general populace, also loved the sins that brought shame on the nation.

Hosea 8 overview — Accusations involving rebellion ch. 8 Judgment would also come on Israel because God’s people had rebelled against Yahweh. In the previous section (Hosea 6:4 to Hosea 7:16), accusations were more common than promises of judgment. In this one judgment becomes more prominent, though accusations continue.

Hosea 8:14 — attacked all the fortified cities of Judah (2 Kings 17:6; 2 Kings 18:13). To summarize, five types of sin stand out in this section as reasons for Israel’s punishment. Israel had usurped Yahweh’s sovereign authority to lead the nation (Hosea 8:4) and had worshipped idols (Hosea 8:4-6). Israel depended on foreign treaties rather than God (Hosea 8:9-10) and had adopted and perpetuated a corrupt cult (system of worship, Hosea 8:5-6; Hosea 8:11; Hosea 8:13). And Israel arrogantly disregarded Yahweh’s

Malachi 3:2-3 — When the Lord came suddenly to His temple, no one would be able to stand before Him. Elsewhere the prophets foretold that this time would be a day of judgment on the whole world marked by disaster and death (Malachi 4:1; Isaiah 2:12; Joel 3:11-16; Amos 5:18-21; Zechariah 1:14-17). Here Malachi said no one would be able to endure His coming because He would purify the priesthood, the people who stood closest to Him. As a fire He would burn up the impurities of the

Matthew 12:46-50 — 4. Conflict over Jesus’ kin 12:46-50 (cf. Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21) A very subtle form of opposition arose from Jesus’ physical family members. It provided an opportunity for Jesus to explain true relationship to Messiah and to affirm His disciples.

Matthew 22:23-33 — 4. Rejection by the Sadducees 22:23-33 (cf. Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-40) Sometime later that day another group of leaders approached Jesus with another question but with the same purpose: to trap Him in a theological controversy that would destroy His reputation.

Luke 12:33 — something to put in them, namely, eternal rewards. Such purses would not wear out in contrast to the purses that hold material wealth. Furthermore their heavenly treasure would be secure rather than vulnerable to theft and destruction (cf. 1 Peter 1:3-4). "The generosity this text calls for has often been questioned. Are we really called to sell all our possessions? Jesus’ point is that we must give up viewing what we call ours, as if it were a private possession to be hoarded." [Note:

Luke 7:1-10 — a Gentile through Jewish intermediaries. It would have helped Luke’s original Gentile readers appreciate that Jesus’ mission included them as well as the Jews. It is another case in which Jesus commended the faith of someone (cf. Luke 1:45; Luke 5:20). Luke continued to stress Jesus’ authority and the power of His word (cf. Luke 4:32; Luke 4:36). The similarities between this incident and the conversion of Cornelius are striking (cf. Acts 10). "His story is thus an example

John 18:25-27 — 4. Peter’s second and third denials of Jesus 18:25-27 (cf. Matthew 26:71-75; Mark 14:69-72; Luke 22:58-62) John took his readers back to the courtyard where Peter stood warming himself with the high priest’s servants and officers (John 18:18).

John 4:1-42 — D. Jesus’ ministry in Samaria 4:1-42 The writer now showed Jesus moving north from Judea into Samaria where He had another important conversation with another person who was completely different from Nicodemus. As in the previous chapter, theological explanation follows personal encounter in this one.

John 6:68-69 — Twelve. "Lord" (Gr. kurios) can mean simply "sir," but here it probably has a deeper meaning. These disciples were reaffirming their allegiance to the One whom Peter now identified as the Holy One of God (cf. Psalms 16:10; Isaiah 41:14; Isaiah 43:3; Isaiah 47:4; Isaiah 48:17; Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34). Peter probably did not mean that they viewed Jesus as their last resort but that Jesus was their only hope. They believed that Jesus’ teachings resulted in eternal life for those

Acts 16:40 — Paul did not leave Philippi immediately. First, he encouraged the Christians. This group formed the nucleus of the church in Philippi that forever after was a source of joy to Paul and a source of encouragement to other believers (cf. Philippians 1:3; Philippians 4:10-16).

Romans 8:26-30 — 4. Our place in God’s sovereign plan 8:26-30 In the foregoing verses Paul spoke of God’s plan for creation and the believer. In these verses he showed how central a place His children occupy in the plan He is bringing to completion in history.

Hebrews 12:14-17 — 1. The goal of peace 12:14-17 These verses summarize what the writer said previously about irrevocable loss through disobedience, unbelief, apostasy, and contempt for New Covenant privileges (cf. Hebrews 6:4-8). The fearful warning about Esau brings these earlier warnings to an awesome head.

1 Peter 2:11-12 — A. Our Mission in the World 2:11-12 Peter explained what Christian conduct should be negatively (1 Peter 2:11) and positively (1 Peter 2:12). Then he expounded more specifically what it should be positively in 1 Peter 2:13 to 1 Peter 4:11.

Revelation 3:14-22 — G. The letter to the church in Laodicea 3:14-22 Jesus Christ sent this letter to shake the Laodicean Christians out of their self-sufficient complacency and to exhort them to self-sacrifice for higher spiritual goals (cf. Colossians 2:1-2; Colossians 4:16).

1 Samuel 28:1-2 — find ourselves in another. Such plans may result in some good, but they may also put us in situations where we find it even more tempting to disobey God (cf. Jacob). We should, instead, remember God’s promises (e.g., 1 Peter 1:3-9; 2 Peter 1:2-4) and pray for His guidance (cf. Philippians 4:6-7).