Bible Commentaries

Hosea 1:1 — still hope, however, for God’s love for the nation was still real (11:1 - 14:9). Spiritual Adultery     God’s relationship to Old Testament Israel was frequently symbolized as a husband-wife relationship (Isaiah 62:5; Jeremiah 3:14). Thus it was appropriate to represent the nation’s sins-- especially idolatry-- as adultery (Hosea 4:13-19).     The New Testament warns us about sinning against God’s love (James 4:4; cf. Ephesians 5:22-33). SERMON

Romans 2:15 — for the Jews was written on tables of stone, and then recorded in the books of the Old Testament. The Gentiles had only obtained their knowledge of God’s requirements through natural revelation and their conscience. Paul borrows the language of Jeremiah 31:33 to assert that Gentiles have a sense of right and wrong. Although they do not possess knowledge of God’s will in the law, the Gentiles have a natural sense of morality that functions as an internal “law.” At the same time,

Romans 2:3 — Romans 2:3 do you think -- The grammatical form of Paul’s rhetorical question expects a “no” answer. - Utley The NIV changes the word order a bit. The verse actually begins as the NASB puts it. And thinkest thou, &c -- This is

Romans 3:21 — impotence of the law system; - CPNIV It is often hard to be certain whether Paul is referring to the Mosaic Law (NASB) or law in general (NRSV, TEV, NJB, NIV) in these opening chapters. - Utley has been made known [manifest] -- The new covenant spoken of by Jeremiah 31:31. A new system for being declared "righteous" that was promised in the Law and the Prophets (the Old Testament). manifest -- cf Romans 1:17. The verb here can be translated, “has been and continues to be clearly revealed.”

Romans 3:27 — perfectly obeying/keeping all the deeds of a law system without one failure, then there might be room for boasting. But since no one keeps a law-system perfectly, there is no room for boasting. Nay, but by he law of faith -- God’s New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-34 is not based on performance, but on trust/faith/belief (pistis) in His gracious character and promises. Both the Old and New Covenants were meant to change fallen mankind into God’s character (righteous). The Old by an external

2 Corinthians 5:21 — 2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake -- The design of this very important verse is, to urge the strongest possible reason for being reconciled to God. This is implied in the word (γὰρ gar) “for” "in our behalf".

Ephesians 1:13 — That document was thereby officially under the authority of the person whose stamp was on the seal. Four primary truths are signified by the seal: 1) security (cf. Daniel 6:17; Matthew 27:62-66); 2) authenticity (cf. 1 Kings 21:6-16); 3) ownership (cf. Jeremiah 32:10); and 4) authority (cf. Esther 8:8-12). - MSB you ... were sealed -- 1) This indicates that the believers in Ephesus area received some of miraculous gifts menioned in 1Cor. 12. Their receiving was a mark of God’s approval. See also

James 1:12 — James 1:12 Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.     A return to the theme at the beginning of the

James 1:27 — James 1:27 Jas 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. pure -- clean -- undefiled -- faultless .. pure and undefiled religion --

James 4:11 — James 4:11 Law of James 2:8 Do not speak evil -- fault finding, slander (NIV). Why is speaking evil about a brother the same as speaking evil of the royal law of love? speak evil -- This means to slander or defame. James does not forbid confronting

James 5:6 — James 5:6 You have condemned -- This refers to the financial and judicial exploitation of widows, orphans, strangers, the poor, and the socially powerless and outcast. God is the defender of the needy and neglected (cf. Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy

Revelation 11:3 — Revelation 11:3 And I will grant authority . . This seems to imply God the Father speaking because Jesus is referred to in Revelation 11:8. - Utley     The speaker seems to be the angel who spoke in verses 1–2, who here speaks

Revelation 16:1 — Revelation 16:1 Chapter 16 - The Seven Bowls of Wrath The Seven Last Plagues (ch. 15 & 16) Orders From Heaven, - Revelation 16:1 The First Bowl, -Revelation 16:2 ..Earth The Second Bowl, - Revelation 16:3 ..Sea The Third Bowl, - Revelation 16:4-7

Revelation 16:13 — Revelation 16:13 three . . Apparently one each out of the mouth of the three here mentioned, thus three. - WG ["an unholy trinity" - MSB]. three unclean spirits . . In the next verse, Revelation 16:14 "spirits of demons" that are

Revelation 19:15 — Revelation 19:15 From his mouth . . Matches the description of Christ in Revelation 1:16 . See note at Revelation 1:16 and note; Revelation 2:12, Revelation 2:16. goes . . [issues, proceedeth, comes, came, goeth, comes out, ] . . Present tense. In that

Revelation 19:7 — perhaps, by that of the 45th Psalm, [Psalms 45:1-17] rising so far above the royal marriage that no doubt furnished its occasion. - CBSC The concept of a marital relationship between God and His Church is found in the OT in Isaiah 54:4-8; Isaiah 62:5; Jeremiah 31:32; Ezek. 16; and Hosea 2:14-19. The metaphor is seen in the NT in 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:21-31; Revelation 19:9; Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:9; Revelation 22:17. Jesus is depicted as a bridegroom (cf. Matthew 9:15; Mark 2:19-20;

Revelation 20:12 — Revelation 20:12 The dead small and great . . Includes believers and unbelievers (see Dan 12:2; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15). Both will have their lives evaluated by the perfect judge. - FSB Revelation 20:6; Daniel 7:9 Revelation 19:18 John 12:48 In God’s

Revelation 20:8 — wage war against God’s people, to refute them and their cause, to persecute, and kill them. number is as the sand of the sea . . The opposition to the saints becomes so very numerous .Innumerable (see Genesis 32:12; Genesis 41:49; Isaiah 10:22; Jeremiah 33:22; etc.).

Revelation 5:6 — Revelation 5:6 Lamb standing as though slaughtered . .[Isaiah 53:7; Acts 8:32] John hears about a lion, but turns to see a lamb. Lamb imagery relates to Jesus’ death on the cross. The tradition of viewing His death as a sacrifice—like

Revelation 8:2 — Revelation 8:2 8:2–5 Heaven’s Incense Altar: The Saints’ Prayers, and Fire Flung to Earth. Like the just-completed cycle of visions associated with the Lamb’s breaking the scroll’s seven seals, a sevenfold vision series