Bible Commentaries

Matthew 22:21 — Matthew 22:21 The Christian’s Duty to His Nation 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Pray for the king, and all in authority. Romans 13:1 ff. vs. 1-7 Be in subjection to government.     Acts 4:19 More important to listen to God     Acts

Matthew 5:48 — Matthew 5:48 Going On To Perfection (cf. Hebrews 6:1) Just what is perfection? Paul admonishes us to go on to perfection, but is that possible? We often reason away our imperfections with the rationale, "Well, I’m not perfect...." Others

Romans 1:16 — Romans 1:16 not ashamed -- Paul may be alluding to Jesus’ words in Mark 8:38 and Luke 9:26. He is not ashamed of the content of the gospel or its resulting persecution (cf. 2 Timothy 1:12). In 1 Corinthians 1:23 the Jews were ashamed of the gospel

Romans 1:17 — Romans 1:17 in it -- In the gospel. righteousness of God -- The gospel reveals God’s goodness ("right doing", kindness, mercy, etc) in providing man a means of deliverance from man’s sin and man’s restoration to God’s

2 Corinthians 1:22 — 2 Corinthians 1:22 put his seal on us -- God’s seal of the Holy Spirit was in Paul’s and his companion’s heart, 2 Corinthians 1:19. 1) The Spirit-led life they lived was evidence; and 2) the gifts of the Holy Spirit that enabled them

2 Corinthians 11:2 — 2 Corinthians 11:2 Espoused to Christ bethrothed you -- When using the metaphor of marriage to describe the relation between believer and Christ, the metaphor holds that while here on earth He was the bridegroom (see J 3:29) and the metaphor continues

Ephesians 1:12 — Ephesians 1:12 we -- This refers to believing Jews (cf. Romans 1:16). we -- Reflecting Paul’s own ethnicity, “we” likely refers to Jews— God’s chosen people (in the O.T.) and those from whom the Messiah came (see Matthew

Ephesians 1:9 — Ephesians 1:9 making known -- An aorist particple, having made known. The time-reference is to the actual revelation of the Gospel. . Romans 3:21; Romans 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 1:10. mystery -- In Paul’s writings, the Greek word used here, mystērion,

Ephesians 4:4 — Ephesians 4:4 God’s ONEderful Plan (7 Planks) ONE Body     - Unity of Organization One Spirit     - Unity of Guidance One Hope    - Unity of Aspiration One Lord    -

1 Thessalonians 3:10 — 1 Thessalonians 3:10 Night and day -- His prayers were not just occasional. Exceedingly -- most eagerly. Perfect -- complete, as one might repair or mend a fishing net, Matthew 4:21, "mending" their nets. NASV "equip", complete. Lacking in your faith -- Was it more teaching, such that would strengthen their hope, devotion, and resolution, or was Paul wanting to import some (more?) spiritual gifts to them, as was the indication in his letter to Romans, Romans 1:11.

1 Peter 3:10 — 1 Peter 3:10 3:10–12. Having cited Psalms 34:8 in 1 Peter 2:3, Peter now cites Psalms 34:12-16, which instructs the righteous to pursue peace with others and to speak no evil, thus supporting what he has argued in 1 Peter 2:13 –3:7. This

1 Peter 5:6 — 1 Peter 5:6 humble yourselves -- (tapeinōthēte) could be translated “allow yourselves to be humbled.” - BKC     In their suffering, God’s people are to give themselves entirely to him, submitting to

Revelation 12:12 — Revelation 12:12 rejoice, you heavens . . The heavens should rejoice because Satan has been expelled from their midst. - FSB Woe to the inhabiters of . . We should read, Woe to the earth and the sea!—the sense is clear, though the construction

Revelation 12:6 — Revelation 12:6 woman fled into the wilderness . .Throughout the Bible, the wilderness is viewed as a safe haven where the afflicted hide (e.g., 1 Samuel 23:14; 1 Kings 19:1-4). God often provides safety and sustenance in these circumstances (e.g.,

Revelation 14:8 — Revelation 14:8 another angel . . see Revelation 14:6. The second of three angels who make proclamation in this vision.     Lack of response to the first angel’s message causes a second angel to pronounce this judgment. - MSB Babylon

Revelation 17:8 — Revelation 17:8 the beast . . Both a king and kingdom are referred to in this term. - MSB In Revelation 13:18 he is described as a man, 666, Nero, as he represents the Roman empire, Revelation 15:2. - WG was, and is not . . The beast that the woman

Revelation 19:20 — Revelation 19:20 the beast was taken . . "was seized" or "overpowered." He is overcome, captured! This is the first beast (sea-beast, Revelation 13:1-10). false prophet . . The false beast (2nd beast, the earth-beast) parallel in

Revelation 20:10 — Revelation 20:10 devil . . That is, Satan, the old Serpent, etc. His final judgment now comes to him.     Babylon, the Harlot (Jerusalem) and the two beasts (Rome and paganism) had been judged already and conquered. Now at the end-time

Revelation 21:7 — Revelation 21:7 He who overcomes . . cf. Revelation 3:21 etc, Refers to those who remained faithful to Christ (compare Revelation 12:11; Revelation 15:2). - FSB This phrase occurs throughout the letters to the seven churches (cf. Revelation 2:7, Revelation

Revelation 8:12 — Revelation 8:12 fourth angel . . = 1/3 sun & moon smitten; heavenly bodies are affected. Such symbols represent higher ruling authorities in OT prophetic language.     Like the 9th plague of Egypt - Exodus 10:21-23 . - sun,