Bible Commentaries

Song of Solomon 3:1 — 1. By night—literally, "By nights." Continuation of the longing for the dawn of the Messiah (Song of Solomon 2:17; Psalms 130:6; Malachi 4:2). The spiritual desertion here (Song of Solomon 2:17; Song of Solomon 3:5) is not due to indifference, as in Song of Solomon 3:5- :. "As nights and dews are better for flowers than a continual sun, so Christ's absence (at times) giveth sap to humility, and putteth an edge on hunger, and furnisheth a fair field to faith to

Isaiah 28:16 — 16. Literally, "Behold Me as Him who has laid"; namely, in My divine counsel (Revelation 13:8); none save I could lay it (Isaiah 63:5). stone—Jesus Christ; Hezekiah [MAURER], or the temple [EWALD], do not realize the full significancy of the language; but only in type point to Him, in whom the prophecy receives its exhaustive accomplishment; whether Isaiah understood its fulness

Ezekiel 17:22 — Israel shall seem past recovery, Messiah, Jehovah Himself, will unexpectedly appear on the scene as Redeemer of His people ( :-). I . . . also—God opposes Himself to Nebuchadnezzar: "He took of the seed of the land and planted it (Ezekiel 17:3; Ezekiel 17:5), so will I, but with better success than he had. The branch he plucked (Zedekiah) and planted, flourished but for a time, to perish at last; I will plant a scion of the same tree, the house of David, to whom the kingdom belongs by an everlasting covenant,

Ezekiel 5:5 — 5, 6. Explanation of the symbols: Jerusalem—not the mere city, but the people of Israel generally, of which it was the center and representative. in . . . midst—Jerusalem is regarded in God's point of view as center of the whole earth, designed to

Nahum 1:2 — honor and their love, as much as His justice, accounts for all His fearful judgments: the flood, the destruction of Jerusalem, that of Nineveh. His jealousy will not admit of His friends being oppressed, and their enemies flourishing (compare Exodus 20:5; 1 Corinthians 16:22; 2 Corinthians 11:2). Burning zeal enters into the idea in "jealous" here (compare Numbers 25:11; Numbers 25:13; 1 Kings 19:10). the Lord revengeth . . . Lord revengeth—The repetition of the incommunicable name JEHOVAH, and of

Zephaniah 1:4 — 4. stretch out mine hand—indicating some remarkable and unusual work of vengeance (Isaiah 5:25; Isaiah 9:12; Isaiah 9:17; Isaiah 9:21). Judah—including Benjamin. These two tribes are to suffer, which thought themselves perpetually secure, because they escaped the captivity in which the ten tribes were involved. Jerusalem—the fountainhead

Zechariah 4:2 — 2. candlestick—symbolizing the Jewish theocracy; and ultimately, the Church of which the Jewish portion is to be the head: the light-bearer (so the original is of "lights," Matthew 5:14; Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:15) to the world. all . . . gold—all pure in doctrine and practice, precious and indestructible; such is the true ideal of the Church; such she shall be (Philippians 2:15- :). bowl upon the top—In the candlestick

Matthew 6:25 — 25. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought—"Be not solicitous." The English word "thought," when our version was made, expressed this idea of "solicitude," "anxious concern"—as may be seen in any old English classic; and in the same sense it is used

Matthew 9:10 — 10. And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house—The modesty of our Evangelist signally appears here. Luke says (Luke 5:29) that "Levi made Him a great feast," or "reception," while Matthew merely says, "He sat at meat"; and Mark and Luke say that it was in Levi's "own house," while Matthew merely says, "He sat at meat in the house." Whether this feast was made now,

John 8:10 — listen, with a reverence and teachableness before unknown, to our Lord's admonition. "And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more." He pronounces no pardon upon the woman (such as, "Thy sins are forgiven thee" [compare Luke 5:28 Luke 7:48] —"Go in peace" [compare Mark 5:34; Luke 7:50; Luke 8:48]), much less does He say that she had done nothing condemnable; He simply leaves the matter where it was. He meddles not with the magistrate's office, nor acts the Judge in any sense

John 8:12 — 12. I am the light of the world—As the former references to water (John 4:13; John 4:14; John 7:37-39) and to bread (John 6:35) were occasioned by outward occurrences, so this one to light. In "the treasury" where it was spoken (see on John 6:35- :) stood two colossal golden lamp-stands, on which hung a multitude of lamps, lighted after the evening sacrifice (probably every

Romans 15:13 — 13. Now, c.—This seems a concluding prayer, suggested by the whole preceding subject matter of the epistle. the God of hope—(See on Romans 15:1). fill you with all joy and peace in believing—the native truth of that faith which is the great theme of this epistle (compare Romans 15:1- :). that ye may abound in hope—"of the glory of God." (See on Romans 15:1- :). through the power of

Romans 16:5 — 5. Likewise the church that is in their house—The Christian assembly that statedly met there for worship. "From his occupation as tent-maker, he had probably better accommodations for the meetings of the church than most other Christians" [HODGE]. Probably

Romans 9:4 — 4. Who are Israelites—See Romans 11:1; 2 Corinthians 11:22; Philippians 3:5. to whom pertaineth—"whose is" the adoption—It is true that, compared with the new economy, the old was a state of minority and pupilage, and so far that of a bond-servant (Philippians 3:5- :); yet, compared with the state of the surrounding heathen, the

1 Corinthians 11:3 — becomes them. He grounds his reproof here on the subjection of woman to man in the order of creation. the head—an appropriate expression, when he is about to treat of woman's appropriate headdress in public. of every man . . . Christ— (Ephesians 5:23). of . . . woman . . . man— (1 Corinthians 11:8; Genesis 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:11; 1 Timothy 2:12; 1 Peter 3:1; 1 Peter 3:5; 1 Peter 3:6). head of Christ is God— (1 Corinthians 3:23; 1 Corinthians 15:27; 1 Corinthians 15:28; Luke 3:22; Luke 3:38;

1 Corinthians 12:28 — governments—lower and higher departments of "ministrations" (1 Corinthians 12:10- :); as instances of the former, deacons whose office it was to help in the relief of the poor, and in baptizing and preaching, subordinate to higher ministers (Acts 6:1-10; Acts 8:5-17); also, others who helped with their time and means, in the Lord's cause (compare 1 Corinthians 13:13; Numbers 11:17). The Americans similarly use "helps" for "helpers." And, as instances of the latter, presbyters, or bishops, whose office it was

1 Corinthians 12:31 — "gentleness," 1 Corinthians 13:7- : (the Greek is the same for "is kind"). It is the work of the Holy Spirit, and consists in love to God, on account of God's love in Christ to us, and as a consequence, love to man, especially to the brethren in Christ (Romans 5:5; Romans 15:30). This is more to be desired than gifts (Luke 10:20).

1 Corinthians 3:13 — 13. Every man's work—each teacher's superstructure on the foundation. the day—of the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:8; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Thessalonians 5:4). The article is emphatic, "The day," that is, the great day of days, the long expected day. declare it—old English for "make it clear" (1 Thessalonians 5:4- :). it shall be revealed by fire—it, that is, "every man's work."

Ephesians 1:13 — Version, "trusted," from Ephesians 1:12; or "are." The priority of us Jews does not exclude you Gentiles from sharing in Christ (compare Acts 13:46). the word of truth—the instrument of sanctification, and of the new birth (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:18). Compare Colossians 1:5, where also, as here, it is connected with "hope." Also Colossians 1:5- :. sealed—as God's confirmed children, by the Holy Spirit as the seal (Acts 19:1-6; Romans 8:16; Romans 8:23; 1 John 3:24; see on 1 John 3:24-

Colossians 1:22 — "through His death" (which could only take place in a body like ours, of flesh, :-). This implies He took on Him our true and entire manhood. Flesh is the sphere in which His human sufferings could have place (compare Colossians 1:24; Ephesians 2:15). to present you— (Ephesians 2:15- :). The end of His reconciling atonement by death. holy—positively; and in relation to God. unblamable . . . unreprovable—negatively. "Without blemish" (as the former Greek word is translated as to Jesus, our