Bible Commentaries

John 19:7 — 7. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by oar law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God—Their criminal charges having come to nothing, they give up that point, and as Pilate was throwing the whole responsibility upon them, they retreat into their own Jewish law, by which, as claiming equality with God (see John 5:18; John 8:59), He ought to die; insinuating that it was Pilate's duty, even as civil governor, to protect their law from such insult.

John 6:57 — 57. As the living Father hath sent me—to communicate His own life. and I live by the Father—literally, "because of the Father"; My life and His being one, but Mine that of a Son, whose it is to be "of the Father." (See John 1:18; John 5:26). he that eateth me, . . . shall live by me—literally, "because of Me." So that though one spiritual life with Him, "the Head of every man is Christ, as the head of Christ is God" (1 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Corinthians 3:23).

John 9:5 — 5. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world—not as if He would cease, after that, to be so; but that He must make full proof of His fidelity while His earthly career lasted by displaying His glory. "As before the raising of Lazarus (John 11:25), He announces Himself as the Resurrection and the Life, so now He sets Himself forth as the source of the archetypal spiritual light, of which the natural, now about to be conferred, is only a derivation and symbol" [ALFORD].

Acts 10:37 — 37. That word . . . ye how—The facts, it seems, were too notorious and extraordinary to be unknown to those who mixed so much with Jews, and took so tender an interest in all Jewish matters as they did; though, like the eunuch, they knew not the significance of them. which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee—(See Luke 4:14; Luke 4:37; Luke 4:44; Luke 7:17; Luke 9:6; Luke 23:5). after the baptism which John preached—(See on Acts 1:22).

Acts 13:5 — 5. and when they were at Salamis—the Grecian capital of the island, on the eastern side, and not many hours' sail from Seleucia. At this busy mercantile port immense numbers of Jews were settled, which accounts for what is here said, that they had more

Romans 15:5 — 5, 6. Now the God of patience and consolation—Such beautiful names of God are taken from the graces which He inspires: as "the God of hope" ( :-), "the God of peace" ( :-). grant you to be likeminded—"of the same mind" according to Christ Jesus—It is

Romans 6:5 — 5. For if we have been planted together—literally, "have become formed together." (The word is used here only). in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection—that is, "Since Christ's death and resurrection are inseparable

1 Corinthians 1:5 — 5. utterance—ALFORD from MENOCHIUS translates, "doctrine." Ye are rich in preachers or the preaching of the word, and rich in knowledge or apprehension of it: literally "(the) word (preached)." English Version (as in :-) is better: for Paul, purposing

1 Corinthians 6:17 — 17. one spirit—with Him. In the case of union with a harlot, the fornicator becomes one "body" with her (not one "spirit," for the spirit which is normally the organ of the Holy Spirit in man, is in the carnal so overlaid with what is sensual that it is ignored altogether). But the believer not only has his body sanctified by union with Christ's body, but also becomes "one spirit" with Him (John 15:1-7; John 17:21; 2 Peter 1:4; compare Ephesians 5:23-32; John 3:6).

2 Corinthians 3:5 — 5. The Greek is, "Not that we are (even yet after so long experience as ministers) sufficient to think anything OF ourselves as (coming) FROM ourselves; but our sufficiency is (derived) FROM God." "From" more definitely refers to the source out of which

Galatians 4:5 — 5. To—Greek, "That He might redeem." them . . . under the law—primarily the Jews: but as these were the representative people of the world, the Gentiles, too, are included in the redemption (Galatians 3:13). receive—The Greek implies the suitableness of the thing as long ago predestined by God. "Receive as something destined or due" (Luke 23:41; 2 John 1:8). Herein God makes of sons of men sons of God, inasmuch as God made of the Son of God the Son of man [AUGUSTINE on Psalm 52].

Galatians 5:25 — 25. in . . . in—rather, as Greek, "If we live (see on :-) BY the Spirit, let us also walk (Galatians 5:16; Galatians 6:16) BY the Spirit." Let our life in practice correspond to the ideal inner principle of our spiritual life, namely, our standing by faith as dead to, and severed from, sin, and the condemnation of the law. "Life by (or 'in') the Spirit" is not an occasional influence of the Spirit, but an abiding state, wherein we are continually alive, though sometimes sleeping and inactive.

Philippians 3:17 — followers—Greek, "imitators together." of me—as I am an imitator of Christ ( :-): Imitate me no farther than as I imitate Christ. Or as BENGEL "My fellow imitators of God" or "Christ"; "imitators of Christ together with me" (see on :-; Ephesians 5:1). mark—for imitation. which walk so as ye have us for an ensample—In English Version of the former clause, the translation of this clause is, "those who are walking so as ye have an example in us." But in BENGEL'S translation, "inasmuch as," or

Colossians 2:6 — 6. "As therefore ye received (once for all; the aorist tense; from Epaphras) Jesus the Christ as your Lord (compare 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 3:8), so walk in Him." He says not merely, "Ye received" the doctrine of Christ, but "Jesus" Himself; this is the essence of faith (John 14:21; John 14:23; Galatians 1:16). Ye have received once for all the Spirit of life in Christ; carry

1 Thessalonians 5:7 — 7. This verse is to be taken in the literal sense. Night is the time when sleepers sleep, and drinking men are drunk. To sleep by day would imply great indolence; to be drunken by day, great shamelessness. Now, in a spiritual sense, "we Christians profess to be day people, not night people; therefore our work ought to be day work, not night work; our conduct such as will bear the eye of day, and such has no need of the veil of night" [EDMUNDS], (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

2 Thessalonians 3:1 — 1. Finally—literally, "As to what remains." may have free course—literally, "may run"; spread rapidly without a drag on the wheels of its course. That the new-creating word may "run," as "swiftly" as the creative word at the first (Psalms 147:15). The opposite is the word of God being "bound" (Psalms 147:15- :). glorified—by sinners accepting it (Acts 13:48; Galatians 1:23; Galatians 1:24). Contrast "evil spoken of" (1 Peter 4:14). as it is with you— (1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians

1 Timothy 3:4 — 4. ruleth—Greek, "presiding over." his own house—children and servants, as contrasted with "the church" (house) of God (1 Timothy 3:5; 1 Timothy 3:15) which he may be called on to preside over. having his children—rather as Greek, "having children (who are) in subjection" (Titus 1:6). gravity—propriety: reverent modesty on the part of the children [ALFORD]. The fact that he has

Hebrews 12:3 — yourselves, so the Greek. contradiction—unbelief, and every kind of opposition ( :-). sinners—Sin assails us. Not sin, but sinners, contradicted Christ [BENGEL]. be wearied and faint—Greek, "lest ye weary fainting." Compare Isaiah 49:4; Isaiah 49:5, as a specimen of Jesus not being wearied out by the contradiction and strange unbelief of those among whom He labored, preaching as never man did, and exhibiting miracles wrought by His inherent power, as none else could do.

2 Peter 3:14 — spot—at the coming marriage feast of the Lamb, in contrast to :-, "Spots they are and blemishes while they feast," not having on the King's pure wedding garment. blameless— (1 Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). in peace—in all its aspects, towards God, your own consciences, and your fellow men, and as its consequence eternal blessedness: "the God of peace" will effect this for you.

2 Peter 3:17 — before—the event. led away with—the very term, as Peter remembers, used by Paul of Barnabas' being "carried," Greek, "led away with" Peter and the other Jews in their hypocrisy. wicked—"lawless," as in 2 Peter 2:7. fall from—(grace, Galatians 5:4: the true source of) "steadfastness" or stability in contrast with the "unstable" (2 Peter 3:16): "established" (2 Peter 1:12): all kindred Greek terms. Compare Judges 1:20; Judges 1:21.