Bible Commentaries

Job 9:12 — 12. If "He taketh away," as in my case all that was dear to me, still a mortal cannot call Him to account. He only takes His own. He is an absolute King (Ecclesiastes 8:4; Daniel 4:35).

Psalms 145:1-21 — Salmo 145 Un Salmo de alabanza a Dios por su gobierno poderoso, justo, y benévolo de todos los hombres, y en particular de su humilde pueblo sufrido. 1, 2. (Cf. el Salmo 30:1). bendeciré tu nombre—celebraré tus perfecciones (Salmo 5:11). Se dirige a Dios como

Psalms 40:12 — 12. evils—inflicted by others. iniquities—or penal afflictions, and sometimes calamities in the wide sense. This meaning of the word is very common (Psalms 31:11; Psalms 38:4; compare Psalms 38:4- :, Cain's punishment; Psalms 38:4- :, that of Sodom; Psalms 38:4- :, of the witch of En-dor; also 2 Samuel 16:12; Job 19:29; Isaiah 5:18; Isaiah 53:11). This meaning of the word is also favored by the clause, "taken hold of me," which

Ecclesiastes 4:4 — 4. right—rather, "prosperous" (see on Ecclesiastes 2:21). Prosperity, which men so much covet, is the very source of provoking oppression (Ecclesiastes 4:1) and "envy," so far is it from constituting the chief good.

Song of Solomon 7:5 — 5. upon thee—the headdress "upon" her. Carmel—signifying a well-cultivated field (Isaiah 35:2). In Song of Solomon 5:15 He is compared to majestic Lebanon; she here, to fruitful Carmel. Her headdress, or crown (2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4). Also the souls won by her (1 Thessalonians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 2:20), a token of her fruitfulness. purple—royalty (1 Thessalonians 2:20- :). As applied to hair, it expresses the glossy splendor of black hair (literally, "pendulous

Isaiah 54:14 — 14. righteousness—the characteristic of the reign of Messiah (Isaiah 11:4; Isaiah 11:5; Psalms 72:2; Psalms 72:4; Revelation 19:11). far from oppression, c.—far from suffering oppression "for thou shall have nothing to fear."

Jeremiah 15:14 — 14. thee—MAURER supplies "them," namely, "thy treasures." EICHORN, needlessly, from Syriac and the Septuagint, reads, "I will make thee to serve thine enemies"; a reading doubtless interpolated from Jeremiah 17:4. fire— (Jeremiah 17:4- :).

Jeremiah 35:2 — Israelites, but, in order to preserve their independence, chose a life in tents without a fixed habitation (Judges 1:16- :). Besides the branch of them associated with Judah and extending to Amalek, there was another section at Kadesh, in Naphtali (Judges 4:11; Judges 4:17). They seem to have been proselytes of the gate, Jonadab, son of Rechab, whose charge not to drink wine they so strictly obeyed, was zealous for God (Judges 4:17- :). The Nabatheans of Arabia observed the same rules [DIODORUS SICULUS, 19.94].

Daniel 2:22 — 22. revealeth— ( :-). So spiritually (Ephesians 1:17; Ephesians 1:18). knoweth what is in . . . darkness— (Psalms 139:11; Psalms 139:12; Hebrews 4:13). light . . . him— (James 1:17; 1 John 1:4). Apocalypse (or "revelation") signifies a divine, prophecy a human, activity. Compare 1 John 1:4- :, where the two are distinguished. The prophet is connected with the outer world, addressing to the congregation

Joel 3:2 — 2. Parallel to Zechariah 14:2; Zechariah 14:3; Zechariah 14:4, where the "Mount of Olives" answers to the "Valley of Jehoshaphat" here. The latter is called "the valley of blessing" (Berachah) (Zechariah 14:4- :). It lies between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives and has the Kedron

Matthew 1:16 — the acknowledged descent of his legal father from David secured that the descent of Jesus Himself from David should never be questioned. See on Matthew 1:20. who is called Christ—signifying "anointed." It is applied in the Old Testament to the kings (1 Samuel 24:6; 1 Samuel 24:10); to the priests (Leviticus 4:5; Leviticus 4:16, c.) and to the prophets (Leviticus 4:16- :) —these all being anointed with oil, the symbol of the needful spiritual gifts to consecrate them to their respective offices; and it was applied,

1 Corinthians 10:4 — 4. drink— ( :-). In Numbers 20:8, "the beasts" also are mentioned as having drunk. The literal water typified "spiritual drink," and is therefore so called. spiritual Rock that followed them—rather, "accompanied them." Not the literal rock (or its water)

1 Corinthians 7:3 — 3, 4. The duty of cohabitation on the part of the married. due benevolence—The oldest manuscripts read simply, "her due"; that is, the conjugal cohabitation due by the marriage contract (compare 1 Corinthians 7:4).

Galatians 3:13 — us again in the curse of the law, by seeking justification in it, to "Christ," who "has redeemed us from its curse." The "us" refers primarily to the Jews, to whom the law principally appertained, in contrast to "the Gentiles" ( :-; compare Galatians 4:3; Galatians 4:4). But it is not restricted solely to the Jews, as ALFORD thinks; for these are the representative people of the world at large, and their "law" is the embodiment of what God requires of the whole world. The curse of its non-fulfilment

Ephesians 1:18 — 18. understanding—The oldest manuscripts, versions, and Fathers, read "heart." Compare the contrary state of unbelieving, the heart being in fault (Ephesians 4:18; Matthew 13:15). Translate, "Having the eyes of your heart enlightened" (Ephesians 5:14; Matthew 4:16). The first effect of the Spirit moving in the new creation, as in the original physical creation (Genesis 1:3; 2 Corinthians 4:6). So THEOPHILUS to

Philippians 4:5 — others, not urging one's own rights to the uttermost, but waiving a part, and thereby rectifying the injustices of justice. The archetype of this grace is God, who presses not the strictness of His law against us as we deserve (Psalms 130:3; Psalms 130:4); though having exacted the fullest payment for us from our Divine Surety. There are included in "moderation," candor and kindliness. Joy in the Lord raises us above rigorism towards others (Philippians 4:5), and carefulness (Philippians 4:6) as to one's

Colossians 1:10 — 10. Greek, "So as to walk"; so that ye may walk. True knowledge of God's will is inseparable from walking conformably to it. worthy of the Lord— (Ephesians 4:1). unto—so as in every way to be well-pleasing to God. pleasing—literally, "desire of pleasing." being fruitful—Greek, "bearing fruit." This is the first manifestation of their "walking worthy of the Lord." The second is, "increasing (growing)

2 Thessalonians 1:8 — His own bright glory and His consuming vengeance against His foes (Hebrews 10:27; Hebrews 12:29; 2 Peter 3:7; 2 Peter 3:10). taking—literally, "giving" them, as their portion, "vengeance." know not God—the Gentiles primarily (Psalms 79:6; Galatians 4:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:5); not of course those involuntarily not knowing God, but those wilfully not knowing Him, as Pharaoh, who might have known God if he would, but who boasted "I know not the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:5- :); and as the heathen persecutors

1 Timothy 3:7 — 7. a good report—Greek, "testimony." So Paul was influenced by the good report given of Timothy to choose him as his companion ( :-). of them which are without—from the as yet unconverted Gentiles around (1 Corinthians 5:12; Colossians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:12), that they may be the more readily won to the Gospel (1 Thessalonians 4:12- :), and that the name of Christ may be glorified. Not even the former life of a bishop should be open to reproach [BENGEL]. reproach and the snare

1 Timothy 4:6 — 6. If thou put . . . in remembrance—rather as Greek, "If thou suggest to (bring under the notice of) the brethren," c. these things—namely, the truths stated in 1 Timothy 4:4 1 Timothy 4:5, in opposition to the errors foretold, 1 Timothy 4:1-3. minister—"servant." nourished up—The Greek is present, not past: "continually being nourished in" (2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:14; 2 Timothy 3:15). the words of faith—rather, "the