Bible Commentaries

Matthew 25:5 — 5. While the bridegroom tarried—So in Matthew 24:48, "My Lord delayeth His coming"; and so Peter says sublimely of the ascended Saviour, "Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things" (Matthew 24:48- :, and compare Luke 19:11; Luke

Matthew 7:5 — 5. Thou hypocrite—"Hypocrite." first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye—Our Lord uses a most hyperbolical, but not unfamiliar figure, to express the monstrous inconsistency

Luke 9:26 — founded on our love of reputation, which causes instinctive aversion to what is fitted to lower it, and was given us as a preservative from all that is properly shameful. When one is, in this sense of it, lost to shame, he is nearly past hope (Zechariah 3:5; Jeremiah 6:15; Jeremiah 3:3). But when Christ and "His words"—Christianity, especially in its more spiritual and uncompromising features—are unpopular, the same instinctive desire to stand well with others begets the temptation to be ashamed of Him,

John 19:36 — 36. that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken—The reference is to the paschal lamb, as to which this ordinance was stringent (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12. Compare 1 Corinthians 5:7). But though we are to see here the fulfilment of a very definite typical ordinance, we shall, on searching deeper, see in it a remarkable divine interposition to protect the sacred body of Christ from the last indignity after He had finished the

Acts 1:3 — 3-5. showed himself alive—As the author is about to tell us that "the resurrection of the Lord Jesus" was the great burden of apostolic preaching, so the subject is here filly introduced by an allusion to the primary evidence on which that great fact rests,

Acts 8:15 — 15, 16. prayed . . . they might receive the Holy Ghost. (For only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus)—As the baptism of adults presupposed "the renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5-7; 1 Corinthians 12:13), of which the profession of faith

Romans 11:5 — 5. Even so at this present time—"in this present season"; this period of Israel's rejection. (See :-, Greek). there is—"there obtains," or "hath remained" a remnant according to the election of grace—"As in Elijah's time the apostasy of Israel was

Romans 13:5 — 5. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath—for fear of the magistrate's vengeance. but also for conscience' sake—from reverence for God's authority. It is of Magistracy in general, considered as a divine ordinance, that this is spoken:

Romans 5:5 — 5. And hope maketh not ashamed—putteth not to shame, as empty hopes do. because the love of God—that is, not "our love to God," as the Romish and some Protestant expositors (following some of the Fathers) represent it; but clearly "God's love to us"—as

1 Corinthians 13:1 — ordinary and more important gifts of the Spirit, as contrasted with the extraordinary gifts (1 Corinthians 14:2- :). sounding . . . tinkling—sound without soul or feeling: such are "tongues" without charity. cymbal—Two kinds are noticed (Psalms 150:5), the loud or clear, and the high-sounding one: hand cymbals and finger cymbals, or castanets. The sound is sharp and piercing.

1 Corinthians 13:2 — 2. mysteries— (Romans 11:25; Romans 16:25). Mysteries refer to the deep counsels of God hitherto secret, but now revealed to His saints. Knowledge, to truths long known. faith . . . remove mountains— (Matthew 17:20; Matthew 21:21). The practical power of the will elevated by

1 Corinthians 15:44 — but meanwhile in the body the animal soul preponderates; hereafter the Spirit shall predominate, and the animal soul be duly subordinate. spiritual body—a body wholly moulded by the Spirit, and its organism not conformed to the lower and animal (Luke 20:35; Luke 20:36), but to the higher and spiritual, life (compare 1 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). There is, &c.—The oldest manuscripts read, "IF there is a natural (or animal-souled) body, there is also a spiritual body." It is no more wonderful

2 Corinthians 1:13 — my former Epistle with my present Epistle), or even know as a matter of fact (namely, the consistency of my acts with my words)." even to the end—of my life. Not excluding reference to the day of the Lord (end of 2 Corinthians 1:14; 1 Corinthians 4:5).

2 Corinthians 1:5 — 5. sufferings—standing in contrast with "salvation" ( :-); as "tribulation" (distress of mind), with comfort or "consolation." of Christ—Compare :-. The sufferings endured, whether by Himself, or by His Church, with which He considers Himself identified

2 Corinthians 11:9 — want." chargeable—Greek, "burdensome," literally, "to torpify," and so to oppress. JEROME says it is a Cilician word (2 Corinthians 12:14; 2 Corinthians 12:16). the brethren which came—rather, as Greek, "the brethren when they came." Perhaps Timotheus and Silas (Acts 8:1; Acts 8:5). Compare Philippians 4:15; Philippians 4:16, which refers to donations received from the Philippians (who were in Macedonia) at two distinct periods ("once and again"), one at Thessalonica, the other after his departure from Macedonia, that is, when

2 Corinthians 12:7 — 7. exalted above measure—Greek, "overmuch uplifted." How dangerous must self-exaltation be, when even the apostle required so much restraint! [BENGEL]. abundance—Greek, "the excess"; exceeding greatness. given . . . me—namely, by God (Job 5:6; Philippians 1:29). thorn in the flesh— (Numbers 33:55; Ezekiel 28:24). ALFORD thinks it to be the same bodily affliction as in Galatians 4:13; Galatians 4:14. It certainly was something personal, affecting him individually, and not as an apostle:

Galatians 6:8 — expands the seed sown here. Men cannot mock God because they can deceive themselves. They who sow tares cannot reap wheat. They alone reap life eternal who sow to the Spirit (Psalms 126:6; Proverbs 11:18; Proverbs 22:8; Hosea 8:7; Hosea 10:12; Luke 16:25; Romans 8:11; James 5:7).

Philippians 1:18 — doctrine; had there been vital error, Paul would not have rejoiced. The proclamation of CHRIST," however done, roused attention, and so was sure to be of service. Paul could thus rejoice at the good result of their bad intentions (Psalms 76:10; Isaiah 10:5; Isaiah 10:7).

Philippians 3:13 — 13. I—whatever others count as to themselves. He who counts himself perfect, must deceive himself by calling sin infirmity (1 John 1:8); at the same time, each must aim at perfection, to be a Christian at all (Matthew 5:48). forgetting those things . . . behind—Looking back is sure to end in going back (Luke 9:62): So Lot's wife (Luke 9:62- :). If in stemming a current we cease pulling the oar against it, we are carried back. God's word to us is as it was to Israel, "Speak

2 Thessalonians 3:3 — 3. faithful—alluding to "faith" (2 Thessalonians 3:2): though many will not believe, the Lord (other very old manuscripts read "God") is still to be believed in as faithful to His promises (1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Timothy 2:13). Faith on the part of man answers to faithfulness on the part of God. stablish you—as he had prayed (2 Thessalonians 2:17). Though it was on himself that wicked men were making their onset, he turns away from asking the Thessalonians'