Bible Commentaries

Genesis 3 overview — Paradise Lost This chapter details the temptation and fall of humanity and their consequent expulsion from Eden. The tempter is introduced (Genesis 3:1); the temptation is presented (Genesis 3:2-5); the fall of Eve, then Adam, (Genesis 3:6); the consequent shame, loneliness and fear (Genesis 3:7-8); their confrontation with God and their futile excuses (Genesis 3:9-13); the curse of the serpent and

Nehemiah 3:6-12 — the district of Jerusalem, he and his daughters." Critics attempting to make this chapter some kind of an interpolation claim that, "It is intent upon underscoring the role of the clergy in the rebuilding of the wall."Broadman Bible Commentary, Vol. 3, 476. However, no such intention is evident in this chapter. On the other hand, the focus is not upon the clergy at all, but upon the fact that EVERYBODY engaged in the work. "All classes participated in the project, including priests (Nehemiah 3:1),

Proverbs 3 overview — DeHoff recognized three divisions in this chapter: "(1) a call to complete commitment (Proverbs 3:1-10), (2) the happiness and blessing of those who trust in God (Proverbs 3:11-20), and (3) the confidence and security of those who walk with God (Proverbs 3:21-35)."George DeHoff's Commentary, Vol. III, p. 255. Halley noted that the big words in the

Jeremiah 3 overview — Jeremiah, in Preacher's Complete Homiletic Commentary (New York: Funk and Wagnalls Company), p. 55. Salient teachings of the chapter proclaim the final divorce of Israel as God's wife, and the impossibility of her return to her former status (Jeremiah 3:1-5); the refusal of Judah to learn her lesson despite the wretched example of Israel (Jeremiah 3:6-10); God's continued pleading for both Israel and Judah to return unto their God in full repentance (Jeremiah 3:11-13); the promise of God to receive

Jeremiah 3:22-25 — Let us lie down in our shame, and let our confusion cover us; for we have sinned against Jehovah our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day; and we have not obeyed the voice of Jehovah our God." The significant thing in Jeremiah 3:23-24 is that idolatry is described as unprofitable in Jeremiah 3:23, and as ruinous in Jeremiah 3:24. It was not merely worthless but harmful. "The shameful thing hath devoured" "This is a reference to Baal."Ibid., p. 65. "Bosheth" is a word that means

Ezekiel 3 overview — EZEKIEL'S COMMISSION CONCLUDED In this chapter we have: (1) Ezekiel commanded to eat the roll of the book (Ezekiel 3:1-3); (2) God promises Ezekiel power to overcome the difficulties of his mission (Ezekiel 3:4-9); (3) Ezekiel is brought to the place where he is to labor (Ezekiel 3:10-15); (4) Ezekiel is warned of his responsibility for the souls entrusted to his

Micah 3 overview — This chapter is composed of three brief sections exposing the sins of the rulers of the people, the princes and judges (Micah 3:1-4), the sins of the false prophets (Micah 3:5-8), and the sins of the establishment, actually including those already mentioned (Micah 3:9-12). The highlight of the chapter is Micah 3:12 in which the destruction of the city of Jerusalem and the Temple

Nahum 3:15 — locust." It is a feature of Hebrew prophecy that sometimes a figure of speech (as the simile here) is used with multiple meanings. In the first part of this verse, the sword of vengeance is compared to the locust plague; but in the second half of Nahum 3:15, and in Nahum 3:16, the Assyrians themselves are likened to locusts. "Having already applied it to the ravages of the invading army (Nahum 3:15 a), he then uses it (Nahum 3:15-16) to describe the number of Nineveh's citizens."Alexander Fraser, op.

Malachi 3 overview — arrive - that long, long night of about half a millennium was at this point in Israel's history about to begin. Indeed it had already begun. Israel is no longer referred to by God's prophet as "the people of God," but as "this whole nation" (Malachi 3:9). They would abide many days for God "without king, without prince, without altar, without sacrifice, and without ephod and teraphim" (Hosea 3:4-5). Robinson pointed out that most of these two chapters (Malachi 3-4) regards the Messiah, "The apocalyptic

Mark 3 overview — The continuation of Jesus' ministry is detailed in this chapter which recounts the healing of a man on the sabbath in the synagogue (Mark 3:1-6), healings at the seashore with demons confessing him (Mark 3:7-12), appointment of the Twelve (Mark 3:13-19), teachings regarding "an eternal sin" (Mark 3:20-30), and the incident of his mother and brethren seeking him (Mark 3:31-35).

Luke 3 overview — In this chapter lies the record of the emergence of John the Baptist (Luke 3:1-6), the message he delivered (Luke 3:7-14), his announcement of the Christ (Luke 3:15-17), the conclusion of John's ministry and the baptism of Jesus (Luke 3:18-21), and the genealogy of Jesus as traced through Mary (Luke 3:23-38).

John 1:23 — He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet. The prophecy mentioned here is Isaiah 40:3, and thus John laid claim to the office of the harbinger of the Messiah. The synoptics applied this prophecy to John the Baptist (Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4).

Acts 13:24-25 — doubtless abbreviated here. The testimony of John was extensive and included the following affirmations concerning our Lord: That Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the world's sin (John 1:29). That Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit (John 1:33). That, having the bride, he was the Bridegroom (John 3:29). That he came from above and is above all (John 3:31). That he was sent of God and spoke God's words (John 3:33). That God had given to the Son all things (John 3:35). That he that believeth

Acts 20:29-30 — indicates that the central apostasy would concern the government of the church; and as Protestants have often affirmed, "The Pope himself is only an elder gone wrong!" Other New Testament passages bearing upon the apostasy are Matthew 7:15-23; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:1-8; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Peter 3:1-7; Revelation 17:3-6; Revelation 18:1-5.

Romans 3 overview — In this chapter, Paul answered certain objections that might have been alleged against what he had just written (Romans 3:1-8), brought forward a number of Old Testament references to support the proposition that none are righteous and that justification was impossible either through the law of Moses or any similar system of law (Romans 3:9-19), and then presented God's

2 Corinthians 3 overview — An excellent outline of this chapter is by Farrar: F. W. Farrar, The Pulpit Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1950), p. 56. Paul spoke of letters of commendation (2 Corinthians 3:1-3); his sufficiency as of God (2 Corinthians 3:4-6); the new covenant is more glorious than the one given to Moses (2 Corinthians 3:7-11); Paul's ministry needs no veil on the face (2 Corinthians 3:12-13); the veil still darkens Israel (2 Corinthians

2 Thessalonians 3 overview — Following the prayer which concluded the previous chapter, Paul, in this, urgently requested that the Thessalonians would continue to pray for him (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5). Various practical exhortations were then given (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15), especially with regard to busybodies and idlers. Paul's autographic attestation and benediction (2 Thessalonians 3:16-18) conclude the letter.

James 1:11 — phenomena, it is appropriate to observe that James particularly appreciated such comparisons, using quite a number of them, as follows: "surge of the sea" (James 1:6); "flower of the grass" (James 1:10), "rough winds" (James 3:4), "much wood … kindled by small fire" (James 3:5), "the wheel of nature" (James 3:6), "beasts and birds" (James 3:7), "the fountain" (James 3:11), "a fig tree" (James 3:12), "the early

2 Peter 3 overview — There is here a continuation of the discussion of the great apostasy to occur in the "last days" (2 Peter 3:1-7), revelations concerning the "day of the Lord," with refutation of the mockers (2 Peter 3:8-13), and exhortations to stedfastness, and the doxology (2 Peter 3:14-18).

Revelation 3 overview — This chapter continues the letters to the seven churches, having the last three: to Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6), to Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13), and to Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22).