Bible Commentaries

Genesis 2 overview — Toledoth I (Genesis 2:4) This chapter is a further elaboration of the revelation of God regarding the creation. It must be rejected as irresponsible, unreasonable, and unbelievably poor exegesis to make this chapter in any manner a "contradictory" account of the creation

2 Kings 13:22-25 — Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash smite him, and recovered the cities of Israel." The last sentence here records the exact fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy of a triple victory of Joash over Syria. We also have here a recapitulation. 2 Kings 13:22 refers back to 2 Kings 13:3, and 2 Kings 13:23 refers back to 2 Kings 13:4-5. "As yet" (`until now' in margin) These are among the most significant words in the passage. "The author here had in mind that the Northern Israel would ultimately

2 Chronicles 32 overview — THE INVASION OF JUDAH BY SENNACHERIB; HEZEKIAH'S SICKNESS; THE EMBASSY FROM BABYLON, CONCLUSION OF HEZEKIAH'S REIGN See my commentary on Isaiah (pp. 329-361) for a discussion of Sennacherib's invasion and the other events mentioned in this chapter. Also, the same material has been discussed in our Commentary on 2 Kings 18-20. There is no need whatever for any further discussion of the historical events

Isaiah 2 overview — This chapter has three paragraphs. The first (Isaiah 2:1-4) speaks of the proclamation of the Kingdom of God from Mount Zion by God himself in the person of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; the second (Isaiah 2:5-11) is a call for apostate Israel to repent and heed the word of God; and the third (Isaiah 2:12-22) reveals the inevitability of the "Day of Jehovah," namely the Great and final judgment identified with the second advent of the Son of God.

Jeremiah 52 overview — JEREMIAH'S PROPHECIES FULFILLED This chapter is usually styled "Historical Appendix"; but its obvious application to the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecies suggests the title we have given it. Although many writers speak of this chapter's being a copy of 2 Kings 24:18 to 2 Kings 25:30,Charles Lee Feinberg in Ezekiel (Chicago: Moody Press), p. 687. this is true only of certain verses in this chapter. The chapter does apparently quote from 2 Kings, "but with a very significant omission (regarding events

Ezekiel 6:1-3 — hills, to the watercourses and to the valleys: Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places." "The mountains were mentioned here because they were especially the places where Israel practiced idolatry (Leviticus 26:30-33; Isaiah 65:7; and Jeremiah 3:6)."Charles Lee Feinberg in Ezekiel (Moody Press), p. 40. The same is true of the watercourses and valleys. "The ravines and valleys were the scenes of Baal-worship (Jeremiah 2:23) and of child-sacrifice (Isaiah 57:5)."J.

Daniel 9 overview — This chapter recounts the prophecy of the seventy weeks, probably the most debated portion of the whole prophecy. The chapter has four divisions: (1) Daniel comes to understand that the "seventy years" of Israel's captivity are about to end (Daniel 9:1-2); (2) his fervent prayer that God will indeed bless and restore Israel to Palestine (Daniel 9:3-19); (3) Gabriel interrupts his prayer in order to show Daniel things to come (Daniel 9:10-23); and (4) the prophecy of the seventy weeks (Daniel 9:24-27). Chapter

Hosea 2 overview — As is the case in Matthew 24, there is a blend of several distinctive themes in this chapter. There is the personal matter of the prophet's tragic marriage, an emphatic rejection of Israel as the bride of Jehovah, and the prophecy of a new marriage, the latter appearing in strong

2 Corinthians 7:13 — Therefore we have been comforted: and in our comfort we joyed the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit hath been refreshed by you all. Paul's words here signal a total victory in Corinth. As Filson said: "By you all" (in this 2 Corinthians 7:13), combined with "everything" (2 Corinthians 7:14), "all" (2 Corinthians 7:15) and "in all things" (2 Corinthians 7:16), indicates that the entire church responded to Titus' appeal and is now loyal to Paul.

Galatians 2 overview — Paul's appeal to the fact that fourteen years after his conversion (long after he had been successfully preaching the gospel), the leading apostles in Jerusalem fully endorsed his preaching and extended to him the right hand of fellowship (Galatians 2:1-10), and (2) that in one very important particular he had withstood the apostle Peter face to face, exposing his sin and hypocrisy, the obvious conclusion from such an incident being that (in one particular at least) he was superior to the apostles

Ephesians 5 overview — "Walk" as a metaphor of general behavior is used in this chapter to admonish Christians to: (1) walk in love (Ephesians 5:1-2); (2) walk in the light (Ephesians 5:3-14); and (3) walk in wisdom (Ephesians 5:15-21). In Ephesians 5:22, Paul began instructions relative to three classes of reciprocal obligations: (1) those between husbands and wives (Ephesians 5:22-33); (2) those

Philippians 2 overview — with an intensity indicating that "There was serious personal strife for place among the Philippian Christians. John A. Knight, Beacon Bible Commentary, Vol. IX, Philippians (Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press, 1965), p. 315. (Philippians 2:1-4). The example of humility exhibited by the Saviour was cited as motivation for their unity (Philippians 2:5-11), this offhand, matter-of-fact appeal standing as one of the most astounding testimonials to the pre-existence and deity of Jesus Christ

Colossians 3:3-4 — glory of Christ, lo, all of his saints shall likewise appear "with him" in the glory of eternal life which shall be given to them "at that time." Christ, who is our life … The thought here is parallel to that of Galatians 2:20. Significantly, the consummation of all the Christian's hope shall be achieved "at the coming of Christ, which will be a personal and visible appearing of himself." Arthur W. Pink, Gleanings from Paul (Chicago: Moody Press, 1967), p. 334. Another

1 Thessalonians 1:5 — It seems to this writer that commentators make too much of this and other passages in the letter which might be construed as Paul's defense against "charges." Barclay made a list of these, compiling them from references in 1 Thessalonians 2. It was being said that Paul preached from sheer delusion (1 Thessalonians 2:3). That his preaching sprang from impure motives (1 Thessalonians 2:3). It was said his preaching aimed at deluding others (1 Thessalonians 2:3). That he was seeking to please

1 Thessalonians 3:5 — op. cit., p. 69. Paul's usual designation of the evil one was by his proper name, Satan; and some scholars have even based their denial of Pauline authorship of Hebrews on the "fact!" that Paul nowhere uses "devil" as in Hebrews 2:14. This so-called "fact" is like many that are alleged by critics; because Paul used "devil" frequently, as in Acts 13:10, Ephesians 4:27; Ephesians 6:11, 1 Timothy 3:6-7; 2 Timothy 2:26, and Hebrews 2:14! Our labor should be in

1 Timothy 2:7 — whereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. The definite and emphatic missionary outreach of these first seven verses is supported by 1 Timothy 2:5-7, the "all men" of 1 Timothy 2:4 being inclusive of the Gentiles specifically mentioned here. The reason that "all men" were to be publicly prayed for by the church (including the Gentiles, of course) was stated in the Christology

Titus 3:14 — op. cit., p. 47. The emphasis throughout these letters which Paul placed upon good works was commented upon thus by Lipscomb: In these "pastorals" we have eight reminders to be earnest and zealous in good works. The passages are: 1 Timothy2:10, 5:10, 6:18; 2 Timothy 2:21; Titus 1:16; Titus 2:7; Titus 2:14; Titus 3:14. It is noteworthy that these epistles containing so many exhortations to work for Christ are among his last inspired utterances. David Lipscomb, op. cit., p. 188.

Revelation 21:6 — pass I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. And he said unto me … God continues to speak. Dummelow understood this as a reference to Revelation 21:5. J. R. Dummelow, Commentary on the Holy Bible (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1937), p. 1090. The creation of all things new is here referred to as a past event, by the prophetic tense, showing that it is as certain to happen as if it had already

2 Samuel 10 overview — to be carried away by evil lusts, so as to stain his soul, not only with adultery, but also with murder; and he fell all the deeper because of the heights to which God had exalted him."C. F. Keil, Keil and Delitzsch's Old Testament Commentaries, Vol. 2b, p. 372. That tragic sin of David took place during the war against the Ammonites, particularly, during Joab's siege against Rabbah (reported in 2 Samuel 10:11), and during which David had remained in ease at Jerusalem (2 Samuel 11:1). Some of the

2 Samuel 5 overview — DAVID WAS ANOINTED KING OVER ALL ISRAEL; HE CAPTURED JERUSALEM; HE BUILT HIMSELF A CEDAR HOUSE AND TOOK MORE WIVES AND CONCUBINES;AND HE DEFEATED THE PHILISTINES TWICE With this chapter we have the beginning of a major section of 2 Samuel, namely, 2 Samuel 5-10, where we have an abbreviated and condensed record of David's successes. A record of his sins, sorrows and disasters of his later years appear in the following section, 2 Samuel 11-20. Willis pointed out that this section