Bible Commentaries

Exodus 25:10-16 — shall not be taken from it. And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee." Why? There are many questions we might ask, but the answers would likely fall into the area of speculation, rather than knowledge. The dimensions of 2 1/2 cubits, by 1 1/2 cubits, by 1 1/2 cubits, allowing 18 inches as a cubit, would equal 45 inches X 27 inches X 27 inches. (1)    One purpose, no doubt, was to provide an article capable of being carried. (2)    The

2 Chronicles 5:2-10 — the oracle; but they were not seen without: and there it is unto this day. There was nothing in the ark save the two tables that Moses put there at Horeb, when Jehovah made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt." "All of 2 Chronicles 5, 2 Chronicles 6 and 2 Chronicles 7 is virtually identical with 1 Kings 8:1 to 1 Kings 9:9, the few additions giving mainly liturgical information."The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 385. Our Commentary on 1 Kings has our discussion of

Psalms 28:2-3 — supplications when I cry unto thee, When I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle. Draw me not away with the wicked, And with the workers of iniquity; That speak peace with their neighbors, But mischief is in their hearts." "When I lift up my hands" (Psalms 28:2). "Psalms 28:1-2, here are a prelude to the prayer proper, on the double ground of his helplessness apart from God, and of his lifting up his hands in prayer."Alexander Maclaren, Vol. I, p. 269. David is in such danger that unless God hears him,

Amos 7:16 — Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac." "Drop not thy word" Dummelow seems to have captured the thought behind this second clause thus: "Don't let it drip, drip, drip, in imbecile and wearisome fashion (Micah 2:6; Micah 2:11; and Ezekiel 21-2, 7)."J. R. Dummelow, op. cit., p. 570. Harper, and others, rejected this view: "The word does not carry with it any contemptuous idea";W. R. Harper, op. cit., p. 173. but the idea, especially in English, is certainly

Numbers 3:1-4 — the presence of Aaron their father." "These are the generations…" (Numbers 3:1). Here again we have the magnificent [~toledowth] encountered ten times in Genesis. "It is used here in a technical sense, referring to what follows (as in Genesis 2:4; Genesis 5:1; Genesis 6:9; Genesis 10:1; Genesis 11:10; Genesis 11:27; Genesis 25:12; Genesis 25:19; Genesis 36:1; and Genesis 37:2). It marks a new departure looking DOWN not UP the course of history."Thomas Whitelaw, The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.

Matthew 16:19 — that if all the apostles exercised that authority, the words lose their meaning as applied by Christ to Peter in the instance before us. This is not the case. A certain preeminence DID pertain to Peter: (1) He preached the first gospel sermon (Acts 2:14 ff). (2) He unlocked the secret of the Davidic kingdom (Acts 2:31). (3) He unlocked the secret of HOW people enter the kingdom (Acts 2:38). (4) He unlocked the door of faith to the Gentiles (Acts 10:1 ff). (5) He unlocked the door of return for backsliders

John 17:12 — Twelve; and he was then praying for them with all of his heart, adding prophetically that not one of them would be lost except Judas. But the son of perdition … This reference to Judas sheds light on the identity of "the man of sin" (2 Thessalonians 2:3), indicating that he will be another pretender ascribing to himself apostolic authority and power. Any self-styled "apostle" today must be judged in the light of these Scriptures. That the Scriptures might be fulfilled …

1 Corinthians 16:21 — The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. This was Paul's authentication of the epistle, his signature. Paul's letters were usually written by a secretary, an amanuensis, probably Sosthenes in the case of this epistle (1 Corinthians 1:1). Tertius wrote Romans (Romans 16:22); and Paul also wrote the salutation and signature of 2 Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 3:17), indicating that an unnamed amanuensis wrote that epistle also.

1 Corinthians 3:2 — I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not able to bear it: nay, not even now are ye able. Milk … meat … Hebrews 5:11-14 and 1 Peter 2:2 employ this metaphor and explain it. The milk is the first principles (Hebrews 6:1-2); meat is more advanced learning. "It is the symbol of preaching in which it is possible to unfold the full richness and magnificence of the gospel." F.

2 Corinthians 5 overview — In the first paragraph of this chapter, Paul spoke of the spiritual body which is to replace the present earthly body of Christians at the time of the Second Advent and judgment of the last day (2 Corinthians 1:10), and then delivered some of the profoundest teachings in Holy Scripture regarding the ministry of reconciliation, of which Paul, along with the other apostles, was an ambassador (2 Corinthians 1:11-21).

2 Corinthians 8:24 — Show ye therefore unto them in the face of the churches the proof of your love, and of our glorying on your behalf. This line is as stern as anything in 2 Corinthians 10 through the end. When a person has professed love, and the object of such alleged love hurls the challenge to "prove it" in the face of a competent witness just cited, and "before the face of all the churches," there

2 Corinthians 9:4 — if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (that we say not ye) should be put to shame in this confidence. Lest by any means … does not have any meaning of uncertainty. "It is not hypothetical, but = `when,' as in 2 Corinthians 13:2." David J. A. Clines, A New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1969), p. 433. We should be put to shame … This is a marvelous example of Paul's use of "we" in order more fully

Galatians 3 overview — his dealings with mankind will help to understand this chapter. From the days of Cain and Abel, one of whom was cursed and the other blessed, for the simple reason that the deeds of one were righteous and the deeds of the other were evil (1 John 3:12), and throughout the history of the patriarchs, and continuing down through the Jewish monarchy, where of various kings it is said that some "did that which was right and good in the eyes of the Lord" (2 Chronicles 14:2), and of others, that

Ephesians 2 overview — Paul's theme in this chapter continues to be the glorious blessings of the saved "in Christ," as contrasted with their former state of being without any hope whatever. Those who were once "dead in sins" are now alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10); and those who were once "aliens and strangers separated from God" are now members of God's family (Ephesians 2:11-22).

2 Timothy 4:3 — For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; For the time will come … The use of "for" here and in 2 Timothy 4:6 cites two reasons for Paul's urgent charge, these being (1) apostasy so often foretold is present (potentially) even in Timothy's time, and indeed at all times, and (2) the grand old warrior Paul will very soon have departed from this life.

1 Peter 2 overview — In this great chapter, Peter stressed the duties of the church as the new Israel of God, who were bound by their privileges to exhibit lives worthy of their sacred calling (1 Peter 2:1-10); and then he gave the first of a number of admonitions directed to the Christians with regard to their obligations to the outward society (1 Peter 2:11-25).

1 Peter 5:2 — will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Tend the flock of God … The flock does not belong to the elders, but to God. The word here is exactly the same "that Jesus used when he admonished Peter to tend his sheep (John 21:16)." Raymond C. Kelcy, The Letters of Peter and Jude (Austin, Texas: R. B. Sweet Company, 1972), p. 98. Exercising the oversight … See under preceding verse. As Dummelow, and many others, stressed, "Elders were not then distinguished

2 Peter 1:16 — Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. We did not follow … The plural "we" here is not a mere editorial device, but is inclusive of all the holy apostles of Christ, an inclusion Peter was always careful to make (See 2 Peter 3:2). Cunningly devised fables … "Cleverly devised myths were a feature of the theological systems of the Gnostic speculators," David H. Wheaton, op. cit., p. 1254. already operating at the time Peter wrote. However, it is just

1 John 2:3 — can be trusted. "It is all too easy to fall into illusions about ourselves if we make too much of our religious feelings, even those of an elevated kind."Amos N. Wilder, The Interpreter's Bible, Vol. XII (New York: Abingdon Press, 1957), p. 226. Keeping the commandments of God is the prerequisite and the test either of loving God (John 14:15) or of knowing God. Macknight supposed that John here was teaching against "the Nicolaitans and Gnostics who affirmed that the only thing necessary

Revelation 2:3 — be endured, but the dynamic ability of endurance and faithfulness without discouragement by any or all difficulties. For my name's sake … The New Testament emphasis upon the name of the Lord is extensive. Salvation is in no other name (Acts 4:12); all Christian activities are to be done in his name (Colossians 3:17); we are justified in his name (1 Corinthians 6:11); we are baptized in his name (Acts 2:38; Acts 19:5); we are called by his name (James 2:7); our sins are forgiven for his name's