Bible Commentaries

Job 30:24 — palabra בעי b e ‛ı̂y, representada en el texto "en el grave ", y en el margen" montón ". Si esa palabra se compone de la preposición ב b e y עי ‛ ı̂y, significa literalmente, "en ruinas o en la basura" - por lo que la palabra עי ‛ ı̂y es usado en Miqueas 1:6; Jeremias 26:18; Miqueas 3:12; Salmo 79:1; Nehemías 4:2, Nehemías 4:1. Pero Gesenius supone que es una sola palabra, desde la raíz obsoleta בעה, Chaldee בעא, "rezar, pedir"; y de acuerdo con esto, el significado es: “Sí, la oración no es nada cuando

Psalms 19 overview — be none on our part in explaining it, to undervalue or disparage the truths about God revealed by nature. All that could now be said in regard to the works of creation, as illustrating the divine perfections, is really admitted by the psalmist Psalms 19:1-6; and yet this is placed in strong contrast with the revelations disclosed in the “law of the Lord,” that is, in his revealed word Psalms 19:7-11. The revelations of nature, and the higher revelation by inspiration, belong to the same system of

Psalms 31 overview — This psalm is addressed to “the chief Musician,” and purports to be a psalm of David. On the meaning of the phrase “To the chief Musician,” see the notes at the title to Psalms 4:1-8. There can be no doubt that the inscription which ascribes it to David is correct, and that he was the author. The occasion, however, on which it was composed is unknown, and cannot now be ascertained. Most of the Jewish and many Christian interpreters

Psalms 71 overview — This psalm is without a title, as is the case with the first, second, tenth, and some others. Of course it is impossible to determine on what occasion it was composed. There is some plausibility in the supposition that Psalms 70:1-5 might have been placed before it, or in connection with it, as a kind of introduction, or as indicating the character of the psalms among which it is found; but nothing of certainty can be ascertained on that point. It evidently belongs to the “class”

Psalms 71 overview — Este salmo no tiene título, como es el caso con el primero, segundo, décimo y algunos otros. Por supuesto, es imposible determinar en qué ocasión se compuso. Hay cierta plausibilidad en la suposición de que Salmo 70:1 podría haber sido colocado antes, o en relación con él, como una especie de introducción, o como indicando el carácter de los salmos entre los que se encuentra; pero nada de certeza se puede determinar sobre ese punto. Evidentemente pertenece a la "clase"

Habakkuk 1:2 — implied, wilt Thou be “wroth against the prayer of Thy people?” as we should say,” how long shall Thy wrath continue?” The words which the prophet uses relate to domestic strife and wrong between man and man; violence, iniquity, strife, contention Habakkuk 1:3, nor are any of them used only of the oppression of a foreign enemy. Also, Habakkuk complains of injustice too strong for the law, and the perversion of justice Habakkuk 1:4. And upon this, the sentence is pronounced. The enemy is to be sent for judgment

Zephaniah 3:9 — the Law, the prophet ends.I will turn - Contrary to what they had before, “to the people,” literally, “peoples,” the nations of the earth, “a pure language,” literally, “a purified lip.” It is a real conversion, as was said of Saul at the beginning 1 Samuel 10:9; “God” (literally) “turned to him another heart.” Before the dispersion of Babel the world was “of one lip,” but that, impure, for it was in rebellion against God. Now it shall be again of “one lip;” and that, “purified.” The purity is of

John 14:16 — after his death and ascension to heaven, for this prayer was to be connected with their keeping his commandments. In what way he makes intercession in heaven for his people we do not know. The fact, however, is clearly made known, Romans 8:34; Hebrews 4:14-15; Hebrews 7:25. It is as the result of his intercession in heaven that we obtain all our blessings, and it is through him that our prayers are to be presented and made efficacious before God.Another Comforter - Jesus had been to them a counsellor,

Acts 11:28 — Named Agabus - This man is mentioned but in one other place in the New Testament. In Acts 21:10-11, he is referred to as having foretold that Paul would be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles. It is not expressly said that he was a Christian, but the connection seems to imply that he was.And signified - See John 12:33. The word usually

1 Corinthians 3:10 — Paul had proceeded in this manner in laying first a firm foundation on which the church could be reared. The word “wise” here means “skillful” or “judicious”; compare Matthew 7:24.I have laid the foundation - “What” this foundation was, he states in 1 Corinthians 3:11. The meaning here is, that the church at Corinth had been at first established by Paul; see Acts 18:1, etc.And another - Other teachers. I have communicated to the church the first elements of Christian knowledge. Others follow out

2 Corinthians 1:22 — their foreheads;” compare Ezekiel 9:4; see the note, John 6:27, were it is said of the Saviour, “for him hath God the Father sealed;” compare John 3:33. In a similar manner Christians are said to be sealed; to be sealed by the Holy Spirit Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30; that is, the Holy Spirit is given to them to confirm them as belonging to God. He grants them His Spirit. He renews and sanctifies them. He produces in their hearts those feelings, hopes, and desires which are an evidence that they

2 Corinthians 2:16 — Grateful as their labors were to God, and acceptable as would be their efforts, whatever might be the results, yet Paul could not be ignorant that the gospel would in fact be the means of greater condemnation to many; see the notes on 2 Corinthians 2:15. It was indeed by their own fault; yet wherever the gospel was preached, it would to many have this result. It is probable that the language here used is borrowed from similar expressions which were common among the Jews. Thus, in Debarim Rabba, sec.

2 Corinthians 5 overview — gar) with which it commences. It contains a further statement of reasons for what has been said in the previous chapter. The main subject there was the ministry; the honesty and fidelity with which Paul and his fellow-laborers toiled 2 Corinthians 4:1-3; the trials and dangers which they encountered in the work of the ministry 2 Corinthians 4:7-12; and the consolations and supports which they had in its various trials, 2 Corinthians 4:13-18. This chapter contains a continuation of the same subject,

2 Corinthians 9 overview — In this chapter 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 the apostle continues the subject which he had discussed in 2 Corinthians 8:0 - the collection which he had purposed to make for the poor saints in Judea. The deep anxiety which he had that the collection should be liberal; that it should not only

2 Thessalonians 1:6 — threatening of that punishment is wholly arbitrary; that it might easily be dispensed with, and that because it is unjust it will not be inflicted, and need not be dreaded. But that it is just and proper, a very slight degree of reflection must show. Because:(1) It is inconceivable that God should threaten such punishment unless it were just. How can it be reconciled with his perfections that he can hold up before mankind the assurance that any of them will be punished forever, unless it be right that it should

2 Timothy 4:17 — Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me - Though all “men” forsook me, yet “God” did not. This expresses a universal truth in regard to the faithfulness of God; see Psalms 27:10; compare Job 5:17-19; Isaiah 14:1-2.That by me the preaching might be fully known - The word “preaching,” here probably means “the gospel as preached by him.” The word rendered “might be fully known” - πληροφορηθῃ plērophorē̄thē - means “might

Revelation 12:14 — the sense is, that the church, when exposed to this form of persecution, would be protected as if miraculously supplied with wings.That she might fly into the wilderness - There is here a more full description of what is briefly stated in Revelation 12:6. A wilderness or desert is often represented as a place of safety from pursuers. Thus David 1 Samuel 23:14-15 is represented as fleeing into the wilderness from the persecutions of Saul. So Elijah 1 Kings 19:4 fled into the wilderness from the persecutions

Revelation 14 overview — Analysis Of The ChapterIn the previous chapters Rev. 12–13 there is a description of the woes and sorrows which, for a long period, would come upon the church, and which would threaten to destroy it. It was proper that this gloomy picture should be relieved, and accordingly this chapter, having much of

Revelation 18:13 — were consumed in religious worship and the pomp of funerals.” It is unnecessary to say that the use of such odors has been always common at Rome.And ointments - Unguents - as spikenard, etc. These were in common use among the ancients. See the Matthew 14:7 note; Mark 14:3 note.And frankincense - See the notes on Matthew 2:11. It is unnecessary to say that incense has been always much used in public worship in Rome, and that it has been, therefore, a valuable article of commerce there.And wine - An

Revelation 2:9 — seem that this church, at that time, was eminently poor, for this is not specified in regard to any one of the others. No reason is suggested why they were particularly poor. It was not, indeed, an uncommon characteristic of early Christians (compare 1 Corinthians 1:26-28), but there might have Been some special reasons why that church was eminently so. It is, however, the only church of the seven which has survived, and perhaps in the end its poverty was no disadvantage.But thou art rich - Not in