Category Archives: Commentary

Romans 3:9-20

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   The World Under Sin: God’s Courtroom Romans 3:9-20   God’s Courtroom. Romans 3:9-20 gives us the conclusion to the opening section of Romans. These verses read very much like a courtroom scene. We have heard all the evidence in Rom. 1:19 – 3:8. The charge is given in v.9; “all under sin”. The indictment is read in vv.10-18 […]

Romans 13

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Conduct That Flows From Understanding Our Place in the World Romans 13   Romans 13. It is very fitting that this chapter be found in this epistle. The Roman Empire was in power, and these believers were in the very capitol where that power was concentrated. The Jews did not want to accept the idea that […]

Genesis 21

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Isaac & Ishmael: The Rightful Heir of Promise Genesis 21   Genesis 21. In ch.15 the Lord promised Abraham a son from his own body. In ch.16, Abraham and Sarah seek to obtain an heir through Abraham’s union with Hagar, producing Ishmael. In ch.17 the Lord tells Abraham that he would have a […]

Genesis 40

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   The Butler and the Baker Genesis 40   Genesis 40. The role of the butler and baker in the story of Joseph primarily becomes a link in a chain of providential events that leads to Joseph’s own dreams being fulfilled. Joseph would never have been remembered before Pharah if he had remained in Canaan […]

Deuteronomy

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   THE FIFTH BOOK OF MOSES CALLED DEUTERONOMY   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34   O U T L I N E – A Backward […]

Matthew 5:17-48

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   The Principles of the Kingdom in Connection with the Law Matthew 5:17-48   Fulfilling the Law. In this section (vv.17-48) the Lord Jesus establishes the authority of the law, which the Jews ought to have kept until the kingdom was introduced. They should have kept, not only the law, but also the words […]

Matthew 23

The Pharisees stood in the highest public place as far as their religious knowledge and practices. The Lord knew that from a religious standpoint, the Pharisees were driving the nation. The most severe pronouncements in the Lord’s public ministry are reserved for this class… the most privileged.

John 4

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   The Woman at the Well: Satisfaction, Worship and Service John 4     ContentsJesus Makes Room for John in Judea (4:1-3)The Woman at the Well: Christian Satisfaction and Worship (4:4-30)Service to the Father’s Will & It’s Connection with Satisfaction (4:31-38)“Two Days” in Samaria: The Period of Gentile Blessing (4:39-42)A Third Day in Cana […]

1 Corinthians 10

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Liberty & Responsibility with Regard to Spiritual Associations 1 Corinthians 10   1 Corinthians 10. In this chapter Paul returns to the question of things sacrificed to idols. Regarding the food itself, Paul had already addressed the issue in ch.8, showing that while the idol was nothing and the food sacrificed to idols was […]

Isaiah 1

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Introduction Isaiah 1       CHAPTER 1 1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amos, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, kings of Judah. 2 Hear, ye heavens, and give ear, thou earth! for Jehovah hath spoken: I have nourished and brought up children; and they have rebelled against […]

Isaiah 38

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Hezekiah’s Sickness Cured Isaiah 38       CHAPTER 38 1 In those days Hezekiah was sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, Thus saith Jehovah: Set thy house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. 2 And Hezekiah turned his face to […]

1 Kings 3

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Solomon’s Wisdom 1 Kings 3       CHAPTER 3 1 And Solomon allied himself by marriage with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had ended building his own house, and the house of Jehovah, and the wall of Jerusalem round about. 2 Only, […]

1 Kings 18

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   The Contest on Mount Carmel 1 Kings 18   1 Kings 18. This chapter gives us the centerpiece of Elijah’s ministry. In 1 Kings 18 the prophet brought the people, so far as he could, back to the acknowledgement of the one true God. Practically, there is much instruction for us in this chapter. […]

Malachi

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   THE PROPHET MALACHI   1 2 3 4   O U T L I N E – Jehovah’s Love for Israel & Their Denial of it Malachi 1:1-5 – Complaint: I have Loved You, Yet Ye Say, Wherein Hast Thou Loved Us? Malachi 1:1-2 – (Future: Edom Cast Down, Their Eyes to See, […]

Philippians 2

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   Christ Our Pattern: Joy is a Result of Humility Philippians 2   Philippians 2 brings before us the graciousness of the Christian life. This quality is brought out by examples; Christ (vv.5-11) the supreme pattern, then Paul (vv.17-18), Timothy (vv.19-24) and Epaphroditus (vv.25-30). The great secret of collective unity is revealed: having a lowly […]

Hebrews 3 – 4

Christ is Superior to Israel’s Leaders: Moses and Joshua
Hebrews 3 – 4
 
Ch.3-4. Asks to consider Jesus in contrast with Israel’s leaders. Christ is faithful as Son over house of God in contrast with Moses a servant. Digresses thru end of ch.3 warning against unbelief. Superior to Joshua, will bring children into His rest! God’s rest still future, meanwhile a difficult wilderness, some will apostatize. Not left alone. Three great provisions.

Moses and the House of God (3:1-6)

v.1 Apostle and High Priest. Two titles correlate to previous chapters. Apostle, Christ as Son of God, coming from God to man. As  High Priest, Christ as Son of man, from man to God. In rest of epistle, compares apostleship with Moses, priesthood with Aaron. Two resources: Word of God (brought by Moses), and intercession (Aaron). The writer writes as teacher, expertly opening up typical teaching. Only room for One Apostle! “Our confession” used to allow professors, but addresses the believers. Not “natural brethren, partakers of an earthly calling”, but believing Jews (and all Christians) are “holy brethren” and partake of a “heavenly calling”. The Principle of Calling, earthly not confused with heavenly. Earthly not stolen from Israel (Rom. 11:29).
v.2 Faithful. Christ compared to Moses as sent to Israel with authority from God. A parallel: both were faithful in their sphere (Num. 12:7). Moses in a general sense, Christ perfectly so. Something more than faithfulness: the glory of His Person (vv.3-4). “His” at the end of v.2 is God, not Moses, as Num. 12:7 shows.
vv.3-4 Builder and Building. Moses didn’t build the house (i.e. tabernacle). He followed the pattern. The builder was Jehovah, now manifest in flesh! The builder has more honor because a work emanates from a person. A person is superior to his creation. Christ built the universe is His house! The tabernacle a type of the heavens. Connects with ch.1, Son is creator and sustainer. In v.4 the argument from design. Observation of the universe, scope, variety, balance, fine-tuning for life, etc. gives overwhelming evidence. Every house has a builder. It requires faith to see that the builder is God.
vv.5-6 Son vs. Servant. Relative position of Christ and Moses. Moses “a ministering servant”, Christ is “Son over his house”. Christ over the house of God because of who He is, the Son. Universe is the house of God, but saints collectively are His house in a higher sense (1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 2:7; Eph. 2:22). A condition: will the house be faithful to Him? Many “ifs” in Hebrews: a danger of apostasy, genuine faith will hold fast. The “ifs” and “whens” show the wilderness pathway manifests reality, or apostasy. No “ifs” in Ephesians.

The Wilderness: Warning Against Unbelief (3:7-19)

vv.7-11 Warning Against Unbelief. Quotes Psa. 95:7-11 warn against unbelief. Israel’s old besetting sin. Ten temptations. Saw His deliverance, erred in there hearts. Three phases. (1) The “day of provocation” at the beginning in Meribah (Ex. 17:7). (2) Journey for 40 years. (3) Last temptation at Kadesh. Jehovah angry, swore in wrath. Psalm prophetic of Jehovah inviting Israel to enter kingdom. A new day, His old anger now gone. The cross opened a way. Old sins will not bar them; but a fresh repetition will. Unbelief must be avoided. Application to the Jews professing Christianity. 
vv.12-13 Carefulness and Encouragement. Not doubt, or weakness of faith, but a heart that ultimately refuses to take God at His word. Turning away from God for a professor is apostasy. Influenced by the spirit of apostasy. Need to “encourage” ourselves, remind that God is to be trusted and obeyed. Still called “today”, God’s grace and patience continue. If give into sin of unbelief once, effect of hardening us to Word of God. Ultimate sense, completely “hardened by the deceitfulness of sin”, only possible for an unconverted.
vv.14-19 Reality Proved By Steadfastness. In Hebrews salvation proved out by steadfast devotion to Christ through life. Asks important questions to highlight difficulty of maintaining confidence. Who provoked? Not just part of Israel, but the whole congregation. Who was Jehovah angry with? Those who refused to believe (Deut. 2:14-15). Sin emphasized: not a mistake, but positive willful sin. Caleb and Joshua the exceptions. Who did He promise not enter His rest? Those who heard and refused to believe. Common theme: sin of not believing. A progression: provoked at beginning, then angry forty years, finally swore in His anger. No one can argue, they deserved judgment. Rest only shared with believers. Unbelief the root of sin. Death a type of apostasy, only possible for unsaved. A parallel condition is apathy.

The Rest of God & Need of Faith (4:1-11)

vv.1-2 Application to Christianity. Now begins apply lessons of Israel to professing Jews in Christianity. We too have a promise. “Rest” viewed as future. Have “rest” in our conscience, a future rest when God Himself rest, we with Him. Not looking for rest in this world; become a wilderness to us. Will fail to enter it if not receive glad tidings, just as Israel.
vv.3-5 A Future Rest for the People of God. A second application. Point in vv.1-2 that faith is required to enter rest, point in vv.3-10 that true rest is future. Two facts brought together. God rested once (Gen. 2:2), but speaks of His rest as future (Psa. 95:11). For Israel, God’s rest still future at time of David. Unbelief of Israel barred them, but in grace the “today” of David is still open. Joshua (called Jesus, Greek) not able to bring them in. Christ’s superiority to Joshua. The great point: rest is future. Must refer to the Millennium, when Israel enters, and heavenly saints enter, Christ vindicated. The “rest” begins in the Millennium will fade into eternal state. It is “his rest”, therefore perfect, God finds His satisfaction. No work, no conflict. Very nature of God satisfied… we look forward to it.
v.11 Exhortation. Applies “same example” to the Hebrews, a powerful exhortation. Same refusal to listen caused Hebrews’ ancestors to fall could now cause some to apostatize from the profession of Christian faith. “Use diligence” by believing the Word of God.

Three Provisions to Help Us Reach the Rest (4:12-16)

vv.12-13 The Word of God: It’s Effectual Penetrating Power. A number of attributes of the Word make it a vital instrument to bring us into presence of God. An invaluable resource.
  • An Active Agent. “Living”, never becomes dead or outdated, carries means of giving spiritual life, adapts to different needs and situations (John 6:63). “Operative”, works (by Holy Spirit), accomplishes God’s purpose (Isa. 55:11).
  • A Discerning Agent. Compared to a sword (Eph. 6:17), pierces, also cuts or makes divisions. Word of God is “sharper”. Two edges: works on the external level (actions), and on the internal level (motives). Division of soul and spirit takes supernatural discernment. Soul: seat of consciousness, identity, responsibility, and desire (Rom. 7:15). Spirit: above the soul, capacity to reflect on his soul, gives God-consciousness. Animals have no spirit (Psa. 49:20; Isa. 31:3). True worship (John 4:24). Humanly impossible to discern, by scripture can. Illustrates with a physical image: “of joints and marrow”, intricate parts of the skeletal system, difficult to locate from periphery, hard to distinguish where one ends, other begins. Only the Word of God can penetrate and separate. Motives and intentions are often disguised (Jer. 17:9; 1 Cor. 4:5). The Word through Holy Spirit identifies the activity of the flesh with conviction.
  • A Revealing Agent. Brings us into the presence of God, our soul is laid bare (1 John 3:20; Jer. 17:9; 1 Sam. 2:3). We are fully known of God. Nothing of the flesh is allowed to pass unnoticed, new nature rejoices, any sin we tolerate spoils communion (Psa. 139:23-24). Puts us into responsibility, “with whom we have to do”.
The proper response is self-judgment, vital to maintaining communion.
vv.14-15 The Priesthood of Christ: Our Sympathetic High Priest. Pick up from end of ch.2, also introduction to next section (Heb. 5-7). The comparison here, as with Heb. 2:17-18, is with the high priest in the Old Testament. Ch.2 focused on day of atonement, here on normal function as intercessor. No OT priest called great. Tabernacle a type of “the heavens” passed through, just as Aaron through tabernacle into sanctuary. Two things required: (1) to be in heaven, and (2) to first tread the earth, with trials and temptations (both Moses on mountain and Joshua in valley, Ex. 17). Majestic Son of God, no mere transient visitor or associate. Always tendency of priests to elevate into privileged upper class. Not so; “able to sympathise”. Tested beyond us. Deity did not shield from suffering. Important qualification: “sin apart”, not “without sinning”. Sinless perfection. Temptations never from within (Jam. 1:14). A “holy thing” (Luke 1:35). Peter says He “did no sin” (1 Pet. 2:22), Paul says He “knew no sin” (2 Cor. 5:21), deepest John says “in him” is no sin (1 John 3:5). Nature holy. “He was not alone perfectly man but the perfect man” – W. Kelly. Sin within blinds and dulls. Christ’s sinlessness meant a better sympathizer! Experiences and sufferings coupled with glory qualify only Him to be our sympathetic High Priest. Intercedes for us (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25), brings down grace and mercy, gives us endurance, preserves us from falling. His advocacy different from intercession (1 Jn. 2). Can’t take one successful step apart from Christ’s continued intercession (“Aaron’s rod that budded”, Num. 17:8). Exhortation, “let us hold fast”. Why turn back to Judaism with such a resource? Every reason to press on. How awful to take other men as priests!
v.16 Prayer: the Ever-Approachable Throne of Grace. Privilege of prayer. Not confused with Christ’s prayer or intercession. He prays continually (Heb. 7:25), we do not. His presence there makes the throne available to us, approachable continually. Without fear, “with boldness”, we should approach throne of God of the universe, of a holy God “with whom we have to do”, but cross has made it “the throne of grace”. How precious! At any season, find help “seasonable”, or suited to needs. Two forms: (1) “mercy” or deliverance from a trial, or (2) “grace”, strength to pass through the trial in communion (2 Cor. 12:8-9). Always help available!

2 Peter 2

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   False Teachers in the Christian Profession 2 Peter 2   2 Peter 2. The last two chapters of 2 Peter are warnings to the saints to beware of two evils: first, false teachers who would enter into the Christian profession wreaking moral havoc on their listeners (ch.2), and second, the increasingly materialistic and […]

Acts 3

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   A Further Appeal to the Nation of Israel Acts 3   Acts 3. A little time had passed after the Day of Pentecost. At the feast Peter had preached to a great number of Hellenists visiting for the feast. Now many of the visitors had returned home, and the appeal in this chapter […]

Acts 20

Bk Sec Outline Sec Bk   The Work in Greece & Macedonia: Eutychus & the Ephesian Elders Acts 20       CHAPTER 20 1 But after the tumult had ceased, Paul having called the disciples to him and embraced them, went away to go to Macedonia. 2 And having passed through those parts, and having exhorted them with […]