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According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, the meaning of “according to” is “in conformity with”.
According to Collins Dictionary, it means “in accordance with”.
Gen 1:11, “Then God said, “Let the earth sprout
vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit according to their kind with seed in them”; and it was so.”
Kind in Hebrew is mîn which means species. According to Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon, form hence species, kind, sort.
God created fruit trees according to their kind with seed in them.
Gen 1:12, “The earth produced vegetation, plants
yielding seed according to their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, according to
their kind; and God saw that it was good.”
The taxonomy of God was good.
Gen 1:21, “And God created the great sea creature
and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, according to their kind, and
every winged bird according to its kind; and God saw that it was good.”
Gen 1:24, “Then God said, “Let the earth produce
living creatures according to their kind: livestock and crawling things and animals of the earth according
to their kind”; and it was so.”
Gen 1:25, “God made the animals of the earth
according to their kind, and the livestock according
to their kind, and everything that crawls on the ground according to its kind; and God saw that it was good.”
“Top 10 Most Startling Stats
- Of the Total of 8.7 Million Species, 2.16 Million Are Animal
- 68.7% of All Animals Are Invertebrates
- More Than 75,923 Vertebrate Species Have Been Identified
- The Estimated Species of Insects Is 1.053 million
- The Described Species of Birds and Reptiles are 11,195 and 12,263, Respectively
- About 6,736 Described Species of Mammals Exist in the World
- Approximately 300 Species of Amphibians Are Found in the US
- The Estimated Number of Fish in the World Is 3.5 Trillion
- 86% and 91% of All the Land and Sea Species Respectively Have Not Been Discovered
- There Is a Greater No. of Chickens on the Earth Than Humans.”
Gen 1:26, “Then God said, “Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth.”
God only created mankind in His image, according to His likeness.
According to https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/the-image-of-god-11580158.html
“It would be difficult to overstate the centrality of the image of God as a crucial theme in Biblical theology. From the beginning of the end in Genesis (protology) to the end of the beginning in Revelation (eschatology), the image of God is crucial for understanding the flow of redemptive history. God creates humans in his image, justly punishes them for rebellion, yet graciously provides redemption from that rebellion, and then finally consummates redemptive history by transforming the whole creation into new heavens and a new earth.
It would be difficult to overstate the centrality of the image of God as a crucial theme in Biblical theology. From the beginning of the end in Genesis (protology) to the end of the beginning in Revelation (eschatology), the image of God is crucial for understanding the flow of redemptive history. God creates humans in his image, justly punishes them for rebellion, yet graciously provides redemption from that rebellion, and then finally consummates redemptive history by transforming the whole creation into new heavens and a new earth.
Genesis 1:26-27 indicates that God created humankind as male and female in his image (tselem [,l,x]) and likeness (demut [tWm.D]). It is doubtful that distinctions between the meanings of these two words are to be pressed. Rather, the pair of words convey one idea through a literary device known as hendiadys. Later, in Genesis 5:1-3, after God’s image-bearers had sinned against him, the language of Genesis 1:26-27 is repeated as a prelude to a list of Adam’s posterity. Significantly, this passage links God’s original creation of humans in his likeness with the subsequent human procreation of children in Adam’s image and likeness. Following the Genesis narrative further, after the flood of Noah, Genesis 9:6 indicates that due to the image of God, capital punishment is required in cases of murder. To murder a creature who images God is tantamount to an attempt to murder the God who created the image-bearer, and the heinous nature of this offense warrants the forfeiture of the murderer’s life as well.”
Gen 5:3, “When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth.”
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
- in his own likeness, after his image] Cf. Genesis 1:26. Man was made in God’s image, after His likeness; he begets a son, in his own likeness, after his image. Many Heb. MSS., however, only read “in his image.” On the words “image” and “likeness,” see note on Genesis 1:26. The phrase here is evidently intended to shew that the elements of resemblance to the Divine image, which at the first were implanted in man’s nature, were communicated from father to son.
That the priestly document contained any tradition respecting the Fall, or the murder of Abel, seems improbable.
Seth] See note on Genesis 4:25. The father here gives the name; the mother’s name is not mentioned in this genealogy.”
Gen 6:20, “Of the birds according to their kind, and of the animals according to their kind, of every crawling
thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive.”
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
20. Of the fowl, &c.] The order in which the animals are here mentioned is deserving of notice; first the fowls, then the cattle, and finally the creeping things. What is the reason of this order? Probably the order of the account of the Creation in chap. 1 is followed, where the creation of the fowls is recorded in Genesis 1:20-22, and of the cattle and creeping things in Genesis 1:24. The same order is maintained in Genesis 1:26.
kind] The same word as in Genesis 1:12 (P).
cattle] as in Genesis 1:24, denoting domestic animals generally. The only group of animals mentioned in Genesis 1:21; Genesis 1:24, which is here omitted, is “the beast of the earth,” i.e. “the wild beast.” Is this intentional? The LXX adds, after “every creeping thing,” καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν θηρίων = “and of every wild beast.”
creeping thing] See note on Genesis 1:24. The exact phrase “everything that creepeth upon the ground after its kind” is reproduced from Genesis 1:25.
Genesis 6:20.”
Gen 10:5, “From these the people of the coastlands of the nations were separated into their lands, every
one according to his language, according to their families, into their nations.”
Thus, we have discovered the ancient seats of Japheth, Iapetos – , around the Caspian, the Euxine, the Aegean, and the north of the Mediterranean. From these coastlands they seem to have spread over Europe, northern, western, and southern Asia, and, both by Behring’s Straits and the Atlantic, they at length poured into America. So true is it that Japheth was enlarged, and that by them were “the isles of the nations divided.”
In their nations. – We here note the characteristics of a nation. First. It is descended from one head. Others may be occasionally grafted on the original stock by intermarriage. But there is a vital union subsisting between all the members and the head, in consequence of which the name of the head is applied to the whole body of the nation. In the case of Kittim and Dodanim we seem to have the national name thrown back upon the patriarchs, who may have themselves been called Keth and Dodan. Similar instances occur in the subsequent parts of the genealogy. Second. A nation has a country or “land” which it calls its own. In the necessary migrations of ancient tribes, the new territories appropriated by the tribe, or any part of it, were naturally called by the old name, or some name belonging to the old country. This is well illustrated by the name of Gomer, which seems to reappear in the Cimmerii, the Cimbri, the Cymri, the Cambri, and the Cumbri. Third. A nation has its own “tongue.” This constitutes at once its unity in itself and its separation from others. Many of the nations in the table may have spoken cognate tongues, or even originally the same tongue. Thus, the Kenaanite, Phoenician, and Punic nations had the same stock of languages with the Shemites. But it is a uniform law, that one nation has only one speech within itself. Fourth. A nation is composed of many “families,” clans, or tribes. These branch off from the nation in the same manner as it did from the parent stock of the race.”
Nations were formed according to their families and language.
According to https://blog.rosettastone.com/how-many-languages-are-there
“Today there are 7,164 languages spoken across the world. However, these languages are not evenly distributed across populations. Over 3.6 billion people speak the 20 most spoken languages in the world, accounting for only 0.3% of the world’s total languages.”
2Pe 2:5, “and did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly.”
1Pe 3:20, “who once were disobedient when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through
the water.”
Gen 7:13 , “On the very same day Noah and Shem and Ham and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark.”
Note: Ark in Hebrew is tebah which means a chest, coffer; the ship which Noah made like a chest or coffer; – it occurs 28 times in the Old Testament.
Something is most interesting and amazing about the Chinese character for ship. Chinese characters are square. The etymology of the Chinese word
” ship ” 船 , 舟 (big boat)
八 (eight), 口 (mouth). One mouth means one person. So the Chinese character
船 means in a big boat, there were 8 mouths or 8 persons. Thus ship
is written with “boat” on the left, “eight mouths” on the right. In the big ship there were 8 persons, one mouth stands for one person. In counting population, you count how many mouths. It is historically significant because Noah, his wife, their three sons and three daughters-in-law made up a family of 8 persons who entered the Ark and were saved from the Flood or the Deluge. And so the Chinese character “ ship ” is written that there are 8 mouths in the Ark.
Gen 6:22, “So Noah did these things; according
to everything that God had commanded him, so he did.”
Genesis 6:22. Thus did Noah according to all that God commanded him — And that both as to the matter and manner of it. And when we consider how laborious, tedious, and dangerous a work the building of the ark was, and what ridicule he would have to encounter from the ungodly and profane, while engaged in a business apparently foolish, and that for so many scores of years together, we shall not wonder that the faith whereby he surmounted all these difficulties should be so celebrated in the Scriptures. See Hebrews 11:7.”
Heb 11:7, “By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence
prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”
Noah was a righteous man because he did everthing according to that God had commanded him.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
7. warned of God] The same word is used as in Hebrews 8:5, Hebrews 12:25.
moved with fear] Influenced by godly caution and reverence; the same kind of fear as that implied in Hebrews 5:7.
condemned the world] His example was in condemning contrast with the unbelief of the world (Matthew 12:41; Luke 11:31).
of the righteousness which is by faith] Rather, “which is according to faith” (comp. Ezekiel 14:14). Noah is called “righteous” in Genesis 6:9, and Philo observes that he is the first to receive this title, and erroneously says that the name Noah means “righteous” as well as “rest.” St Paul does not use the phrase “the righteousness according to faith,” though he has “the righteousness of faith” (Romans 4:13). “Faith” however in this writer never becomes the same as mystic oneness with Christ, but means general belief in the unseen; and “righteousness” is not “justification,” but faith manifested by obedience. Throughout this chapter righteousness is the human condition which faith produces (Hebrews 11:33), not the divine gift which faith receives. Hence he says that Noah “became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith,” i.e. he entered on the inheritance of righteousness which faith had brought him. In 2 Peter 2:5 Noah is called “a preacher of righteousness;” and in Wis 10:4 “the righteous man.”
Gen 19:31, “Then the firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is not a man on earth to have relations with us according to the custom of all the earth.”
Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
And the firstborn said unto the younger,…. That is, the firstborn of those two, or the elder of them; for, if Lot had other daughters that were married in Sodom, it is probable they were elder than either of these: Aben Ezra intimates, that Lot had another wife, who died first, and these were by his second; the following motion is made by the eldest of them to the youngest, as being bolder, having more authority, and a greater influence to persuade:
our father is old; if he was fifty years of age when he was taken captive by the kings, as says the Jewish chronologer (q) he must now be sixty five, since the destruction of Sodom, according to Bishop Usher (r), was fifteen years after that:
and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth; to marry them, cohabit with them, and procreate children of them, which was the common way of the propagation of mankind in the earth; they thought the whole world was destroyed by fire, as it had been by a flood; they understood it would be no more consumed by water, but they had been told it would be by fire, and they imagined the time was now come, and this was the case; that not only Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire, and that by this time the fire had reached to Zoar, and had consumed that, but that the whole earth was destroyed, and not a man left but their father, and therefore thought it could be excusable in them, and lawful for them to take the following method to repopulate the world; or else they supposed there were none in the land, the land of Canaan, not of any of their kindred and relations, for they might be ignorant of Abraham and his family, or however of any good man that they knew of, that they could be joined to in marriage; for as for the inhabitants of Zoar, they had just left, they were as wicked as any, and therefore could not think of living with them in such a near relation: but all this is not a sufficient excuse for contriving and executing what is after related; for they should have inquired of their father, who could have informed them better.”
Sometimes we must do according to the custom of all the earth. Sometimes we must not do according to the custom of the world. The first born did not ask the opinion of her father first because she knew what would be the answer.
Exo 12:35, “Now the sons of Israel had done
according to the word of Moses, for they had requested from the Egyptians articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing.”
Verse 35. – The children of Israel did according to the word of Moses. See above, Exodus 11:2. They borrowed. On this mistranslation, see the comment upon Exodus 3:22. It is plain that the gold and silver articles and the raiment, were free-will gifts, which the Egyptians never expected to see again, and which the Hebrews asked and took, but in no sense “borrowed.” Hengstenberg and Kurtz have shown clearly that the primary meaning of the words translated “borrowed” and “lent,” is “asked” and “granted,” and that the sense of “borrowing” and “lending” is only to be assigned them when it is required by the context. Exodus 12:35.”
According to https://www.apmex.com/gold-price
“Gold Spot Price
$3,344.20 USD – ($93.40) USD -2.72% 1WAsk: $3,344.30 USD Bid: $3,323.30 USD Change: + $1.40 USD +0.04%
Silver Spot Price
$38.39 USD – ($1.07) USD -2.71% 1WAsk: $38.39 USD Bid: $38.02 USD Change: – ($0.01) USD (-0.03%)”
Exo 16:14-16, “When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground. When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat. “This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Everyone gather as much as he will eat; you shall take an omer apiece according to the number of people each of you has in his tent.”
Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
And when the children of Israel saw it,…. As they could not but observe it, it being spread over the face of the wilderness; and besides, as they were told, that in the morning they should have bread to the full, they were up early to look after it:
they said one to another, it is manna; not such as is known by that name now, which is only used in medicine; nor anything that was then known by any such name; but so they called it, because it was, as Jarchi says, a preparation of food, or food ready prepared for them, from “manah”, which signifies to appoint, prepare, and distribute, see Daniel 1:5, so Christ is appointed of God, and prepared in his purposes and decrees, and delivered out, by his grace as proper food for his people, who have everyone their portion in due season: for Kimchi and Ben Melech give the sense of the word, a gift and portion from God; and such is Christ, the gift of his grace, and an unspeakable one. Some think these words were spoken by the Israelites on first sight of the manna, by way of question, “Man hu, what is it?” and so Josephus (o) says it signifies in their language; but it does not appear that the word is so used in the Hebrew tongue, though it might in the Syriac or Chaldee, which was more in use in the times of Josephus. But it can hardly be thought that the Israelites could speak in either of these dialects at this time; it is much more probable what others say, that it so signifies in the Egyptian tongue; and it is not at all to be wondered at that Israel, just come out of Egypt, should use an Egyptian word: and this best agrees with the reason that follows, “for they wist not what it was”; which contradicts our version; for if they knew not what it was, how came they to call it manna? but taking the above words as an interrogation, asking one another what it was, those come in very pertinently, and assign a reason of the question, because they were ignorant of it, having never seen any such thing before; and this sense is confirmed by what Moses says in the next clause, telling them what it was: and thus Christ is unknown to his own people, until he is revealed unto them; not by flesh and blood, by carnal reason or carnal men, but by the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; and he remains always unknown to natural men, though ever so wise and prudent:
and Moses said unto them, this is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat; which he had promised them the day before, and which he had now rained in plenty about them; and which they had as a free gift of his, without any merit and desert of theirs, and without their labour, diligence, and industry, and which they had now power from him to eat of freely and plentifully.”
Exo 17:1, “Then all the congregation of the sons of Israel journeyed by stages from the wilderness of Sin, according to the command of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, and there was no water for the people to drink.”
Exodus 17:1. The children of Israel journeyed — By divers stations, recorded Numbers 33:12-13, but here omitted, because nothing extraordinary happened in them. According to the commandment of the Lord — Signified either by word, or by the motion or rest of the pillar of cloud and fire. Although led by this, they came to a place where there was no water for them to drink — We may be in the way of our duty and yet meet with troubles, which Providence brings us into for the trial of our faith.”
There is no guarantee that Christians who obey the commandment of the Lord is free from trouble. The Lord may want you to campt where there was no water to drink. But those who obey the Lord will see miracles:
Exo 17:6, “Behold, I will stand before you there on the Rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”
You may drink water that comes out of Rock.
1Co 10:4 “and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a Spiritual Rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.”
Exo 21:31, “Whether it gores a son or a daughter, it shall be done to him according to the same rule.”
Long before the woman right, God treated male and female according to the same rule.”
Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter,…. A little son or daughter, and both Israelites, as Jarchi and Aben Ezra; this is observed, because only a man or woman are made mention of in Exodus 21:29 persons grown up; and lest it should be thought that only adult persons were intended, this is added, to show that the same regard is had to little ones as to grown persons, should they suffer by an ox in like manner as men and women may. The Targum of Jonathan restrains this to a son or daughter of an Israelite; but the life of everyone, of whatsoever nation, is equally provided for, and guarded against by the original law of God:
according to this judgment shall it be done unto him; to the owner of the ox that has gored a child, male or female; that is, he shall be put to death, if he has been warned of the practice of his ox for three days past, and has took no care to keep him in; or he shall pay the ransom of his life, as it has been laid by the court, with the consent of the relations of the children.”
According to https://www.usnews.com/news/the-report/articles/2017-01-20/timeline-the-womens-rights-movement-in-the-us
“Historians describe two waves of feminism in history: the first in the 19th century, growing out of the anti-slavery movement, and the second, in the 1960s and 1970s. Women have made great strides – and suffered some setbacks – throughout history, but many of their gains were made during the two eras of activism in favor of women’s rights.”
God treats male and female according to the same rule.
Deu 12:15, “However, you may slaughter and eat meat within any of your gates, whatever you desire, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you; the unclean and the clean alike may eat it, as the gazelle and the deer.”
From the beginning, God has ordered that the Jews may eat the clean and unclean meat according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.
Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Notwithstanding, thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates,…. They might kill such cattle that were allowed for food, and eat the flesh of them in theie own cities and houses in which they dwelt; they were not obliged to bring these to the place God should choose, and kill them there, as they had been wont to bring them to the tabernacle while in the wilderness:
whatsoever thy soul lusteth after; whatever they had a mind to, or their appetite craved, and were desirous of, provided it was not any thing forbidden, but was allowed to be eaten:
according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee; which it was in the power of their hands to procure for themselves; they might live according to their abilities, and keep a table answerable to what God had blessed them with; from which they were so far from being restrained, that it was rather commendable in them so to do, provided they did not indulge to luxury and intemperance:
the clean and the unclean may eat thereof; that is, such in their families who laboured under any ceremonial uncleanness by the touch of a dead body, or by reason of issues and menstrues; these, as well as those who were free from anything of this kind, might eat of common food in their houses, though they might not eat of the holy things; see Leviticus 7:20.
as of the roebuck, and as of the hart; that is, as those were clean creatures, and allowed for food, Deuteronomy 14:5 so they might eat of oxen or sheep, or lambs or rams, and goats, though they were creatures used in sacrifice.”
Jos 1:7, “Only be strong and very courageous;
be careful to do according to all the Law which
Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve
success wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:7. Commanded thee — Remember, that though thou art the commander of my people, yet thou art my subject, and obliged to observe all my commands. To the right hand or to the left — That is, in any kind, or upon any pretence; which plainly shows, that God’s assistance, promised to him and the Israelites, was conditional, and might justly be withdrawn upon their breach of the conditions. Whithersoever thou goest — That is, whatsoever thou doest. Men’s actions are often compared to ways, or steps, by which they come to the end they aim at. This charge, given by God himself to Joshua, highly deserves our notice. Though Joshua was to be, in his place, as great a man as Moses; though the Lord was to do signs and wonders by him, as he did by the hand of Moses; and though he was to settle the people in the promised land, which Moses was not allowed to do, yet he was to do according to all the law which Moses had commanded. And we find that, amid all his successes, and all the wonders that the Lord did by him, Joshua made the book of the law the guide of his conduct, strictly adhering to it in every point, and always recommending the strict observation of it to the people. In this he is an example worthy of the imitation, as of all professors of Christianity in general, so of all Christian magistrates and generals, in particular, who are under equal obligations to make God’s laws or revealed will the rule of their conduct, in all affairs, public and private. For no man’s dignity or dominion, how great soever, sets him above the law of God.”
According to https://www.fcgchurch.org/Messages/Pages/Human%20Vs%20Divine%20Success.html
“The two kinds of success in the world are human and divine, but only divine success is safe. Human success leaves God out of our plans and always leads to problems. If there is no change or conversion, human success will lead us to the lake of fire. It is not God’s will that we have any lack or meet with any defeat, because we were created to be successful in the Christian life.”
Jos 8:34, “Then afterward he read all the words of the Law, the blessing and the curse, according to everything that is written in the Book of the Law.”
Joshua 8:34-35. Afterward — After the altar was built, and the stones plastered and written upon; he read — That is, he commanded the priests or Levites to read, Deuteronomy 27:14. Blessings and cursings —
Which words come in, not by way of explication, as if the words of the law were nothing else besides the blessings and curses; but by way of addition, to denote that these were read, over and above the words of the law. There was not a word which Joshua read not — Therefore, he read not the blessings and curses only, as some think, but the whole law, as the manner was when all Israel, men and women, were assembled together. The strangers that were among them — Who were proselytes, for no others can be supposed to have been with them at this time. Thus, after Joshua had gained these victories, and had had such manifest proofs that God was with the Israelites, and was fighting for them, he laboured the more earnestly to set before them the whole of their duty, and to engage them to walk therein, that they might in that way testify their thankfulness to God at the same time when he was fulfilling his promises to them. Reader, learn from his example thy duty to those whom God hath committed to thy care and government, and endeavour that thy own faith and confidence in the divine goodness, as well as theirs, may thus work by love!”
The Word of the Lord is the whole thing, not what some “pick and choose.”
1Ki 2:3, “Do your duty to the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, so that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn.”
Cited above is the last word of King David to his son Solomon. Today, a father can say to his son the last time, “Do your duty to the Lord your God, according to what is written in the New Testament.”
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
3. keep the charge of the Lord] The word rendered ‘charge’ here has no connexion with the verb used in 1 Kings 2:1, but is the customary expression in the Book of Numbers for the care and oversight of the Tabernacle and other things committed to the Levites. (See Numbers 1:53; Numbers 3:7-8 &c.) It is used also of other sacred offices and the duties attached thereto. Thus is imported into the word a solemn signification, though in etymology it is connected with the word which precedes it, rendered ‘keep’.
to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgements] These words appear to refer to the three portions of the divine law, the ceremonial, the moral, and the judicial ordinances revealed by God in the Mosaic code; while testimonies may be interpreted of those evidences of God’s will towards man which are made clear by His dealings with bygone generations. Thus God in His word bears witness to Himself.
as it is written in the law of Moses] The allusion is to Deuteronomy 17:18-20, where the king, in time to come, is bidden to keep a copy of the Law, and to study it, that so his days may be prolonged.”
1Ki 17:5, “So he went and did everything according to the Word of the LORD, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan.”
Elijah was a great prophet because he did everything according to the Word of the Lord. Where is Elijah today?
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
17:1-7 God wonderfully suits men to the work he designs them for. The times were fit for an Elijah; an Elijah was fit for them. The Spirit of the Lord knows how to fit men for the occasions. Elijah let Ahab know that God was displeased with the idolaters, and would chastise them by the want of rain, which it was not in the power of the gods they served to bestow. Elijah was commanded to hide himself. If Providence calls us to solitude and retirement, it becomes us to go: when we cannot be useful, we must be patient; and when we cannot work for God, we must sit still quietly for him. The ravens were appointed to bring him meat, and did so. Let those who have but from hand to mouth, learn to live upon Providence, and trust it for the bread of the day, in the day. God could have sent angels to minister to him; but he chose to show that he can serve his own purposes by the meanest creatures, as effectually as by the mightiest. Elijah seems to have continued thus above a year. The natural supply of water, which came by common providence, failed; but the miraculous supply of food, made sure to him by promise, failed not. If the heavens fail, the earth fails of course; such are all our creature-comforts: we lose them when we most need them, like brooks in summer. But there is a river which makes glad the city of God, that never runs dry, a well of water that springs up to eternal life. Lord, give us that living water!”
Ezr 2:69, “According to their ability they gave to the treasury for the work sixty-one thousand gold
drachmas, five thousand silver minas, and a hundred priestly garments.”
In the Old Testament people gave according to their ability and there was the treasury. In the New Testament Christians also give according to their ability. Be particularly careful, there is no Treasury in the New Testament. The pleas of a false teacher are still ringing in my ears. There are so many false prophets and false teachers who ask for your tithes and donation.
Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the world threescore and one thousand drachms of gold,…. These “darcemons or darics” were a Persian coin; one of which, according to Brerewood (k), was of the value of fifteen shillings of our money, and so this quantity of them amounted to 45,750 pounds; but according to Bishop Cumberland (l) they were of the value of twenty shillings and four pence of our money, and so came to upwards of 61,000 pounds; these everyone, according to his ability, put into the common stock or treasury for the work of building the temple; the Vulgate Latin (m) reads 40,000:
and five thousand pounds of silver; and an Hebrew “mina”, or pound, being of our money seven pounds, ten shillings, according to Brerewood (n), amounted to 31,250 pounds: but others (o), reckoning a drachm of gold at ten shillings, and a mina or pound of silver at nine pounds, make the whole to amount only to 75,500 pounds of our money:
and one hundred priests’ garments; which, as they were laid up among treasures, so were necessary for the service of the temple.”
Ezr 7:18, “And whatever seems good to you and your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and gold, you may do according to the will of your God.”
I have known preachers who got money to build institutions in their names and pass it on to their decendants; moneys to educate their children, not one penny to the children of missionaries; and also those who receive offerings as their own money. You must give to the preaching of the Gospel according to the will of God. Just take a glance, there are so many on the Internet who demand your offerings and donations boldly and shamelessly.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
14. sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors—This was the fixed number of the privy council of the kings of Persia (Es 1:10, 14). The document describes, with great clearness and precision, the nature of Ezra’s commission and the extent of power and prerogatives with which he was invested. It gave him authority, in the first place, to organize the colony in Judea and institute a regular government, according to the laws of the Hebrew people, and by magistrates and rulers of their own nation (Ezr 7:25, 26), with power to punish offenders by fines, imprisonment, exile, or death, according to the degree of their criminality. Secondly, he was empowered to carry a large donation in money, partly from the royal treasury and partly raised by voluntary contributions among his countrymen, to create a fund out of which to make suitable provision for maintaining the regular worship of God in Jerusalem (Ezr 7:16, 17). Thirdly, the Persian officers in Syria were commanded to afford him every assistance by gifts of money within a certain specified limit, in carrying out the objects of his patriotic mission (Ezr 7:21).”
Job 4:8, “According to what I have seen, those who plow wrongdoing and those who sow
trouble harvest it.”
The Word of God is supreme, but it can be confirmed by OBSERVATIONS and EXPERIENCES.
Verse 8. – Even as I have seen; rather, according as I have seen – so far, that is, as my observation goes (see the Revised Version, which is supported by Professor Lee and Canon Cook). They that plough iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same (comp. Proverbs 22:8; Hosea 8:7; Hosea 10:13; Galatians 6:7, 8). The words translated “iniquity” and “wickedness” express in the original both moral and physical evil. Men sew the one and reap the other. Eliphaz extends this general rule into a universal law, or, at any rate, declares that he has never known an exception. He has not, therefore, been grieved and perplexed, like David, by “seeing the ungodly in such prosperity” (Psalm 73:3). He would seem not to have been a man of very keen observation. Job 4:8.”
Psa 7:17, “I will give thanks to the LORD
according to His righteousness and will sing
praise to the name of the LORD Most High.”
Psalm 7:17. I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness — I will give him the glory of that gracious protection under which he takes his afflicted people, and of the just vengeance with which he will pursue them that afflict them; and will most thankfully acknowledge, not only the power, but the just judgment of God, and his faithfulness to his word. “Whatever doubts may at present arise in our minds concerning the ways of God, let us rest assured that they will receive a solution; and that the
‘righteousness’ of the great Judge, manifested in his final determinations, will be the subject of everlasting hallelujahs.” — Horne.”
Righteousness is an attribute of God. We praise God according to His excellent greatness and according
to the abundance of His mercies.
Psa 25:7, “Do not remember the sins of my youth or my wrongdoings; Remember me according to Your faithfulness, for Your goodness’ sake, LORD.”
As Augustine said, “non secundum iram, qua ego dignus sum, sed secundum misericordiam tuam, quae te digna est.” — not according to the anger of which I am worthy, but according to Your mercy, which is worthy of You.
Remember not the sins of my youth – In strong contrast with God, the psalmist brings forward his own conduct and life. He could ask of God Psalm 25:6 to remember His own acts – what “He himself” had done; but could not ask him to remember His conduct – His past life. He could only pray that this might be forgotten. He did not wish it to come into remembrance before God; he could not ask that God would deal with him according to that. He prays, therefore, that he might not be visited as he advanced in life with the fruits of his conduct in early years, but that all the offences of that period of his life might be forgiven and forgotten. Who is there that cannot with deep feeling join in this prayer? Who is there that has reached the period of middle or advanced life, who would be willing to have the follies of his youth, the plans, and thoughts, and wishes of his early years brought again to remembrance? Who would be willing to have recalled to his own mind, or made known to his friends, to society around him, or to assembled worlds, the thoughts, the purposes, the wishes, the “imaginings” of his youthful days? Who would dare to pray that he might be treated in advancing years as he treated God in his own early life? Nay, who would venture to pray that God would treat him in the day of judgment as he had treated the friends of his childhood, even the father who begat him, or the mother who bore him? Our hope in regard to the favor of God is that he will “not” summon up the thoughts and the purposes of our early years; that he will “not” treat us as if he remembered them; but that he will treat us as if they were forgotten.
Nor my transgressions – The sins of my early years.
According to thy mercy remember thou me – Deal with me, not according to strict justice, but according to mercy. Deal with me indeed according to thy nature and character; but let the attribute of mercy be that which will be the guide rather than the attribute of justice.
For thy goodness’ sake – In order that thy goodness or benevolence may be displayed and honored – not primarily and mainly that I may be saved, but that thy character may be seen to be good and merciful.”
No one can stand or survive if God remembers the sins of our youth or our wrongdoings.
Psa 51:1, “For the music director. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Be gracious to me, God,
according to Your faithfulness; according to the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my wrongdoings.”
Verse 1. – Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness. It is observable that the whole psalm is addressed to God (Elohim), and not to Jehovah (the “Lord” in ver. 15 is Adonai), as though the psalmist felt himself unworthy to utter the covenant-name, and simply prostrated himself as a guilty man before his offended Maker. It is not correet to say that “loving-kindness implies a covenant” (Cheyne), since God is “good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works” (Psalm 145:9). According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. David’s first prayer is for pity; his second, to have his offences “blotted out,” or “wiped out” – entirely removed from God’s book (comp. Exodus 32:32; Isaiah 43:25; Isaiah 44:22). He says “my transgressions,” in the plural, because “his great sin did not stand alone – adultery was followed by treachery and murder” (Canon Cook). Psalm 51:1
Sinners can only beg God for grace and mercy. Had God dealt with us according to our sins and rewarded us according to our guilty deeds, we would have all perished.
Jer 25:14, “For many nations and great kings will make slaves of them, even them; and I will repay
them according to their deeds and according
to the work of their hands.)’”
Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also,…. Take their cities, seize upon the kingdoms, spoil them of their wealth and riches, and bring them into servitude to them: these “many nations”, which should and did do all this, were the Medes and Persians, and those that were subject to them, or were their allies and auxiliaries in this expedition; and the “great kings” were Cyrus and Darius, and those that were confederate with them:
and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands; as they have done to others, it shall be done to them; as they have served themselves of other nations, other nations shall serve themselves of them; as they have cruelly used others, they shall be used with cruelty themselves; and as they have made other countries desolate, their land shall become desolate also; not only their tyranny and cruelty, but all their other sins, shall receive a just recompence of reward.”
Leaders of many nations think they can get away with murders. God will repay them according to their deeds and according to the work of their hands; and according to their ways God will judge them.
Mat 9:29, “Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done for you according to your faith.”
Then touched he their eyes – Simply to indicate that the power proceeded from him. Compare Matthew 8:3.
According to your faith … – That is, you have “believed” that you could be healed, be healed accordingly. Your faith covered the whole extent of the work respecting my power and the absolute restoration to sight, and that power is exerted accordingly, and your sight is restored. So with the sinner. If he has faith in the Son of God; if he believes that he is able and willing to save him: and if he earnestly desires to be saved, the power of Jesus will be put forth to the full extent of his faith.”
Mat 25:15, “To one He gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and He went on His journey.”
Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
And unto one he gave five talents,…. A “talent” with the Jews, if of silver, was, according to Brerewood (w), of the value of 375 l. of our money; according to Bishop Cumberland, 353 l. 11 s. 10 1/2 d.; and if of gold, was equal to 4500l. and, according to the latter, 5075 l. 15 s. 7 1/2 d.: so that five of these talents, if of silver, were 1875 l. and if of gold, 22,500 l. according to Brerewood; a very large sum for one servant to be intrusted with. The Persic version reads “pounds”, as in Luke 19:13. By these talents, special grace is not meant; for the parable speaks not of what was wrought in these servants, but of what was committed to their trust, and of what might lie useless by them, and be taken away from them; whereas special grace is internal, something, implanted in man, and is an incorruptible seed, that can never be lost, or will be taken away; and it is certain, that one of these servants had not special and saving grace, but was wicked, slothful, and unprofitable, and was cast into utter darkness: but outward gifts are designed by the talents; and these not merely the gifts of natural knowledge and riches, the gifts of nature and of providence; nor the external ministry of the word, Gospel ordinances, and opportunities of enjoying them; but ministerial gifts, such as fit and qualify men to be preachers of the Gospel, as appears from their name, “talents”: they being the greatest gifts for usefulness and service in the church, as talents were the greatest of weights and coins among the Jews; from the nature of them, being what may be improved or lost, and for which men are accountable; from the persons to whom they were delivered, the servants of Christ; from the time of their delivery, when Christ went into a far country, to heaven, when he ascended on high, and received gifts for men, and gave them to them; and from the unequal distribution of them, being given to some more, and others less; all which perfectly agree with ministerial gifts: for it follows,
to another two, and to another one; and these were given
to every man, according to his several ability, or “according to his own power”; his proper power that belonged to him, as the Lord of these servants: for the sense is, not that he gave these talents, or gifts, according to the different capacities, abilities, stations, and employments of these men; but according to that power and authority which he, as Mediator, had, to dispense these gifts to each as he would; to some more, others less, as he knew would best serve his interest and kingdom:
and straightway took his journey; after he had signified, that all power in heaven and earth was given to him, by virtue of which he ordered them to go into all the world, and preach his Gospel, and administer his ordinances; for which he had, and would abundantly qualify them; with a promise of his presence with them to the end of the world; he took his leave of them, blessed them, and was parted from them, and went up into heaven.”
Act 13:23, ““From the descendants of this man,
according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus.”
Acts 13:23-25. Of this man’s seed — From that rod out of the stem of Jesse, that branch out of his roots; hath God, according to his promise, (Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5-6,) raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus — So long foretold in the sacred oracles. When John had first preached, before his coming — Greek, προ προσωπου της εισοδου, to introduce his appearance: (so Doddridge:) the baptism of repentance — Even that baptism which, in token of their repentance, they were commanded by God to receive. Of John’s preaching, see the notes on Matthew 3:1, &c.; Luke 3:7-17. He mentions the preaching of John in this incidental manner as a thing already known to them. And so, doubtless, it was: for it gave so loud an alarm to the whole Jewish nation, as could not but be heard in foreign countries, at least as remote as Pisidia. As John fulfilled his course — His work was quickly finished, and, therefore, might well be termed, a course, or race: he said, Who think ye that I am? I am not he — I am not the person whom you suppose me to be, that is, the Messiah. See the notes on John 1:20; John 1:27.”
Rom 16:25, “Now to Him who is able to establish
you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long
ages past.”
Eph 3:4-6, “By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
which in other generations was not made known to
mankind, as it has now been revealed to His holy
apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members
of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.”
Rom 1:4, “who was declared the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
- declared] Better, defined, marked out by sure signs. Same word as Hebrews 4:7 (“He limiteth a certain day”). His Resurrection shewed Him to be none other than the Son. The same Greek word is used in e.g. Acts 10:42; Acts 17:31; and rendered there “ordained;” perhaps rightly so. But obviously its meaning will slightly vary as connected with the Sonship or with the Judgeship of Christ.
the Son of God] Cp. Acts 13:32-33, for a close parallel; one of the many between St Paul’s Discourses and Epistles. The Sonship of the Redeemer, the truth proclaimed at His baptism (Matthew 3:17), is enforced and illustrated through the N. T. In this Epistle see especially cch. Romans 5:10, Romans 8:3; Romans 8:29; Romans 8:32.
with power] Lit. in power. Cp. 1 Corinthians 15:43. Power attended and characterized His Resurrection, both as cause and as effect. The practical reference here is to the fulness of the proof of the fact. The true Resurrection was not such as that imagined by e.g. Schleiermacher; the creeping forth of a half-slain Man from his grave. It was miracle and triumph.
according to the Spirit of holiness] This phrase presents two questions: (1) what is “the Spirit of Holiness”? (2) what is meant by “according to”? We take them in order. A. “The Spirit of Holiness” must mean either the Holy Paraclete, or the sacred Human Spirit of Christ, or His Deity regarded as (what it is, John 4:24,) Spirit. The reference here seems to be to the Paraclete; for (1) in this Epistle He is very frequently referred to, in a way which makes an initial reference here highly probable; (2) the expression “Holy Spirit” is so closely akin to “Spirit of Holiness” that any reference of the words other than that to the Paraclete would need special evidence; and such evidence can hardly be found in St Paul. (See 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 9:14; for the nearest approaches to it in N. T.) B. The words “according to” may refer to the Paraclete, either (1) as the Agent in the Incarnation (Luke 1:35), or (2) as concerned in the Resurrection (see Romans 8:11 for a very partial parallel), or (3) as the Inspirer of the Prophets. Of these possibilities (1) is most unlikely, for the Sonship of Christ here in question is plainly the Eternal Sonship (see Romans 9:5), not that of the Incarnation; (2) accords better with Scripture usage; but (3) far more so, in view of the frequent mention of the Holy Spirit as the Inspirer. See Acts 20:23; 1 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 3:7; Hebrews 9:8; Hebrews 10:15, (and cp. 1 Peter 1:11); for places where “the Spirit” is evidently the Holy Spirit as the Author of Prophecy. The present passage will thus mean: “He was declared to be the Son of God, with power, (even as the Holy Ghost foretold,) in consequence of the resurrection.”
by the resurrection] Lit. out of, from; i.e. in consequence, as a result, of. The same construction and meaning occur e.g. 2 Corinthians 13:4, where lit. “He was crucified out of weakness; He liveth out of the power of God; we shall live out of, &c.” The grand result of the resurrection here stated is that His prophesied character and dignity were, by the resurrection, made unmistakably clear.”
This is the Gospel: Jesus the Savior is the Son of God, the Messiah promised by God, who died for sinners and rose again by the power of God, as foretold by the Holy Spirit.
Rom 8:27, “and He who searches the hearts
knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
The Spirit of Truth, not only will guide believers into all the truth (Jhn 16:13), He will also intercede for the saints according to the will of God.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
- He that searcheth the hearts] Certainly here, the Father. But it is the more noteworthy that the same words are used of the Son, Revelation 2:23.—“The hearts” here are human hearts. In them the Father sees, below the surface of “ignorance what to pray for as they ought,” the sacred longings which are the expression of the Spirit’s influence.
knoweth] And meeteth with a corresponding answer; crossing perhaps the saint’s explicit prayer, but granting the implicit.
the mind] The whole Aim and Choice of the great Intercessor.
because] If this rendering is kept, the connexion is; “The Father knows (and welcomes) the ‘mind of the Spirit,’ because in its requests it is in Divine harmony with His own.”—But it is better to render that. “The Father knows the mind of the Spirit; He knows that He intercedes in harmony with His Own will and purpose, and for His Own children.”
the saints] Lit. saints (without article). Such is the character of those for whom He pleads.
according to the will of God] Lit. according to God; in unerring coincidence with the Father’s will. The words are used in emphatic contrast to the possible errors in detail of the saint’s unaided desires and prayers.”
1Co 15:3-8, “For I handed down to you as of first
importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was
buried, and that He was raised on the third day
according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared
to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and
sisters at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to
James, then to all the apostles; and last of all,
as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.”
This is the essence of the Gospel according to the Scriptures: Christ died for our sins, He was buried, raised on the third day, appeared to all the apostles.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
- For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received] The close resemblance of this passage to the Apostles’ Creed shews that this summary of the doctrines of our faith is actually what it professes to be, a short compendium of Apostolic teaching. Irenaeus, a writer in the second century, and a careful observer of Apostolic tradition, gives a very similar summary in his treatise against Heresies, Book iii. c. 4. Dean Stanley calls attention to the fact that this bold affirmation of the truth of the Resurrection, possibly the earliest we have (see above ch. 1 Corinthians 11:23) was written barely twenty-five years after the event St Paul does not state here from whom he received his doctrine, but he must have acquired some elementary instruction in the first principles of the Christian faith from his intercourse with the disciples (Acts 9:19), and even at his admission into the Christian body. And what he had received from others he tested by examination of the Scriptures, by prayer and silent communing with God, till it became his own, by revelation and by that inward conviction which none but God can give. See Galatians 1:12; Galatians 1:16.
died for our sins] Cf. ch. 1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 5:7, 1 Corinthians 8:11. Also St Matthew 20:28; St Mark 10:45; Romans 5:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Timothy 2:6; 1 Peter 1:19, &c.
according to the scriptures] What Scriptures? Those of the O. T., clearly. Those of the New (see ch. 1 Corinthians 4:6 and note) were hardly any of them in existence. If it be asked what Scriptures of the O. T. are meant, we may refer to Psalms 22.; Isaiah 53., as well as to Genesis 22.; Deuteronomy 9:24-26; Zechariah 12:10. For the same words in the next verse see Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 53:10; Hosea 6:2; Jonah 2:10. This latter passage having been applied to the Resurrection by Christ Himself (St Matthew 12:40; Matthew 16:4), may not unnaturally be conceived to be among those St Paul had in his mind here.”
1 Corinthians 15:4. Ἐτάφη, He was buried) Matthew 12:40. [Here the burial of Christ is more closely connected with His resurrection, than with His death. Assuredly, about the very moment of His death, the power of His life incapable of dissolution exerted itself, 1 Peter 3:18; Matthew 27:52. The grave was to Christ the Lord not the destined receptacle of corruption, but an apartment fitted for entering into life, Acts 2:26.—V. g.]—ἐγήγερται, was raised again [rose again]) This enlarging on the resurrection of Christ is the more suitable on this account, that the epistle was written about the time of the passover; ch. 1 Corinthians 5:7, note. We must urge the weight of the subject of the resurrection, inasmuch as it is one which is made light of in the present day under various pretexts.—κατὰ τὰς γραφὰς, according to the Scriptures) which could not but be fulfilled.”
Verse 5. – Was seen of Cephas (Luke 24:34). The appearances to the women (John 20:14, etc.) are omitted, as being evidential rather to the apostles than to the world. The twelve (John 20:19, 26). Some officious scribes have in some manuscripts altered the word into” the eleven.” But “the twelve” is here the designation of an office, and great ancient writers are always indifferent to mere pragmatic accuracy in trifles which involve nothing. To witness to the Resurrection was a main function of “the twelve” (Acts 2:23; Acts 3:15; Acts 10:40, etc.). 1 Corinthians 15:5.”
Verse 6. – Above five hundred brethren at once. We cannot be certain whether this memorable appearance took place in Jerusalem or in Galilee. It is, however, most probable that this was the appearance on the mountain (Matthew 28:16, 17; comp. Matthew 26:32). Of whom the greater part remain unto this present. This sentence – a confident contemporary appeal to a very large number of living witnesses, by one who would rather have died than lied – is of the highest evidential value. It shows that the Resurrection was not “a thing done in a corner “(Acts 26:26). Fallen asleep. The beautiful and common word for death in the New Testament (Matthew 27:52; John 11:11; Acts 7:60, etc.). Hence the word “cemetery” – “a sleeping place.” 1 Corinthians 15:6.”
Verse 7. – Seen of James. The “James” intended is undoubtedly the only James then living, who was known to the whole Christian Church, namely, “the Lord’s brother,” the author of the Epistle, and the Bishop of Jerusalem (Galatians 2:9; Acts 15:13; Acts 21:18). James the son of Zebedee had by this time been martyred, and James the son of Alphaeus was never much more than a name to the Church in general. There is no mention of this appearance in the Gospel; but in the Gospel of the Hebrews was a curious legend (preserved in St. Jerome, ‘De Virr. Illust.,’ 2.) that James had made a vow that he would neither eat nor drink till he had seen Jesus risen from the dead, and that Jesus, appearing to him, said, “My brother, eat thy bread, for the Son of man is risen from the dead.” The truth of the appearance is strongly supported by the fact that James, like the rest of the Lord’s “brothers,” “did not believe” in Christ before the Crucifixion, whereas after the Resurrection we find him and the rest of “the Lord’s brothers” ardently convinced (John 12:3-5; Acts 1:14; Acts 9:5, etc.). Of all the apostles (Acts 1:3; Luke 24:50). James the Lord’s brother was only an apostle in the wider sense of the word. 1 Corinthians 15:7.”
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
- of me also, as of one born out of due time] Deed borun, Wiclif. The word here (after Tyndale) translated born out of due time refers to a birth out of the usual course of nature (cf. Psalm 58:8), about which there is therefore, (1) something violent and strange. Such was the nature of St Paul’s conversion, an event unparalleled in Scripture. Moreover, (2) such children are usually small and weakly, an idea which the next verse shews St Paul also had in mind. St Paul saw the Lord on more than one occasion. See note on ch. 1 Corinthians 9:1.”
The historical Jesus was born the Son of God, died for our sins, buried, rose from the death on the third day by the power of God, ascended to the highest Heaven and seated on the right hand of God. He is coming again to reign because He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
2Co 7:10, “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading
to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces
death.”
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
- For godly sorrow worketh repentance] Rather, For the sorrow which is according to God (that is aftir God, Wiclif) worketh change of mind. The difference between the true repentance and the false remorse may be illustrated by the cases of David and Saul, St Peter and Judas.
to salvation not to be repented of] Or not to be regretted, the word here used involving the idea of sorrow or anxiety. It is by most commentators connected with salvation, as though that were the result not to be regretted. But it may as naturally be referred to the change of mind. “The beautiful law is,” says Robertson, “that in proportion as the repentance increases, the grief diminishes. ‘I rejoice,’ says St Paul, ‘that I made you sorry, though it were but for a time.’ Grief for a time, but repentance for ever.”
but the sorrow of the world] i.e. of the world untouched and un-regenerated by the Spirit of God—the sorrow of the natural man, “the opposite of the sorrow according to God.” Stanley. See 1 Corinthians 2:14.
worketh death] Death of the body, sometimes, as when despair tempts to suicide, or brings on deadly sickness. Death of the soul, when sorrow fails to melt the heart, but leads it to that state of rebellious stubbornness, of entire alienation from God, which is expressed in the words “hardness of heart and contempt of His word and commandment.” Cf. Proverbs 17:22.”
No godly sorrow, no true repentance.
Gal 3:29, “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.”
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
3:26-29 Real Christians enjoy great privileges under the gospel; and are no longer accounted servants, but sons; not now kept at such a distance, and under such restraints as the Jews were. Having accepted Christ Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, and relying on him alone for justification and salvation, they become the sons of God. But no outward forms or profession can secure these blessings; for if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. In baptism we put on Christ; therein we profess to be his disciples. Being baptized into Christ, we are baptized into his death, that as he died and rose again, so we should die unto sin, and walk in newness and holiness of life. The putting on of Christ according to the gospel, consists not in outward imitation, but in a new birth, an entire change. He who makes believers to be heirs, will provide for them. Therefore our care must be to do the duties that belong to us, and all other cares we must cast upon God. And our special care must be for heaven; the things of this life are but trifles. The city of God in heaven, is the portion or child’s part. Seek to be sure of that above all things.”
Whenever I meet Jewish people, I tell them I am also a descendant of Abraham.
Phl 4:19, “And my God will supply all your needs
according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Christians, do not worry about your life.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
- But] R.V., “And.” But surely there is a slight contrast meant, to an implied wish that he could send back some material requital of his own to alleviate their “deep poverty” (2 Corinthians 8:2).
my God] Words deeply characteristic of St Paul. See on Php 1:3 above. Bp Lightfoot well remarks that the phrase is specially in point here; the Apostle is thinking of what God on his behalf shall do for others.
shall supply] Promise, not only aspiration. He is sure of His faithfulness.—“Supply”:—lit., “fill,” pouring His bounty into the void of the “need.”
all your need] R.V., somewhat better, every need of yours. See again, 2 Corinthians 8:2, where the exceptional poverty of the converts of Northern Greece is referred to. The prominent thought here is, surely, that of temporal poverty. Cp. particularly 2 Corinthians 9:8, where the first reference seems to be to God’s ability to supply to His self-denying servants always more from which they may still spare and give. But neither here nor in 2 Cor. are we for a moment to shut out the widest and deepest applications of the truth stated.
his riches in glory] His resources, consisting in, and so lodged in, His own “glory” of Divine power and love. Cp. Romans 6:4, and note in this Series, for a similar use of the word “glory.”—Bp Lightfoot prefers to connect “shall supply, in glory, your need, according to His riches,” and he explains the thought to be, “shall supply your need by placing you in glory.” But we venture to think this construction needlessly difficult.—Anything in which God is “glorified” (see e. g. Galatians 1:24) is, as it were, a reflection of His holy glory, and a result of it. Tender providential goodness to the poor Philippians would be such a result.
On St Paul’s love of the word “riches” in Divine connexions, cp. Ephesians 1:7, and note in this Series.
in Christ Jesus] “in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead,” “in whom” the saints are “filled,” as regards all their needs (Colossians 2:9-10). The “glory” of both grace and providence is lodged, for His people, in Him.”
Tit 3:7, “so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
That being justified by his grace – Not by our own works, but by his favor or mercy; see the notes at Romans 3:24.
We should be made heirs – See the notes at Romans 8:15, Romans 8:17.
According to the hope of eternal life – In reference to the hope of eternal life; that is, we have that hope in virtue of our being adopted with the family of God, and being made heirs. He has received us as his children, and permits us to hope that we shall live with him forever.”
Heb 7:16, “who has become a priest not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.”
Eternal life is an indestructible life.
2Pe 3:13, “But according to His promise we are looking for New Heavens and a New Earth, in which righteousness dwells.”
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
- we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth] The promise of which the Apostle speaks is that of Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22, where we have the very words, “new heavens and a new earth,” the context there connecting it with the restoration of Israel to their own land and the renewed glory of Jerusalem. The same hope shews itself in the visions of the Apocalypse (Revelation 21:1) as connected with the “new Jerusalem” coming down from God, and appears in a fuller and more expanded form in the Apocryphal Book of Enoch. “The former heaven shall pass away and a new heaven shall shew itself” (chap. xcii. 17). “The earth shall be cleansed from all corruption, from every crime, from all punishment” (c. x. 2–7).
wherein dwelleth righteousness] This again reproduces the thought of Isaiah (Isaiah 65:25) that “they shall not hurt (LXX. “act unrighteously”) nor destroy in all my holy mountain,” and St John’s account of the new Jerusalem that “there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth” (Revelation 21:27). It is implied in St Paul’s belief that “the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption” (Romans 8:21). Earth itself, purified and redeemed, is to be the scene of the blessedness of the saved, as it has been, through the long æons of its existence, of sin and wretchedness.”
1Co 2:9, “but just as it is written: “THINGS WHICH
EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HUMAN
HEART, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED
FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”
Jhn 14:2, “In My Father’s home are many mansions; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
I believe with all my heart, the Holy City, New Jerusalem, Rev. Chapter 21, is the place Jesus Christ has prepared for the saints.
God’s promise for His children are New Heavens and a New Earth. Rev. Chapter 21, the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. Please read https://williewongthought.hpage.com/the-kingdom-of-heaven.html
Verse 1. – And I saw. The usual introduction to a new vision (cf. Revelation 20:11, etc.). Having described the origin and progress of evil in the world, the final overthrow of Satan and his adherents, and the judgment when every man is rewarded according to his works, the seer now completes the whole by portraying the eternal bliss of the redeemed in heaven (cf. on Revelation 20:10). The description is based upon Isaiah 60. and Ezekiel 40, et seq.; especially the latter, which follows the account of God and Magog, as does this. A new heaven and a new earth. The dispute as to whether a new creation is intended, or a revivified earth, seems to be founded on the false assumption that the dwellers in heaven must be localized in space (cf. Isaiah 65:17, “I create new heavens and a new earth;” also Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13). For the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. The Revisers follow B and others in reading ἀπῆλθον, and render it by the English perfect tense. In א, A, is read ἀπῆλθαν, while other manuscripts give ἀπῆλθεν and παρῆλθε. The first heaven and earth; that is, those now existing pass away as described in Revelation 20:11. And there was no more sea; and the sea no longer exists. The threefold division of heaven, earth, and sea represents the whole of this world (cf. Revelation 10:6). Some interpret the sea symbolically of the restless, unstable, wicked nations of the earth, which now exist no longer; others understand the absence of sea to typify the absence of instability and wickedness in the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:1.”
The grace of God prompts you to repent of your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus as your God and savior in order to get forgiveness of sins and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. You must not neglect so great a salvation.
You can do it now. For today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow may be too late for you.
To receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is to receive the eternal life.
WILLIE WONG THOUGHT
WILLIE WONG
AUGUST 3, 2025