Recent Commentaries

Paul’s final appeal in this letter is a call for unity. In the first nine chapters he addressed most of the Christians in the Corinthian assembly. In chapters 10 through 13:10, his words were directed primarily to those who questioned his integrity. In fact, he is not even certain if these are true …

At the close of Jesus’ sermon on “cross-bearing” in the previous chapter He promised that some of the disciples would “see the son of man coming in His kingdom” (Matt. 16:28). He chose Peter, James and John as witnesses to this event. This text does not say fo …

Freedom and flexibility are the characteristics of a Christian under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can only lead us as we are sensitive to His leading. After visiting the churches he had founded, Paul tried to enter new territory for the Lord. He tried to …

Sacrifice may cause others to mock you. “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.” (v.31) Sacrifice may cause others to abandon you. “My God,… why have you forsaken me?” (v.34)Sacrifice may cause others to believe you. “Surely this man was the Son …

The Lord announced to Ezekiel that his beloved wife (The desire of your eyes)was about to die suddenly (vv 15-18). However, as an object lesson to Israel, the Lord commanded the prophet not to mourn outwardly over her death, as was the custom (vv. 20-24). Instead he could …

Under heavy persecution from the Ammonites, the tribes of Israel began to pray for grace and confessing their wrong doings (v. 10). They put away all the foreign idols to serve the Lord. The Lord spoke sternly to His people (vv. 11-14). He reminded them of how He had granted them seven …

Jesus had told the disciples that false teachers would come (Matt. 24:11). In the past many false teachers arose in the nation of Israel (v. 1). Peter knew what it was to deny Christ in a moment of weakness (Matt. 26:70). False teachers are dangerous because many in the church follow their …

When Jesus left Pilate’s judgment hall, he was carrying the cross. This was part of a prisoner’s humiliation that he carry his own cross. However, because of physical exhaustion Jesus was unable to carry it very far. A man named Simon, from the town of Cyrene in N …

The counterpart to cleansing (chapter 5) is consecration (chapter 6). Priestly, Levitical service was the exclusive privilege of those who belonged to the tribe of Levi but the Lord here instituted a provision whereby any man or woman of Israel who wished could take a vow before …

Amos condemned the rich, powerful leaders for living in luxury gained through violence and for ignoring the poor of the land (vv. 1-7). One of the main reasons Israel’s spiritual life had declined was because God’s people had grown complacent (v. 1). They had grown smug and sel …