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Morning Bible Reading - Proverbs 30

  1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, [even] the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,  2 Surely I [am] more brutish than [any] man, and have not the understanding of a man.  3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.  4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what [is] his name, and what [is] his son’s name, if thou canst tell?  5 Every word of God [is] pure: he [is] a shield unto them that put their trust in him.  6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.  7 Two [things] have I required of thee; deny me [them] not before I die:  8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:  9 Lest I be full, and deny [thee], and say, Who [is] the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God [in vain].  10 Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.  11 [There is] a generation [that] curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.  12 [There is] a generation [that are] pure in their own eyes, and [yet] is not washed from their filthiness.  13 [There is] a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.  14 [There is] a generation, whose teeth [are as] swords, and their jaw teeth [as] knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from [among] men.  15 The horseleach hath two daughters, [crying], Give, give. There are three [things that] are never satisfied, [yea], four [things] say not, [It is] enough:  16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth [that] is not filled with water; and the fire [that] saith not, [It is] enough.  17 The eye [that] mocketh at [his] father, and despiseth to obey [his] mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.  18 There be three [things which] are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:  19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.  20 Such [is] the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.  21 For three [things] the earth is disquieted, and for four [which] it cannot bear:  22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;  23 For an odious [woman] when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.  24 There be four [things which are] little upon the earth, but they [are] exceeding wise:  25 The ants [are] a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;  26 The conies [are but] a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;  27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;  28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.  29 There be three [things] which go well, yea, four are comely in going:  30 A lion [which is] strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;  31 A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom [there is] no rising up.  32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, [lay] thine hand upon thy mouth.  33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-6 Agur speaks of himself as wanting a righteousness, and having done very foolishly. And it becomes us all to have low thoughts of ourselves. He speaks of himself as wanting revelation to guide him in the ways of truth and wisdom. The more enlightened people are, the more they lament their ignorance; the more they pray for clearer, still clearer discoveries of God, and his rich grace in Christ Jesus. In ver.#(4), there is a prophetic notice of Him who came down from heaven to be our Instructor and Saviour, and then ascended into heaven to be our Advocate. The Messiah is here spoken of as a Person distinct from the Father, but his name as yet secret. The great Redeemer, in the glories of his providence and grace, cannot be found out to perfection. Had it not been for Christ, the foundations of the earth had sunk under the load of the curse upon the ground, for man|s sin. Who, and what is the mighty One that doeth all this? There is not the least ground to suspect anything wanting in the word of God; adding to his words opens the way to errors and corruptions.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   7-9 Agur wisely prayed for a middle state, that he might be kept at a distance from temptations; he asked daily bread suited to his station, his family, and his real good. There is a remarkable similarity between this prayer and several clauses of the Lord|s prayer. If we are removed from vanity and lies; if we are interested in the pardoning love of Christ, and have him for our portion; if we walk with God, then we shall have all we can ask or think, as to spiritual things. When we consider how those who have abundance are prone to abuse the gift, and what it is to suffer want, Agur|s prayer will ever be found a wise one, though seldom offered. Food convenient; what is so for one, may not be so for another; but we may be sure that our heavenly Father will supply all our need, and not suffer us to want anything good for us; and why should we wish for more? Verse 10 Slander not a servant to his master, accuse him not in small matters, to make mischief.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   11-14 In every age there are monsters of ingratitude who ill-treat their parents. Many persuade themselves they are holy persons, whose hearts are full of sin, and who practise secret wickedness. There are others whose lofty pride is manifest. There have also been cruel monsters in every age.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   15-17 Cruelty and covetousness are two daughters of the horseleech, that still cry, "Give, give," and they are continually uneasy to themselves. Four things never are satisfied, to which these devourers are compared. Those are never rich that are always coveting. And many who have come to a bad end, have owned that their wicked courses began by despising their parents| authority.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   18-20 Four things cannot be fully known. The kingdom of nature is full of marvels. The fourth is a mystery of iniquity; the cursed arts by which a vile seducer gains the affections of a female; and the arts which a vile woman uses to conceal her wickedness.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   21-23 Four sorts of persons are very troublesome. Men of low origin and base spirit, who, getting authority, become tyrants. Foolish and violent men indulging in excesses. A woman of a contentious spirit and vicious habits. A servant who has obtained undue influence. Let those whom Providence has advanced from low beginnings, carefully watch against that sin which most easily besets them.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   23-27

Matthew Henry Commentary:   24-28 Four things that are little, are yet to be admired. There are those who are poor in the world, and of small account, yet wise for their souls and another world.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   29-33 We may learn from animals to go well; also to keep our temper under all provocations. We must keep the evil thought in our minds from breaking out into evil speeches. We must not stir up the passions of others. Let nothing be said or done with violence, but every thing with softness and calmness. Alas, how often have we done foolishly in rising up against the Lord our King! Let us humble ourselves before him. And having found peace with Him, let us follow peace with all men.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 30:1-999 

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A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 30:26-999 

Morning Bible Reading - Proverbs 31

  1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.  2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?  3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.  4 [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:  5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.  6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.  7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.  8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.  9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.  10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies.  11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.  12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.  13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.  14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.  15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.  16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.  17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.  18 She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night.  19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.  20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.  21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet.  22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.  23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.  24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.  25 Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.  26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.  27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.  28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her.  29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.  30 Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.  31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   0-999 Chapter Outline An exhortation to king Lemuel to take heed of sin, and to do duties. (1-9) The description of a virtuous woman. (10-31)

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-9 When children are under the mother|s eye, she has an opportunity of fashioning their minds aright. Those who are grown up, should often call to mind the good teaching they received when children. The many awful instances of promising characters who have been ruined by vile women, and love of wine, should warn every one to avoid these evils. Wine is to be used for want or medicine. Every creature of God is good, and wine, though abused, has its use. By the same rule, due praise and consolation should be used as cordials to the dejected and tempted, not administered to the confident and self-sufficient. All in authority should be more carefully temperate even than other men; and should be protectors of those who are unable or afraid to plead their own cause. Our blessed Lord did not decline the bitterest dregs of the cup of sorrow put into his hands; but he puts the cup of consolation into the hands of his people, and causes those to rejoice who are in the deepest distress.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   10-31 This is the description of a virtuous woman of those days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation. She is very careful to recommend herself to her husband|s esteem and affection, to know his mind, and is willing that he rule over her. 1. She can be trusted, and he will leave such a wife to manage for him. He is happy in her. And she makes it her constant business to do him good. 2. She is one that takes pains in her duties, and takes pleasure in them. She is careful to fill up time, that none be lost. She rises early. She applies herself to the business proper for her, to women|s business. She does what she does, with all her power, and trifles not. 3. She makes what she does turn to good account by prudent management. Many undo themselves by buying, without considering whether they can afford it. She provides well for her house. She lays up for hereafter. 4. She looks well to the ways of her household, that she may oblige all to do their duty to God and one another, as well as to her. 5. She is intent upon giving as upon getting, and does it freely and cheerfully. 6. She is discreet and obliging; every word she says, shows she governs herself by the rules of wisdom. She not only takes prudent measures herself, but gives prudent advice to others. The law of love and kindness is written in the heart, and shows itself in the tongue. Her heart is full of another world, even when her hands are most busy about this world. 7. Above all, she fears the Lord. Beauty recommends none to God, nor is it any proof of wisdom and goodness, but it has deceived many a man who made his choice of a wife by it. But the fear of God reigning in the heart, is the beauty of the soul; it lasts for ever. 8. She has firmness to bear up under crosses and disappointments. She shall reflect with comfort when she comes to be old, that she was not idle or useless when young. She shall rejoice in a world to come. She is a great blessing to her relations. If the fruit be good, the tree must have our good word. But she leaves it to her own works to praise her. Every one ought to desire this honour that cometh from God; and according to this standard we all ought to regulate our judgments. This description let all women daily study, who desire to be truly beloved and respected, useful and honourable. This passage is to be applied to individuals, but may it not also be applied to the church of God, which is described as a virtuous spouse? God by his grace has formed from among sinful men a church of true believers, to possess all the excellences here described.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 31:2-999 

Evening Bible Reading - 2 Corinthians 8

  1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.  3 For to [their] power, I bear record, yea, and beyond [their] power [they were] willing of themselves;  4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and [take upon us] the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  5 And [this they did], not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.  6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.  7 Therefore, as ye abound in every [thing, in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all diligence, and [in] your love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also.  8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.  9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.  10 And herein I give [my] advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.  11 Now therefore perform the doing [of it]; that as [there was] a readiness to will, so [there may be] a performance also out of that which ye have.  12 For if there be first a willing mind, [it is] accepted according to that a man hath, [and] not according to that he hath not.  13 For [I mean] not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:  14 But by an equality, [that] now at this time your abundance [may be a supply] for their want, that their abundance also may be [a supply] for your want: that there may be equality:  15 As it is written, He that [had gathered] much had nothing over; and he that [had gathered] little had no lack.  16 But thanks [be] to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.  17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.  18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise [is] in the gospel throughout all the churches;  19 And not [that] only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and [declaration of] your ready mind:  20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:  21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.  22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which [I have] in you.  23 Whether [any do inquire] of Titus, [he is] my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren [be inquired of, they are] the messengers of the churches, [and] the glory of Christ.  24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   0-999 Chapter Outline The apostle reminds them of charitable contributions for the poor saints. (1-6) Enforces this by their gifts, and by the love and grace of Christ. (7-9) By the willingness they had shown to this good work. (10-15) He recommends Titus to them. (16-24)

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-6 The grace of God must be owned as the root and fountain of all the good in us, or done by us, at any time. It is great grace and favour from God, if we are made useful to others, and forward to any good work. He commends the charity of the Macedonians. So far from needing that Paul should urge them, they prayed him to receive the gift. Whatever we use or lay out for God, it is only giving him what is his own. All we give for charitable uses, will not be accepted of God, nor turn to our advantage, unless we first give ourselves to the Lord. By ascribing all really good works to the grace of God, we not only give the glory to him whose due it is, but also show men where their strength is. Abundant spiritual joy enlarges men|s hearts in the work and labour of love. How different this from the conduct of those who will not join in any good work, unless urged into it!

Matthew Henry Commentary:   7-9 Faith is the root; and as without faith it is not possible to please God, Heb 11:6, so those who abound in faith, will abound in other graces and good works also; and this will work and show itself by love. Great talkers are not always the best doers; but these Corinthians were diligent to do, as well as to know and talk well. To all these good things the apostle desires them to add this grace also, to abound in charity to the poor. The best arguments for Christian duties, are drawn from the grace and love of Christ. Though he was rich, as being God, equal in power and glory with the Father, yet he not only became man for us, but became poor also. At length he emptied himself, as it were, to ransom their souls by his sacrifice on the cross. From what riches, blessed Lord, to what poverty didst thou descend for our sakes! and to what riches hast thou advanced us through thy poverty! It is our happiness to be wholly at thy disposal.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   10-15 Good purposes are like buds and blossoms, pleasant to behold, and give hopes of good fruit; but they are lost, and signify nothing without good deeds. Good beginnings are well; but we lose the benefit, unless there is perseverance. When men purpose that which is good, and endeavour, according to their ability, to perform also, God will not reject them for what it is not in their power to do. But this scripture will not justify those who think good meanings are enough, or that good purposes, and the mere profession of a willing mind, are enough to save. Providence gives to some more of the good things of this world, and to some less, that those who have abundance might supply others who are in want. It is the will of God, that by our mutual supplying one another, there should be some sort of equality; not such a levelling as would destroy property, for in such a case there could be no exercise of charity. All should think themselves concerned to relieve those in want. This is shown from the gathering and giving out the manna in the wilderness, Ex 16:18. Those who have most of this world, have no more than food and raiment; and those who have but little of this world, seldom are quite without them.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   16-24 The apostle commends the brethren sent to collect their charity, that it might be known who they were, and how safely they might be trusted. It is the duty of all Christians to act prudently; to hinder, as far as we can, all unjust suspicions. It is needful, in the first place, to act uprightly in the sight of God, but things honest in the sight of men should also be attended to. A clear character, as well as a pure conscience, is requisite for usefulness. They brought glory to Christ as instruments, and had obtained honour from Christ to be counted faithful, and employed in his service. The good opinion others have of us, should be an argument with us to do well.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 2 Corinthians 8:1-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 2 Corinthians 8:2-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 2 Corinthians 8:5-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 2 Corinthians 8:8-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 2 Corinthians 8:11-999 

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A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 2 Corinthians 8:16-999