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Morning Bible Reading - Proverbs 9

  1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:  2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.  3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,  4 Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither: [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,  5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine [which] I have mingled.  6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.  7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth] himself a blot.  8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.  9 Give [instruction] to a wise [man], and he will be yet wiser: teach a just [man], and he will increase in learning.  10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.  11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.  12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but [if] thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear [it].  13 A foolish woman [is] clamorous: [she is] simple, and knoweth nothing.  14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,  15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:  16 Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither: and [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,  17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant.  18 But he knoweth not that the dead [are] there; [and that] her guests [are] in the depths of hell.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   0-999 Chapter Outline The invitations of Wisdom. (1-12) The invitations of folly. (13-18)

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-12 Christ has prepared ordinances to which his people are admitted, and by which nourishment is given here to those that believe in him, as well as mansions in heaven hereafter. The ministers of the gospel go forth to invite the guests. The call is general, and shuts out none that do not shut out themselves. Our Saviour came, not to call the righteous, but sinners; not the wise in their own eyes, who say they see. We must keep from the company and foolish pleasures of the ungodly, or we never can enjoy the pleasures of a holy life. It is vain to seek the company of wicked men in the hope of doing them good; we are far more likely to be corrupted by them. It is not enough to forsake the foolish, we must join those that walk in wisdom. There is no true wisdom but in the way of religion, no true life but in the end of that way. Here is the happiness of those that embrace it. A man cannot be profitable to God; it is for our own good. Observe the shame and ruin of those who slight it. God is not the Author of sin: and Satan can only tempt, he cannot force. Thou shalt bear the loss of that which thou scornest: it will add to thy condemnation.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   13-18 How diligent the tempter is, to seduce unwary souls into sin! Carnal, sensual pleasure, stupifies conscience, and puts out the sparks of conviction. This tempter has no solid reason to offer; and where she gets dominion in a soul, all knowledge of holy things is lost and forgotten. She is very violent and pressing. We need to seek and pray for true wisdom, for Satan has many ways to withdraw our souls from Christ. Not only worldly lusts and abandoned seducers prove fatal to the souls of men; but false teachers, with doctrines that flatter pride and give liberty to lusts, destroy thousands. They especially draw off such as have received only partial serious impressions. The depths of Satan are depths of hell; and sin, without remorse, is ruin, ruin without remedy. Solomon shows the hook; those that believe him, will not meddle with the bait. Behold the wretched, empty, unsatisfying, deceitful, and stolen pleasure sin proposes; and may our souls be so desirous of the everlasting enjoyment of Christ, that on earth we may live to him, daily, by faith, and ere long be with him in glory.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 9:1-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 9:7-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 9:10-999 

Morning Bible Reading - Proverbs 10

  1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son [is] the heaviness of his mother.  2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.  3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.  4 He becometh poor that dealeth [with] a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.  5 He that gathereth in summer [is] a wise son: [but] he that sleepeth in harvest [is] a son that causeth shame.  6 Blessings [are] upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.  7 The memory of the just [is] blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.  8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.  9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.  10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.  11 The mouth of a righteous [man is] a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.  12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.  13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod [is] for the back of him that is void of understanding.  14 Wise [men] lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish [is] near destruction.  15 The rich man’s wealth [is] his strong city: the destruction of the poor [is] their poverty.  16 The labour of the righteous [tendeth] to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.  17 He [is in] the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.  18 He that hideth hatred [with] lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, [is] a fool.  19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips [is] wise.  20 The tongue of the just [is as] choice silver: the heart of the wicked [is] little worth.  21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.  22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.  23 [It is] as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.  24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.  25 As the whirlwind passeth, so [is] the wicked no [more]: but the righteous [is] an everlasting foundation.  26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so [is] the sluggard to them that send him.  27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.  28 The hope of the righteous [shall be] gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.  29 The way of the LORD [is] strength to the upright: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity.  30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.  31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.  32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked [speaketh] frowardness.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   2-3 Though the righteous may be poor, the Lord will not suffer him to want what is needful for spiritual life. Verse 4 Those who are fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, are likely to be rich in faith, and rich in good works. Verse 5 Here is just blame of those who trifle away opportunities, both for here and for hereafter. Verse 6 Abundance of blessings shall abide on good men; real blessings. Verse 7 Both the just and the wicked must die; but between their souls there is a vast difference. Verse 8 The wise in heart puts his knowledge in practice. Verse 9 Dissemblers, after all their shuffling, will be exposed. Verse 10 Trick and artifice will be no excuse for iniquity. Verse 11 The good man|s mouth is always open to teach, comfort, and correct others. Verse 12 Where there is hatred, every thing stirs up strife. By bearing with each other, peace and harmony are preserved. Verse 13 Those that foolishly go on in wicked ways, prepare rods for themselves. Verse 14 Whatever knowledge may be useful, we must lay it up, that it may not be to seek when we want it. The wise gain this wisdom by reading, by hearing the word, by meditation, by prayer, by faith in Christ, who is made of God unto us wisdom. Verse 15 This refers to the common mistakes both of rich and poor, as to their outward condition. Rich people|s wealth exposes them to many dangers; while a poor man may live comfortably, if he is content, keeps a good conscience, and lives by faith. Verse 16 Perhaps a righteous man has no more than what he works hard for, but that labour tends to life. Verse 17 The traveller that has missed his way, and cannot bear to be told of it, and to be shown the right way, must err still. Verse 18 He is especially a fool who thinks to hide anything from God; and malice is no better. Verse 19 Those that speak much, speak much amiss. He that checks himself is a wise man, and therein consults his own peace.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   13-18 Through the whole of the Proverbs, we are to look for somewhat beyond the first sense the passage may imply, and this we shall find to be Christ. He is the Wisdom so often spoken of in this book. Verse 1 The comfort of parents much depends on their children; and this suggests to both, motives to their duties.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   20-21 The tongue of the just is sincere, freed from the dross of guile and evil design. Pious discourse is spiritual food to the needy. Fools die for want of a heart, so the word is; for want of thought. Verse 22 That wealth which is truly desirable, has no vexation of spirit in the enjoyment; no grief for the loss; no guilt by the abuse of it. What comes from the love of God, has the grace of God for its companion. Verse 23 Only foolish and wicked men divert themselves with doing harm to others, or tempting to sin. Verse 24 The largest desire of eternal blessings the righteous can form, will be granted. Verse 25 The course of prosperous sinners is like a whirlwind, which soon spends itself, and is gone. Verse 26 As vinegar sets the teeth on edge, and as the smoke causes the eyes to smart, so the sluggard vexes his employer.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   27-28 What man is he that loves life? Let him fear God, and that will secure to him life enough in this world, and eternal life in the other. Verse 29 The believer grows stronger in faith, and obeys with increased delight. Verse 30 The wicked would be glad to have this earth their home for ever, but it cannot be so. They must die and leave all their idols behind.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   31-32 A good man discourses wisely for the benefit of others. But it is the sin, and will be the ruin of a wicked man, that he speaks what is displeasing to God, and provoking to those he converses with. The righteous is kept by the power of God; and nothing shall be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 10:1-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 10:4-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 10:6-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 10:17-999 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 10:22-999 

Evening Bible Reading - 1 Corinthians 15

  1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;  2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:  5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:  6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.  7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.  8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.  9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.  11 Therefore whether [it were] I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.  12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?  13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:  14 And if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain, and your faith [is] also vain.  15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.  16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:  17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith [is] vain; ye are yet in your sins.  18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.  19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.  20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept.  21 For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead.  22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.  24 Then [cometh] the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.  25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.  26 The last enemy [that] shall be destroyed [is] death.  27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under [him, it is] manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.  28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.  29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?  30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?  31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.  32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   1-11 The word resurrection, usually points out our existence beyond the grave. Of the apostle|s doctrine not a trace can be found in all the teaching of philosophers. The doctrine of Christ|s death and resurrection, is the foundation of Christianity. Remove this, and all our hopes for eternity sink at once. And it is by holding this truth firm, that Christians stand in the day of trial, and are kept faithful to God. We believe in vain, unless we keep in the faith of the gospel. This truth is confirmed by Old Testament prophecies; and many saw Christ after he was risen. This apostle was highly favoured, but he always had a low opinion of himself, and expressed it. When sinners are, by Divine grace, turned into saints, God causes the remembrance of former sins to make them humble, diligent, and faithful. He ascribes to Divine grace all that was valuable in him. True believers, though not ignorant of what the Lord has done for, in, and by them, yet when they look at their whole conduct and their obligations, they are led to feel that none are so worthless as they are. All true Christians believe that Jesus Christ, and him crucified, and then risen from the dead, is the sun and substance of Christianity. All the apostles agreed in this testimony; by this faith they lived, and in this faith they died.

Matthew Henry Commentary:   12-19 Having shown that Christ was risen, the apostle answers those who said there would be no resurrection. There had been no justification, or salvation, if Christ had not risen. And must not faith in Christ be vain, and of no use, if he is still among the dead? The proof of the resurrection of the body is the resurrection of our Lord. Even those who died in the faith, had perished in their sins, if Christ had not risen. All who believe in Christ, have hope in him, as a Redeemer; hope for redemption and salvation by him; but if there is no resurrection, or future recompence, their hope in him can only be as to this life. And they must be in a worse condition than the rest of mankind, especially at the time, and under the circumstances, in which the apostles wrote; for then Christians were hated and persecuted by all men. But it is not so; they, of all men, enjoy solid comforts amidst all their difficulties and trials, even in the times of the sharpest persecution.

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 1 Corinthians 15:1-32 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 1 Corinthians 15:5-32 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 1 Corinthians 15:9-32 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 1 Corinthians 15:12-32 

A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 1 Corinthians 15:20-32