Providing a Message of Hope, to the Hopeless
Providing a Message of Hope, to the Hopeless
Matthew Henry Commentary: 5-6 The ways of wickedness are dangerous. And sin will be its own punishment. Verse 7 When a godly man dies, all his fears vanish; but when a wicked man dies, his hopes vanish. Verse 8 The righteous are often wonderfully kept from going into dangerous situations, and the ungodly go in their stead. Verse 9 Hypocrites delude men into error and sin by artful objections against the truths of God|s word.
Matthew Henry Commentary: 10-11 Nations prosper when wicked men are cast down. Verse 12 A man of understanding does not judge of others by their success. Verse 13 A faithful man will not disclose what he is trusted with, unless the honour of God and the real good of society require it. Verse 14 We shall often find it to our advantage to advise with others. Verse 15 The welfare of our families, our own peace, and our ability to pay just debts, must not be brought into danger. But here especially let us consider the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in becoming Surety even for enemies. Verse 16 A pious and discreet woman will keep esteem and respect, as strong men keep possession of wealth. Verse 17 A cruel, froward, ill-natured man, is vexatious to those that are, and should be to him as his own flesh, and punishes himself. Verse 18 He that makes it his business to do good, shall have a reward, as sure to him as eternal truth can make it. Verse 19 True holiness is true happiness. The more violent a man is in sinful pursuits, the more he hastens his own destruction. Verse 20 Nothing is more hateful to God, than hypocrisy and double dealing, which are here signified. God delights in such as aim and act with uprightness. Verse 21 Joining together in sin shall not protect the sinners. Verse 22 Beauty is abused by those who have not discretion or modesty with it. This is true of all bodily endowments. Verse 23 The wicked desire mischief to others, but it shall return upon themselves. Verse 24 A man may grow poor by not paying just debts, not relieving the poor, not allowing needful expenses. Let men be ever so saving of what they have, if God appoints, it comes to nothing. Verse 25 Both in temporal and spiritual things, God commonly deals with his people according to the measure by which they deal with their brethren. Verse 26 We must not hoard up the gifts of God|s bounty, merely for our own advantage. Verse 27 Seeking mischief is here set against seeking good; for those that are not doing good are doing hurt, even to themselves. Verse 28 The true believer is a branch of the living Vine. When those that take root in the world wither, those who are grafted into Christ shall be fruitful. Verse 29 He that brings trouble upon himself and his family, by carelessness, or by wickedness, shall be unable to keep and enjoy what he gets, as a man is unable to hold the wind, or to satisfy himself with it. Verse 30 The righteous are as trees of life; and their influence upon earth, like the fruits of that tree, support and nourish the spiritual life in many. Verse 31 Even the righteous, when they offend on earth, shall meet with sharp corrections; much more will the wicked meet the due reward of their sins. Let us then seek those blessings which our Surety purchased by his sufferings and death; let us seek to copy his example, and to keep his commandments.
Matthew Henry Commentary: 31-32 Verse 1 However men may make light of giving short weight or measure, and however common such crimes may be, they are an abomination to the Lord. Verse 2 Considering how safe, and quiet, and easy the humble are, we see that with the lowly is wisdom. Verse 3 An honest man|s principles are fixed, therefore his way is plain. Verse 4 Riches will stand men in no stead in the day of death.
A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 11:1-999
A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 11:1-999
A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 11:4-999
A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 11:10-999
A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 11:15-999
A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 11:26-999
Matthew Henry Commentary: 10-11 Verse 1 Those who have grace, will delight in the instructions given them. Those that stifle their convictions, are like brutes. Verse 2 The man who covers selfish and vicious designs under a profession of religion or friendship, will be condemned. Verse 3 Though men may advance themselves by sinful arts, they cannot settle and secure themselves. But those who by faith are rooted in Christ, are firmly fixed. Verse 4 A wife who is pious, prudent, and looks well to the ways of her household, who makes conscience of her duty, and can bear crosses; such a one is an honour and comfort to her husband. She that is the reverse of this, preys upon him, and consumes him. Verse 5 Thoughts are not free; they are under the Divine knowledge, therefore under the Divine command. It is a man|s shame to act with deceit, with trick and design. Verse 6 Wicked people speak mischief to their neighbours. A man may sometimes do a good work with one good word. Verse 7 God|s blessing is often continued to the families of godly men, while the wicked are overthrown. Verse 8 The apostles showed wisdom by glorying in shame for the name of Christ. Verse 9 He that lives in a humble state, who has no one to wait upon him, but gets bread by his own labour, is happier than he that glories in high birth or gay attire, and wants necessaries. Verse 10 A godly man would not put even an animal to needless pain. But the wicked often speak of others as well used, when they would not endure like treatment for a single day. Verse 11 It is men|s wisdom to mind their business, and follow an honest calling. But it is folly to neglect business; and the grace of God teaches men to disdain nothing but sin. Verse 12 When the ungodly see others prosper by sin, they wish they could act in the same way. But the root of Divine grace, in the heart of the righteous, produces other desires and purposes. Verse 13 Many a man has paid dear in this world for the transgression of his lips. Verse 14 When men use their tongues aright, to teach and comfort others, they enjoy acceptance through Christ Jesus; and the testimony of their conscience, that they in some measure answer the end of their being. Verse 15 A fool, in the sense of Scripture, means a wicked man, one who acts contrary to the wisdom that is from above. His rule is, to do what is right in his own eyes. Verse 16 A foolish man is soon angry, and is hasty in expressing it; he is ever in trouble and running into mischief. It is kindness to ourselves to make light of injuries and affronts, instead of making the worst of them. Verse 17 It is good for all to dread and detest the sin of lying, and to be governed by honesty. Verse 18 Whisperings and evil surmises, like a sword, separate those that have been dear to each other. The tongue of the wise is health, making all whole. Verse 19 If truth be spoken, it will hold good; whoever may be disobliged, still it will keep its ground. Verse 20 Deceit and falsehood bring terrors and perplexities. But those who consult the peace and happiness of others have joy in their own minds. Verse 21 If men are sincerely righteous, the righteous God has engaged that no evil shall happen to them. But they that delight in mischief shall have enough of it. Verse 22 Make conscience of truth, not only in words, but in actions. Verse 23 Foolish men proclaim to all the folly and emptiness of their minds. Verse 24 Those who will not take pains in an honest calling, living by tricks and dishonesty, are paltry and beggarly. Verse 25 Care, fear, and sorrow, upon the spirits, deprive men of vigour in what is to be done, or courage in what is to be borne. A good word from God, applied by faith, makes the heart glad. Verse 26 The righteous is abundant; though not in this world|s goods, yet in the graces and comforts of the Spirit, which are the true riches. Evil men vainly flatter themselves that their ways are not wrong. Verse 27 The slothful man makes no good use of the advantages Providence puts in his way, and has no comfort in them. The substance of a diligent man, though not great, does good to him and his family. He sees that God gives it to him in answer to prayer. Verse 28 The way of religion is a straight, plain way; it is the way of righteousness. There is not only life at the end, but life in the way; all true comfort.
A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 12:1-999
A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 12:4-999
A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 12:5-999
A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 12:11-999
A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 12:22-999
A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For Proverbs 12:26-999
Matthew Henry Commentary: 35-50 1. How are the dead raised up? that is, by what means? How can they be raised? 2. As to the bodies which shall rise. Will it be with the like shape, and form, and stature, and members, and qualities? The former objection is that of those who opposed the doctrine, the latter of curious doubters. To the first the answer is, This was to be brought about by Divine power; that power which all may see does somewhat like it, year after year, in the death and revival of the corn. It is foolish to question the Almighty power of God to raise the dead, when we see it every day quickening and reviving things that are dead. To the second inquiry; The grain undergoes a great change; and so will the dead, when they rise and live again. The seed dies, though a part of it springs into new life, though how it is we cannot fully understand. The works of creation and providence daily teach us to be humble, as well as to admire the Creator|s wisdom and goodness. There is a great variety among other bodies, as there is among plants. There is a variety of glory among heavenly bodies. The bodies of the dead, when they rise, will be fitted for the heavenly bodies. The bodies of the dead, when they rise, will be fitted for the heavenly state; and there will be a variety of glories among them. Burying the dead, is like committing seed to the earth, that it may spring out of it again. Nothing is more loathsome than a dead body. But believers shall at the resurrection have bodies, made fit to be for ever united with spirits made perfect. To God all things are possible. He is the Author and Source of spiritual life and holiness, unto all his people, by the supply of his Holy Spirit to the soul; and he will also quicken and change the body by his Spirit. The dead in Christ shall not only rise, but shall rise thus gloriously changed. The bodies of the saints, when they rise again, will be changed. They will be then glorious and spiritual bodies, fitted to the heavenly world and state, where they are ever afterwards to dwell. The human body in its present form, and with its wants and weaknesses, cannot enter or enjoy the kingdom of God. Then let us not sow to the flesh, of which we can only reap corruption. And the body follows the state of the soul. He, therefore, who neglects the life of the soul, casts away his present good; he who refuses to live to God, squanders all he has.
Matthew Henry Commentary: 51-58 All the saints should not die, but all would be changed. In the gospel, many truths, before hidden in mystery, are made known. Death never shall appear in the regions to which our Lord will bear his risen saints. Therefore let us seek the full assurance of faith and hope, that in the midst of pain, and in the prospect of death, we may think calmly on the horrors of the tomb; assured that our bodies will there sleep, and in the mean time our souls will be present with the Redeemer. Sin gives death all its hurtful power. The sting of death is sin; but Christ, by dying, has taken out this sting; he has made atonement for sin, he has obtained remission of it. The strength of sin is the law. None can answer its demands, endure its curse, or do away his own transgressions. Hence terror and anguish. And hence death is terrible to the unbelieving and the impenitent. Death may seize a believer, but it cannot hold him in its power. How many springs of joy to the saints, and of thanksgiving to God, are opened by the death and resurrection, the sufferings and conquests of the Redeemer! In verse #(58), we have an exhortation, that believers should be stedfast, firm in the faith of that gospel which the apostle preached, and they received. Also, to be unmovable in their hope and expectation of this great privilege, of being raised incorruptible and immortal. And to abound in the work of the Lord, always doing the Lord|s service, and obeying the Lord|s commands. May Christ give us faith, and increase our faith, that we may not only be safe, but joyful and triumphant.
A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 1 Corinthians 15:36-58
A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 1 Corinthians 15:43-58
A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
A Commentary By J Vernon MCgee For 1 Corinthians 15:53-58