mhcc - greatest

mhcc@Genesis:12:1-3 @ Verse 1-3 - God made choice of Abram, and singled him out from among his fellow-...of the world, the greatest that...

mhcc@Genesis:25:1-10 @ Verse 1-10 -...of the best and greatest saints,...175 years; just one hundred years after he came to Canaan; so long he was a sojourner in a strange country. Whether our stay in this life be long or short, it matters but little, provided we leave behind us a testimony to the faithfulness and goodness of the Lord, and a good example to our families. We are told that his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him. It seems that Abraham had himself brought them together while he lived. Let us not close the history of the life of Abraham without blessing God for such a testimony of the triumph of faith.

mhcc@Genesis:25:29-34 @ Verse 29-34 - We have here the bargain made between Jacob and Esau about the right, which was Esau's by birth, but Jacob's by promise. It was for a spiritual privilege; and we see Jacob's desire of the birth-right, but he sought to obtain it by crooked courses, not like his character as a plain man. He was right, that he coveted earnestly the best gifts; he was wrong, that he took advantage of his brother's need. The inheritance of their father's worldly goods did not descend to Jacob, and was not meant in this proposal. But it includeth the future possession of the land of Canaan by his children's children, and the covenant made with Abraham as to Christ the promised Seed. Believing Jacob valued these above all things; unbelieving Esau despised them. Yet although we must be of Jacob's judgment in seeking the birth-...to obtain even the greatest advantages....31:7,. and when they serve their own bellies, they are sure to be punished. If we use ourselves to deny ourselves, we break the force of most temptations. It cannot be supposed that Esau was dying of hunger in Isaac's house. The words signify, I am going towards death; he seems to mean, I shall never live to inherit Canaan, or any of those future supposed blessings; and what signifies it who has them when I am dead and gone. This would be the language of profaneness, with which the apostle brands him, Hebrews strkjv@12:16. and this contempt of the birth-right is blamed, ver.34. It is the greatest folly to part with our interest in God, and Christ, and heaven, for the riches, honours, and pleasures of this world; it is as bad a bargain as his who sold a birth-right for a dish of pottage. Esau ate and drank, pleased his palate, satisfied his appetite, and then carelessly rose up and went his way, without any serious thought, or any regret, about the bad bargain he had made. Thus Esau despised his birth-right. By his neglect and contempt afterwards, and by justifying himself in what he had done, he put the bargain past recall. People are ruined, not so much by doing what is amiss, as by doing it and not repenting of it. **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Exodus:1:8-14 @ Verse 8-14 -...that may prove the greatest cross...-masters set over them, not only to burden them, but to afflict them with their burdens. They not only made them serve for Pharaoh's profit, but so that their lives became bitter. The Israelites wonderfully increased. Christianity spread most when it was persecuted: the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church. They that take counsel against the Lord and his Israel, do but imagine a vain thing, and create greater vexation to themselves.

mhcc@Exodus:3:7-10 @ Verse 7-10 -...endured; the highest and greatest of...

mhcc@Exodus:14:1-9 @ Verse 1-9 -...him. Though with the greatest reason...

mhcc@Exodus:14:10-14 @ Verse 10-14 -...with God for the greatest kindness...

mhcc@Exodus:14:Ps @ Verse Psalms -...trust him in the greatest straits....-day, he shall see no more for ever. **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Exodus:16:1-12 @ Verse 1-12 -...basely represented as the greatest injuries....

mhcc@Exodus:21:12-21 @ Verse 12-21 - God, who by his providence gives and maintains life, by his law protects it. A wilful murderer shall be taken even from God's altar. But God provided cities of refuge to protect those whose unhappiness it was, and not their fault, to cause the death of another; for such as by accident, when a man is doing a lawful act, without intent of hurt, happens to kill another. Let children hear the sentence of God's word upon the ungrateful and disobedient; and remember that God will certainly requite it, if they have ever cursed their parents, even in their hearts, or have lifted up their hands against them, except they repent, and flee for refuge to the Saviour. And let parents hence learn to be very careful in training up their children, setting them a good example, especially in the government of their passions, and in praying for them; taking heed not to provoke them to wrath. Through poverty the Israelites sometimes sold themselves or their children; magistrates sold some persons for their crimes, and creditors were in some cases allowed to sell their debtors who could not pay. But "man-...New Testament with the greatest crimes....6:9,. considering with Job, What shall I do, when God riseth up? Job strkjv@31:13,14.

mhcc@Exodus:23:20-33 @ Verse 20-33 -...be our snares. Our greatest danger...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Leviticus:4:27-35 @ Verse 27-35 - Here is the law of the sin-...needed a sacrifice; the greatest are...-offerings, we may learn to hate sin, and to watch against it; and to value Christ, the great and true Sin-offering, whose blood cleanses from all sin, which it was not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away. For us to err, with the Bible in our hands, is the effect of pride, sloth, and carelessness. We need to use frequent self-examination, with serious study of the Scriptures, and earnest prayer for the convincing influences of God the Holy Spirit; that we may detect our sins of ignorance, repent, and obtain forgiveness through the blood of Christ. **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Leviticus:7:28-34 @ Verse 28-34 - The priest who offered, was to have the breast and the right shoulder. When the sacrifice was killed, the offerer himself must present God's part of it; that he might signify his cheerfully giving it up to God. He was with his own hands to lift it up, in token of his regard to God as the God of heaven; and then to wave it to and fro, in token of his regard to God as the Lord of the whole earth. Be persuaded and encouraged to feed and feast upon Christ, our Peace-offering. This blessed Peace-...the highest rank and greatest eminence,...-offering, and eat it now. Stay not till the day of the Lord's patience be run out, for eating the third day will not be accepted, nor will catching at Christ when thou art gone to hell!

mhcc@Numbers:25:1-5 @ Verse 1-5 -...for that is the greatest mischief...

mhcc@Deuteronomy:30:1-10 @ Verse 1-10 -...assures us that the greatest sinners,...

mhcc@Judges:2:6-23 @ Verse 6-23 -...the days of the greatest distress...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Judges:14:5-9 @ Verse 5-9 -...afraid to look the greatest difficulties...

mhcc@Judges:15:18-20 @ Verse 18-20 -...those who do the greatest services....-bone, called Lehi. And in the place thus called, God caused a fountain suddenly and seasonably to open, close by Samson. We should be more thankful for the mercy of water, did we consider how ill we can spare it. Israel submitted to him whom they had betrayed. God was with him; henceforward they were directed by him as their judge. **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@1Samuel:3:19-21 @ Verse 19-21 -...piety will be the greatest honour..._1__4 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary **** _

mhcc@1Samuel:13:1Sa @ Verse 1st Samuel -...greatest sinners are the greatest fools....-offerings, without looking to thy precious, thy all-sufficient sacrifice! Thou only, O Lord, canst make, or hast made, our peace in the blood of the cross.

mhcc@1Samuel:18:6-11 @ Verse 6-11 -...of that which seems greatest in...-natured. Compare David, with his harp in his hand, aiming to serve Saul, and Saul, with his javelin in his hand, aiming to slay David; and observe the sweetness and usefulness of God's persecuted people, and the barbarity of their persecutors. But David's safety must be ascribed to God's providence.

mhcc@1Samuel:21:1-9 @ Verse 1-9 -...no, not in the greatest straits,...-bread. The Son of David taught from it, that mercy is to be preferred to sacrifice; that ritual observances must give way to moral duties. Doeg set his foot as far within the tabernacle as David did. We little know with what hearts people come to the house of God, nor what use they will make of pretended devotion. If many come in simplicity of heart to serve their God, others come to observe their teachers and to prove accusers. Only God and the event can distinguish between a David and a Doeg, when both are in the tabernacle.

mhcc@1Samuel:26:13-20 @ Verse 13-20 -...us to sin the greatest injury...

mhcc@2Samuel:6:20-23 @ Verse 20-23 -...that cannot lower the greatest of..._2__7 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary **** _

mhcc@2Samuel:13:1-20 @ Verse 1-20 -...better to suffer the greatest wrong...

mhcc@2Samuel:22 @ Henry'_2__21 ****** 2nd Samuel 22 ****** *** Outline of 2nd Samuel 22 *** David's psalm of thanksgiving. -...present help in their greatest dangers:...2nd Timothy strkjv@4:18. Those who receive signal mercies from God, ought to give him the glory. In the day that God delivered David, he sang this song. While the mercy is fresh, and we are most affected with it, let the thank-offering be brought, to be kindled with the fire of that affection. All his joys and hopes close, as all our hopes should do, in the great Redeemer. __Outline Henry'_2__23 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary **** _

mhcc@1Kings:12:1-15 @ Verse 1-15 -...That which was the greatest grievance,...

mhcc@1Kings:16:29-34 @ Verse 29-34 - Ahab did evil above all that reigned before him, and did it with a particular enmity both against Jehovah and Israel. He was not satisfied with breaking the second commandment by image-...men on to the greatest excesses...._1__17 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary **** _

mhcc@1Kings:17:8-16 @ Verse 8-16 -...Gentiles. Jezebel was Elijah's greatest enemy;...-place for him even in her own country. The person appointed to entertain Elijah is not one of the rich or great men of Sidon; but a poor widow woman, in want, and desolate, is made both able and willing to sustain him. It is God's way, and it is his glory, to make use of, and put honour upon, the weak and foolish things of the world. O woman, great was thy faith; one has not found the like, no not in Israel. She took the prophet's word, that she should not lose by it. Those who can venture upon the promise of God, will make no difficulty to expose and empty themselves in his service, by giving him his part first. Surely the increase of this widow's faith, so as to enable her thus readily to deny herself, and to depend upon the Divine promise, was as great a miracle in the kingdom of grace, as the increase of her meal and oil in the kingdom of providence. Happy are all who can thus, against hope, believe and obey in hope. One poor meal's meat this poor widow gave the prophet; in recompence of it, she and her son did eat above two years, in a time of famine. To have food from God's special favour, and in such good company as Elijah, made it more than doubly sweet. It is promised to those who trust in God, that they shall not be ashamed in evil time; in days of famine they shall be satisfied.

mhcc@1Kings:20:22-30 @ Verse 22-30 -...imaginations concerning God. The greatest wisdom...

mhcc@1Kings:22:15-28 @ Verse 15-28 - The greatest kindness we can do to one that is going in a dangerous way, is, to tell him of his danger. To leave the hardened criminal without excuse, and to give a useful lesson to others, Micaiah related his vision. This matter is represented after the manner of men: we are not to imagine that God is ever put upon new counsels; or that he needs to consult with angels, or any creature, about the methods he should take; or that he is the author of sin, or the cause of any man's telling or believing a lie. Micaiah returned not the blow of Zedekiah, yet, since he boasted of the Spirit, as those commonly do that know least of the Holy Spirit's operations, the true prophet left him to be convinced of his error by the event. Those that will not have their mistakes set right in time, by the word of God, will be undeceived, when it is too late, by the judgments of God. We should be ashamed of what we call trials, were we to consider what the servants of God have endured. Yet it will be well, if freedom from trouble prove not more hurtful to us; we are more easily allured and bribed into unfaithfulness and conformity to the world, than driven to them.

mhcc@2Kings:7:12-20 @ Verse 12-20 -...of God in our greatest straits...._2__8 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary **** _

mhcc@2Kings:11:13-16 @ Verse 13-16 -...She herself was the greatest traitor,...

mhcc@2Kings:21:10-18 @ Verse 10-18 -...the recovery of the greatest sinners....

mhcc@1Chronicles:1:1-27 @ Verse 1-27 -...one nation, nor the greatest part...2:10.

mhcc@2Chronicles:25:14-16 @ Verse 14-16 -...own worshippers, was the greatest absurdity....

mhcc@2Chronicles:31 @ Henry'_2__30 ****** 2nd Chronicles 31 ****** *** Outline of 2nd Chronicles 31 *** Hezekiah destroys idolatry. - After the passover, the people of Israel applied with vigour to destroy the monuments of idolatry. Public ordinances should stir us up to cleanse our hearts, our houses, and shops, from the filth of sin, and the idolatry of covetousness, and to excite others to do the same. The after-...ordinances, is of the greatest importance...__Outline Henry'_2__32 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary **** _

mhcc@Ezra:8:21-23 @ Verse 21-23 -...wings, even in their greatest dangers;...

mhcc@Nehemiah:6:10-14 @ Verse 10-14 - The greatest mischief our enemies can do us, is, to frighten us from our duty, and to lead us to do what is sinful. Let us never decline a good work, never do a bad one. We ought to try all advice, and to reject what is contrary to the word of God. Every man should study to be consistent. Should I, a professed Christian, called to be a saint, a child of God, a member of Christ, a temple of the Holy Ghost, should I be covetous, sensual, proud, or envious? Should I yield to impatience, discontent, or anger? Should I be slothful, unbelieving, or unmerciful? What effects will such conduct have upon others? All that God has done for us, or by us, or given to us, should lead us to watchfulness, self-denial, and diligence. Next to the sinfulness of sin, we should dread the scandal.

mhcc@Job:3:20-26 @ Verse 20-26 -...the midst of its greatest crosses,...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Job:5:17-27 @ Verse 17-27 -...manage their concerns. The greatest blessing,...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Psalms:5:1-6 @ Verse 1-6 - God is a prayer-hearing God. Such he has always been, and he is still as ready to hear prayer as ever. The most encouraging principle of prayer, and the most powerful plea in prayer, is, to look upon him as our King and our God. David also prays to a sin-...and sinners are the greatest of...

mhcc@Psalms:8:3-9 @ Verse 3-9 - We are to consider the heavens, that man thus may be directed to set his affections on things above. What is man, so mean a creature, that he should be thus honoured! so sinful a creature, that he should be thus favoured! Man has sovereign dominion over the inferior creatures, under God, and is appointed their lord. This refers to Christ. In Hebrews strkjv@2:6-...human race, and the greatest honour...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Psalms:20 @ ****** Psalms 20 ****** *** Outline of Psalms 20 *** This psalm is a prayer for the kings of Israel, but with relation to Christ. -...from trouble. Even the greatest of...-from the dead, through the resurrection of the Lord, shall stand, and sing his praises in heaven. In Christ's salvation let us rejoice; and set up our banners in the name of the Lord our God, assured that by the saving strength of his right hand we shall be conquerors over every enemy. __Outline Henry'__21 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Psalms:23 @ ****** Psalms 23 ****** *** Outline of Psalms 23 *** Confidence in God's grace and care. -...of their souls. The greatest abundance...__Outline Henry'__24 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Psalms:30:6-12 @ Verse 6-12 -...it will be the greatest folly...-rooted mountains, but he must expect to meet with temptations and afflictions. When we grow careless, we fall into sin, the Lord hides his face, our comforts droop, and troubles assail us. **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Psalms:39:1-6 @ Verse 1-6 -...than burning. In our greatest health...

mhcc@Psalms:57:1-6 @ Verse 1-6 - All David's dependence is upon God. The most eminent believers need often repeat the publican's prayer, "God be merciful to me a sinner." But if our souls trust in the Lord, this may assure us, in our utmost dangers, that our calamities will at length be overpast, and in the mean time, by faith and prayer, we must make him our refuge. Though God be most high, yet he condescends so low, as to take care that all things are made to work for good to his people. This is a good reason why we should pray earnestly. Look which way we will on this earth, refuge fails, no help appears; but we may look for it from heaven. If we have fled from the wrath to come, unto Jesus Christ, he that performed all things needful to purchase the salvation of his people, will do for us and in us all things needful for our enjoyment of it. It made David droop to think there should be those that bore him so much ill-...David was in the greatest distress...

mhcc@Psalms:59:8-17 @ Verse 8-17 -...satisfied, which is the greatest misery...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Psalms:64:1-6 @ Verse 1-6 -...is hardened to the greatest degree,...

mhcc@Psalms:69:1-12 @ Verse 1-12 -...by submitting to the greatest dishonours...

mhcc@Psalms:69:13-21 @ Verse 13-21 -...do so under the greatest hardships,...-breaking to us. The sufferings of Christ were here particularly foretold, which proves the Scripture to be the word of God; and how exactly these predictions were fulfilled in Jesus Christ, which proves him to be the true Messiah. The vinegar and the gall given to him, were a faint emblem of that bitter cup which he drank up, that we might drink the cup of salvation. We cannot expect too little from men, miserable comforters are they all; nor can we expect too much from the God of all comfort and consolation.

mhcc@Psalms:73:1-14 @ Verse 1-14 -...seem to have the greatest share...

mhcc@Psalms:85:8-13 @ Verse 8-13 -...backsliding; it is the greatest folly...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Psalms:88:1-9 @ Verse 1-9 -...of God poured the greatest bitterness...

mhcc@Psalms:97:8-12 @ Verse 8-12 -...and despair, under their greatest trials....**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Psalms:114 @ ****** Psalms 114 ****** *** Outline of Psalms 114 *** An exhortation to fear God. -...in God in the greatest straits....__Outline Henry'__115 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Psalms:115:9-18 @ Verse 9-18 -...ever found faithful. The greatest need...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Psalms:150 @ ****** Psalms 150 ****** *** Outline of Psalms 150 *** A psalm of praise. -...now conceive. But the greatest of...__Outline Henry'__1 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Proverbs:19:11. @ Verse 11. -...we promise ourselves the greatest comfort....

mhcc@Proverbs:20:1 @ Verse 1 -...in quarrels is the greatest folly...4. He who labours and endures hardship in his seed-time for eternity, will be properly diligent as to his earthly business.

mhcc@Ecclesiastes:6:7-12 @ Verse 7-12 -...that please us. The greatest possessions...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Isaiah:1:1-9 @ Verse 1-9 -...meanest peasant to the greatest peer,...

mhcc@Isaiah:29:17-24 @ Verse 17-24 -...It will be the greatest comfort...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Isaiah:44:21-28 @ Verse 21-28 -...greatest honour of the greatest men,...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Isaiah:51:1-3 @ Verse 1-3 -...grace. It is the greatest comfort...

mhcc@Isaiah:61:4-9 @ Verse 4-9 - Promises are here made to the Jews returned out of captivity, which extend to all those who, through grace, are delivered out of spiritual thraldom. An unholy soul is like a city that is broken down, and has no walls, like a house in ruins; but by the power of Christ's gospel and grace, it is fitted to be a habitation of God, through the Spirit. When, by the grace of God, we attain to holy indifference as to the affairs of this world; when, though our hands are employed about them, our hearts are not entangled with them, but preserved entire for God and his service, then the sons of the alien are our ploughmen and vine-...freedom; it is the greatest honour....-offerings; and that robbery is most hateful which is under this pretence. Let the children of godly parents be such, that all may see the fruits of a good education; an answer to the prayers for them, in the fruit of God's blessing.

mhcc@Jeremiah:22:10-19 @ Verse 10-19 - Here is a sentence of death upon two kings, the wicked sons of a very pious father. Josiah was prevented from seeing the evil to come in this world, and removed to see the good to come in the other world; therefore, weep not for him, but for his son Shallum, who is likely to live and die a wretched captive. Dying saints may be justly envied, while living sinners are justly pitied. Here also is the doom of Jehoiakim. No doubt it is lawful for princes and great men to build, beautify, and furnish houses; but those who enlarge their houses, and make them sumptuous, need carefully to watch against the workings of vain-...whom they employ. The greatest of...

mhcc@Jeremiah:34:8-22 @ Verse 8-22 -...partial reformation, put the greatest cheat...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Jeremiah:39:15-18 @ Verse 15-18 - Here is a message to assure Ebed-...in times of the greatest danger....**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Jeremiah:51:1-58 @ Verse 1-58 -...the times of the greatest fears...18:9,19. The ruin of all who support idolatry, infidelity, and superstition, is needful for the revival of true godliness; and the threatening prophecies of Scripture yield comfort in this view. The great seat of antichristian tyranny, idolatry, and superstition, the persecutor of true Christians, is as certainly doomed to destruction as ancient Babylon. Then will vast multitudes mourn for sin, and seek the Lord. Then will the lost sheep of the house of Israel be brought back to the fold of the good Shepherd, and stray no more. And the exact fulfilment of these ancient prophecies encourages us to faith in all the promises and prophecies of the sacred Scriptures.

mhcc@Lamentations:1:1-11 @ Verse 1-11 -...we allow sin, our greatest adversary,...

mhcc@Ezekiel:14:12-23 @ Verse 12-23 -...when God makes the greatest desolations...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Ezekiel:32:1-16 @ Verse 1-16 -...goods who have the greatest fulness...

mhcc@Daniel:2:1-13 @ Verse 1-13 - The greatest men are most open to cares and troubles of mind, which disturb their repose in the night, while the sleep of the labouring man is sweet and sound. We know not the uneasiness of many who live in great pomp, and, as others vainly think, in pleasure also. The king said that his learned men must tell him the dream itself, or they should all be put to death as deceivers. Men are more eager to ask as to future events, than to learn the way of salvation or the path of duty; yet foreknowledge of future events increases anxiety and trouble. Those who deceived, by pretending to do what they could not do, were sentenced to death, for not being able to do what they did not pretend to.

mhcc@Daniel:2:14-23 @ Verse 14-23 -...it well becomes the greatest and...

mhcc@Daniel:3:1-7 @ Verse 1-7 -...infidel, who are the greatest number;...

mhcc@Daniel:10:1-9. @ Verse 1-9. -...strength in Daniel. The greatest and...

mhcc@Amos:6:1-7 @ Verse 1-7 -...privileges, are in the greatest danger....

mhcc@Jonah:4:1-4 @ Verse 1-4 -...nature, which is the greatest glory...

mhcc@Micah:7:8-13 @ Verse 8-13 -...for him. In our greatest distresses,...

mhcc@Habakkuk:3:16-19 @ Verse 16-19 - When we see a day of trouble approach, it concerns us to prepare. A good hope through grace is founded in holy fear. The prophet looked back upon the experiences of the church in former ages, and observed what great things God had done for them, and so was not only recovered, but filled with holy joy. He resolved to delight and triumph in the Lord; for when all is gone, his God is not gone. Destroy the vines and the fig-trees, and you make all the mirth of a carnal heart to cease. But those who, when full, enjoyed God in all, when emptied and poor, can enjoy all in God. They can sit down upon the heap of the ruins of their creature-...as such, in their greatest distresses....**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Zechariah:2:6-9 @ Verse 6-9 -...Israel, it is the greatest madness...2:40. What Christ will do for his church, shall be an evident proof of God's care and affection. He that touches you, touches the apple of his eye. This is a strong expression of God's love to his church. He takes what is done against her as done against the tenderest part of the eye, to which the least touch is a great offence. Christ is sent to be the Protector of his church.

mhcc@Matthew:2:1-8 @ Verse 1-8 -...who live at the greatest distance...-star is risen, to give them any thing of the knowledge of Christ, make it their business to worship him. Though Herod was very old, and never had shown affection for his family, and was not himself likely to live till a new-born infant had grown up to manhood, he began to be troubled with the dread of a rival. He understood not the spiritual nature of the Messiah's kingdom. Let us beware of a dead faith. A man may be persuaded of many truths, and yet may hate them, because they interfere with his ambition, or sinful indulgences. Such a belief will make him uneasy, and the more resolved to oppose the truth and the cause of God; and he may be foolish enough to hope for success therein.

mhcc@Matthew:3:7-12 @ Verse 7-12 -...mercy, patient under the greatest affliction,...2:4. This he does in the graces and comforts of the Spirit, given to those that ask him, Luke strkjv@11:13. John strkjv@7:38,39. see Acts strkjv@11:16. Observe here, the outward church is Christ's floor, Isaiah strkjv@21:10. True believers are as wheat, substantial, useful, and valuable; hypocrites are as chaff, light and empty, useless and worthless, carried about with every wind; these are mixed, good and bad, in the same outward communion. There is a day coming when the wheat and chaff shall be separated. The last judgment will be the distinguishing day, when saints and sinners shall be parted for ever. In heaven the saints are brought together, and no longer scattered; they are safe, and no longer exposed; separated from corrupt neighbours without, and corrupt affections within, and there is no chaff among them. Hell is the unquenchable fire, which will certainly be the portion and punishment of hypocrites and unbelievers. Here life and death, good and evil, are set before us: according as we now are in the field, we shall be then in the floor.

mhcc@Matthew:4:1-11 @ Verse 1-11 -...he does, with the greatest advantage,...8:3,. made against the tempter, therefore he left out part. This promise is firm and stands good. But shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? No. 3. Satan tempted Christ to idolatry with the offer of the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them. The glory of the world is the most charming temptation to the unthinking and unwary; by that men are most easily imposed upon. Christ was tempted to worship Satan. He rejected the proposal with abhorrence. "Get thee hence, Satan!" Some temptations are openly wicked; and they are not merely to be opposed, but rejected at once. It is good to be quick and firm in resisting temptation. If we resist the devil he will flee from us. But the soul that deliberates is almost overcome. We find but few who can decidedly reject such baits as Satan offers; yet what is a man profited if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Christ was succoured after the temptation, for his encouragement to go on in his undertaking, and for our encouragement to trust in him; for as he knew, by experience, what it was to suffer, being tempted, so he knew what it was to be succoured, being tempted; therefore we may expect, not only that he will feel for his tempted people, but that he will come to them with seasonable relief.

mhcc@Matthew:4:23-25 @ Verse 23-25 -...devil, which is the greatest misery...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Matthew:6:9-15 @ Verse 9-15 -...but give it. The greatest of...-maker, not only to reconcile us to God, but one to another.

mhcc@Matthew:9:10-13 @ Verse 10-13 -...of souls is the greatest act...

mhcc@Matthew:9:18-26 @ Verse 18-26 -...high honour to the greatest rulers...

mhcc@Matthew:9:35-38 @ Verse 35-38 -...those who make the greatest figure....11:17. therefore Christ had compassion on the people as sheep scattered, as men perishing for lack of knowledge. To this day vast multitudes are as sheep not having a shepherd, and we should have compassion and do all we can to help them. The multitudes desirous of spiritual instruction formed a plenteous harvest, needing many active labourers; but few deserved that character. Christ is the Lord of the harvest. Let us pray that many may be raised up and sent forth, who will labour in bringing souls to Christ. It is a sign that God is about to bestow some special mercy upon a people, when he stirs them up to pray for it. And commissions given to labourers in answer to prayer, are most likely to be successful. **** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Matthew:11:7-15 @ Verse 7-15 -...over? No, then the greatest of...-...from him, than the greatest in...

mhcc@Matthew:12:1-8 @ Verse 1-8 - Being in the corn-...what they did. The greatest shall...5:14. No law must be understood so as to contradict its own end. And as Christ is the Lord of the sabbath, it is fit the day and the work of it should be dedicated to him.

mhcc@Matthew:22:34-40 @ Verse 34-40 - An interpreter of the law asked our Lord a question, to try, not so much his knowledge, as his judgment. The love of God is the first and great commandment, and the sum of all the commands of the first table. Our love of God must be sincere, not in word and tongue only. All our love is too little to bestow upon him, therefore all the powers of the soul must be engaged for him, and carried out toward him. To love our neighbour as ourselves, is the second great commandment. There is a self-...the root of the greatest sins,...-...the rule of the greatest duty:...

mhcc@Matthew:23:13-33 @ Verse 13-33 -...a cloak to the greatest enormities....

mhcc@Matthew:24:4-28 @ Verse 4-28 -...may truly say, The greatest earthly...2Thessalonians strkjv@2:1. Let us give diligence to make our calling and election sure; then may we know that no enemy or deceiver shall ever prevail against us.

mhcc@Matthew:26:36-46 @ Verse 36-46 -...he spoke with the greatest calmness...

mhcc@Mark:2:13-17 @ Verse 13-17 - Matthew was not a good character, or else, being a Jew, he would never have been a publican, that is, a tax-...grace to change the greatest sinners,...-dealing publican was rare. And because the Jews had a particular hatred to an office which proved that they were subject to the Romans, they gave these tax-gatherers an ill name. But such as these our blessed Lord did not hesitate to converse with, when he appeared in the likeness of sinful flesh. And it is no new thing for that which is both well done and well designed, to be slandered, and turned to the reproach of the wisest and best of men. Christ would not withdraw, though the Pharisees were offended. If the world had been righteous, there had been no occasion for his coming, either to preach repentance, or to purchase forgiveness. We must not keep company with ungodly men out of love to their vain conversation; but we are to show love to their souls, remembering that our good Physician had the power of healing in himself, and was in no danger of taking the disease; but it is not so with us. In trying to do good to others, let us be careful we do not get harm to ourselves.

mhcc@Mark:3:22-30 @ Verse 22-30 -...purchased, forgiveness for the greatest sins...

mhcc@Mark:10:17-22 @ Verse 17-22 -...order to enjoy the greatest good...6:24,. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

mhcc@Mark:10:23-31 @ Verse 23-31 -...it for Christ. The greatest trial...

mhcc@Mark:15:15-21 @ Verse 15-21 -...by submitting to the greatest disgrace...21:23. The Roman soldiers mocked our Lord Jesus as a King; thus in the high priest's hall the servants had mocked him as a Prophet and Saviour. Shall a purple or scarlet robe be matter of pride to a Christian, which was matter of reproach and shame to Christ? He wore the crown of thorns which we deserved, that we might wear the crown of glory which he merited. We were by sin liable to everlasting shame and contempt; to deliver us, our Lord Jesus submitted to shame and contempt. He was led forth with the workers of iniquity, though he did no sin. The sufferings of the meek and holy Redeemer, are ever a source of instruction to the believer, of which, in his best hours, he cannot be weary. Did Jesus thus suffer, and shall I, a vile sinner, fret or repine? Shall I indulge anger, or utter reproaches and threats because of troubles and injuries?

mhcc@Luke:2:41-52 @ Verse 41-52 -...plain and easy. The greatest and...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Luke:9:28-36 @ Verse 28-36 -...and sufferings. In our greatest glories...

mhcc@Luke:13:31-35 @ Verse 31-35 -...his true character. The greatest of...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Luke:14:15-24 @ Verse 15-24 -...the gospel has the greatest success...

mhcc@Luke:17:1-10 @ Verse 1-10 -...to get over the greatest difficulties...

mhcc@Luke:23:32-43 @ Verse 32-43 - As soon as Christ was fastened to the cross, he prayed for those who crucified him. The great thing he died to purchase and procure for us, is the forgiveness of sin. This he prays for. Jesus was crucified between two thieves; in them were shown the different effects the cross of Christ would have upon the children of men in the preaching the gospel. One malefactor was hardened to the last. No troubles of themselves will change a wicked heart. The other was softened at the last: he was snatched as a brand out of the burning, and made a monument of Divine mercy. This gives no encouragement to any to put off repentance to their death-...he was in the greatest struggle...

mhcc@John:4:43-54 @ Verse 43-54 -...sickness and death. The greatest men...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@John:6:66-71 @ Verse 66-71 -...is matter of the greatest comfort....**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@John:14:28-31 @ Verse 28-31 -...they thought was their greatest happiness....**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@John:15:18-25 @ Verse 18-25 -...a comfort to the greatest sufferers,...

mhcc@John:19:1-18 @ Verse 1-18 - Little did Pilate think with what holy regard these sufferings of Christ would, in after-...by the best and greatest of...

mhcc@Acts:2:42-47 @ Verse 42-47 -...the state of its greatest innocence....**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Acts:3:12-18 @ Verse 12-18 -...hesitated to receive the greatest honour...-equal with Him; while the apostles knew that they were weak, sinful men, and dependent for every thing on Jesus, whose power effected the cure. Useful men must be very humble. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to thy name, give glory. Every crown must be cast at the feet of Christ. The apostle showed the Jews the greatness of their crime, but would not anger or drive them to despair. Assuredly, those who reject, refuse, or deny Christ, do it through ignorance; but this can in no case be an excuse.

mhcc@Acts:9:1-9 @ Verse 1-9 -...of God for the greatest sin....22:14. strkjv@26:13. How near to us is the unseen world! It is but for God to draw aside the veil, and objects are presented to the view, compared with which, whatever is most admired on earth is mean and contemptible. Saul submitted without reserve, desirous to know what the Lord Jesus would have him to do. Christ's discoveries of himself to poor souls are humbling; they lay them very low, in mean thoughts of themselves. For three days Saul took no food, and it pleased God to leave him for that time without relief. His sins were now set in order before him; he was in the dark concerning his own spiritual state, and wounded in spirit for sin. When a sinner is brought to a proper sense of his own state and conduct, he will cast himself wholly on the mercy of the Saviour, asking what he would have him to do. God will direct the humbled sinner, and though he does not often bring transgressors to joy and peace in believing, without sorrows and distress of conscience, under which the soul is deeply engaged as to eternal things, yet happy are those who sow in tears, for they shall reap in joy.

mhcc@Acts:27:30-38 @ Verse 30-38 -...and peace in the greatest distresses...

mhcc@Romans:7:1-6 @ Verse 1-6 -...The law, and the greatest efforts...-creating grace of the new covenant.

mhcc@Romans:7:7-13 @ Verse 7-13 - There is no way of coming to that knowledge of sin, which is necessary to repentance, and therefore to peace and pardon, but by trying our hearts and lives by the law. In his own case the apostle would not have known the sinfulness of his thoughts, motives, and actions, but by the law. That perfect standard showed how wrong his heart and life were, proving his sins to be more numerous than he had before thought, but it did not contain any provision of mercy or grace for his relief. He is ignorant of human nature and the perverseness of his own heart, who does not perceive in himself a readiness to fancy there is something desirable in what is out of reach. We may perceive this in our children, though self-...of sin to his greatest progress...

mhcc@Romans:11:11-21 @ Verse 11-21 -...The gospel is the greatest riches...-confidence, and every kind of pride or ambition; lest, having only a dead faith, and an empty profession, they should turn from God, and forfeit their privileges. If we stand at all, it is by faith; we are guilty and helpless in ourselves, and are to be humble, watchful, afraid of self-deception, or of being overcome by temptation. Not only are we at first justified by faith, but kept to the end in that justified state by faith only; yet, by a faith which is not alone, but which worketh by love to God and man.

mhcc@Romans:15:1-7 @ Verse 1-7 - Christian liberty was allowed, not for our pleasure, but for the glory of God, and the good of others. We must please our neighbour, for the good of his soul; not by serving his wicked will, and humouring him in a sinful way; if we thus seek to please men, we are not the servants of Christ. Christ's whole life was a self-denying, self-displeasing life. And he is the most advanced Christian, who is the most conformed to Christ. Considering his spotless purity and holiness, nothing could be more contrary to him, than to be made sin and a curse for us, and to have the reproaches of God fall upon him; the just for the unjust. He bore the guilt of sin, and the curse for it; we are only called to bear a little of the trouble of it. He bore the presumptuous sins of the wicked; we are called only to bear the failings of the weak. And should not we be humble, self-...and sweetest, and the greatest stay...-mindedness must be according to the precept of Christ, according to his pattern and example. It is the gift of God; and a precious gift it is, for which we must earnestly seek unto him. Our Divine Master invites his disciples, and encourages them by showing himself as meek and lowly in spirit. The same disposition ought to mark the conduct of his servants, especially of the strong towards the weak. The great end in all our actions must be, that God may be glorified; nothing more forwards this, than the mutual love and kindness of those who profess religion. Those that agree in Christ may well agree among themselves.

mhcc@1Corinthians:3:5-9 @ Verse 5-9 -...faithful shall have the greatest reward....

mhcc@1Corinthians:3:10-15 @ Verse 10-15 - The apostle was a wise master-...it is using the greatest favours...

mhcc@1Corinthians:7:10-16 @ Verse 10-16 -...opportunity to give the greatest proof...

mhcc@1Corinthians:9:24-27 @ Verse 24-27 -...obtain. There is the greatest encouragement,..._1__10 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary **** _

mhcc@1Corinthians:10:23-33 @ Verse 23-33 -...spirit, will disarm the greatest enemies...._1__11 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary **** _

mhcc@1Corinthians:13:8-13 @ Verse 8-13 -...charity is in its greatest height;..._1__14 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary **** _

mhcc@1Corinthians:14:15-25 @ Verse 15-25 -...than to get the greatest applause...

mhcc@Galatians:1 @ Henry'_2_13 ****** Galatians 1 ****** *** General Notes on the Book of Galatians ***...to fear as the greatest and...*** Outline of Galatians 1 *** The apostle Paul asserts his apostolic character against such as lessened it. (_1-5.) He reproves the Galatians for revolting from the gospel of Christ under the influence of evil teachers. (_6-9.) He proves the Divine authority of his doctrine and mission; and declares what he was before his conversion and calling. (_10-14.) And how he proceeded after it. (_15-24.) *** Commentary ***

mhcc@Galatians:6:16-18 @ Verse 16-18 -...in him, is the greatest distinction...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Ephesians:5:15-21 @ Verse 15-21 -...our souls, show the greatest folly....

mhcc@2Thessalonians:3:1-5 @ Verse 1-5 -...of sin is the greatest evil,...

mhcc@1Timothy:1 @ Henry'_2_3 ****** 1st Timothy 1 ****** *** General Notes on the Book of 1st Timothy ***...constant regard to the greatest diligence,...*** Outline of 1st Timothy 1 *** The apostle salutes Timothy. (_1-4.) The design of the law as given by Moses. (_5-11.) Of his own conversion and call to the apostleship. (_12-17.) The obligation to maintain faith and a good conscience. (_18-20.) *** Commentary ***

mhcc@1Timothy:6:6-10 @ Verse 6-10 -...When brought into the greatest straits,...

mhcc@2Timothy:3:14-17 @ Verse 14-17 -...of truth; and the greatest kindness..._2__4 **** Matthew Henry's Commentary **** _

mhcc@Hebrews:10:32-39 @ Verse 32-39 -...and suffer here. The greatest part...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Hebrews:11:8-19 @ Verse 8-19 -...to their God. The greatest trial...22:2. There, every word shows a trial. It is our duty to reason down our doubts and fears, by looking, as Abraham did, to the Almighty power of God. The best way to enjoy our comforts is, to give them up to God; he will then again give them as shall be the best for us. Let us look how far our faith has caused the like obedience, when we have been called to lesser acts of self-denial, or to make smaller sacrifices to our duty. Have we given up what was called for, fully believing that the Lord would make up all our losses, and even bless us by the most afflicting dispensations?

mhcc@Hebrews:11:20-31 @ Verse 20-31 -...can be in the greatest suffering....

mhcc@James:3:1-12 @ Verse 1-12 -...as one of the greatest evils....

mhcc@1Peter:1:1-9 @ Verse 1-9 - This epistle is addressed to believers in general, who are strangers in every city or country where they live, and are scattered through the nations. These are to ascribe their salvation to the electing love of the Father, the redemption of the Son, and the sanctification of the Holy Ghost; and so to give glory to one God in three Persons, into whose name they had been baptized. Hope, in the world's phrase, refers only to an uncertain good, for all worldly hopes are tottering, built upon sand, and the worldling's hopes of heaven are blind and groundless conjectures. But the hope of the sons of the living God is a living hope; not only as to its object, but as to its effect also. It enlivens and comforts in all distresses, enables to meet and get over all difficulties. Mercy is the spring of all this; yea, great mercy and manifold mercy. And this well-...must be of the greatest worth,...

mhcc@3John:1:1-8 @ Verse 1-8 -...Soul prosperity is the greatest blessing...-will, after a godly sort, serving God therein, and designing his glory. Those who freely make known Christ's gospel, should be helped by others to whom God gives the means. Those who cannot themselves proclaim it, may yet receive, help, and countenance those who do so.

mhcc@Revelation:6:1-8 @ Verse 1-8 -...earth, one of the greatest blessings;...55:1. But when the dark clouds of ignorance and superstition, denoted by the black horse, spread over the Christian world, the knowledge and practice of true religion became scarce. When a people loathe their spiritual food, God may justly deprive them of their daily bread. The famine of bread is a terrible judgment; but the famine of the word is more so. Upon opening the fourth seal, another horse appeared, of a pale colour. The rider was Death, the king of terrors. The attendants, or followers of this king of terrors, hell, a state of eternal misery to all who die in their sins; and in times of general destruction, multitudes go down unprepared into the pit. The period of the fourth seal is one of great slaughter and devastation, destroying whatever may tend to make life happy, making ravages on the spiritual lives of men. Thus the mystery of iniquity was completed, and its power extended both over the lives and consciences of men. The exact times of these four seals cannot be ascertained, for the changes were gradual. God gave them power, that is, those instruments of his anger, or those judgments: all public calamities are at his command; they only go forth when God sends them, and no further than he permits.

mhcc@Revelation:11:3-13 @ Verse 3-13 -...prophesied in sackcloth the greatest part...1260 years, antichrist, the great instrument of the devil, would war against them, with force and violence for a time. Determined rebels against the light rejoice, as on some happy event, when they can silence, drive to a distance, or destroy the faithful servants of Christ, whose doctrine and conduct torment them. It does not appear that the term is yet expired, and the witnesses are not a present exposed to endure such terrible outward sufferings as in former times; but such things may again happen, and there is abundant cause to prophesy in sackcloth, on account of the state of religion. The depressed state of real Christianity may relate only to the western church. The Spirit of life from God, quickens dead souls, and shall quicken the dead bodies of his people, and his dying interest in the world. The revival of God's work and witnesses, will strike terror into the souls of his enemies. Where there is guilt, there is fear; and a persecuting spirit, though cruel, is a cowardly spirit. It will be no small part of the punishment of persecutors, both in this world, and at the great day, that they see the faithful servants of God honoured and advanced. The Lord's witnesses must not be weary of suffering and service, nor hastily grasp at the reward; but must stay till their Master calls them. The consequence of their being thus exalted was a mighty shock and convulsion in the antichristian empire. Events alone can show the meaning of this. But whenever God's work and witnesses revive, the devil's work and witnesses fall before him. And that the slaying of the witnesses is future, appears to be probable.

mhcc@Revelation:14:14-20 @ Verse 14-20 - Warnings and judgments not having produced reformation, the sins of the nations are filled up, and they become ripe for judgments, represented by a harvest, an emblem which is used to signify the gathering of the righteous, when ripe for heaven, by the mercy of God. The harvest time is when the corn is ripe; when the believers are ripe for heaven, then the wheat of the earth shall be gathered into Christ's garner. And by a vintage. The enemies of Christ and his church are not destroyed, till by their sin they are ripe for ruin, and then he will spare them no longer. The wine-...towards sinners, is the greatest miracle...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Revelation:15:5-8 @ Verse 5-8 -...work was doing. The greatest deliverances...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

mhcc@Revelation:16:17-21 @ Verse 17-21 -...ruin. Men blasphemed: the greatest judgments...**** Matthew Henry's Commentary ****

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