Today’s Reflection:
A life built on obedience to Jesus can withstand opposition – whether worry, fear, doubt, or offense. Nevertheless, obedience is difficult, so Jesus’ question (“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”) is worth pondering. Why don’t we do what he says? Is it because Jesus’ words are difficult to put into practice? Is it because Jesus’ way is costly – in terms of time, money, and reputation? What entices us to build our lives on an unsure foundation? (Matthew Croasmun, Let Me Ask You a Question)
“From page 94 of Let Me Ask You a Question: Conversations with Jesus by Matthew Croasmun. Copyright © 2018 by Matthew Croasmun. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books.
“http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question: How do you answer the question, “Why don’t we do what [Jesus] says?”
Today’s Scripture: In the letter he wrote, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, so that he may be struck down and die.” (2 Samual 11:15, NRSV)
This Week: pray for the mind of Christ.
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.
This week we remember: Mary Magdalene (July 22).
Along with Mary and Martha of Bethany, Joanna, and others, she played an important role in that early church community. Despite the fact that her image as a prostitute does not have biblical evidence, Mary Magdalene is considered the patron saint of repentant sinners.
If Mary Magdalene had taken the Spiritual Types Test she probably would have been a Lover. Mary Magdalene is remembered on July 22.
Lectionary Readings for Sunday, 29 July 2018
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
2 Samuel 11:1-15
Psalm 14
Ephesians 3:14-21
John 6:1-21
2 Samuel 11:1 In the spring, at the time when kings go out to war, David sent out Yo’av, his servants who were with him and all Isra’el. They ravaged the people of ‘Amon and laid siege to Rabbah. But David stayed in Yerushalayim. 2 Once, after his afternoon nap, David got up from his bed and went strolling on the roof of the king’s palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful. 3 David made inquiries about the woman and was told that she was Bat-Sheva the daughter of Eli‘am, the wife of Uriyah the Hitti. 4 David sent messengers to get her, and she came to him, and he went to bed with her (for she had been purified from her uncleanness). Then she returned to her house. 5 The woman conceived; and she sent a message to David, “I am pregnant.”
6 David sent this order to Yo’av: “Send me Uriyah the Hitti.” Yo’av sent Uriyah to David. 7 When Uriyah had come to him, David asked him how Yo’av was doing, how the people were feeling and how the war was going. 8 Then David said to Uriyah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” Uriyah left the king’s palace and was followed by a present of food from the king. 9 But Uriyah slept at the door of the king’s palace with all the servants of his lord and didn’t go down to his house. 10 When they told David, “Uriyah didn’t go down to his house,” David said to Uriyah, “Haven’t you just arrived from a journey? Why didn’t you go down to your house?” 11 Uriyah answered David, “The ark, Isra’el and Y’hudah stay in tents; and my lord Yo’av and the servants of my lord are camping in the countryside. So should I go into my house to eat and drink and go to bed with my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” 12 David said to Uriyah, “Stay here today also; tomorrow I will let you leave.” So Uriyah stayed in Yerushalayim that day and the following day. 13 David summoned him, ate and drank with him, and got him drunk. But in the evening he went out and lay on his bed with his lord’s servants and did not go down to his house.
14 In the morning David wrote a letter to Yo’av and sent it with Uriyah. 15 In the letter he wrote, “Put Uriyah on the front lines of the fiercest fighting; then pull back from him, so that he will be wounded and killed.”
Psalm 14:1 (0) For the leader. By David:
(1) Fools say in their hearts,
“There is no God.”
They deal corruptly, their deeds are vile,
not one does what is right.
2 From heaven Adonai observes humankind
to see if anyone has understanding,
if anyone seeks God.
3 But all turn aside, all alike are corrupt;
no one does what is right,
not a single one.
4 Don’t they ever learn,
all those evildoers,
who eat up my people as if eating bread
and never call on Adonai?
5 There they are, utterly terrified;
for God is with those who are righteous.
6 You may mock the plans of the poor,
but their refuge is Adonai.
7 How I wish Isra’el’s salvation
would come out of Tziyon!
When Adonai restores his people’s fortunes,
Ya‘akov will rejoice, Isra’el will be glad!
Mary Magdalene
July 22
According to Luke 8:2, Mary Magdalene was healed of seven demons by Jesus, and then became a loyal member of Jesus' inner circle of friends. Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' early followers, a faithful disciple who stood at the cross while Jesus died, was present as his burial, then went to his tomb on Easter Sunday morning to anoint his body. Mary Magdalene is featured in five of the six biblical passages about the resurrection. In Matthew, Mark, and John's accounts, she encountered the living Christ on that first Easter morning. (Luke says she and the other women spoke with two angels at the tomb.) As a witness to his resurrection she proclaimed, "I have seen the Lord" to the other (male) apostles.Along with Mary and Martha of Bethany, Joanna, and others, she played an important role in that early church community. Despite the fact that her image as a prostitute does not have biblical evidence, Mary Magdalene is considered the patron saint of repentant sinners.
If Mary Magdalene had taken the Spiritual Types Test she probably would have been a Lover. Mary Magdalene is remembered on July 22.
Lectionary Readings for Sunday, 29 July 2018
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
2 Samuel 11:1-15
Psalm 14
Ephesians 3:14-21
John 6:1-21
2 Samuel 11:1 In the spring, at the time when kings go out to war, David sent out Yo’av, his servants who were with him and all Isra’el. They ravaged the people of ‘Amon and laid siege to Rabbah. But David stayed in Yerushalayim. 2 Once, after his afternoon nap, David got up from his bed and went strolling on the roof of the king’s palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful. 3 David made inquiries about the woman and was told that she was Bat-Sheva the daughter of Eli‘am, the wife of Uriyah the Hitti. 4 David sent messengers to get her, and she came to him, and he went to bed with her (for she had been purified from her uncleanness). Then she returned to her house. 5 The woman conceived; and she sent a message to David, “I am pregnant.”
6 David sent this order to Yo’av: “Send me Uriyah the Hitti.” Yo’av sent Uriyah to David. 7 When Uriyah had come to him, David asked him how Yo’av was doing, how the people were feeling and how the war was going. 8 Then David said to Uriyah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” Uriyah left the king’s palace and was followed by a present of food from the king. 9 But Uriyah slept at the door of the king’s palace with all the servants of his lord and didn’t go down to his house. 10 When they told David, “Uriyah didn’t go down to his house,” David said to Uriyah, “Haven’t you just arrived from a journey? Why didn’t you go down to your house?” 11 Uriyah answered David, “The ark, Isra’el and Y’hudah stay in tents; and my lord Yo’av and the servants of my lord are camping in the countryside. So should I go into my house to eat and drink and go to bed with my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” 12 David said to Uriyah, “Stay here today also; tomorrow I will let you leave.” So Uriyah stayed in Yerushalayim that day and the following day. 13 David summoned him, ate and drank with him, and got him drunk. But in the evening he went out and lay on his bed with his lord’s servants and did not go down to his house.
14 In the morning David wrote a letter to Yo’av and sent it with Uriyah. 15 In the letter he wrote, “Put Uriyah on the front lines of the fiercest fighting; then pull back from him, so that he will be wounded and killed.”
Psalm 14:1 (0) For the leader. By David:
(1) Fools say in their hearts,
“There is no God.”
They deal corruptly, their deeds are vile,
not one does what is right.
2 From heaven Adonai observes humankind
to see if anyone has understanding,
if anyone seeks God.
3 But all turn aside, all alike are corrupt;
no one does what is right,
not a single one.
4 Don’t they ever learn,
all those evildoers,
who eat up my people as if eating bread
and never call on Adonai?
5 There they are, utterly terrified;
for God is with those who are righteous.
6 You may mock the plans of the poor,
but their refuge is Adonai.
7 How I wish Isra’el’s salvation
would come out of Tziyon!
When Adonai restores his people’s fortunes,
Ya‘akov will rejoice, Isra’el will be glad!
Ephesians 3:14 For this reason, I fall on my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its character. 16 I pray that from the treasures of his glory he will empower you with inner strength by his Spirit, 17 so that the Messiah may live in your hearts through your trusting. Also I pray that you will be rooted and founded in love, 18 so that you, with all God’s people, will be given strength to grasp the breadth, length, height and depth of the Messiah’s love, 19 yes, to know it, even though it is beyond all knowing, so that you will be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who by his power working in us is able to do far beyond anything we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the Messianic Community and in the Messiah Yeshua from generation to generation forever. Amen.
John 6:1 Some time later, Yeshua went over to the far side of Lake Kinneret (that is, Lake Tiberias), 2 and a large crowd followed him, because they had seen the miracles he had performed on the sick. 3 Yeshua went up into the hills and sat down there with his talmidim. 4 Now the Judean festival of Pesach was coming up; 5 so when Yeshua looked up and saw that a large crowd was approaching, he said to Philip, “Where will we be able to buy bread, so that these people can eat?” 6 (Now Yeshua said this to test Philip, for Yeshua himself knew what he was about to do.) 7 Philip answered, “Half a year’s wages wouldn’t buy enough bread for them — each one would get only a bite!” 8 One of the talmidim, Andrew the brother of Shim‘on Kefa, said to him, 9 “There’s a young fellow here who has five loaves of barley bread and two fish. But how far will they go among so many?”
10 Yeshua said, “Have the people sit down.” There was a lot of grass there, so they sat down. The number of men was about five thousand. 11 Then Yeshua took the loaves of bread, and, after making a b’rakhah, gave to all who were sitting there, and likewise with the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 After they had eaten their fill, he told his talmidim, “Gather the leftover pieces, so that nothing gets wasted.” 13 They gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.
14 When the people saw the miracle he had performed, they said, “This has to be ‘the prophet’ who is supposed to come into the world.” 15 Yeshua knew that they were on the point of coming and seizing him, in order to make him king; so he went back to the hills again. This time he went by himself.
16 When evening came, his talmidim went down to the lake, 17 got into a boat and set out across the lake toward K’far-Nachum. By now it was dark, Yeshua had not yet joined them, 18 and the sea was getting rough, because a strong wind was blowing. 19 They had rowed three or four miles when they saw Yeshua approaching the boat, walking on the lake! They were terrified; 20 but he said to them, “Stop being afraid, it is I.” 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and instantly the boat reached the land they were heading for. (Complete Jewish Bible).
20 Now to him who by his power working in us is able to do far beyond anything we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the Messianic Community and in the Messiah Yeshua from generation to generation forever. Amen.
John 6:1 Some time later, Yeshua went over to the far side of Lake Kinneret (that is, Lake Tiberias), 2 and a large crowd followed him, because they had seen the miracles he had performed on the sick. 3 Yeshua went up into the hills and sat down there with his talmidim. 4 Now the Judean festival of Pesach was coming up; 5 so when Yeshua looked up and saw that a large crowd was approaching, he said to Philip, “Where will we be able to buy bread, so that these people can eat?” 6 (Now Yeshua said this to test Philip, for Yeshua himself knew what he was about to do.) 7 Philip answered, “Half a year’s wages wouldn’t buy enough bread for them — each one would get only a bite!” 8 One of the talmidim, Andrew the brother of Shim‘on Kefa, said to him, 9 “There’s a young fellow here who has five loaves of barley bread and two fish. But how far will they go among so many?”
10 Yeshua said, “Have the people sit down.” There was a lot of grass there, so they sat down. The number of men was about five thousand. 11 Then Yeshua took the loaves of bread, and, after making a b’rakhah, gave to all who were sitting there, and likewise with the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 After they had eaten their fill, he told his talmidim, “Gather the leftover pieces, so that nothing gets wasted.” 13 They gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.
14 When the people saw the miracle he had performed, they said, “This has to be ‘the prophet’ who is supposed to come into the world.” 15 Yeshua knew that they were on the point of coming and seizing him, in order to make him king; so he went back to the hills again. This time he went by himself.
16 When evening came, his talmidim went down to the lake, 17 got into a boat and set out across the lake toward K’far-Nachum. By now it was dark, Yeshua had not yet joined them, 18 and the sea was getting rough, because a strong wind was blowing. 19 They had rowed three or four miles when they saw Yeshua approaching the boat, walking on the lake! They were terrified; 20 but he said to them, “Stop being afraid, it is I.” 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and instantly the boat reached the land they were heading for. (Complete Jewish Bible).
2 Samuel 11:1-15
Verse 1
[1] And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
After — When that year ended, and the next begun, which was in the spring time.
When kings — Which is, when the ground is fit for the march of soldiers, and brings forth provision for man and beast.
Tarried at Jerusalem — Had he been now in his post, at the head of his forces be had been out of the way of temptation.
Verse 2
[2] And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
Arose from off his bed — Where he had lain, and slept for some time. And the bed of sloth often proves the bed of lust.
Washing herself — In a bath, which was in her garden. Probably from some ceremonial pollution.
Verse 3
[3] And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
He inquired — Instead of suppressing that desire which the sight of his eyes had kindled, he seeks rather to feed it; and first enquires who she was; that if she were unmarried, he might make her either his wife or his concubine.
Verse 4
[4] And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
Took her — From her own house into his palace, not by force, but by persuasion.
Lay with her — See how all the way to sin is down hill! When men begin, they cannot soon stop themselves.
Verse 8
[8] And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.
Go down — Not doubting but he would there converse with his wife, and so cover their sin and shame.
Verse 9
[9] But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.
The servants — With the king's guard. This he did, by the secret direction of God's wise providence, who would bring David's sin to light.
Verse 10
[10] And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?
Camest — Wearied with hard service and travel, nor did I expect or desire that thou shouldest now attend upon my person, or keep the watch.
Verse 11
[11] And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
The ark — This it seems, was now carried with them for their encouragement and direction, as was usual.
Fields — In tents which are in the fields. His meaning is, now, when God's people are in a doubtful and dangerous condition, it becomes me to sympathize with them, and to abstain even from lawful delights.
Verse 15
[15] And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
He arose — So far is David from repenting, that he seeks to cover one sin with another. How are the beginnings of sin to be dreaded! For who knows where it will end? David hath sinned, therefore Uriah must die! That innocent, valiant, gallant man, who was ready to die for his prince's honour, must die by his prince's hand! See how fleshly lusts war against the soul, and what devastations they make in that war! How they blind the eyes, fear the conscience, harden the heart, and destroy all sense of honour and justice!
Psalm 14
Verse 1
[1] The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
The fool — The wicked man.
Good — That is, actions really good or pleasing to God.
Verse 2
[2] The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
Looked — God knoweth all things without any enquiry: but he speaks after the manner of men.
Upon — Upon the whole Israelitish nation, and upon all mankind for he speaks of all except his people, and the righteous ones, who are opposed to these, verse 4,5.
Verse 3
[3] They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Gone — From God, and from the rule which he hath given them.
Filthy — Loathsome and abominable to God.
Verse 4
[4] Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.
Bread — With as little remorse, and with as much greediness.
Call not — They are guilty not only of gross injustice towards men, but also of horrid impiety and contempt of God.
Verse 5
[5] There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.
There — Upon the spot, where they practised these insolences, God struck them with a panick fear.
For — God is on their side, and therefore their enemies have cause to tremble.
Verse 6
[6] Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.
Because — This was the ground of their contempt, that he lived by faith in God's promise and providence.
Verse 7
[7] Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
O that — These words immediately concern the deliverance of Israel out of that sinful state, in which they now were; which having described, he concludes, with a prayer to God to help them out of Zion, where the ark then was, but principally they design the spiritual redemption and salvation of all God's Israel by the Messiah.
The captivity — His captive people. The children of Jacob, as Aaron is named for his sons, 1 Chronicles 12:27.
Verse 1
[1] And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
After — When that year ended, and the next begun, which was in the spring time.
When kings — Which is, when the ground is fit for the march of soldiers, and brings forth provision for man and beast.
Tarried at Jerusalem — Had he been now in his post, at the head of his forces be had been out of the way of temptation.
Verse 2
[2] And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
Arose from off his bed — Where he had lain, and slept for some time. And the bed of sloth often proves the bed of lust.
Washing herself — In a bath, which was in her garden. Probably from some ceremonial pollution.
Verse 3
[3] And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
He inquired — Instead of suppressing that desire which the sight of his eyes had kindled, he seeks rather to feed it; and first enquires who she was; that if she were unmarried, he might make her either his wife or his concubine.
Verse 4
[4] And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
Took her — From her own house into his palace, not by force, but by persuasion.
Lay with her — See how all the way to sin is down hill! When men begin, they cannot soon stop themselves.
Verse 8
[8] And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.
Go down — Not doubting but he would there converse with his wife, and so cover their sin and shame.
Verse 9
[9] But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.
The servants — With the king's guard. This he did, by the secret direction of God's wise providence, who would bring David's sin to light.
Verse 10
[10] And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?
Camest — Wearied with hard service and travel, nor did I expect or desire that thou shouldest now attend upon my person, or keep the watch.
Verse 11
[11] And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
The ark — This it seems, was now carried with them for their encouragement and direction, as was usual.
Fields — In tents which are in the fields. His meaning is, now, when God's people are in a doubtful and dangerous condition, it becomes me to sympathize with them, and to abstain even from lawful delights.
Verse 15
[15] And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
He arose — So far is David from repenting, that he seeks to cover one sin with another. How are the beginnings of sin to be dreaded! For who knows where it will end? David hath sinned, therefore Uriah must die! That innocent, valiant, gallant man, who was ready to die for his prince's honour, must die by his prince's hand! See how fleshly lusts war against the soul, and what devastations they make in that war! How they blind the eyes, fear the conscience, harden the heart, and destroy all sense of honour and justice!
Psalm 14
Verse 1
[1] The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
The fool — The wicked man.
Good — That is, actions really good or pleasing to God.
Verse 2
[2] The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
Looked — God knoweth all things without any enquiry: but he speaks after the manner of men.
Upon — Upon the whole Israelitish nation, and upon all mankind for he speaks of all except his people, and the righteous ones, who are opposed to these, verse 4,5.
Verse 3
[3] They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Gone — From God, and from the rule which he hath given them.
Filthy — Loathsome and abominable to God.
Verse 4
[4] Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.
Bread — With as little remorse, and with as much greediness.
Call not — They are guilty not only of gross injustice towards men, but also of horrid impiety and contempt of God.
Verse 5
[5] There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.
There — Upon the spot, where they practised these insolences, God struck them with a panick fear.
For — God is on their side, and therefore their enemies have cause to tremble.
Verse 6
[6] Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.
Because — This was the ground of their contempt, that he lived by faith in God's promise and providence.
Verse 7
[7] Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
O that — These words immediately concern the deliverance of Israel out of that sinful state, in which they now were; which having described, he concludes, with a prayer to God to help them out of Zion, where the ark then was, but principally they design the spiritual redemption and salvation of all God's Israel by the Messiah.
The captivity — His captive people. The children of Jacob, as Aaron is named for his sons, 1 Chronicles 12:27.
Ephesians 3:14-21
Verse 15
[15] Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
Of whom — The Father. The whole family of angels in heaven, saints in paradise, and believers on earth is named. Being the "children of God," (a more honourable title than "children of Abraham,") and depending on him as the Father of the family.
Verse 16
[16] That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
The riches of his glory — The immense fulness of his glorious wisdom, power, and mercy.
The inner man — The soul.
Verse 17
[17] That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Dwell — That is, constantly and sensibly abide.
Verse 18
[18] May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
That being rooted and grounded — That is, deeply fixed and firmly established, in love. Ye may comprehend - So far as an human mind is capable.
What is the breadth of the love of Christ — Embracing all mankind.
And length — From everlasting to everlasting.
And depth — Not to be fathomed by any creature.
And height — Not to be reached by any enemy.
Verse 19
[19] And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
And to know — But the apostle corrects himself, and immediately observes, it cannot be fully known. This only we know, that the love of Christ surpasses all knowledge. That ye may be filled - Which is the sum of all.
With all the fulness of God — With all his light, love, wisdom, holiness, power, and glory. A perfection far beyond a bare freedom from sin.
Verse 20
[20] Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Now to him — This doxology is admirably adapted to strengthen our faith, that we may not stagger at the great things the apostle has been praying for, as if they were too much for God to give, or for us to expect from him.
That is able — Here is a most beautiful gradation. When he has given us exceeding, yea, abundant blessings, still we may ask for more. And he is able to do it. But we may think of more than we have asked. He is able to do this also. Yea, and above all this.
Above all we ask — Above all we can think. Nay, exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can either ask or think.
Verse 21
[21] Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
In the church — On earth and in heaven.
John 6:1-21
Verse 3
[3] And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
Jesus went up — Before the people overtook him.
Verse 5
[5] When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
Jesus saith to Philip — Perhaps he had the care of providing victuals for the family of the apostles.
Verse 15
[15] When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
He retired to the mountain alone — Having ordered his disciples to cross over the lake.
Verse 16
[16] And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
Matthew 14:22; Mark 6:45. (John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes).
Verse 15
[15] Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
Of whom — The Father. The whole family of angels in heaven, saints in paradise, and believers on earth is named. Being the "children of God," (a more honourable title than "children of Abraham,") and depending on him as the Father of the family.
Verse 16
[16] That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
The riches of his glory — The immense fulness of his glorious wisdom, power, and mercy.
The inner man — The soul.
Verse 17
[17] That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Dwell — That is, constantly and sensibly abide.
Verse 18
[18] May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
That being rooted and grounded — That is, deeply fixed and firmly established, in love. Ye may comprehend - So far as an human mind is capable.
What is the breadth of the love of Christ — Embracing all mankind.
And length — From everlasting to everlasting.
And depth — Not to be fathomed by any creature.
And height — Not to be reached by any enemy.
Verse 19
[19] And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
And to know — But the apostle corrects himself, and immediately observes, it cannot be fully known. This only we know, that the love of Christ surpasses all knowledge. That ye may be filled - Which is the sum of all.
With all the fulness of God — With all his light, love, wisdom, holiness, power, and glory. A perfection far beyond a bare freedom from sin.
Verse 20
[20] Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Now to him — This doxology is admirably adapted to strengthen our faith, that we may not stagger at the great things the apostle has been praying for, as if they were too much for God to give, or for us to expect from him.
That is able — Here is a most beautiful gradation. When he has given us exceeding, yea, abundant blessings, still we may ask for more. And he is able to do it. But we may think of more than we have asked. He is able to do this also. Yea, and above all this.
Above all we ask — Above all we can think. Nay, exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can either ask or think.
Verse 21
[21] Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
In the church — On earth and in heaven.
John 6:1-21
Verse 3
[3] And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
Jesus went up — Before the people overtook him.
Verse 5
[5] When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
Jesus saith to Philip — Perhaps he had the care of providing victuals for the family of the apostles.
Verse 15
[15] When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
He retired to the mountain alone — Having ordered his disciples to cross over the lake.
Verse 16
[16] And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
Matthew 14:22; Mark 6:45. (John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes).
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