Morning Bible Study (Sunday School) for November 28st
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every Sunday Morning at 9:45 AM

Life Worth Sharing

Romans 1:14-17; 9:1-3; 10:1, 14-15; 15:17-20

What This Lesson Is About  This lesson is about Christians' responsibility to share the gospel with all people.

Why This Lesson Is Important

Some people, including some who claim to be Christians, wonder if Christians have the right to try to convert others. Their objection is this: They have their own religion; why should we try to force our faith on them? But If we really believe Christianity is true, we know we have a duty to encourage others to trust Christ. In fact, according to Scripture, believers have both the right and the obligation to share Christ with all people. 

How This Lesson Can Impact Your Life 
This lesson will help you  
(1) recognize that all people need to know Christ and
(2) determine to share Him with others.

Can you explain to another person how to be saved?

Are You Convinced of the Gospel's Power?
Romans 1:14-17

Rom 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

Rom 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

How heavy a burden do you feel for a lost world?

What evidence of the gospel's power can people see in your life?

Should You be Concerned About the Lost?
Romans 9:1-3; 10:1

Rom 9:1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

Rom 9:2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

Rom 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

 

Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Read Psalm 119:136. To what extent is this verse true of you?

What are You Doing About It?
Romans 10:14-15; 15:17-20

Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

 

Rom 15:17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

Rom 15:18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

Rom 15:19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Rom 15:20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

How have you participated in the process God
has ordained to reach people for Christ?

Why has God involved His people in the process of
bringing men and women, boys and girls, to Christ?

Morning Bible Study (Sunday School) for November 21st
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Life Together

Acts 2:41-47; Hebrews 10:23-25

What This Lesson Is About: This lesson explains why it is vital for believers to connect to a church. 

Why This Lesson Is Important:  While some people are openly antagonistic toward the church, others simply view it with indifference and ignore it. Many of these individuals are open to spiritual things but not to the church, for a variety of reasons. Even large numbers of Christians don't consider church important enough to make it a priority in their lives.

How This Lesson Can Impact Your Life: This lesson will help believers understand and explain to others the rare church should play in the lives of all Christians.

When a church is disconnected from the Spirit
of Christ, what kinds of things happen?

Identify with the Church
Acts 2:41-42

Act 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

What is the difference between attending church
regularly and identifying oneself with a church?

Experience the Church
Acts 2:43-47

Act 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

Act 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

Act 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

What are you doing to help your church be "at its best"?

Commit to the Church
Hebrews 10:23-25

Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Make a list of all the people who lose when you can attend church
but don't. Beside each name, note what that person loses.

Morning Bible Study (Sunday School) for November 14th
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every Sunday Morning at 9:45 AM

Life in Light of Eternity

Luke 12:13-21; Philippians 1:21-26

What This Lesson Is About 
This lesson is about living life in light of eternal values.

Why This Lesson Is Important
In our society, people come to feel they absolutely must have certain things—many of which had not been invented until just a few years ago. In less than two weeks after you study this lesson, throngs of people will visit retailers to purchase the latest must-have items for Christmas. But remember—he who dies with the most toys still dies. What then?

How This Lesson Can Impact Your Life
This lesson will help you
1. Look at life against the backdrop of eternity and  
2.  Make the case that greed for what is temporary causes people to miss what is truly important.

What Life Is Not

Luke 12:13-15

Luk 12:13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

Luk 12:14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

Luk 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Could You Do This?

Friends took a country preacher to New York City and showed
him around the city. He saw high-priced restaurants, Broadway
shows, awesome business skyscrapers, Times Square, and
some of the most valuable property in the world. That night
in his prayers he said, "Lord, I thank You for letting me see all
the sights of New York. And I thank You, most of all, that I didn't
really want anything I saw!"

What kinds of arguments sometimes take place soon after the death of a loved one? Are your final preparations made?

How many things do you have that you don't really need?

A Lose-Lose Situation

Luke 12:16-21

Luk 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

Luk 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

Luk 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

Luk 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

Luk 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

Luk 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Discover Deeper Meaning

The word translated fool in Luke 12:20 is used to describe a person who is "senseless, stupid, without reason, and acting rashly." It is noteworthy that God Himself called the rich man a fool. Not only were the man's actions foolish, but he bore personal responsibility for them. This man concerned himself only with getting ahead in the world and acquiring the things of this world. Studying Luke 12:13-21 helps us come to understand that ignoring God to pursue material gain makes one a fool in God's eyes. John wrote, "the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever" (1 John 2:17). What do your priorities say about you?

Have you ever told yourself to "eat, drink, and be merry"?

In a tight economy, how does it help believers to
be "rich toward God"? Is it even possible to be rich
toward God in tough economic times? Explain.

 

A Win-Win Situation

Philippians 1:21-26

Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Php 1:22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

Php 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Php 1:24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

Php 1:25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

Php 1:26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

For whom or for what are you living right now? Would dying bring to you loss or gain? Explain your answer.

How often do you think of the glories of heaven that will be—and in fact already are— yours in Christ? Explain.

Morning Bible Study (Sunday School) for November 7th
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Why the Christian Life is Better

John 14:15-18, 27-31a; 15:11-16

The Presence

John 14:15-18

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive , because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

The Peace

John 14:27-31a

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth , give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled , neither let it be afraid . 
28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away , and come again unto you. If ye loved me , ye would rejoice , because I said , I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 
29 And now I have told you before it come to pass , that, when it is come to pass , ye might believe . 
30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh , and hath nothing in me. 
31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment , even so I do . Arise , let us go hence.

The Purpose

John 15:11-16

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full . 
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth : but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain : that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Lesson for October 31st
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individual verse links to KJV

Making Sense of Faith

Romans 4:1-3, 23-25; 10:9-13; Hebrews 12:1-2

Faith is only as Good as its Object

Romans 4:1-3    Life-Way  or  e-Sword    copy & paste reference

Abraham Justified by Faith

1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."

Romans 4:23-25    Life-Way  or  e-Sword

23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Faith involves an Act of the Will

Romans 10:9-13    Life-Way  or  e-Sword

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Faith is a Way of Life

Hebrews 12:1-2    Life-Way  or  e-Sword

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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Lesson for October 24
Scripture and e-Sword Commentaries** only
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John 3:16-18; 14:6-11; 1 Timothy 2:3-6

One Son

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God so loved - This does not mean that God approved the conduct of men, but that he had benevolent feelings toward them, or was “earnestly desirous” of their happiness. God hates wickedness, but he still desires the Happiness of those who are sinful. “He hates the sin, but loves the sinner.” A parent may love his child and desire his welfare, and yet be strongly opposed to the conduct of that child. When we approve the conduct of another, this is the love of complacency; when we desire simply their happiness, this is the love of benevolence.

The world - All mankind. It does not mean any particular part of the world, but man as man - the race that had rebelled and that deserved to die. See Joh_6:33; Joh_17:21. His love for the world, or for all mankind, in giving his Son, was shown by these circumstances:

1. All the world was in ruin, and exposed to the wrath of God.

2. All people were in a hopeless condition.

3. God gave his Son. Man had no claim on him; it was a gift - an undeserved gift.

4. He gave him up to extreme sufferings, even the bitter pains of death on the cross.

5. It was for all the world. He tasted “death for every man,” Heb_2:9. He “died for all,” 2Co_5:15. “He is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world,” 1Jo_2:2.

That he gave - It was a free and unmerited gift. Man had no claim: and when there was no eye to pity or arm to save, it pleased God to give his Son into the hands of men to die in their stead, Gal_1:4; Rom_8:32; Luk_22:19. It was the mere movement of love; the expression of eternal compassion, and of a desire, that sinners should not perish forever.

His only-begotten Son - See the notes at Joh_1:14. This is the highest expression of love of which we can conceive. A parent who should give up his only son to die for others who are guilty if this could or might be done - would show higher love than could be manifested in any other way. So it shows the depth of the love of God, that he was willing. to give his only Son into the hands of sinful men that he might be slain, and thus redeem them from eternal sorrow.

Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

To condemn the world - Not to judge, or pronounce sentence on mankind. God might justly have sent him for this. Man deserved condemnation, and it would have been right to have pronounced it; but God was willing that there should be an offer of pardon, and the sentence of condemnation was delayed. But, although Jesus did not come then to condemn mankind, yet the time is coming when he will return to judge the living and the dead, Act_17:31; 2Co_5:10; Mat. 25:31-46.

Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

He that believeth - He that has confidence in him; that relies on him; that trusts to his merits and promises for salvation. To believe on him is to feel and act according to truth that is, to go as lost sinners, and act toward him as a Saviour from sins; relying on him, and looking to him “only” for salvation. See the notes at Mar_16:16.

Is not condemned - God pardons sin, and delivers us from deserved punishment, because we believe on him. Jesus died in our stead; he suffered for us, and by his sufferings our sins are expiated, and it is consistent for God to forgive. When a stoner, therefore, believes on Jesus, he trusts in him as having died in his place, and God having accepted the offering which Christ made in our stead, as being an equivalent for our sufferings in hell, there is now no further condemnation, Rom_8:1.

He that believeth not - All who do not believe, whether the gospel has come to them or not. All people by nature.

Is condemned already - By conscience, by law, and in the judgment of God. God disapproves of their character, and this feeling of disapprobation, and the expression of it, is the condemnation. There is no condemnation so terrible as this - that God disapproves our conduct, and that he will express his disapprobation. He will judge according to truth, and woe to that man whose conduct God cannot approve.

Because - This word does not imply that the ground or reason of their condemnation is that they have not believed, or that they are condemned because they do not believe on him, for there are millions of sinners who have never heard of him; but the meaning is this: There is but one way by which men can be freed from condemnation. All people without the gospel are condemned. They who do not believe are still under this condemnation, not having embraced the only way by which they can be delivered from it. The verse may be thus paraphrased: “All people are by nature condemned. There is but one way of being delivered from this state by believing on the Son of God. They who do not believe or remain in that state are still condemned, for they have not embraced the only way in which they can be freed from it. Nevertheless, those to whom the gospel comes greatly heighten their guilt and condemnation by rejecting the offers of mercy, and trampling under foot the blood of the Son of God, Luk_12:47; Mat_11:23; Heb_10:29; Pro_1:24-30. And there are thousands going to eternity under this “double” condemnation:

1. for positive, open sin; and,

2. for rejecting God’s mercy, and despising the gospel of his Son. This it is which will make the doom of sinners in Christian lands so terrible.

One Way

John 14:6-11

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

I am the way - See Isa_35:8. By this is meant, doubtless, that they and all others were to have access to God only by obeying the instructions, imitating the example, and depending on the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was the leader in the road, the guide to the wandering, the teacher of the ignorant, and the example to all. See Joh_6:68; “Thou hast the words of eternal life;” 1Pe_2:21; “Christ - suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps;” Heb_9:8-9.

The truth - The source of truth, or he who originates and communicates truth for the salvation of men. Truth is a representation of things as they are. The life, the purity, and the teaching of Jesus Christ was the most complete and perfect representation of the things of the eternal world that has been or can be presented to man. The ceremonies of the Jews were shadows; the life of Jesus was the truth. The opinions of men are fancy, but the doctrines of Jesus were nothing more than a representation of facts as they exist in the government of God. It is implied in this, also, that Jesus was the fountain of all truth; that by his inspiration the prophets spoke, and that by him all truth is communicated to men. See the notes at Joh_1:17.

The life - See Joh_11:25, and the notes at Joh_1:4.

No man cometh to the Father but by me - To come to the Father is to obtain his favor, to have access to his throne by prayer, and finally to enter his kingdom. No man can obtain any of these things except by the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. By coming by him is meant coming in his name and depending on his merits. We are ignorant, and he alone can guide us. We are sinful, and it is only by his merits that we can be pardoned. We are blind, and he only can enlighten us. God has appointed him as the Mediator, and has ordained that all blessings shall descend to this world through him. Hence he has put the world under his control; has given the affairs of men into his hand, and has appointed him to dispense whatever may be necessary for our peace, pardon, and salvation, Act_4:12; Act_5:31.

Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father - Because I and the Father are One, Joh_10:30. Or, if ye had properly examined the intention and design of the law, ye would have been convinced that it referred to me; and that all that I have done and instituted was according to the design and intention of the Father, as expressed in that law.

Joh 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

Show us the Father - As if he had said, We have seen and adored thee, and our happiness will be complete if thou show us the Father. The demand of Philip was similar to that made by Moses, Exo_33:18. He wished to see the glory of God. In Peter, James, or John, this would have been inexcusable; but Philip had not seen the transfiguration on the mount. The Jewish history is full of the manifestations which God made of himself, and especially when he gave the law. As Christ was introducing a new law, Philip wished to have an additional manifestation of God.

Joh 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

Jesus saith unto him, have I been so long time with you,.... Conversing familiarly with you, instructing you by my ministry, and performing so many miraculous works among you, for so long a time; see Heb_5:11;

and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? Surely you cannot be so ignorant as this comes to; as you have seen me with your bodily eyes, as a man, you must, know that I am God by the doctrines I have taught you, and the miracles I have wrought among you: and

he that hath seen me; not with the eyes of his body, but with the eyes of his understanding; he that has beheld the perfections of the Godhead in me:

hath seen the Father; the perfections which are in him also; for the same that are in me are in him, and the same that are in him are in me: I am the very image of him, and am possessed of the same nature, attributes, and glory, that he is; so that he that sees the one, sees the other:

and how sayest thou then show us the Father? such a request is a needless one, and betrays great weakness and ignorance.

Joh 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

Believest thou not that I am in the Father?.... This surely is, as it must needs be, and ought to be, an article of your faith, "that I am in the Father",

and the Father in me; phrases which are expressive of the sameness of nature in the Father and the Son; of the Son's perfect equality with the Father, since the Son is as much in the Father, as the Father is in the Son; and also of the personal distinction there is between them; for nothing with propriety can be said to be in itself. The Father must be distinct from the Son who is in him, and the Son must be distinct from the Father, in whom he is; the Father and Son, though of one and the same nature, cannot be one, and the same person:

the words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself. The doctrines which I preach among you are a proof of what I assert, and to them I appeal; for these are not of myself, as man,

but the Father that dwelleth in me; and so prove that I am truly God, of the same nature with my Father; that he is in me, and I in him; since they are such as none but the only begotten, who is in the bosom of the Father, could ever have declared and made known unto you; Likewise, the works which I do, as man, I do not of myself; but

he doth the works: for so this passage must be understood and supplied, in which Christ proceeds to another argument, taken from his works, proving the Father to be in him, and that he is in the Father, which, is enlarged on in Joh_14:11.

Joh 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

Believe me ... - Believe my declarations that I am in the Father, etc. There were two grounds on which they might believe; one was his own testimony, the other was his works.

Or else - If credit is not given to my words, let there be to my miracles.

For the very works’ sake - On account of the works; or, be convinced by the miracles themselves. Either his own testimony was sufficient to convince them, or the many miracles which he had performed in healing the sick, raising the dead, etc.

 

One Mediator

1 Timothy 2:3-6

1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

This is good and acceptable - it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; and this is its highest sanction and its highest character: it is good; it is well pleasing to God.

1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Who will have all men to be saved - That is, it is in accordance with his nature, his feelings, his desires. The word “will” cannot be taken here in the absolute sense, denoting a decree like that by which he willed the creation of the world, for then it would certainly be done. But the word is often used to denote a desire, wish, or what is in accordance with the nature of anyone. Thus it may be said of God that he “wills” that his creatures may be happy - because it is in accordance with his nature, and because he has made abundant provision for their happiness - though it is not true that he wills it in the sense that he exerts his absolute power to make them happy. God wills that sickness should be relieved, and sorrow mitigated, and that the oppressed should go free, because it is agreeable to his nature; though it is not true that he wills it in the sense that he exerts his absolute power to produce it. A parent wills the welfare of his child. It is in accordance with his nature, his feelings, his desires; and he makes every needful arrangement for it. If the child is not virtuous and happy, it is his own fault. So God wills that all people should be saved. It would be in accordance with his benevolent nature. He has made ample provision for it. He uses all proper means to secure their salvation. He uses no positive means to prevent it, and if they are not saved it will be their own fault. For places in the New Testament where the word here translated “will” (θέλω thelō), means to desire or wish, see Luk_8:20; Luk_23:8; Joh_16:19; Gal_4:20; Mar_7:24; 1Co_7:7; 1Co_11:3; 1Co_14:5; Mat_15:28.

And to come unto the knowledge of the truth - The truth which God has revealed; the “truth as it is in Jesus.” notes, Eph_4:21.

1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

There is one God - Who is the maker, governor, and preserver of all men, of every condition, and of every nation, and equally wills the salvation of all.

And one mediator - The word μεσιτης, mediator, signifies, literally, a middle person, one whose office it is to reconcile two parties at enmity; and hence Suidas explains it by ειρηνοποιος, a peace-maker. God was offended with the crimes of men; to restore them to his peace, Jesus Christ was incarnated; and being God and man, both God and men met in and were reconciled by him. But this reconciliation required a sacrifice on the part of the peace-maker or mediator; hence what follows.

 

1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

gave himself — (Tit_2:14). Not only the Father gave Him for us (Joh_3:16); but the Son gave Himself (Phi_2:5-8).

ransom — properly of a captive slave. Man was the captive slave of Satan, sold under sin. He was unable to ransom himself, because absolute obedience is due to God, and therefore no act of ours can satisfy for the least offense. Lev_25:48 allowed one sold captive to be redeemed by one of his brethren. The Son of God, therefore, became man in order that, being made like unto us in all things, sin only excepted, as our elder brother He should redeem us (Mat_20:28; Eph_1:7; 1Pe_1:18, 1Pe_1:19). The Greek implies not merely ransom, but a substituted or equivalent ransom: the Greek preposition, “anti,” implying reciprocity and vicarious substitution.

for all — Greek, “in behalf of all”: not merely for a privileged few; compare 1Ti_2:1 : the argument for praying in behalf of all is given here.

to be testified — Greek, “the testimony (that which was to be testified of, 1Jo_5:8-11) in its own due times,” or seasons, that is, in the times appointed by God for its being testified of (1Ti_6:15; Tit_1:3). The oneness of the Mediator, involving the universality of redemption (which faith, however, alone appropriates), was the great subject of Christian testimony [Alford] (1Co_1:6; 1Co_2:1; 2Th_1:10).

 

**  Commentaries are from Albert Barnes, Adam Clark, or Jamieson, Fausset & Brown.