Bible Commentaries
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3,811 commentary entries
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible
The Love of the Church to Christ
THE LOVE OF THE CHURCH TO CHRIST. Here is, I. The encouraging invitation which Christ gives to the church, and every believing soul, to come into communion with him, Song of Solomon 2:14. 1. His love is now his dove; Da…
The Love of the Church to Christ
THE LOVE OF THE CHURCH TO CHRIST. God is not wont to say to the seed of Jacob, Seek you me in vain; and yet here we have the spouse for a great while seeking her beloved in vain, but finding him at last, to her unspeaka…
The Love of the Church to Christ
THE LOVE OF THE CHURCH TO CHRIST. These are the words of the daughters of Jerusalem, to whom the charge was given, Song of Solomon 3:5. They had looked shily upon the bride because she was black (Song of Solomon 1:6); b…
The Love of the Church to Christ
THE LOVE OF THE CHURCH TO CHRIST. The daughters of Jerusalem stood admiring the spouse and commending her, but she overlooks their praises, is not puffed up with them, but transfers all the glory to Christ, and directs…
The Beauty of the Church
THE BEAUTY OF THE CHURCH. Here is, I. A large and particular account of the beauties of the church, and of gracious souls on whom the image of God is renewed, consisting in the beauty of holiness. In general, he that is…
The Love of Christ to the Church
THE LOVE OF CHRIST TO THE CHURCH. These are still the words of Christ to his church, expressing his great esteem of her and affection to her, the opinion he had of her beauty and excellency, the desire he had of, and th…
The Love of the Church to Christ
THE LOVE OF THE CHURCH TO CHRIST. These seem to be the words of the spouse, the church, in answer to the commendations which Christ, the bridegroom, had given of her as a pleasant fruitful garden. Is she a garden? I. Sh…
The Love of Christ to the Church
THE LOVE OF CHRIST TO THE CHURCH. These words are Christ's answer to the church's prayer in the close of the foregoing chapter, Let my beloved come into his garden; here he has come, and lets her know it. See how ready…
The Love of Christ to the Church; Spiritual Desertion
THE LOVE OF CHRIST TO THE CHURCH; SPIRITUAL DESERTION. In this song of loves and joys we have here a very melancholy scene; the spouse here speaks, not to her beloved (as before, for he has withdrawn), but of him, and i…
Enquiring after the Excellencies of Christ; The Church's Confidence in Christ
ENQUIRING AFTER THE EXCELLENCIES OF CHRIST; THE CHURCH'S CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST. Here is, I. The question which the daughters of Jerusalem put to the spouse concerning her beloved, in answer to the charge she had given th…
Enquiring after Christ
ENQUIRING AFTER CHRIST. Here is, I. The enquiry which the daughters of Jerusalem made concerning Christ, Song of Solomon 6:1. They still continue their high thoughts of the church, and call her, as before, the fairest a…
The Church's Confidence in Christ; The Love of Christ to the Church
THE CHURCH'S CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST; THE LOVE OF CHRIST TO THE CHURCH. Now we must suppose Christ graciously returned to his spouse, from whom he had withdrawn himself, returned to converse with her (for he speaks to her…
The Love of Christ to the Church
THE LOVE OF CHRIST TO THE CHURCH. Christ having now returned to his spouse, and the breach being entirely made up, and the falling out of these lovers being the renewing of love, Christ here gives an account both of the…
The Beauty of the Church; The Complacency of Christ in His Church
THE BEAUTY OF THE CHURCH; THE COMPLACENCY OF CHRIST IN HIS CHURCH. The title which Jesus Christ here gives to the church is new: O prince's daughter! agreeing with Psalm 45:13, where she is called the king's daughter. S…
Desiring Communion with Christ; The Love of the Church to Christ
DESIRING COMMUNION WITH CHRIST; THE LOVE OF THE CHURCH TO CHRIST. These are the words of the spouse, the church, the believing soul, in answer to the kind expressions of Christ's love in the foregoing verses. I. She her…
The Love of the Church to Christ
THE LOVE OF THE CHURCH TO CHRIST. Here, I. The spouse wishes for a constant intimacy and freedom with the Lord Jesus. She was already betrothed to him, but, the nuptials being yet not solemnized and published (the bride…
The Church's Dependence on Christ; The Love of the Church to Christ
THE CHURCH'S DEPENDENCE ON CHRIST; THE LOVE OF THE CHURCH TO CHRIST. Here, I. The spouse is much admired by those about her. It comes in in a parenthesis, but in it gospel-grace lies as plain, and as much above ground,…
Concern for the Gentiles; Privileges and Duties of the Church
CONCERN FOR THE GENTILES; PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES OF THE CHURCH. Christ and his spouse having sufficiently confirmed their love to each other, and agreed it to be on both sides strong as death and inviolable, they are her…
Mutual Love of Christ and the Church; Expectation of the Glory to Be Revealed
MUTUAL LOVE OF CHRIST AND THE CHURCH; EXPECTATION OF THE GLORY TO BE REVEALED. Christ and his spouse are here parting for a while; she must stay below in the gardens on earth, where she has work to do for him; he must r…
The Vision of Isaiah. (b. c. 738.)
THE VISION OF ISAIAH. (B. C. 738.) Here is, I. The name of the prophet, Isaiah, or Jesahiahu (for so it is in the Hebrew), which, in the New Testament is read Esaias. His name signifies the salvation of the Lord—a prope…
The Degeneracy of Israel; The Sinfulness of Israel; The Sufferings of Israel. (b. c. 738.)
THE DEGENERACY OF ISRAEL; THE SINFULNESS OF ISRAEL; THE SUFFERINGS OF ISRAEL. (B. C. 738.) We will hope to meet with a brighter and more pleasant scene before we come to the end of this book; but truly here, in the begi…
The Vanity of Mere Ritual Obedience. (b. c. 738.)
THE VANITY OF MERE RITUAL OBEDIENCE. (B. C. 738.) Here, I. God calls to them (but calls in vain) to hear his word, Isaiah 1:10. 1. The title he gives them is very strange; You rulers of Sodom, and people of Gomorrah. Th…
A Call to Repentance; Repentance and Reformation Urged. (b. c. 738.)
A CALL TO REPENTANCE; REPENTANCE AND REFORMATION URGED. (B. C. 738.) Though God had rejected their services as insufficient to atone for their sins while they persisted in them, yet he does not reject them as in a hopel…
The Degeneracy of Jerusalem; Reformation of the Church. (b. c. 738.)
THE DEGENERACY OF JERUSALEM; REFORMATION OF THE CHURCH. (B. C. 738.) Here, I. The woeful degeneracy of Judah and Jerusalem is sadly lamented. See, 1. What the royal city had been, a faithful city, faithful to God and th…