I’m reading through the Gospel of John, and going through Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the book of John as I read through it. Below are some of the quotes that have stuck out to me.
Reform Thoroughly
“In reformation, it is good to make thorough work; he drove them all out; and not only threw out the money, but, in overturning the tables, threw out the trade too.”
We don’t coerce people to become Christians, but there are times to show them the door if they are profaning the name of Christ. #GuardTheTable
“[Jesus] never used force to drive any into the temple, but only to drive those out that profaned it.”
-Matthew Henry
Lessons on discerning God’s Will, by looking at Jesus’ministry #FollowTheOpportunities
“And he would teach his followers to look upon themselves but as sojourners in this world, and his ministers to follow their opportunities, and go where their work led them
Jssus
We do not now find Christ in the synagogues, but he privately instructed his friends, and thus entered upon his work by degrees. It is good for young ministers to accustom themselves to pious and edifying discourse in private, that they may with the better preparation, and greater awe, approach their public work. “
Christ was the great reformer #ChristTheReformer
“The first work we find him at in the temple was the purging of it; for so it was foretold there (Mal 3 2, 3): He shall sit as a refiner and purify the sons of Levi. Now was come the time of reformation. Christ came to be the great reformer; and, according to the method of the reforming kings of Judah, he first purged out what was amiss (and that used to be passover-work too, as in Hezekiah’s time, 2 Chron 30 14, 15, and Josiah’s, 2 Kings 23 4, etc.), and then taught them to do well. First purge out the old leaven, and then keep the feast. Christ’s design in coming into the world was to reform the world; and he expects that all who come to him should reform their hearts and lives, Gen 35 2.”
#Leadership #Discipleship
Wherever Christ went, (1.) He would not go alone, but would take those with him who had put themselves under his guidance, that he might instruct them, and that they might attest his miracles.
Take Responsibility, Be Humble, and Confess and Forsake Sin #HateSin
“It concerns us to be deeply humbled for the sins of which we are convinced. Self-loathing is ever the companion of true repentance. The Lord will bring those whom he loveth, to adore him in self-abasement; while true Grace will always lead them to confess their sins without self justifying.” -Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on Job 42:1-6
Sometimes God Blessed on Earth #WealthIsn’tEvil
“We may lose much for the Lord, but we shall not lose anything by him. Whether the Lord gives us health and temporal blessings or not, if we patiently suffer according to his will, in the end we shall be happy. Job’s estate, increased. The blessing of the Lord makes rich; it is he that gives us power to get wealth, and gives success in honest endeavors. The last days of a good man sometimes prove his best, his last works his best works, his last comforts his best comforts; for his path, like that of the morning light, shines more and more unto the perfect day.”
-Matthew Henry’s concise commentary on Job 42:10-17
Why does God allow good things to happen to bad people? #Jesus
“God could have taken away the sin by taking away the sinner, as he took away the sin of the old world; but he has found out a way of abolishing the sin, and yet sparing the sinner, by making his Son sin for us.”
Matthew Henry’s complete commentary on John 1
See Christ and Hate Sin #BiblicalHatred
“That it is our duty, with an eye of faith, to behold the Lamb of God thus taking away the sin of the world. See him taking away sin, and let that increase our hatred of sin, and resolutions against it. Let not us hold that fast which the Lamb of God came to take away: for Christ will either take our sins away or take us away. Let it increase our love to Christ, who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, Rev 1 5. Whatever God is pleased to take away from us, if withal he take away our sins, we have reason to be thankful, and no reason to complain.”
Matthew Henry’s complete commentary on John 1
Today is the Day Of Salvation #ChristianUrgency
“He invites them to come immediately and without delay. They asked where he lodged, that they might wait upon him at a more convenient season; but Christ invites them immediately to come and see; never in better time than now. Hence learn, [1.] As to others, that it is best taking people when they are in a good mind; strike while the iron is hot. [2.] As to ourselves, that it is wisdom to embrace the present opportunities: Now is the accepted time, 2 Cor 6 2.”
Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on John 1:37
Sabbath Duties
“As it is our duty, wherever we are, to contrive to spend the sabbath as much as may be to our spiritual benefit and advantage, so they are blessed who, by the lively exercises of faith, love, and devotion, spend their sabbaths in communion with Christ. These are Lord’s days indeed, days of the Son of man.”
Prioritize Family & Relatives
#FamilyDiscipleship #Family #Discipleship #MakeFamilyGreatAgain
“Note, We ought with a particular concern and application to seek the spiritual welfare of those that are related to us; for their relation to us adds both to the obligation and to the opportunity of doing good to their souls”
Matthew Henry commenting on Andrew bring Simon to Jesus
John 2 continued
DISCRETION GUIDING ZEAL
Discretion must always guide and govern our zeal, that we do nothing unbecoming ourselves, or mischievous to others.
Referencing Jesus purging the temple
#Conscience
“But the corruption was too plain to be justified; sinners’ own consciences are reformers’ best friends”
#Reformation #ReformerWorkEthic
“Those who apply themselves in good earnest to the work of reformation must expect to meet with opposition.”
Bold Ambassadors 