38 matching verse commentaries
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Not slothful in business,.... Meaning not worldly business, or the affairs of life; though slothfulness in this respect is scandalous to human nature, and especially in persons under a profession of religion; men should diligently pursue their lawful callings for the support of themselves and families, and the interest of Christ: but spiritual...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
Not slothful in business; A lazy man is no beauty anywhere. Rom_12:11. Fervent in spirit; Burn. Let your very soul get hot.
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
Serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; When you have not anything else to rejoice in, rejoice in hope.
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Rejoicing in hope,.... Of the glory of God, than the hope of which nothing can make a believer more cheerful in this world; the saints' joy is therefore called the "rejoicing of the hope", Hebrews 3:6. This is placed between serving the Lord, and being patient in tribulation; for nothing tends more to animate the people of God to a cheerful...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
Patient in tribulation; The word “tribulation” signifies threshing as with a flail. Be patient when the flail falls heavily.
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
Continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; When you have told your own necessity to God, then help the necessities of those who come to you.
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Distributing to the necessity of saints,.... Or "communicating", as many versions render the word; "distributing" more properly belongs to the officers of the church, the deacons, and communicating to the members of it in common. All men in general are to be relieved that are in want, even our very enemies, and particularly such as are our own...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
Given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. A Christian man cursing is a very awkward spectacle. Even the Pope, when he takes to cursing, as at least the former one used to do very liberally, seems as if he could hardly be the vicar of God on earth. Our work is to bless the sons of men. “Bless and curse not.”
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Bless them which persecute you,.... It is the lot of God's, people in this world to be persecuted by the men of it, in some shape or another, either by words or deeds; either by reviling and reproaching them, and speaking all manner of evil of them; or by hindering them the free exercise of religious worship, by confiscation of their goods,...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Rejoice with them that do rejoice,.... Not in anything sinful and criminal, in a thing of nought, in men's own boastings; all such rejoicing is evil, and not to be joined in; but in things good and laudable, as in outward prosperity; and to rejoice with such, is a very difficult task; for unless persons have a near concern in the prosperity of...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, Do not be a wet blanket on their joys. If they have good cause for rejoicing, join in it. Help them to sing their hymn of gratitude. Rom_12:15. And weep with them that weep. Sympathize with mourners. Take a share of their burden. I really believe that it is easier to weep with them that weep than it is to rejoice...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Be of the same mind one towards another,.... Which is not to be understood of the sameness of their judgment, or of their agreement in sentiments, espousing the same doctrines, observing the same ordinances, and in the same manner, and attending to the same form of discipline; but of their having the same love, and being of the same accord and...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
Be of the same mind one toward another. Agree together, you Christian people. Do not be always arguing and discussing. Be of the same mind one towards another. In church life very much must depend upon our unity in mind as well as in heart. “One Lord, one faith, one baptism” — these help to make a good foundation for Christian fellowship.
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Recompence to no man evil for evil,.... Neither evil words for evil words, railing for railing; nor evil deeds for evil deeds, one ill turn for another; nor the evil of punishment for the evil of fault, unless it be by persons, who under God have an authority to inflict it; as the civil magistrate, who "is the minister of God, a revenger to...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably,.... Or be at peace, seek after peace, pursue it, and cultivate it: with all men; with those that we are immediately concerned with, in a natural relation; so husbands should live peaceably with their wives, and wives with their husbands; parents with their children, and children with...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Dearly beloved,.... This affectionate appellation the apostle makes use of, expressing his great love to them, the rather to work upon then, and move them to an attention to what he is about to say; which they might assure themselves was in great tenderness to them, for their good, as well as the glory of God: moreover, he may hereby suggest to...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him,.... These words are taken from Proverbs 25:21, and to be understood, as a Jewish (o) writer observes, כמשמעו, according to "their literal sense"; though some of the Rabbins explain them in an allegorical way, of the corruption of nature. The Alexandrian copy and some others, and the Vulgate Latin version,...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Be not overcome of evil,.... Neither of the evil one, Satan, who is very busy to stir up the corruption of nature to an hatred of enemies, and to seek revenge; but give no place nor heed unto him, resist him, and he will flee from you, James 4:7; "put on the whole armour of God", Ephesians 6:11, whereby you may defend yourselves, that he cannot...