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Views & Reviews: The MacArthur Bible Commentary

Those familiar with the individual books MacArthur has produced on various Bible books, or with the MacArthur Study Bible, will know what to expect. Dr. John MacArthur is both a pastor and a careful expositor of the Scriptures.

The MacArthur Bible Commentary (published in 2005 by Thomas Nelson Publishers) is a commentary over 2,000 pages in length. It covers every verse of Scripture, based on the text of the New King James Version. The subtitle, also described as MacArthur’s credo over more than 35 years of ministry is “unleashing God’s truth one verse at a time.” This is a good basic commentary. Recommended.

God’s Deliverance

The psalmist says of the Lord, “You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling” (Psalm 116:8). This statement encompasses three aspects of deliverance mentioned in a number of other Scriptures. Through faith in God we find deliverance from:

  1. Destruction. In the past, God rescued those who put their faith in Christ from eternal death and ruination (cf. Ps. 56:13; 68:20).
  2. Disappointment. In place of tears of discouraged hopes for the future, God gives joyful anticipation to the sorrowing heart (cf. Isa. 25:8; Rev. 7:17).
  3. Disability. In the present, God bears us up and strengthens us to overcome times of stumbling, weakness and fallibility (cf. Mic. 4:6-7; 7:8; Jude 24).

It will be seen that these three can be related to the three tenses of salvation. Paul says God “delivered us from so great a death [past], and does deliver us [present]; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us [future]” (II Cor. 1:10.) Those who have trusted Christ as Saviour have: 1) Deliverance from sin’s penalty and from certain destruction (past); 2) Deliverance from sin’s presence and the sorrow it brings to look forward to (future); 3) Deliverance from sin’s power in their daily lives (present).

The A-B-Cs of a Heretic

The Apostle Paul warned Timothy to be watchful for false teachers, mentioning two examples by name: “Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort” (II Tim. 2:17). These two men were apparently heretics known to Timothy. In two passages, I Tim. 1:19-20 (where only Hymenaeus is mentioned) and II Tim. 2:16-18, we are given what we might call the “A-B-Cs” of a heretic.

A) The Authority Rejected. They have rejected God and the authority of His Word. They have “strayed concerning the truth” (II Tim. 2:18), and replaced God’s inspired revelation with “profane and idle babblings” (II Tim. 2:16)–even going so far (in Paul’s example) as to say the resurrection is past (vs. 18).

B) The Behaviour Adopted. They have an ungodly lifestyle. They are profane and blasphemous, defaming the name of God and the things of God (I Tim. 1:20; II Tim. 2:16). They evidence a growing ungodliness in their lifestyle (II Tim. 2:16) and their conscience is seared–meaning they are reprobate and readily call white black, and black white (I Tim. 1:19; cf. Rom. 1:21, 32).

C) The Consequences Following. They lead others into error and on to destruction. Their message, finding a ready hearing in the hearts of some, “spreads like cancer” (II Tim. 2:17), and “they overthrow the faith of some” (II Tim. 2:18). (These who turn from the faith would seem to be those who have certain beliefs but have never experienced true saving faith, cf. Matt. 7:21-23; Lk. 8:6, 13; Jn. 8:31; I Jn. 2:19.)

Snares

A trap in which a bird is entangled and caught is called a “snare.” This word is given a spiritual application in the Bible. A number of “snares” or traps are mentioned in the New Testament. Studying the relevant passages will show that Satan has his destructive traps, also the temporal allure of the world can be a trap and, in certain circumstances, God has traps of righteous judgment which ensnare the wicked.

snare
  1. Reputation. Paul speaks concerning those who are fit to serve as leaders in the church: “He must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (I Tim. 3:7). What is this snare, or trap? Perhaps it is the danger that the one looked down upon by the unsaved will waste his energies in attempts at self-preservation and the self-justification of his character or conduct. In the end, his ministry becomes weak and ineffective because his message is evaluated in the light of his bad reputation.
  2. Worldly Values. The craving for wealth and material things is called a snare (I Tim. 6:9). Materialism and temporal values can be a trap, keeping the individual from preparing for eternity and laying up treasure in heaven (Matt. 6:19-21, 33). All that the world tries to achieve and build will be gone one day (II Pet. 3:10; I Jn. 2:17). The little couplet expresses a profound truth: “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; / Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
  3. Wickedness. Sin itself is a snare. By dangling worldly pleasures before the individual and blinding him to the truth (II Cor. 4:3-4), Satan lures him into a trap. Sinners are said to be in the devil’s snare (II Tim. 2:24-26). He is “the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2). They have “been taken captive by him to do his will” (II Tim. 2:26) and accomplish his evil purposes of opposing and hindering the work of God, and of keeping sinners from hearing and believing the gospel.
  4. Judicial Blindness. Judicial blindness from God is called a snare (Rom. 11:8-10). The Lord is gracious and longsuffering. He is withholding judgment because He desires all to repent and turn to Christ (II Pet. 3:9). But the day of grace will not last forever. When light is given and repeatedly rejected, there comes a time when God says, “If you refuse to see, I will not allow you to see any more. The prophet Isaiah was told this would happen (Isa. 6:9-12). Israel had been corrupted by unbelief and rampant idolatry. The prophets had warned them to repent again and again. But when they did not, judgment finally came in the form of the Babylonian Captivity.
  5. Divine Judgment. The prophesied seven-year Tribulation yet to come is called a snare (Lk. 21:34-35), because once the rapture of the church has taken place (I Thess. 4:16-18) those who are left behind (the unsaved) will be trapped in it (I Thess. 5:2-3). Though there will apparently be those who believe and are saved during the Tribulation (Rev. 7:13-14), it would seem these are ones who did not decisively reject Christ before the rapture (II Thess. 2:8-12). And declaring allegiance to Christ will cost them their lives (Rev. 13:15-17).

Heaven For Those Who Can’t Believe

One of the most painful trials for a father and mother is to experience the death of a child. Perhaps it is through illness, or an accident, or someone’s evil act, but the end result is that a young life, full of potential, is wrenched from the family circle. But then the question comes: where is the child now? If he or she was not yet old enough to understand the gospel, and receive Christ as Saviour, is the child saved? Christian parents need to be assured that the little one is with the Saviour–not merely by a sentimental wish or maybe, but on firm biblical grounds.

There is an excellent book on this theme called Heaven for Those Who Can’t Believe. The book, written by Dr. Robert Lightner, was published thirty years ago by the Regular Baptist Press. In it he provides a thorough examination of the Scriptures that have a bearing on this theme. He also deals with “related questions” such as: What is the age of accountability? What are infants like in heaven? What about infant baptism? and so on. This 64 page book will give a pastor or concerned friend much valuable information to comfort and encourage those who are sorrowing.

The only problem is, the book is no longer in print. (Those in ministry will recognize this frequent frustration!) At this time there are used copies available through Amazon. And I contacted Regular Baptist Press and they are giving serious consideration to reprinting this valuable work.

Editor’s Update: It appears that this book has been published with a new title – Safe in the Arms of Jesus: God’s Provision for the Death of Those Who Cannot Believe

“Some…” (1 Timothy)

In his first letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul refers several times to what “some” are doing. Certain ones were a concern to Paul because they had turned aside from the truth. Timothy is urged to “charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (1:3). For error to creep into the church, it only takes some. Taken together the references yield the SUM of apostasy.

1:6 – “Some having strayed…”

1:19 – Some…concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck.”

4:1 – “Some will depart from the faith.”

5:15 – “Some have already turned aside after Satan.”

5:24 – “Some men’s sins are clearly evident…those of some men follow after.”

6:10 – “Some have strayed from the faith in their greediness.”

6:21 – “Some have strayed concerning the faith.”

Faulty Hearing

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James 1:22 tells us, “Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” It is sad to think that many who fill the pews of our churches week by week hear the truth, but do not personally assimilate and apply it. Hearers who do not become doers may fall short for one of the following reasons:

hearers
  1. They are Sacramental Hearers. They think hearing is enough, in itself. They feel the ritual of attending church, singing the hymns, and listening to the preacher, will give them a restorative dose of religion, with no further commitment needed on their part (cf. Isa. 1:10-15).
  2. They are Selective Hearers. They hear only what they want to hear, and what affirms them in their present condition and behaviour. A variation of this is the reinterpretation of what is heard to conform to the listener’s own preconceived notions (cf. I Kgs. 22:6-8)..
  3. They are Surrogate Hearers. Being blind to their own faults and failings, they think of all the people who need the message–except themselves. Someone has described this as handling the truth with a pitchfork, rather than a rake (cf. II Sam. 12:1-9).
  4. They are Sporting Hearers. They enjoy hearing for its entertainment value, and have an emotional reaction to what is heard. But when the moment is past they return to other things, and the Word is crowded out of their thoughts (cf. Ezek. 33:30-32).

God’s Anatomy

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Although we know God is a spirit Being (Jn. 4:24), the Bible–especially in its poetical sections–makes use of a figure of speech that is called anthropomorphism to portray God’s actions, ascribing to Him the physical attributes of human beings. It is picture language that puts spiritual realities into concrete terms we can more easily visualize and grasp. An example of this is Psalm 17. Note the parts of the body David uses to express various truths about the Lord.

  1. God’s ear (vs. 1, 6)–He hears and answers prayer
  2. God’s eyes (vs. 2)–He is fully aware of what happens to us, and of any injustice suffered
  3. God’s lips (vs. 4)–God has revealed Himself and His will through His Word
  4. God’s hand, or right hand (vs. 7, 14)–God graciously gives us what is needful and more
  5. God’s pupil (“apple,” KJV) in His eye (vs. 8)–we are precious to God
  6. God’s wings (vs. 8–not a human figure, but still physical)–God will protect us
  7. God’s sword (vs. 13)–God’s active intervention to defend His own
  8. God’s face (vs. 15)–God’s presence and fellowship, our greatest satisfaction

The Importance of a Thing

The importance of a thing to us can often be measured by what we allow to interrupt it, or divert us from it.

It is recognized there is an aspect of personal choice and discernment here which prevents us from making sweeping judgments in individual cases. Circumstances sometimes affect a change in plans. However, as a pastor I have sometimes been saddened–and frustrated–by the alibis some gave me for not doing right. Like the ones in Jesus’ parable, “they all with one accord began to make excuses” (Lk. 14:18).

A case in point: The person who says, “I missed church last Sunday because we had company drop in.” (My response sometimes is, “Why didn’t you bring them along?”) When I was growing up, if this happened, my father would simply say to the visitors, “We’re going to church now. You’re welcome to come with us. Or else make yourselves at home, and we’ll be back in a couple of hours.”

Another frequent excuse is, “We had to take my son to his baseball game” (or whatever the seasonal sport may be). But why, in the first place, would you involve your son in a league or tournament that would keep him from the house of God? Do you want your children to grow up thinking church is something we “do” if there’s nothing else to do?

  1. What keeps you from the daily reading of God’s Word? (Job 23:12; Ps. 119: 103, 127)
  2. What keeps you from consistent fellowship with the Lord in prayer? (Ps. 42:1; 63:1)
  3. What keeps you from regular attendance at the house of God? (Ps. 122:1; Heb. 10:24-25)
  4. What keeps you from witnessing and faithfully serving the Lord? (I Cor. 9:16; II Cor. 5:14-15)

Views & Reviews: The NET Bible

The NET Bible is available on the Internet, free of charge. (It would be a good idea to bookmark the address–and perhaps even put an icon on your desktop, as I have done–so you can refer to the work easily.) When you go to the site you will see that you can call up any verse in the Bible and find a fresh translation, with lots of helpful explanatory notes. This Bible claims to be, “a translation done by evangelicals whose highest commitment is to represent the meaning of the text as accurately as possible.” Not all will agree that the result always lives up to this, but it is helpful more times than it is not.

Dr. Charles Swindoll says, “There are many wonderful things I could say about the NET Bible, but the most important is this: the NET Bible is a Bible you can trust. The translation is clear, accurate, and powerful. And the notes, those wonderful notes! They bring to the layman scholarly insights and discussions that have up till now been accessible only to those trained in the biblical languages.”

Check out this useful tool at: The NET Bible (Lumina)

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