NEEDFUL; on account of their danger from false teachers. THE FAITH; the truths taught by Christ and his apostles. Ministers in addressing their people should select such subjects as are pertinent to their circumstances; especially should they warn their hearers against prevailing errors which tend... [ Continue Reading ]
UNAWARES; by stealth. OF OLD ORDAINED; whose coming, character, and punishment have been foretold by ancient prophets, and by Christ and his apostles. TURNING THE GRACE OF OUR GOD INTO LASCIVIOUSNESS; so perverting the doctrine of divine grace as to make it an excuse for living in the indulgence o... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR FIRST ESTATE; or, as in the margin, their principality; which seems to denote the rank and office assigned to them by their Creator among the heavenly hosts. LEFT THEIR OWN HABITATION; became discontented with their condition, and refused to do the will of God, in the place assigned to them 2... [ Continue Reading ]
SUFFERING THE VENGEANCE OF ETERNAL FIRE; they were cast into endless perdition with the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41. Of this the flames which consumed their cities and made them desolate for ever were a solemn symbol. Genesis 19:24-25. The destruction of the Israelites, of the inhabitants of... [ Continue Reading ]
DREAMERS; the false teachers referred to. DESPISE DOMINION; spurn obedience to law, human and divine. OF DIGNITIES; persons called by God to stations of authority or honor. 1 Peter 2:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ARCHANGEL; the word archangel means a chief angel, or ruler of angels. the inspired writers of the New Testament occasionally refer, as is done here and in verse Judges 1:14, to events not recorded in the Old Testament, but handed down in tradition. Compare 2 Timothy 3:8. We know nothing more of... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE; false, wicked teachers. KNOW NOT; do not rightly understand. KNOW NATURALLY; by instinct, such as the indulgence of animal appetites and passions.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WAY OF CAIN; relying on their own wisdom and goodness, and not on the wisdom and grace of God; envying, hating, and destroying those who were better and more highly favored than themselves. Genesis 4:4-8. THE ERROR OF BALAAM; loving and coveting money. Numbers 22:7-21; 2 Peter 2:15. CORE; Kora... [ Continue Reading ]
SPOTS; rather, sunken rocks, exposing to destruction the voyager that comes upon them. FEASTS OF CHARITY; among the brethren, where purity and temperance ought to have prevailed. CLOUDS-TREES-RAGING WAVES-WANDERING STARS; those false teachers were in many respects like these things; disappointing... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING MEN'S PERSONS IN ADMIRATION; paying court to the corrupt, the rich, and the great, to further their own selfish designs. Pride, covetousness, and sensuality have ever been besetting sins with false teachers of religion: and they have flattered the wicked, the rich, and the great, to obtain me... [ Continue Reading ]
A thorough acquaintance with the declarations of Scripture is a great safeguard against the seductions of error, and one of the chief means of preservation from sin. It is one by which the Holy Ghost, who dwells in believers, operates in enlightening their minds and purifying their hearts; guiding t... [ Continue Reading ]
SEPARATE THEMSELVES; by withdrawing themselves and leading off their followers from the faithful, who adhere to the doctrines and duties of the gospel. SENSUAL; wickedly indulging their appetites and passions. HAVING NOT THE SPIRIT; not under his guidance, nor partakers of his salvation.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUILDING UP YOURSELVES; by increasing in the knowledge and love of God, of his truth and will, and in devotion of body and soul to his service. IN THE HOLY GHOST; according to his directions, under his influence, and by his aid.... [ Continue Reading ]
KEEP YOURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD; by hearkening diligently to his voice in the Scriptures, believing heartily his declarations, and cheerfully, steadfastly, and perseveringly obeying his commands. LOOKING FOR THE MERCY; desiring and expecting salvation only through rich grace in Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
OF SOME; who have been bewildered as to truth and duty, seduced into error and sin. MAKING A DIFFERENCE; according to their character, condition, and wants; treating them gently and kindly, and thus alluring them back to truth and duty.... [ Continue Reading ]
OTHERS SAVE WITH FEAR; present alarming considerations to arouse them, as you would were they asleep in a house on fire. HATING EVEN THE GARMENT; abhorring and avoiding every thing connected with these transgressions, or tending to defile you. In our efforts to reclaim and save men, great wisdom is... [ Continue Reading ]
FALLING; from truth and duty into error and sin. In all efforts for our own good and that of others we should depend for success wholly upon the grace of God, who is able to save us from sin, to keep us from falling into it, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory, with exceedin... [ Continue Reading ]