There is a vast multitude of commentaries on the web. Please use care when visiting websites, and always dig into Scripture to verify any claims. Here are some commentary links and commentators that can be helpful…
Places to start
Bible Gateway
This website offers some wonderful search tools as well as a great selection of Bibles translations.
Bible Hub Commentaries
This website has a great list of older commentators and an easy search engine, as well as multiple translations.
Some well known commentators to get you started
Matthew Henry
Matthew Henry’s Commentaries are a wonderful resource for thoughtful ways to think on Scripture. Written in the 1700s, it still has timely relevance today.
George Muller’s Sermons
George Muller was a pastor in the 1800s who lived by faith in the promises of God’s Word. With a little bit of searching, you can find his thoughts on many Scriptures.
Charles Spurgeon
Charles Spurgeon was a well-known preacher in the 1800s and wrote extensively on Scripture. You can find his works at Blue Letter Bible website.
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Acts 17:11
research what you can, and you will be consistently amazed
From the tips of your fingers, you can explore all sorts of subject matters and topics. Start out with just simply typing in the topic, and then begin to broaden or narrow your search as you learn more. Look for connection points and then search again.
the definition of research:
1. Diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories, or applications, etc.
4. To make an extensive investigation into
http://www.dictionary.com/research
When reading through Scripture, it is important to note the details described. Whether it is a locale, animals, plants, terrain, groups, actions, or an item mentioned, consider spending some time learning more about what is identified in Scripture. Search out what there is to know. Then contemplate how these things might be relevant to your life, or what they may illustrate in your relationships.
A life at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Proverbs 14:30
- Search the effect of the emotion, envy, on the body.
- Research bones and the connection stress hormones may have on them.
“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
Mark 1:17
- Explore what a fisherman does and how he/she does it.
- Determine what are the key characteristics of those who fish for a living.
But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams…
Job 6:15
- Determine what kind of streams are intermittent and how do they affect the landscape and life around them.
With a little bit of digging into the details of what is listed in Scripture, the examples, illustrations, analogies and parables used in God’s Word will gain more fullness and clarity. When you learn that the body produces certain stress hormones when it feels insecurity and envy, and then go on to discover that bones play a crucial role in neutralizing the effects of those hormones, you will be humbled and amazed that God’s Word declared that long before we were able to prove it. Even more importantly, you will understand that God’s instruction to rid ourselves of envy is truly for our own long-term health.
By investigating what fishermen do and how they catch fish, you will begin to see there was more to Jesus’ call than just asking some men who fished to be His disciples. Understanding how nets are kept, the maintenance required for the tools used, the patience in waiting, the discipline in knowing the waters, tides and patterns, the observations of how fish migrate and feed bring depth to the idea of being a “fisher of men”. Similar skills are needed in teaching, leading and reaching out to others.
Lastly, discovering how intermittent streams impact the surrounding landscape may help flesh out how those souls, who come into our lives from time to time, influence us for good and bad, especially in times of trouble as Job was experiencing. As we learn about these specific type of streams, we will also see how they benefit the land and how they can be a detriment. Through that knowledge, we can better discern how to handle the undependable souls in our lives, so that we do not experience as much disappointment when they wane again–just like an intermittent stream.
God’s gives these words for reason. They are powerful illustrations when we get to know them better. God is just waiting for us to explore them with Him.
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law.
Psalm 119:18
