Word of God

But he replied and said, "It is written, 'It is not by bread alone that a man lives, except by every word that issues from the mouth of God

The Gospel According to Matthew 4:4

The Gospel According to Mark 1:35

Commentary and study notes by

Matthew Henry and John Gill

Edited/Prefaced by Dr. Riktor Von Zhades

And in the morning very early before day, Jesus arose and went out into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Brethren:

In order that we might stand daily before the world of mankind, we should kneel, and bow down daily before our Lord in prayer. Such is the power of the Holy Spirit of God who would give liberally to all men the strength with which we might daily endure the temptations and also the assaults of the evil one. (Read Epehsians 6:11-13; 1 Peter 5:8-9) - Dr. R.V.Z

“[Make note]: It was in the morning, the morning after the sabbath day. Note, When a sabbath day is over and past, we must not think that we may intermit our devotion till the next sabbath: no, though we go not to the synagogue, we must go to the throne of grace, every day in the week; and the morning after the sabbath particularly, that we may preserve the good impressions of the day. This morning was the morning of the first day of the week, which afterward he sanctified, and made remarkable, by another sort of rising early (Read Psalm 63:1). It was early, a great while before day. When others were asleep in their beds, he was praying, as a genuine Son of David, who seeks God early, and directs his prayer in the morning; nay, and at midnight will rise to give thanks. It has been said, The morning is a friend to the Muses—Aurora Musis amica; and it is no less so to the Graces. When our spirits are most fresh and lively, then we should take time for devout exercises. He that is the first and best, ought to have the first and best.

[Likewise take heed]: He departed into a solitary place, either out of town, or some remote garden or out-building. Though he was in no danger of distraction, or of temptation to vain-glory, yet he retired, to set us an example to his own rule, When thou prayest enter into thy closet (Read Matthew 6:6). Secret prayer must be made secretly. Those that have the most business in public, and of the best kind, must sometimes be alone with God; must retire into solitude, there to converse with God, and keep up communion with him.” - Matthew Henry - Theologian

“ So did he labour for us, both day and night” - John Wesley - Theologian

Word of God

But he replied and said, "It is written, 'It is not by bread alone that a man lives, except by every word that issues from the mouth of God

The Gospel According to Matthew 4:4

The Gospel According to Mark 1:22

Commentary and study notes by

Matthew Henry and John Gill

Edited/Prefaced by Dr. Riktor Von Zhades

And they were astonied at his doctrine, for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the Scribes.

Brethren:

It is in The Gospel of Luke that we read how Jesus, when Mary and Joeseph sought him that He was found in the synogue speaking to the elders and others. And they were amazed at his command of the the Holy Scriptures. So likewise we see above that when he spoke He spoke with authority. As one with complete command and knowledge of that of which he had to say.

It is therefore the proposition that is put forth by this writer that the key here is the word “authority”. Whence comes this authority? It comes from the Father Who sends His Holy Spirit. Recall if you will how Jesus also said that we should not worry as to what to say at any moment in time for the Holy Spirit will tell you what you need to say. We are imbued with it from the day we accept Christ as savior and are reborn. Henceforth let us speak upon that of which we know, that is to say the Gospel of Christ, the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven, and let us be bold in our speech, and speak with the authority that God has given unto to us - Dr. R.V.Z

“Christ...did not preach as the scribes, who expounded the law of Moses by rote, as a school-boy says his lesson, but were neither acquaintedwith it (Paul himself, when a Pharisee, was ignorant of the law), nor affected with it; it came not from the heart, and therefore came not with authority. But Christ taught as one that had authority, as one that knew the mind of God, and was commissioned to declare it”. - Matthew Henry - Theologian

“The nature and importance of it, it being what they had not been used to hear; only at best the doctrine of the law, and sometimes only the traditions of the elders, or an allegorical and traditional sense of the Scriptures, and things very trifling and unedifying: and also they were amazed at the manner of his preaching, which was with so much gracefulness, gravity, and majesty, and was attended with so much evidence and power. He did not go about to establish what he said by the authority of the Rabbins, as the Scribes did, nay, he spoke as from himself, as one sent of God, that had an authority from him, and was independent of man; and this was what they had not observed in others, and wonder at it.” - John Gill - Theologian

Word of God

But he replied and said, "It is written, 'It is not by bread alone that a man lives, except by every word that issues from the mouth of God

The Gospel According to Matthew 4:4

The Gospel According to Mark 1:7

Commentary and study notes by

Matthew Henry and John Gill

Edited/Prefaced by Dr. Riktor Von Zhades

And preached, saying, A stronger than I cometh after me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to stoop down, and unloose.

Brethren:

Remember that we are here to serve Christ and more importantly to spread the good news to others about Him. And just as He took on the role of a humble servant, so must we likewise be cast in that role. - Dr. R.V.Z

“ In John’s preaching and baptizing there was the beginning of the gospel doctrines and ordinances, and the first fruits of them. He preached the remission of sins, which is the great gospel privilege; showed people their need of it, that they were undone without it, and that it might be obtained. He preached repentance, in order to it; he told people that there must be a renovation of their hearts and a reformation of their lives, that they must forsake their sins and turn to God, and upon those terms and no other, their sins should be forgiven. Repentance for the remission of sins, was what the apostles were commissioned to preach to all nations, (Read Luke 24:27). He preached Christ, and directed his hearers to expect him speedily to appear, and to expect great things from him. The preaching of Christ is pure gospel, and that was John Baptist’s preaching. Like a true gospel minister, he preaches. The great pre-eminence Christ is advanced to; so high, so great, is Christ, that John, though one of the greatest that was born of women, thinks himself unworthy to be employed in the meanest office about him, even to stoop down, and untie his shoes.” Matthew Henry theologian

“John was a preacher of Jesus Christ; of the dignity of his person, the excellency of his office, and the nature and importance of his work; expressing the great veneration he had for him, and the great sense he had of his own unworthiness, to be concerned in the lowest and meanest service of life for him; and that he was far from being worthy of the high honour done him, to be his messenger and forerunner.” John Gill - Theologian

Word of God

But he replied and said, "It is written, 'It is not by bread alone that a man lives, except by every word that issues from the mouth of God

The Gospel According to Matthew 4:4

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians 3:15

Commentary by Matthew Henry & John Gill

Edited/Prefaced by Dr. Riktor Von Zhades

Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Brethren:

Above is the conclusion of the previous verse. That while we’re not to keep company (except in civil discourse or business), with one that rejects the teaching of the Gospel or acts in a manner that it is contrary to it’s teaching, we are in fact required to admonish such a one in love and compassion and try to reach out to to that one to either return them or bring them into the family of Christ. Likewise forgive such a person if he or she is repentant, even if it is many times in one day, for your Father in heaven has forgiven you daily of your own sins. (Read Matthew 18:33-35; Luke 17:3-4) - Dr. R.V.Z

“Love therefore to the persons of our offending brethren, even when we hate their vices, should be the motive of our withdrawing from them; and even those who are under the censures of the church must not be accounted as enemies; for, if they be reclaimed and reformed by these censures, they will recover their credit and comfort, and right to church-privileges as brethren. Their general conduct and behaviour ought to be according to the good example the apostle and those who were with him had given them: Yourselves know how you ought to follow us, (Read 2 Thessalonians 3:7). Those who planted religion among them had set a good example before them; and the ministers of the gospel should be ensamples to the flock. It is the duty of Christians not only to walk according to the traditions of the apostles, and the doctrines they preached, but also according to the good example they set before them, to be followers of them so far as they were followers of Christ.” - Matthew Henry

“As one that has been called a brother, and a member of the church, and who, though criminal, has no bitterness in him against the church, or against the name of Christ, and the doctrines of Christ; and therefore should not be treated in a virulent manner, but with a brotherly affection, meekness, compassion, and tenderness; and who indeed is to be reckoned as a brother, while the censure is passing, and the sentence of excommunication is executing on him; for till it is finished he stands in such a relation: though this also may have respect, as to the manner of excommunicating persons, so to the conduct of the church to such afterwards; who are not to neglect them, and much less to treat them as enemies, in a cruel and uncompassionate manner; but should inquire, and diligently observe, what effect the ordinance of excommunication has upon them, and renew their admonitions and friendly reproofs, if possible, to recover them.” - John Gill

Word of God

But he replied and said, "It is written, 'It is not by bread alone that a man lives, except by every word that issues from the mouth of God

The Gospel According to Matthew 4:4

The Word of God

By Doktor Riktor Von Zhades

It has the power to fulfill Itself

It is voice of the Almighty

It has created the heavens

It has created the earth

It has created all things

It enlightens even the darkest minds

It shouts with a mighty roar

It speaks with a whisper

It can raise up the lowly

It can humble the powerful

It can invigorate you into action

It can agitate those who deny the truth

It can restore the vilest of sinners

It causes the righteous to rejoice

It is truth

It is power

It is, as the scripture says

sharper than any two-edged sword

It can divide the soul and spirit asunder

It is mighty in operation

It is a discerner of hearts

It is a healer

It is a comforter

It is a source of all wisdom

It is a provider of all things

It is a lamp to our feet

It is a road to the kingdom of Heaven

It is all this and more that not even one of us can begin to fathom

Word of God

But he replied and said, "It is written, 'It is not by bread alone that a man lives, except by every word that issues from the mouth of God

The Gospel According to Matthew 4:4

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians 3:14

Commentary by Matthew Henry & John Gill

Edited/Prefaced by Dr. Riktor Von Zhades

If any man obey not this our saying in this letter, note him, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

Brethren:

Although we must live in this temporal plain, we must not be joined with it. For the world is in enmity against the word of God. It is hostile to it and as such those that are of it are hostile to it.

The world is of sin and death, and those that partake in it’s pleasures will reap the seeds of their own sowing. - Dr. R.V.Z

“[This is to say] lay him under censure, exclude him from your communion, put a brand upon him as a scabbed sheep, and separate him from the flock. And have no company with him;

as little as can be in common and civil conversation, lest he should take encouragement from thence to continue in his sin, and lest others should think it is coned at; and much less at the Lord's table, or in a sacred and religious conversation, or in a way of church fellowship and communion: that he may be ashamed. [So] that he may have his eyes turned in him, as the word signifies, and he may be brought to a sight and sense of his sin, and be filled with shame for it, and loath it, and himself on the account of it, and truly repent of it, and forsake it; and this is the end of excommunication, at least one end, and a principal end of it, to recover persons out of the snare of the devil, and return them from the error of their ways.” - John Gill

 Word of God

But he replied and said, "It is written, 'It is not by bread alone that a man lives, except by every word that issues from the mouth of God

The Gospel According to Matthew 4:4

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians 3:13

Commentary by Matthew Henry & John Gill

Edited/Prefaced by Dr. Riktor Von Zhades

And ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

Brethren:

Let us strive to continue onward in not only seeking our Creator, but likewise going forward in the preaching of the Gospel of Christ. In addition walking in the ways of Christ, and as they say, walking the walk. For if the those that are lost in the sins of this world see us acting as they do, what will it profit them to seek God? We would prove ourselves no better than the scribes and pharisees placing burdens on men, while we act as if to us they do not apply. Finally, do not seek the glory of your charity, but instead give all glory for them to God, for He Himself will make note of all that you do for others. Therefore today friends consider also these scriptures. Isaiah 40:31, Romans 12:18, Galatians 6:9 - Dr. R.V.Z

“Generally of all well doing, or of doing of every good work; which is well done when done according to the will of God, in faith, and from a principle of love, and in the name and strength of Christ, and with a view to the glory of God: or particularly of acts of beneficence to the poor; for though the idle and lazy should not be relieved, yet the helpless poor should not be neglected. This the apostle observes, lest covetous persons should make an handle of this, and withhold their hands from distributing to any, under a notion of their being idle and disorderly; or lest the saints should be tired, and become weary of doing acts of charity through the ingratitude, moroseness, and ill manners of poor people.” - John Gill

“The Lord is with you while you are with him. See that whatever you do, that is good, you persevere therein. Hold on your way, and hold out to the end. You must never give over, nor tire in your work. It will be time enough to rest when you come to heaven, that everlasting rest which remains for the people of God.” - Matthew Henry