Daniel 2:44

Matthew 6:33

Verse 33. Mt 6:32

(o) "seek ye first" 1Timm 4:8 (p) "shall be added" Lev 25:20,21, 1Kgs 3:13, Ps 37:25, Mk 10:30

Luke 11:20

Verses 14-23. Mt 12:22 and Mt 12:23-30

Verse 20.

(i) "finger of God" Ex 8:19

Luke 17:21

Verse 21. Lo here! or, Lo there! When an earthly prince visits different parts of his territories, he does it with pomp. His movements attract observation, and become the common topic of conversation. The inquiry is, Where is he? which way will he go? and it is a matter of important news to be able to say where he is. Jesus says that the Messiah would not come in that manner. It would not be with such pomp and public attention. It would be silent, obscure, and attracting comparatively little notice. Or the passage may have reference to the custom of the pretended Messiahs, who appeared in this manner. They said that in this place or in that, in this mountain or that desert, they would show signs that would convince the people that they were the Messiah. Comp. Acts 5:36,37.

Is within you. This is capable of two interpretations.

1st. The reign of God is in the heart. It does not come with pomp and splendour, like the reign of temporal kings, merely to control the external actions and strike the senses of men with awe, but it reigns in the heart by the law of God; it sets up its dominion over the passions, and brings every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

2nd. It may mean the new dispensation is even now among YOU. The Messiah has come. John has ushered in the kingdom of God, and you are not to expect the appearance of the Messiah with great pomp and splendour, for he is now among you. Most critics at present incline to this latter interpretation. The ancient versions chiefly follow the former.

Romans 14:17

Verse 17. For the kingdom of God. For an explanation of this phrase, Mt 3:2. Here it means, that the peculiarities of the kingdom of God, or of the church of Christ on earth, do not consist in observing the distinctions between meats and drinks. It was true that by these things the Jews had been particularly characterized, but the Christian church was to be distinguished in a different manner.

Is not. Does not consist in. or is not distinguished by.

Meat and drink. In observing distinctions between different kinds of food, or making such observances a matter of conscience, as the Jews did. Moses did not prescribe any particular drink, or prohibit any; but the Nazarites abstained from wine, and all kinds of strong liquors; and it is not improbable that the Jews had invented some distinctions on this subject which they judged to be of importance. Hence it is said in Col 2:16, "Let no man judge you in meat or in drink." Comp. 1Cor 8:8, 4:20.

But righteousness. This word here means virtue, integrity, a faithful discharge of all the duties which we owe to God or to our fellow-men. It means, that the Christian must so live as to be appropriately denominated a righteous man, and not a man whose whole attention is absorbed by the mere ceremonies and outward forms of religion. To produce this, we are told, was the main design and the principal teaching of the gospel, Tit 2:12. Comp. Rom 8:13, 1Pet 2:11. Thus it is said, (1Jn 2:2) "Every one that doeth righteousness is born of God;" 1Jn 3:10, "Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God." Comp. 1Jn 3:7, 1Cor 15:34, 2Cor 3:9; 2Cor 6:7,14, Eph 5:9, 6:14, 1Timm 6:11, 1Pet 2:24, Eph 4:24. He that is a righteous man, whose characteristic it is to lead a holy life, is a Christian. If his great aim is to do the will of God, and if he seeks to discharge with fidelity all his duties to God and man, he is renewed. On that righteousness he will not depend for salvation, (Php 3:8,9) but he will regard this character and this disposition as evidence that he is a Christian, and that the Lord Jesus is made unto him "wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption," 1Cor 1:30.

And peace. This word, in this place, does not refer to the internal peace and happiness which the Christian has in his own mind, (comp. Rom 5:1) but to peace or concord in opposition to contention among brethren. The tendency and design of the kingdom of God is to produce concord and love, and to put an end to alienation and strife. Even though, therefore, there might be ground for the opinions which some cherished in regard to rites, yet it was of more importance to maintain peace than obstinately to press those matters at the expense of strife and contention. That the tendency of the gospel is to promote peace, and to induce men to lay aside all causes of contention and bitter strife, is apparent from the following passages of the New Testament: 1Cor 7:15, 14:33, Gal 5:22, Eph 4:3, 1Thes 5:13; 2Ti 2:22, Jas 3:18, Mt 5:9, Eph 4:31,32, Col 3:8, Jn 13:34,35, 17:21-23. This is the second evidence of piety on which Christians should examine their hearts--a disposition to promote the peace of Jerusalem, Ps 122:6, 37:11. A contentious, quarrelsome spirit; a disposition to magnify trifles; to make the shibboleth of party an occasion of alienation, and heart-burning, and discord; to sow dissensions on account of unimportant points of doctrine or of discipline, is full proof that there is no attachment to Him who is the Prince of Peace. Such a disposition does infinite dishonour to the cause of religion, and perhaps has done more to retard its progress than all other causes put together. Contentions commonly arise from some small matter in doctrine, in dress, in ceremonies; and often the smaller the matter the more fierce the controversy, till the spirit of religion disappears, and desolation comes over the face of Zion. "the Spirit, like a peaceful dove,

Flies from the reahns of noise and strife."

And joy. This refers, doubtless, to the personal happiness produced in the mind by the influence of the gospel. Rom 5:1; also Rom 5:2-5.

In the Holy Ghost. Produced by the Holy Ghost, Rom 5:5. Comp. Gal 5:22,23.

(s) "the kingdom of God" Mt 6:33
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