Luk 9:54, Gal 5:15 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 54. James and John . They were called Boanerges --sons of thunder--probably on account of their energy and power in preaching the gospel, or of their vehement and rash zeal--a remarkable example of which we have in this instance, . Wilt thou , &c. The insult had been offered to Jesus, their friend, and they felt it; but their zeal was rash and their spirit bad. Vengeance belongs to God: it was not theirs to attempt it, Fire from heaven . Lightning, to consume them. As Elias did . By this they wished to justify their zeal. Perhaps, while they were speaking, they saw Jesus look at them with disapprobation, and to vindicate themselves they referred to the case of Elijah. The case is recorded in . (w) "as Elias did" .

Luke 9:54

Verse 54. James and John. They were called Boanerges --sons of thunder--probably on account of their energy and power in preaching the gospel, or of their vehement and rash zeal--a remarkable example of which we have in this instance, Mk 3:17.

Wilt thou, &c. The insult had been offered to Jesus, their friend, and they felt it; but their zeal was rash and their spirit bad. Vengeance belongs to God: it was not theirs to attempt it,

Fire from heaven. Lightning, to consume them.

As Elias did. By this they wished to justify their zeal. Perhaps, while they were speaking, they saw Jesus look at them with disapprobation, and to vindicate themselves they referred to the case of Elijah. The case is recorded in 2Kgs 1:10-12.

(w) "as Elias did" 2Kgs 1:10,12.

Galatians 5:15

Verse 15. But if ye bite. The word here used δακνω means, properly, to bite, to sting; and here seems to be used in the sense of contending and striving--a metaphor not improbably taken from dogs and wild beasts.

And devour one another. As wild beasts do. The sense is, "if you contend with each other;" and the reference is, probably, to the strifes which would arise between the two parties in the churches--the Jewish and the Gentile converts.

Take heed that ye be not consumed, etc. As wild beasts contend sometimes until both are slain. Thus the idea is, in their contentions they would destroy the spirituality and happiness of each other; their characters would be ruined, and the church be overthrown. The readiest way to destroy the spirituality of a church, and to annihilate the influence of religion, is to excite a spirit of contention.