Mark 4:19

Verse 19.

(q) "cares" Lk 14:18-20, 1Timm 6:9,17, 2Ti 4:10 (r) "deceitfulness" Prov 23:5 (s) "lusts" 1Jn 2:16,17 (t) "unfruitful" Isa 5:2,4

Luke 21:34

Verse 34. Lest at any time your hearts be overcharged, &c. The meaning of this verse is, "Be continually expecting these things. Do not forget

them, and do not be secure and satisfied with this

life and the good things which it furnishes. Do not

suffer yourselves to be drawn into the fashions of

the world; to be conformed to its customs; to partake

of its feasts and revelry; and so these calamities

shall come upon you when you least expect them."

And from this we may learn--what alas! we may from the lives of many professing Christians --that there is need of cautioning the disciples of Jesus now that they do not indulge in the festivities of this life, and forget that they are to die and come to judgment. How many, alas! who bear the Christian name, have forgotten this caution of the Saviour, and live as if their lives were secure; as if they feared not death; as if there were no heaven and no judgment! Christians should feel that they are soon to die, and that their portion is not in this life; and, feeling this, they should be looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God.

Overcharged. Literally, be made heavy, as is the case with those who have eaten and drunken too much.

Surfeiting. Excessive eating and drinking, so as to oppress the body; indulgence in the pleasures of the table. This word does not include intoxication, but merely indulgence in food and drink, though the food and drink should be in themselves lawful.

Drunkenness. Intoxication, intemperance in drinking. The ancients were not acquainted with the poison that we chiefly use on which to become drunk. They had no distilled spirits. They became intoxicated on wine, and strong drink made of a mixture of dates, honey, &c. All nations have contrived some way to become intoxicated--to bring in folly, and disease, and poverty, and death, by drunkenness; and in nothing is the depravity of men more manifest than in thus endeavouring to hasten the ravages of crime and death.

1 Corinthians 7:32

Verse 32. But I would have you. I would advise you to such a course of life as should leave you without carefulness. My advice is regulated by that wish, and that wish guides me in giving it.

Without carefulness, αμεριμνους. Without anxiety, solicitude, care; without such a necessary attention to the things of this life as to take off your thoughts and affections from heavenly objects. Mt 6:25 and Mt 6:26-31.

Careth for the things that belong to the Lord. Marg., "The things of the Lord ;" the things of religion. His attention is not distracted by the cares of this life; his time is not engrossed, and his affections alienated, by an attendance on the concerns of a family, and especially by solicitude for them in times of trial and persecution. He can give his main attention to the things of religion. He is at leisure to give his chief thoughts and anxieties to the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom. Paul's own example showed that this was the course which he preferred; and showed also that in some instances it was lawful and proper for a man to remain unmarried, and to give himself entirely to the work of the Lord. But the Divine commandment, (Gen 1:28,) and the commendation everywhere bestowed upon marriage in the Scriptures, as well as the nature of the case, show that it was not designed that celibacy should be general.

(*) "carefulness" "Anxious care" (a) "unmarried" 1Timm 5:5 (1) "things" "Of the Lord, as 1Cor 7:34"

1 Corinthians 7:35

Verse 35. For your own profit. That you may avail yourselves of all your advantages and privileges, and pursue such a course as shall tend most to advance your personal piety and salvation.

Not that I may cast a snare upon you. The word rendered snare (βροχον) means a cord, a rope, a bond; and the sense is, that Paul would not bind them by any rule which God had not made; or that he would not restrain them from that which is lawful, and which the welfare of society usually requires. Paul means, that his object in his advice was their welfare; it was not by any means to bind, fetter, or restrain them from any course which would be for their real happiness, but to promote their real and permanent advantage, The idea which is here presented by the word snare, is usually conveyed by the use of the word yoke, Mt 11:29, Acts 15:10, Gal 5:1, and sometimes by the word burden, Mt 23:4, Acts 15:28.

But for that which is comely. (ευσχημον.) Decorous, fit, proper, noble. For that which is best fitted to your present condition, and which, on the whole, will be best, and most for your own advantage. There would be a fitness and propriety in their pursuing the course which he recommended.

That ye may attend upon the Lord. That you may engage in religious duties and serve God.

Without distraction. Without being drawn away, (απερισπαστως;) without care, interruption, and anxiety. That you may be free to engage with undivided interest in the service of the Lord.

(+) "profit" "Advantage" (*) "comely" "becoming"
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