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Notes on the International Sunday School Lessons
Winter Quarter 1998-99
by Jarl K. Waggoner
Lesson 1 - Hebrews 1:1-4; Matthew 16:13-23
Heb. 1:1 - "sundry times" = in many parts or portions. cf. Vine's, 477 ("portion"); Kent, Epistle to the Hebrews, 33.
1:2 - "last days" - for various views see MacArthur, Hebrews, 6. Most agree that it has some reference to messianic times, and some specifically identify it as the time from Christ's first coming to his second coming (cf. JFB, 6:526; Kent, 35-36).
1:2 - "worlds" = ages, cf. Hewitt, Hebrews, 51; BKC, 781.
1:3 - "brightness" - Vine's , 79 (B.2); MacArthur, 15; Kent, 37.
1:3 - "glory" - cf. UBD, 409; Westcott, Hebrews, 11.
1:3 - "express image" = impression made by a die or stamp; cf. Vine's 319 (image #2). Cf. Col. 1:15, which uses a different Greek word.
1:3 - "upholding" = support, maintain. The present (continuous) tense is used here MacArthur, 16; Kent, 37.
1:3 - "right hand" = place of honor and authority; Kent, 38.
Matt. 16:13ff- These events occurred near beginning of third year of Jesus' public ministry; cf. Boyer, "NT Chronological Chart."
16:13 - Caesarea Philippi - Hendriksen, Matthew, 641; UBD, 160-61; NBD, 175.
16.15 - "Ye" - in Greek this stands first for emphasis. It is plural.
16:18 - See Hendricksen, pp. 645-648 for various interpretations. The two most prominent views among evangelicals is that the rock is Christ or Peter's confession.
16:18 - "gates of hell" - Hendricksen, 649. See WBC, 959 for alternative view.
16:19 - "keys of the kingdom" - cf. Hendricksen, 650-51. Authority to determine who is admitted and who is refused admission to the kingdom on the basis of their response to the gospel (cf. Acts 2:38; 8:20-21).
16:19 - "bind . . . loose" - See Hendricksen, 651 and particularly WBC, 959, which gives clearest explanation for binding and loosing. See also Matt. 18:18, where same authority is given all the apostles.
Lesson 2 - Luke 1:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 John 1:1-4
Luke 1:1-2 - Prologues in first-century works, see Marshall, Luke, p. 39; Stein, Luke, 64.
1:1 - "most surely believed" = lit., fulfilled; Stein, 63-64; cf. NIV.
1:2 - "from the beginning" - from beginning of Jesus' ministry; Robertson, Word Pictures, 2:5.
1:3 - "perfect understanding" = accurate and careful investigation; Vine's, 638 ("trace" 'A'); cf. Morris, Luke, 73; Stein, 64-65; NIV.
1:3 - "in order" - i.e. orderly. It does not necessarily suggest a chronological account; Morris, 73-74; Stein, 65; NIV.
1:3 - "most excellent" - address used of lofty persons; Stein, 65.
I Cor. 15:2 - "saved" - present tense; i.e. being saved. Sanctification thus seems to be the emphasis; BKC, 542; WBC, 1255; Morris, I Corinthians, 204.
15:3 - "first" in importance; Morris, 205; WBC, 1255.
15:4 - "rose" - perfect passive. See Robt., IV:187; and Morris, 205 for significance.
I John 1:1 - "from the beginning" - i.e. from eternity; WBC, 1466; Vine, Epistles of John, 10; thus a claim for Christ's eternality. Hodges in BKC, 883, says it means from beginning of the gospel proclamation. Note that Hodges often tends toward unique interpretations.
1:1 - "have looked upon" = to view attentively with contemplation; Vine's 378 ("look" 'A' #16) or 60 ("behold" #6).
1:1 - "Word of life" - Vine, Epistles, 11.
1:2 - "manifested" = make known what already exists; Robt., VI:205.
1:3 - "may have" - present tense; Robt., VI:206.
1:3-4 - "fellowship" - There are two interpretations: 1) a particular state of Christians in which they enjoy God's presence and blessing (cf. BKC, 883-4); 2) fellowship as used here is equivalent to salvation (cf. Calvin's Commentaries, XXII:161-2).
Lesson 3 - Luke 2:1-17
Luke 2:1 - "taxed" = to enroll, register; taxing generally followed based on the census; Robt., 2:21.
2:1 - On how approximate date of Christ's birth is determined, see Hoehner, Chronological Aspects of Life of Christ, pp. 11-27; Boyer, "NT Chronological Chart"; Tenney, NT Times, pp. 134-138.
2:5 - "espoused" = betrothed. Though Joseph and Mary were married at this time they were living as if betrothed (Matt. 1:20-25); Marshall, Luke, 105; Robt. 2:22; Stein, Luke, 107.
2:7 - "firstborn" - This word allows for Mary's having other children later (which is probably why Luke used it rather than monogenes [only begotten]), but it does not demand it. The fact that she did bear other children is proved from Matt.13:55-56, etc., not from this word; Stein, 107; Marshall, 106.
2:7 - "swaddling clothes" - see UBD, 1052.
2:7 - "manger" - a feeding trough for animals, indicates Jesus' birth was in a stable, perhaps connected to the inn. An old tradition says it was in a cave, and there are other possibilities; Morris, Luke, 92; Ward, Jesus & His Times, 18-22.
2:8 - "shepherds" - they were a despised class; cf. Stein, 108; Morris, 93.
2:10 - "to all people" - BKC, 208, says that Luke may have used this phrase to hint that the Savior would be for all mankind, but like most commentators says "people" here refers specifically to the Jews; cf. Morris, 94; Stein, 108.
2:11 - "Saviour, . . . Christ the Lord" - See Morris, 94.
2:14 - "good will toward men" - variant mss. read "men on whom his favor rests," which emphasizes that God's favor rests on those who are saved. The phrase can be translated: "toward men of his good pleasure" (cf. Morris, 94).
Lesson 4 - Luke 24:36-53
Luke 24:36-43 - Parallel to John 20:19-23.
24:36 - "Peace be unto you" - This was a conventional greeting; however, many commentators see it as being given new meaning when used by Jesus here. Cf. Acts 10:36; Rom. 5:1; Marshall, 901; Morris, John, 844.
24:44 - "psalms" - this probably refers to the "writings," which along with the "law" and the "prophets" comprise the three major divisions of the OT; Stein, 620; Marshall, 905.
24:46 - "Thus it is written" - This probably refers more to the entire OT teaching rather than to specific verses. However, Ps. 22 and Isa. 53 do speak specifically of the Messiah's suffering and death, and Ps. 16:10-11 speaks of his resurrection (cf. Acts 2:3; 13:35).
24:47 - "repentance and remission of sins should be preached" - Marshall (pp. 905-6), Morris (Luke, 374), and Stein (p. 620), among others, see the preaching of the gospel as also being a fulfillment of OT prophecy--what "is written" (vs. 46). The basis of this is perhaps Isa. 49:6. Other commentators (cf. WBC, 1070; BKC, 264) do not mention this connection.
24:49 - cf. Acts 1:4. Some see Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:4 as being parallel accounts of the same occasion. In fact, those who do usually set verses 44-53 as parallel to Acts 1:3-12 (cf. Robertson, Harmony of the Gospels, 250-251; Walvoord, Jesus Christ Our Lord, 194-195; Harrison, Acts, 38). The other view is that Jesus' words in Luke 24:49 were repeated later just prior to the ascension in Acts 1:4 (cf. Stein, 621; LBC, 2072) Marshall (p. 907), for one, is not sure which is correct.
24:50 - "Bethany" - located on the eastern slope of the Mt. of Olives, about two miles from Jerusalem; UBD, 138.
Lesson 5 - Mark 12:28-34; Luke 6:27-31; John 13:34-35
Mark 12:28 - For background on the scribe's question, see Hendriksen, Mark, 492. The scribe was a Pharisee (cf. Matt. 22:35).
12:28 - "first" = first in rank; Robt., 1:368.
12:29-31 - Matthew 22:40 indicates that these two commandments summarize the entire law.
12:29 - "the Lord our God is one Lord" - For the various possible translations of the shema, see Scroggie (Mark, 220) and Craigie (Deuteronomy, 168).
12:31 - "Love thy neighbour as thyself" - This does not constitute a command to love oneself; it simply recognizes that people do love themselves (cf. Eph. 5:29.
12:34 - "discreetly" = wisely; lit., as one who has a mind; cf. Robt., 1:369.
Luke 6:27 - There is disagreement over whether Jesus was addressing His disciples, the crowds, or both here; cf. Marshall, Luke, 258-259.
6:27 - "love your enemy" - This teaching was in contrast to the teaching of the rabbis (cf. Matt. 5:43).
6:29 - "cheek" = jaw; cf. Morris, 142-143; Robt., 2:90.
6:29 - "cloke" = outer garment; "coat" = tunic, or inner garment; cf. Stein, 207; Robt., 2:90; Morris, 143.
John 13:34 - "new" - Vine's, 430-31 ("new" #1); i.e. fresh in quality, rather then new in time. The newness of the command is its basis in Christ's love for them; Morris, John, 633; Michaels, John, 254.
Lesson 6 - Luke 12:13-23, 29-31
Luke 12:15 - "beware" - cf. Vines, 65 (#3); Morris, Luke, 232.
12:15 - "covetousness" = lit., "to have more," i.e., the desire to have more; Robt., 2:174; Vines, 136 (B. #3).
12:22 - for connection to previous verses, see Morris, 233.
12:29 - "seek not" - i.e., "do not set your heart upon"; cf. NIV; Morris, 235.
12:29 - "ye" is in emphatic position, setting the disciples in contrast to others; cf. Robt., 2:177.
12:29 - "doubtful mind" - Robt., 2:177; Vines, 182 (#5)
Lesson 7 - Matthew 18:1-4; 20:17-28
Matt. 18:1 - Context of question in 18:1 is an argument among disciples over who would be greatest; cf. Mark 9:33-34; Luke 9:46. See WBC, 961 for possible reasons argument arose.
20:18 - "chief priests . . . scirbes" = Sanhedrin; cf. Hendriksen, Matthew, 743; UBD, 967-8.
20:20 - "worshipping" = kneeling, bowing low; cf. Hendriksen, 745 (Note #708). 20:22 - "ye" - plural. Jesus was addressing either the two disciples or the two and their mother.
20:22 - "cup" - drinking a cup a figure for fully undergoing an experience; cf. Hendriksen, 746. "Baptism" here carries virtually the same meaning; Tasker, Matthew, 195. See also WBC, 965.
20:25 - "dominion . . . authority" - cf. Vines, 181 (B #2), 46 (B #2); Tasker, 195.
20:26-27 - "minister" (diakonos); "servant" (doulos); cf. Robt. 1:162; Trench, Synonyms of the NT, 32.
20:28 - "ransom" - Robt. 1:163; Hendriksen, 749.
20:28 - "for many" = in place of; cf. Robt. 1:163; WBC, 965.
Lesson 8 - Matthew 18:21-35
Matt. 18:21 - According to most sources, the rabbis taught that forgiveness should be given three times (cf. Edersheim, Life & Times of Jesus the Messiah, 2:125; BKC, 62; WBC, 962). Pentecost (Words & Works of Jesus Christ) claims that forgiveness was required twice and that one who wanted to prove himself magnanimous could forgive three times.
18:24 - "ten thousand talents" - an enormous amount, given that one talent = 6000 denarii, and that one denarius was wages for a day's work (cf. Matt. 20:2). See Robt. 1:150; Hendriksen, 705.
18:25 - Note that Hendriksen (p. 705) argues that selling someone for payment of debt was common but is not what is mentioned in OT Scriptures such as Exod. 22:3; Lev. 25:39, etc.
18:28 - "hundred pence" = lit., 100 denarii; Robt. 1:151; see above on 18:24.
18:34 - "tormentors" - used only here in NT. See Hendriksen, 708-709.
18:35 - Probably best way to handle this difficult verse is to follow interpretation in WBC (962-963), which sees this as indicating that God sends chastening "tormentors" in the form of temporal trials. LBC (1933) suggests this describes condemnation of the lost, who prove their lost condition by their unforgiving spirit.
Lesson 9 - Acts 17:22-34
Context - Acts 17:16-21
"Epicureans" (vs. 18) - cf. NBD, 383; Harrison, Acts: The Expanding Church, 267.
"Stoicks" (vs. 18) - cf. NBD, 1217; Harrison, 267.
"Areopagus" (vs. 19) - Harrison, 269; Kent, Jerusalem to Rome, 139; BKC, 403. Apparently Paul's appearance was merely a hearing before this council since no witnesses were called and no verdict announced.
Acts 17:22 - "Mars' hill" = Areopagus; cf. Robt. 3:283, 284. Areopagus was used for both the hill and the court; Kent, 139. Many believe it should be translated "Areopagus" (i.e. the court as opposed to the hill) here; Bruce, Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text, p. 335; Harrison, 268.
17:22 - "too superstitious" can mean "very religious" and is so translated in NIV, NASB. "Very religious" is preferred by many because of context. It is argued that Paul would not have begun with such a critical statement (cf. Robt. 3:284-5). But see Bruce (335), who is less certain.
17:24 - This statement contradicts the Greek concept that matter is eternal; Harrison, 270.
17:26 - "blood" is absent from earlier mss.; thus the NASB simply translates, "He made from one, every nation . . . " "One" thus refers to one man (Adam). Cf. Robt. 3:287. Bruce (336-7) and Robt. (3:287) explain how this teaching struck at the heart of the Athenians' pride.
17:26 - "times" = seasons or periods of history; "bounds" = geographic boundaries (i.e. the exact places); cf. BKC, 403; Harrison, 270. Also see Dan. 2:21, 37-40; Luke 21:24; Deut. 32:8.
17:28 - Paul was here quoting from two Greek poets. See BKC, 403-404; Kent, 140; Robt. 3:289.
7:30 - "winked at" - Vines, 454 ("overlook"). Not in the sense of condoning idolatry; cf. Harrison, 271; BKC, 404.
17:31-32 - The Greeks had no doctrine of resurrection and final judgment; cf. Bruce, 340; Robt. 3:292.
Lesson 10 - Romans 13:1-14
Rom. 13:1 - "be subject" - Vines, 606
13:2 - "damnation" = judgment inflicted by gov't; Stifler, Romans, 216; Hoyt, First Christian Theology, 148; JFB, 6:268.
13:6 - "tribute" = tax; cf. Robt. 4:408; JFB, 6:269.
13:7 - "custom" - Robt. 4:408.
13:7 - "fear" = respect here (cf. NIV) though the same Greek word is translated "terror" in vs. 3; cf. Vines, 229-30 (#1).
13:8, 10 - fulfillment of the law - See Griffith-Thomas, Epistle to the Romans, 357; JFB, 6:269 for explanation.
13:9 - Command not to bear false witness is not found in many mss. Cf. NIV, NASB.
13:14 - "provision" = forethought; Robt. 4:411; Stifler, 221; cf. NIV translation.
Lesson 11 - 1 Corinthians 11:20-34
1 Cor. 11:21 - The Love Feast that preceded the actual observance of Communion is probably in view here; cf. Morris, 1 Corinthians, 158; WBC, 1248.
11:23 - Some believe Paul received this instruction by direct revelation (cf. Morris, 159; Boyer, For a World Like Ours, 108); others believe it is probably a reference to receiving this instruction indirectly, through the apostles (cf. WBC, 1248). Still others are content to be uncertain (cf. BKC, 531).
11:24 - Bread = body. Some think this points specifically to the incarnation (WBC, 1248). Perhaps it is best to see the bread and cup together speaking of his physical suffering and sacrificial death; Saucy, The Church in God's Program, 218.
11:24 - "broken" does not appear in many mss. Thus the NIV and NASB translations: "This is my body, which is for you." Beware, therefore, of writers who try to make something of the word "broken"; cf. Robt. 4:164; Morris, 161. Some theologians do see the breaking of the bread as symbolic (cf. Berkhof, Systematic Theology, 648), although it was a customary act that facilitated its being distributed.
11:25 - "testament" = covenant and is thus a reference to the new covenant of Jer. 31:31; Morris, 161. That covenant was for Israel, who will enter into its blessings when the nation turns to Christ. However, all who believe in Christ now, whether Jew or Gentile, inherit the spiritual blessings of the new covenant; BKC, 178.
11:27 - "unworthily" - refers not to character of one who partakes but to an manner of partaking; cf. WBC, 1249; Boyer, 109; NIV.
11:28 - "examine" = test, prove; Robt. 4:165; TDNT, 2:255ff. 11:29 - "damnation" = judgment and refers here to the chastening of the Lord described in vs. 30; Morris, 164; Boyer, 109.
11:29 - "discerning" - i.e. not distinguishing between the Lord's Supper and an ordinary meal; Morris, 164. Some identify "body" here as reference to to the church (cf. chap. 12) and interpret this as failure to discern the unity of the body; WBC, 1249; BKC, 531-2.
11:30 - "sleep" - figure for death; used in NT only of death of believers; WBC, 1249.
11:31 - "judge . . . judged" - There is a distinction between these words in Greek, but the difference here has more to do with context than lexical meaning. The first has to do with discerning judgment of oneself; the second concerns God's chastening (cf. vs. 32); Morris, 164-5; Robt. 4:166; Vine's, 336-7 ("judge" B #3, #1).
11:32 - "chasten" - primarily means to train a child; Vine's, 97; BAG, 608; Robt. 4:166; cf. Heb. 12:6-7, 10.
11:32 - "condemned" - refers to eternal condemnation in contrast to the temporal chastening of believers; WBC, 1249.
11:34 - "condemnation" = judgment. Same word as used in vs. 29.
Lesson 12 - 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
II Cor. 5:11 - "terror" = fear; cf. WBC, 1271.
5:11 - "persuade" - It is not clear what Paul persuaded men of. Some possibilities (cf. WBC, 1271): 1) The gospel (Tasker, II Corinthians, 83); 2) Paul's integrity as a minister (Kent, A Heart Opened Wide, 86); 3) Coming judgment (cf. WBC, 1271).
5:12 - Not self-promotion. Paul was giving loyal Corinthians arguments to employ in his defense against his detractors in Corinth; Kent, 86; Tasker, 84.
5:13 - "beside ourselves" - WBC, 1271; Vine's, 63 (#1).
5:13 - "sober" - BAG, 809.
5:14 - "love of Christ" - This is Christ's love for Paul, not Paul's love for Him; Kent, 87.
5:14 - "all dead" - See Tasker (85-86) for various interpretations. Kent (87) follows Tasker's view that it simply means that Christ died the death that all should have died.
5:18 - "all things are of God" - i.e. all things related to the dramatic change described in vs. 17 is derived from God; Tasker, 88; Kent, 89.
5:18 - "reconciled" = changed completely; Kent, 89; cf. Chafer, Systematic Theology, 3:91.
5:18-19 - Reconciliation - Chafer (3:91-83) delineates two aspects of reconciliation: 1) of the world; 2) of individuals. Others who follow this include Kent (89); Thiessen, Lectures in Systematic Theology (327-330); Walvoord, Jesus Christ Our Lord (181ff). See also EDT, 917-918.
5:19 - "imputing" = to take account of, or apply to one's account; reckon; Vine's, 322 (#1).
5:21 - "made him to be sin" - There is disagreement over whether "sin" here should be taken as "sin offering" (cf. NIV note), or whether the idea conveyed here is that man's sin was imputed to Christ (cf. Kent, 90; WBC, 1272; Tasker, 90). The latter seems to be the most popular view of commentators; however, everyone agrees that the concept of substitution is certainly taught here (cf. Morris, The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross, 53-54).
5:21 - "made the righteousness of God" - definitely seems to describe the imputation of God's righteousness to believers; cf. WBC, 1272; Kent, 90).
Lesson 13 - 1 John 3:2; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:25-29; Revelation 1:17-18; 11:15
I John 3:2 - "for" - causal; thus has meaning of "because"; cf. NASB; Westcott, Epistles of John, 98-99.
Titus 2:11 - Note NASB translation: "appeared, bringing salvation to all men." Cf. Guthrie, Pastoral Epistles, 198. The idea here is not that the grace appeared to all men (for some have never heard the gospel) but that the scope of salvation is universal--i.e. for all classes of people.
2:12 - "teaching" - originally meant training of a child; Kent, Pastoral Epistles, 234.
2:12 - "soberly" - Vine's, 583; Kent, 235.
2:12 - "righteously" - BAG, 194; Kent, 235.
2:12 - "godly" - Vine's, 273 ("C"); Hendriksen, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, 372.
2:13 - "blessed hope" and "glorious appearing" refer to one event. See Kent, 235.
2:13 - "God . . .Saviour Jesus Christ" - same construction as in first part of verse. It refers to God and Jesus Christ as one Person; Kent, 236; Hendriksen, 373-4.
2:14 - "redeem" = ransom; Robt. 4:605; Vine's, 515 (A #2).
2:14 - "peculiar people" = one's own possession; Guthrie, 201; Kent, 236; cf. NASB.
Heb. 12:25 - "on earth . . . from heaven" - i.e. God spoke on earth from Sinai in OT; He has now spoken through His Son, who has ascended into heaven; Kent, Epistle to the Hebrews, 275.
12:26-27 - Most commentators agree the shaking has reference to Christ's second coming. Many are content to leave it at that. Some, however, relate it to Christ's return to earth and the events immediately preceding it (LBC, 2580). Others see it as fulfilled following Christ's millennial reign, when the present heavens and the earth are destroyed (BKC, 811; MacArthur, Hebrews, 417-18). The latter seems to me the best interpretation, but since the OT (which is quoted here--Hag. 2:6) tends to blend all the events relating to Christ's return, it may not be necessary to specify a particular event or time.
12:28 - "receiving" - present tense, and thus a present reality. Believers are even now receiving it; Kent, 276.
12:28 - "let us have grace" can be translated "let us be thankful"; cf. NIV; Kent, 276-77; Robt. 5:442.
Rev. 1:18 - "he that liveth" = the living One; cf. NIV.
1:18 - "keys" indicate authority; JFB, 6:659.
1:18 - "hell" = hades. For distinction see Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, 47; Hoyt, The End Times, 36ff.
ABBREVIATIONS
BAG = Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament
Vine's = Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words
TDNT = Kittel, et al., Theological Dictionary of the New Testament
WBC = Pfeiffer and Harrison, eds., Wycliffe Bible Commentary
BKC = Walvoord and Zuck, eds., Bible Knowledge Commentary
LBC = Falwell, et al., Liberty Bible Commentary (new edition has been renamed KJV Parallel Commentary)
JFB = Jamieson, Fausset, Brown, A Commentary on the Whole Bible
NIV = New International Version
NASB = New American Standard Bible
UBD = Unger's Bible Dictionary
Robt. = A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (6 vols.)
EDT = Elwell, ed., Evangelical Dictionary of Theology
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