The LORD's Angel Sent to Lead Israel

20 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.

Other Translations of Exodus 23:20

New International Version

The LORD's Angel Sent to Lead Israel

20 "See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.

English Standard Version

The LORD's Angel Sent to Lead Israel

20 "Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.

The Message

The LORD's Angel Sent to Lead Israel

20 "Now get yourselves ready. I'm sending my Angel ahead of you to guard you in your travels, to lead you to the place that I've prepared.

New King James Version

The LORD's Angel Sent to Lead Israel

20 "Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.

New Living Translation

The LORD's Angel Sent to Lead Israel

20 "See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 23:20

Commentary on Exodus 23:20-33

(Read Exodus 23:20-33)

It is here promised that they should be guided and kept in their way through the wilderness to the land of promise, Behold, I send an angel before thee, mine angel. The precept joined with this promise is, that they be obedient to this angel whom God would send before them. Christ is the Angel of Jehovah; this is plainly taught by St. Paul, 1 Corinthians 10:9. They should have a comfortable settlement in the land of Canaan. How reasonable are the conditions of this promise; that they should serve the only true God; not the gods of the nations, which are no gods at all. How rich are the particulars of this promise! The comfort of their food, the continuance of their health, the increase of their wealth, the prolonging their lives to old age. Thus hath godliness the promise of the life that now is. It is promised that they should subdue their enemies. Hosts of hornets made way for the hosts of Israel; such mean creatures can God use for chastising his people's enemies. In real kindness to the church, its enemies are subdued by little and little; thus we are kept on our guard, and in continual dependence on God. Corruptions are driven out of the hearts of God's people, not all at once, but by little and little. The precept with this promise is, that they should not make friendship with idolaters. Those that would keep from bad courses, must keep from bad company. It is dangerous to live in a bad neighbourhood; others' sins will be our snares. Our greatest danger is from those who would make us sin against God.

18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Other Translations of John 1:18

New International Version

18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God andSome manuscripts "but the only Son, who" is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

English Standard Version

18 No one has ever seen God; the only GodOr the only One, who is God; some manuscripts the only Son, who is at the Father's sideGreek in the bosom of the Father , he has made him known.

The Message

18 No one has ever seen God, not so much as a glimpse. This one-of-a-kind God-Expression, who exists at the very heart of the Father, has made him plain as day. Thunder in the Desert

New King James Version

18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, NU-Text reads only begotten God. who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

New Living Translation

18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father's heart. He has revealed God to us.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 1:18

Commentary on John 1:15-18

(Read John 1:15-18)

As to the order of time and entrance on his work, Christ came after John, but in every other way he was before him. The expression clearly shows that Jesus had existence before he appeared on earth as man. All fulness dwells in him, from which alone fallen sinners have, and shall receive, by faith, all that renders them wise, strong, holy, useful, and happy. Our receivings by Christ are all summed up in this one word, grace; we have received "even grace," a gift so great, so rich, so invaluable; the good will of God towards us, and the good work of God in us. The law of God is holy, just, and good; and we should make the proper use of it. But we cannot derive from it pardon, righteousness, or strength. It teaches us to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, but it cannot supply the place of that doctrine. As no mercy comes from God to sinners but through Jesus Christ, no man can come to the Father but by him; no man can know God, except as he is made known in the only begotten and beloved Son.

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

Other Translations of Colossians 1:15

New International Version

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

English Standard Version

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

The Message

15 We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created.

New King James Version

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

New Living Translation

15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Colossians 1:15

Commentary on Colossians 1:15-23

(Read Colossians 1:15-23)

Christ in his human nature, is the visible discovery of the invisible God, and he that hath seen Him hath seen the Father. Let us adore these mysteries in humble faith, and behold the glory of the Lord in Christ Jesus. He was born or begotten before all the creation, before any creature was made; which is the Scripture way of representing eternity, and by which the eternity of God is represented to us. All things being created by Him, were created for him; being made by his power, they were made according to his pleasure, and for his praise and glory. He not only created them all at first, but it is by the word of his power that they are upheld. Christ as Mediator is the Head of the body, the church; all grace and strength are from him; and the church is his body. All fulness dwells in him; a fulness of merit and righteousness, of strength and grace for us. God showed his justice in requiring full satisfaction. This mode of redeeming mankind by the death of Christ was most suitable. Here is presented to our view the method of being reconciled. And that, notwithstanding the hatred of sin on God's part, it pleased God to reconcile fallen man to himself. If convinced that we were enemies in our minds by wicked works, and that we are now reconciled to God by the sacrifice and death of Christ in our nature, we shall not attempt to explain away, nor yet think fully to comprehend these mysteries; but we shall see the glory of this plan of redemption, and rejoice in the hope set before us. If this be so, that God's love is so great to us, what shall we do now for God? Be frequent in prayer, and abound in holy duties; and live no more to yourselves, but to Christ. Christ died for us. But wherefore? That we should still live in sin? No; but that we should die to sin, and live henceforth not to ourselves, but to Him.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Other Translations of Hebrews 11:27

New International Version

27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.

English Standard Version

27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.

The Message

27 By an act of faith, he turned his heel on Egypt, indifferent to the king's blind rage. He had his eye on the One no eye can see, and kept right on going.

New King James Version

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.

New Living Translation

27 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king's anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Hebrews 11:27

Commentary on Hebrews 11:20-31

(Read Hebrews 11:20-31)

Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, concerning things to come. Things present are not the best things; no man knoweth love or hatred by having them or wanting them. Jacob lived by faith, and he died by faith, and in faith. Though the grace of faith is of use always through our whole lives, it is especially so when we come to die. Faith has a great work to do at last, to help the believer to die to the Lord, so as to honour him, by patience, hope, and joy. Joseph was tried by temptations to sin, by persecution for keeping his integrity; and he was tried by honours and power in the court of Pharaoh, yet his faith carried him through. It is a great mercy to be free from wicked laws and edicts; but when we are not so, we must use all lawful means for our security. In this faith of Moses' parents there was a mixture of unbelief, but God was pleased to overlook it. Faith gives strength against the sinful, slavish fear of men; it sets God before the soul, shows the vanity of the creature, and that all must give way to the will and power of God. The pleasures of sin are, and will be, but short; they must end either in speedy repentance or in speedy ruin. The pleasures of this world are for the most part the pleasures of sin; they are always so when we cannot enjoy them without deserting God and his people. Suffering is to be chosen rather than sin; there being more evil in the least sin, than there can be in the greatest suffering. God's people are, and always have been, a reproached people. Christ accounts himself reproached in their reproaches; and thus they become greater riches than the treasures of the richest empire in the world. Moses made his choice when ripe for judgment and enjoyment, able to know what he did, and why he did it. It is needful for persons to be seriously religious; to despise the world, when most capable of relishing and enjoying it. Believers may and ought to have respect to the recompence of reward. By faith we may be fully sure of God's providence, and of his gracious and powerful presence with us. Such a sight of God will enable believers to keep on to the end, whatever they may meet in the way. It is not owing to our own righteousness, or best performances, that we are saved from the wrath of God; but to the blood of Christ, and his imputed righteousness. True faith makes sin bitter to the soul, even while it receives the pardon and atonement. All our spiritual privileges on earth, should quicken us in our way to heaven. The Lord will make even Babylon fall before the faith of his people, and when he has some great thing to do for them, he raises up great and strong faith in them. A true believer is desirous, not only to be in covenant with God, but in communion with the people of God; and is willing to fare as they fare. By her works Rahab declared herself to be just. That she was not justified by her works appears plainly; because the work she did was faulty in the manner, and not perfectly good, therefore it could not be answerable to the perfect justice or righteousness of God.

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Other Translations of 1 John 4:12

New International Version

12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

English Standard Version

12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

The Message

12 No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us - perfect love!

New King James Version

12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

New Living Translation

12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 John 4:12

Commentary on 1 John 4:7-13

(Read 1 John 4:7-13)

The Spirit of God is the Spirit of love. He that does not love the image of God in his people, has no saving knowledge of God. For it is God's nature to be kind, and to give happiness. The law of God is love; and all would have been perfectly happy, had all obeyed it. The provision of the gospel, for the forgiveness of sin, and the salvation of sinners, consistently with God's glory and justice, shows that God is love. Mystery and darkness rest upon many things yet. God has so shown himself to be love, that we cannot come short of eternal happiness, unless through unbelief and impenitence, although strict justice would condemn us to hopeless misery, because we break our Creator's laws. None of our words or thoughts can do justice to the free, astonishing love of a holy God towards sinners, who could not profit or harm him, whom he might justly crush in a moment, and whose deserving of his vengeance was shown in the method by which they were saved, though he could by his almighty Word have created other worlds, with more perfect beings, if he had seen fit. Search we the whole universe for love in its most glorious displays? It is to be found in the person and the cross of Christ. Does love exist between God and sinners? Here was the origin, not that we loved God, but that he freely loved us. His love could not be designed to be fruitless upon us, and when its proper end and issue are gained and produced, it may be said to be perfected. So faith is perfected by its works. Thus it will appear that God dwells in us by his new-creating Spirit. A loving Christian is a perfect Christian; set him to any good duty, and he is perfect to it, he is expert at it. Love oils the wheels of his affections, and sets him on that which is helpful to his brethren. A man that goes about a business with ill will, always does it badly. That God dwells in us and we in him, were words too high for mortals to use, had not God put them before us. But how may it be known whether the testimony to this does proceed from the Holy Ghost? Those who are truly persuaded that they are the sons of God, cannot but call him Abba, Father. From love to him, they hate sin, and whatever disagrees with his will, and they have a sound and hearty desire to do his will. Such testimony is the testimony of the Holy Ghost.