Read Scripture In A Year: May 8

Passage 1: Deuteronomy 25

(Deu 25:1) When there shall be strife betweene men, and they shall come vnto iudgement, and sentence shall be giuen vpon them, and the righteous shall be iustified, and the wicked condemned,

(Notes Reference) If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, (a) that [the judges] may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.

(a) Whether there is a plaintiff or not, the magistrates should try our faults, and punish according to the crime.

(Deu 25:2) Then if so be the wicked be worthy to bee beaten, the iudge shall cause him to lie downe, and to be beaten before his face, according to his trespasse, vnto a certaine nomber.

(Notes Reference) And it shall be, if the wicked man [be] worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, (b) and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number.

(b) When the crime does not deserve death.

(Deu 25:3) Fortie stripes shall he cause him to haue and not past, lest if he should exceede and beate him aboue that with many stripes, thy brother should appeare despised in thy sight.

(Notes Reference) (c) Forty stripes he may give him, [and] not exceed: lest, [if] he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.

(Deu 25:4) Thou shalt not mousell the oxe that treadeth out the corne.

(Deu 25:5) If brethren dwell together, and one of them dye and haue no sonne, the wife of the dead shall not marry without: that is, vnto a stranger, but his kinseman shall goe in vnto her, and take her to wife, and doe the kinsemans office to her.

(Notes Reference) If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her (d) husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.

(d) Because the Hebrew word does not signify the natural brother, and the word that signifies a brother, is taken also for a kinsman: it seems that it does not mean that the natural brother should marry his brothers wife, but some other kindred that was in the degree that might marry.

(Deu 25:6) And the first borne which she beareth, shall succeede in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.

(Deu 25:7) And if the man will not take his kinsewoman, then let his kinsewoman goe vp to the gate vnto the Elders, and say, My kinsman refuseth to rayse vp vnto his brother a name in Israel: hee will not doe the office of a kinsman vnto me.

(Deu 25:8) Then the Elders of his citie shall call him, and commune with him: if he stand and say, I wil not take her,

(Deu 25:9) Then shall his kinswoman come vnto him in the presence of the Elders, and loose his shooe from his foote, and spit in his face, and answere, and say, So shall it be done vnto that man, that will not buylde vp his brothers house.

(Deu 25:10) And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him whose shooe is put off.

(Deu 25:11) When men striue together, one with another, if the wife of the one come neere, for to ridde her husband out of the handes of him that smiteth him, and put foorth her hand, and take him by his priuities,

(Notes Reference) (e) When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets:

(e) This law imputes that godly shamefacedness is preferred: for it is a horrible thing to see a woman past shame.

(Deu 25:12) Then thou shalt cut off her hande: thine eye shall not spare her.

(Deu 25:13) Thou shalt not haue in thy bagge two maner of weightes, a great and a small,

(Deu 25:14) Neither shalt thou haue in thine house diuers measures, a great and a small:

(Deu 25:15) But thou shalt haue a right and iust weight: a perfite and a iust measure shalt thou haue, that thy dayes may be lengthened in the land, which the Lord thy God giueth thee.

(Deu 25:16) For all that doe such things, and all that doe vnrighteously, are abomination vnto the Lord thy God.

(Deu 25:17) Remember what Amalek did vnto thee by the way, when ye were come out of Egypt:

(Deu 25:18) How he met thee by ye way, and smote ye hindmost of you, all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast fainted and weary, and he feared not God.

(Deu 25:19) Therefore, when the Lord thy God hath giuen thee rest from all thine enemies round about in the land, which the Lord thy God giueth thee for an inheritance to possesse it, then thou shalt put out the remembrance of Amalek from vnder heauen: forget not.

(Notes Reference) Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance to possess it, [that] thou shalt blot out the (f) remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget [it].

(f) This was partly accomplished by Saul, about 450 years later.

Passage 2: Songofsolomon 5

(Son 5:1) I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I gathered my myrrhe with my spice: I ate mine hony combe with mine hony, I dranke my wine with my milke: eate, O friends, drinke, and make you merie, O welbeloued.

(Notes Reference) I have come into my (a) garden, my sister, [my] spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drank my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

(a) The garden signifies the kingdom of Christ, where he prepares the banquet for his elect.

(Son 5:2) I sleepe, but mine heart waketh, it is the voyce of my welbeloued that knocketh, saying, Open vnto mee, my sister, my loue, my doue, my vndefiled: for mine head is full of dewe, and my lockes with the droppes of the night.

(Notes Reference) (b) I sleep, but my heart waketh: [it is] the voice of my beloved that knocketh, [saying], Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, [and] my locks with the drops of the (c) night.

(b) The spouse says that she is troubled with the cares of worldly things, which is meant by sleeping.

(Son 5:3) I haue put off my coate, howe shall I put it on? I haue washed my feete, howe shall I defile them?

(Notes Reference) I have put off my (d) coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?

(d) The spouse confesses her nakedness, and that of herself she has nothing, or seeing that she is once made clean she promises not to defile herself again.

(Son 5:4) My welbeloued put in his hand by the hole of the doore, and mine heart was affectioned toward him.

(Son 5:5) I rose vp to open to my welbeloued, and mine hands did drop downe myrrhe, and my fingers pure myrrhe vpon the handels of the barre.

(Notes Reference) I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands flowed [with] myrrh, and my (e) fingers [with] sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.

(e) The spouse who should be anointed by Christ will not find him if she thinks to anoint him with her good works.

(Son 5:6) I opened to my welbeloued: but my welbeloued was gone, and past: mine heart was gone when hee did speake: I sought him, but I coulde not finde him: I called him, but hee answered mee not.

(Son 5:7) The watchmen that went about the citie, founde me: they smote me and wounded me: the watchmen of the walles tooke away my vaile from me.

(Notes Reference) The (f) watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

(f) These are the false teachers who wound the conscience with their traditions.

(Son 5:8) I charge you, O daughters of Ierusalem, if you finde my welbeloued, that you tell him that I am sicke of loue.

(Notes Reference) I charge you, (g) O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I [am] sick with love.

(g) She asks of them who are godly (as the law and salvation should come out of Zion and Jerusalem) that they would direct her to Christ.

(Son 5:9) O the fairest among women, what is thy welbeloued more then other welbeloued? what is thy welbeloued more then another louer, that thou doest so charge vs?

(Notes Reference) (h) What [is] thy beloved more than [another] beloved, O thou fairest among women? what [is] thy beloved more than [another] beloved, that thou dost so charge us?

(h) Thus say they of Jerusalem.

(Son 5:10) My welbeloued is white and ruddie, the chiefest of ten thousand.

(Son 5:11) His head is as fine golde, his lockes curled, and blacke as a rauen.

(Notes Reference) His (i) head [is as] the most fine gold, his locks [are] bushy, [and] black as a raven.

(i) She describes Christ to be of perfect beauty and comeliness.

(Son 5:12) His eyes are like doues vpon the riuers of waters, which are washt with milke, and remaine by the full vessels.

(Son 5:13) His cheekes are as a bedde of spices, and as sweete flowres, and his lippes like lilies dropping downe pure myrrhe.

(Son 5:14) His hands as rings of gold set with the chrysolite, his belly like white yuorie couered with saphirs.

(Son 5:15) His legges are as pillars of marble, set vpon sockets of fine golde: his countenance as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.

(Son 5:16) His mouth is as sweete thinges, and hee is wholy delectable: this is my welbeloued, and this is my louer, O daughters of Ierusalem.

Passage 3: Acts 20

(Act 20:1) Nowe after the tumult was appeased, Paul called the disciples vnto him, and embraced them, and departed to goe into Macedonia.

(Notes Reference) And (1) after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto [him] the disciples, and embraced [them], and departed for to go into Macedonia.

(1) Paul departs from Ephesus by the consent of the church, not to be idle or at rest, but to take pains in another place.

(Act 20:2) And when hee had gone through those parts, and had exhorted them with many words, he came into Grecia.

(Notes Reference) And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them (a) much exhortation, he came into Greece,

(a) For after so great trouble, there was need of much exhortation.

(Act 20:3) And hauing taried there three moneths, because the Iewes layde waite for him, as hee was about to saile into Syria, hee purposed to returne through Macedonia.

(Notes Reference) (2) And [there] abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

(2) A perverse zeal is the guider and instructor to murderers: and we are not excluded by the wisdom of God to prevent the endeavours of wicked men.

(Act 20:4) And there accompanied him into Asia, Sopater of Berea, and of them of Thessalonica, Aristarchus, and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus, and of them of Asia, Tychicus, and Trophimus.

(Act 20:5) These went before, and taried vs at Troas.

(Act 20:6) And we sailed forth from Philippi, after the dayes of vnleauened bread, and came vnto them to Troas in fiue dayes, where we abode seuen dayes.

(Act 20:7) And the first day of the weeke, the disciples being come together to breake bread, Paul preached vnto them, ready to depart on the morrow, and continued the preaching vnto midnight.

(Notes Reference) (3) And upon the (b) first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

(3) Assemblies in the night-time cannot be justly condemned, neither should they be, when the cause is good.

(b) Literally, "the first day of the Sabbath", that is, upon the Lord's day: so that by this place, and by (1Co 16:2) we properly understand that in those days the Christians habitually assembled themselves solemnly together upon that day.

(Act 20:8) And there were many lightes in an vpper chamber, where they were gathered together.

(Notes Reference) (4) And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

(4) The devil, taking care to trouble the Church with a great offence, gives Paul a singular occasion to confirm the Gospel

(Act 20:9) And there sate in a windowe a certaine yong man, named Eutychus, fallen into a dead sleepe: and as Paul was long preaching, hee ouercome with sleepe, fell downe from the thirde loft, and was taken vp dead.

(Act 20:10) But Paul went downe, and layde himselfe vpon him, and embraced him, saying, Trouble not your selues: for his life is in him.

(Act 20:11) Then when Paul was come vp againe, and had broken bread, and eaten, hauing spoken a long while till the dawning of the day, hee so departed.

(Act 20:12) And they brought the boye aliue, and they were not a litle comforted.

(Act 20:13) Then we went before to shippe, and sailed vnto the citie Assos, that wee might receiue Paul there: for so had hee appointed, and would himselfe goe afoote.

(Act 20:14) Now when he was come vnto vs to Assos, and we had receiued him, we came to Mitylenes.

(Act 20:15) And wee sailed thence, and came the next day ouer against Chios, and the next day we arriued at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium: the next day we came to Miletum.

(Act 20:16) For Paul had determined to saile by Ephesus, because hee woulde not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted to be, if hee could possible, at Hierusalem, at the day of Pentecost.

(Notes Reference) (5) For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

(5) Paul, an earnest and diligent follower of Christ, making haste to his bonds without any ceasing or stopping in his race, first of all as it were makes his testament, wherein he gives an account of his former life, defends the doctrine which he taught, and exhorts the pastors of the church to persevere and go forward with continuance in their office.

(Act 20:17) Wherefore from Miletum, hee sent to Ephesus, and called the Elders of the Church.

(Notes Reference) And from (c) Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

(c) According as the situation of these places is set forth, the distance between Ephesus and Miletus was almost 50 miles or 80 km.

(Act 20:18) Who when they were come to him, hee said vnto them, Ye know from the first day that I came into Asia, after what maner I haue bene with you at all seasons,

(Notes Reference) (6) And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,

(6) A graphic image of a true pastor.

(Act 20:19) Seruing the Lord with all modestie, and with many teares, and tentations, which came vnto me by the layings awaite of the Iewes,

(Act 20:20) And how I kept backe nothing that was profitable, but haue shewed you, and taught you openly and throughout euery house,

(Notes Reference) [And] how I kept (d) back nothing that was profitable [unto you], but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

(d) I did not refrain form speaking, neither did I conceal my motives in any way at all, either for fear or for wicked gain.

(Act 20:21) Witnessing both to the Iewes, and to the Grecians the repentance towarde God, and faith toward our Lord Iesus Christ.

(Act 20:22) And nowe beholde, I goe bound in the Spirit vnto Hierusalem, and know not what things shall come vnto me there,

(Notes Reference) (7) And now, behold, I go (e) bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

(7) He testifies that he goes to his imprisonment by the commandment of God.

(e) He calls the guiding direction of the Holy Spirit, who forced him to take his journey to Jerusalem, the bond of the Sprit, whom he followed with all his heart.

(Act 20:23) Saue that ye holy Ghost witnesseth in euery citie, saying, that bondes and afflictions abide me.

(Act 20:24) But I passe not at all, neither is my life deare vnto my selfe, so that I may fulfill my course with ioye, and the ministration which I haue receiued of the Lord Iesus, to testifie the Gospell of the grace of God.

(Act 20:25) And now behold, I know that henceforth ye all, through whome I haue gone preaching the kingdome of God, shall see my face no more.

(Act 20:26) Wherefore I take you to recorde this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

(Notes Reference) Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I [am] (f) pure from the blood of all [men].

(f) If you perish, yet there will fault with me.

See Act 18:6

(Act 20:27) For I haue kept nothing backe, but haue shewed you all the counsell of God.

(Notes Reference) (8) For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

(8) The doctrine of the apostles is most perfect and absolute.

(Act 20:28) Take heede therefore vnto your selues, and to all the flocke, whereof the holy Ghost hath made you Ouerseers, to feede the Church of God, which hee hath purchased with that his owne blood.

(Notes Reference) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to (g) feed the church of God, which (h) he hath purchased with (i) his own blood.

(g) To keep it, to feed and govern it.

(h) A notable sentence for Christ's Godhead: which shows plainly in his person, how that by reason of the joining together of the two natures in his own person, that which is proper to one is spoken of the other, being taken as deriving from one another, and not in the original: which in old time the godly fathers termed a communicating or fellowship of properties or attributes, that is to say, a making common of that to two, which belongs but to one.

(i) The words "his own" show forth the excellency of that blood.

(Act 20:29) For I knowe this, that after my departing shall grieuous wolues enter in among you, not sparing the flocke.

(Notes Reference) (9) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

(9) A prophecy of pastors that would immediately degenerate into wolves, against those who boast and brag only of a succession of persons.

(Act 20:30) Moreouer of your owne selues shall men arise speaking peruerse thinges, to drawe disciples after them.

(Notes Reference) Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to (k) draw away disciples after them.

(k) This is great misery, to want the presence of such a shepherd, but it is a greater misery to have wolves enter in.

(Act 20:31) Therefore watche, and remember, that by the space of three yeres I ceased not to warne euery one, both night and day with teares.

(Act 20:32) And nowe brethren, I commend you to God, and to the worde of his grace, which is able to build further, and to giue you an inheritance, among all them, which are sanctified.

(Notes Reference) (10) And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an (l) inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

(10) The power of God, and his free promises revealed in his word, are the props and upholders of the ministry of the Gospel.

(l) As children, and therefore an inheritance of free love and good will.

(Act 20:33) I haue coueted no mans siluer, nor gold, nor apparell.

(Notes Reference) (11) I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

(11) Pastors must before all things beware of covetousness.

(Act 20:34) Yea, ye knowe, that these handes haue ministred vnto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

(Act 20:35) I haue shewed you all things, howe that so labouring, ye ought to support the weake, and to remember the wordes of the Lord Iesus, howe that hee saide, It is a blessed thing to giue, rather then to receiue.

(Notes Reference) I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought (m) to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

(m) As it were by reaching out the hand to those who otherwise are about to slip and fall away, and so to steady them.

(Act 20:36) And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled downe, and prayed with them all.

(Act 20:37) Then they wept all abundantly, and fell on Pauls necke, and kissed him,

(Notes Reference) (12) And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

(12) The Gospel does not take away natural affections, but rules and bridles them in good order.

(Act 20:38) Being chiefly sorie for the words which he spake, That they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him vnto the shippe.