Interpret → Preach
For the service
John Wesley’s own Explanatory Notes Upon the Old and New Testament on the day’s readings — his verse-by-verse commentary, not a summary of it. Read the full edition ↗
first Isaiah 61:10-62:3
- v.10I will — This is spoken in the person of the church. Garments, &c. - With salvation as with a garment, and with righteousness as with a robe.
- v.11Righteousness — His great work of salvation shall break out and appear. Praise - As the natural product, and fruit of it. A prayer of the watchmen for the church in confidence of God's gracious designs and promises to it, ver. 1-12.
- v.1Zion's sake — Zion and Jerusalem are both put for the church, Heb. xii, 22. My peace - These seem to be the words of the prophet strongly resolving, notwithstanding all difficulties, to solicit God for the church's happiness, and constantly excite to the belief of it by his preaching, though it were long before it came, for Isaiah lived near two hundred years before this was accomplished. Righteousness - With reference to the Babylonians, understand it of the righteousness of God, who hath promised his people deliverance, and he must be righteous, and so understand salvation before; or rather, the vindicating of his people's cause in the eyes of the nations by the ruin of the Babylonians; he will shew that his people have a righteous cause. Lamp - And to that purpose is set up where it may be seen continually, to signify how eminently conspicuous this prosperous estate of the church should be among the nations, and as it may particularly relate to revealing of Christ unto the world.
- v.2A new name — The church shall be more renowned than ever, both in respect of her condition, and so called Hephzi-bah, and of her relation, and so called Beulah, and this new name the Lord gives them accordingly, ver. 4.
- v.3Crown of glory — An expression to set forth the dignity of her state. In the hand - Preserved and defended by God's hand. Royal diadem - The same thing with the former for substance. Or, the royal priesthood, whereof the apostle speaks, 1 Pet. ii, 9.
psalm Psalm 148
- v.4Heavens of heavens — Ye highest heavens, the place of God's throne. Waters - Ye clouds which are above a part of the heavens.
- v.6Established — He hath made them constant and incorruptible, not changeable, as the things of the lower world. A decree - Concerning their continuance.
- v.7Dragons — Either serpents, which hide in the deep caverns of the earth; or whales, and other sea-monsters, which dwell in the depths of the sea.
- v.8Fire — Lightnings and other fireworks of the air. Vapor - Or, fumes: hot exhalations. Fulfilling his word - Executing his commands, either for the comfort or punishment of the inhabitants of the earth.
- v.13Above — Above all the glories which are in earth and in heaven.
- v.14The horn — In scripture commonly denotes strength, victory, glory, and felicity. An exhortation to praise God for his love to his people, ver. 1-5. And for enabling them to overcome their enemies, ver. 6- 9.
second Galatians 4:4-7
- v.4But when the fulness of the time — Appointed by the Father, ver. 2. Was come, God sent forth - From his own bosom. His Son, miraculously made of the substance of a woman - A virgin, without the concurrence of a man. Made under the law - Both under the precept, and under the curse, of it.
- v.5To redeem those under the law — From the curse of it, and from that low, servile state. That we - Jews who believe. Might receive the adoption - All the privileges of adult sons.
- v.6And because ye — Gentiles who believe, are also thus made his adult sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts likewise, crying, Abba, Father - Enabling you to call upon God both with the confidence, and the tempers, of dutiful children. The Hebrew and Greek word are joined together, to express the joint cry of the Jews and gentiles.
- v.7Wherefore thou — Who believest in Christ. Art no more a servant - Like those who are under the law. But a son - Of mature age. And if a son, then an heir of all the promises, and of the all- sufficient God himself.
gospel Luke 2:22-40
- v.22The days — The forty days prescribed, Lev. xii, 2, 4.
- v.23Exod. xiii, 2.
- v.24A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons — This offering sufficed for the poor. Lev. xii, 8.
- v.25The consolation of Israel — A common phrase for the Messiah, who was to be the everlasting consolation of the Israel of God. The Holy Ghost was upon him - That is, he was a prophet.
- v.27By the Spirit — By a particular Revelation or impulse from him.
- v.30Thy salvation — Thy Christ, thy saviour.
- v.32And the glory of thy people Israel — For after the Gentiles are enlightened, all Israel shall be saved.
- v.33Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken — For they did not thoroughly understand them.
- v.34Simeon blessed them — Joseph and Mary. This child is set for the fall and rising again of many - That is, he will be a savour of death to some, to unbelievers: a savour of life to others, to believers: and for a sign which shall be spoken against - A sign from God, yet rejected of men: but the time for declaring this at large was not yet come: that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed - The event will be, that by means of that contradiction, the inmost thoughts of many, whether good or bad, will be made manifest.
- v.35A sword shall pierce through thy own soul — So it did, when he suffered: particularly at his crucifixion.
- v.37Fourscore and four years — These were the years of her life, not her widowhood only. Who departed not from the temple - Who attended there at all the stated hours of prayer. But served God with fastings and prayers - Even at that age. Night and day - That is, spending therein a considerable part of the night, as well as of the day.
- v.38To all that were waiting for redemption — The scepter now appeared to be departing from Judah, though it was not actually gone: Daniel's weeks were plainly near their period. And the revival of the spirit of prophecy, together with the memorable occurrences relating to the birth of John the Baptist, and of Jesus, could not but encourage and quicken the expectation of pious persons at this time. Let the example of these aged saints animate those, whose hoary heads, like theirs, are a crown of glory, being found in the way of righteousness. Let those venerable lips, so soon to be silent in the grave, be now employed in the praises of their Redeemer. Let them labour to leave those behind, to whom Christ will be as precious as he has been to them; and who will be waiting for God's salvation, when they are gone to enjoy it.
- v.40And the child grew — In bodily strength and stature; and waxed strong in spirit - The powers of his human mind daily improved; filled with wisdom - By the light of the indwelling Spirit, which gradually opened itself in his soul; and the grace of God was upon him - That is, the peculiar favour of God rested upon him, even as man.