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 Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
- v.1The burden — The prophet seems to speak of these grievous things, as a burden which he himself groaned under.
- v.4Therefore — Because the wicked go on with impunity. The law - The whole law, moral, ceremonial, and judicial. Is slacked - Is slighted, and not observed. Go forth - From magistrates, Judges, and public officers. Doth compass about - As it were besieges, with design to oppress and ruin.
psalm Psalm 37:1-9
- v.1Fret not — Because they prosper in their wicked enterprizes.
- v.5Commit — All thy cares and business, and necessities, commend to God by fervent prayer.
- v.6Judgment — It shall be as visible to men, as the light of the sun, at noon-day.
- v.7Rest — Do not repine at his dealings, but quietly submit to his will, and wait for his help.
- v.8Fret not — Either against the sinner for his success; or against God. Do evil - If grief arise in thee, take care that it do not transport thee to sin.
- v.9The earth — This for the most part was literally fulfilled in that state of the church.
second 2 Timothy 1:1-14
- v.1Having declared his love to Timothy, 3-5 he exhorts him, " Be not ashamed of me." 6-14 And subjoins various examples, 15-18
- v.2He adds the twofold proposition, 1. "Be strong," 2. "Commit the ministry" to faithful men,. ii. 1, 2 The former is treated of, 3-13 The latter, 14 With farther directions concerning his own behaviour, 15- iv.8 3. "Come quickly." Here St. Paul, 9 1. Mentions his being left alone, 10-12 2. Directs to bring his books, 13 3. Gives a caution concerning Alexander, 14, 15 4. Observes the inconstancy of men, and the faithfulness of God, 16-18 4. "Come before winter." Salutations, 19-21 III. The concluding blessing, 22 2nd TIMOTHY
- v.3Whom I serve from my forefathers — That is, whom both I and my ancestors served, with a pure conscience - He always worshipped God according to his conscience, both before and after his conversion One who stands on the verge of life is much refreshed by the remembrance of his predecessors, to whom he is going.
- v.4Being mindful of thy tears — Perhaps frequently shed, as well as at the apostle's last parting with him.
- v.5Which dwelt — A word not applied to a transient guest, but only to a settled inhabitant. First - Probably this was before Timothy was born, yet not beyond St. Paul's memory.
- v.6Wherefore — Because I remember this. I remind thee of stirring up - Literally, blowing up the coals into a flame. The gift of God - All the spiritual gifts, which the grace of God has given thee.
- v.7And let nothing discourage thee, for God hath not given us — That is, the spirit which God hath given us Christians, is not the spirit of fear - Or cowardice. But of power - Banishing fear. And love and sobriety - These animate us in our duties to God, our brethren, and ourselves. Power and sobriety are two good extremes. Love is between, the tie and temperament of both; preventing the two bad extremes of fearfulness and rashness. More is said concerning power, ver. 8; concerning love, chap. ii, 14, &c.; concerning sobriety, chap. iii, 1, &c.
- v.8Therefore be not thou ashamed — When fear is banished, evil shame also flees away. Of the testimony of our Lord - The gospel, and of testifying the truth of it to all men. Nor of me - The cause of the servants of God doing his work, cannot be separated from the cause of God himself. But be thou partaker of the afflictions - Which I endure for the gospel's sake. According to the power of God - This which overcomes all things is nervously described in the two next verses.
- v.9Who hath saved us — By faith. The love of the Father, the grace of our saviour, and the whole economy of salvation, are here admirably described. Having called us with an holy calling - Which is all from God, and claims us all for God. According to his own purpose and grace - That is, his own gracious purpose. Which was given us - Fixed for our advantage, before the world began.
- v.10By the appearing of our saviour — This implies his whole abode upon earth. Who hath abolished death - Taken away its sting, and turned it into a blessing. And hath brought life and immortality to light - Hath clearly revealed by the gospel that immortal life which he hath purchased for us.
- v.12That which I have committed to him — My soul. Until that day - Of his final appearing.
- v.13The pattern of sound words — The model of pure, wholesome doctrine.
- v.14The good thing — This wholesome doctrine.
gospel Luke 17:5-10
- v.5Lord, increase our faith — That we may thus forgive, and may neither offend nor be offended. Matt. xvii, 20.
- v.6And he said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed — If ye had the least measure of true faith, no instance of duty would be too hard for you. Ye would say to this sycamine tree - This seems to have been a kind of proverbial expression.
- v.7But which of you — But is it not meet that you should first obey, and then triumph? Though still with a deep sense of your utter unprofitableness.
- v.9Doth he thank that servant — Does he account himself obliged to him?
- v.10When ye have done all, say, We are unprofitable servants — For a man cannot profit God. Happy is he who Judges himself an unprofitable servant: miserable is he whom God pronounces such. But though we are unprofitable to him, our serving him is not unprofitable to us. For he is pleased to give by his grace a value to our good works, which in consequence of his promise entitles us to an eternal reward.