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 Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18
- v.2Be ye holy — Separated from all the forementioned defilements, and entirely consecrated to God and obedient to all his laws. I am holy - Both in my essence, and in all my laws, which are holy and just and good.
psalm Psalm 1
- v.1Blessed — The Hebrew words are very emphatical: O the blessedness of that man! Counsel - That doth not lead his life according to their counsel, or manner of living. Standeth - Which notes a more settled abode in it. Way - In their manner of conversation. Seat - Which notes a constant and resolved perseverance in their wicked courses. Scornful - Of those who make a mock of sin, and scoff at goodness and goodmen. Divers observe a gradation in this verse; the following clause still exceeding the former, for standing is more than walking, and sitting more than standing; and sinners in scripture use, are worse than the ungodly, and the scornful are the worst of sinners.
- v.2Day and night — Not seldom and slightly, but diligently, and constantly.
- v.3Whither — His happiness is not short and transitory, but, like those trees which are continually green and flourishing.
- v.4Ungodly — Their condition is far different. Chaff - They are restless and unquiet: their seeming felicity, hath no firm foundation, but quickly vanishes and flees away as chaff before the wind.
- v.5Not stand — Not endure the trial. Judgment - In the great and general judgment of the world.
- v.6Knoweth — He approves, loves, and delights in them, and therefore will recompence them. Perish - All their designs and courses shall come to nothing, and they shall perish with them. There is nothing in this psalm which is not applicable to Christ, but some things which are not all applicable to David. Threatenings denounced against the adversaries of Christ's kingdom, ver. 1-6. Promises made to Christ, ver. 7-9. Counsel given to all, to submit to him, ver. 10-12.
second 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
- v.1What was proposed, chap. i, 5, 6, is now more largely treated of: concerning Paul and his fellowlabourers, ver. 1-12; concerning the Thessalonians, ver. 13-16.
- v.2We had suffered — In several places. We are bold - Notwithstanding. With much contention - Notwithstanding both inward and outward conflicts of all kinds.
- v.3For our exhortation — That is, our preaching. A part is put for the whole. Is not, at any time, of deceit - We preach not a lie, but the truth of God. Nor of uncleanness - With any unholy or selfish view. This expression is not always appropriated to lust, although it is sometimes emphatically applied thereto. Nor in guile - But with great plainness of speech.
- v.5Flattering words — This ye know. Nor a cloak of covetousness - Of this God is witness. He calls men to witness an open fact; God, the secret intentions of the heart. In a point of a mixed nature, ver. 10, he appeals both to God and man.
- v.6Nor from others — Who would have honoured us more, if we had been burdensome - That is, taken state upon ourselves.
- v.7But we were gentle — Mild, tender. In the midst of you - Like a hen surrounded with her young. Even as a nurse cherisheth her own children - The offspring of her own womb.
- v.8To impart our own souls — To lay down our lives for your sake.
gospel Matthew 22:34-46
- v.34Mark xii, 28; Luke x, 25.
- v.35A scribe asking him a question, trying him — Not, as it seems, with any ill design: but barely to make a further trial of that wisdom, which he had shown in silencing the Sadducees.
- v.37Deut. vi, 5.
- v.39Lev. xix, 18.
- v.42Luke xx, 41.
- v.43How doth David then by the Spirit — By inspiration, call him Lord? If he be merely the son (or descendant) of David? If he be, as you suppose, a mere man, the son of a man?
- v.44The Lord said to my Lord — This his dominion, to which David himself was subject, shows both the heavenly majesty of the king, and the nature of his kingdom. Sit thou on my right hand - That is, remain in the highest authority and power. Psalm cx, 1.
- v.46Neither durst any question him any more — Not by way of ensnaring or tempting him.