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The abuses of the tongue are manifold, and malignity ranks foremost among them.
The material vine one might observe by the wayside becomes merely shadow; the truth resides in Him alone.
Maclaren observes that the repetition is not accidental.
This is not optical biology but moral vision.
The phrase 'in this mountain' echoes three times through the hymn, deliberately juxtaposed with 'all people' and 'all nations.' Maclaren observes that this is no accident—the prophet insists the world's blessing cannot be vague or abstract.
Here stands a paradox of human nature: those nearest to salvation often reject it most vehemently.
The wisdom of Solomon stands in sharp contrast to our modern systems, which often direct men's attention everywhere but inward.
If they are driven hard one day, all the animals will die.' He did not demand that his reconciled brother match his slower journey, but instead stated his reason openly so he would not be thought unkind.
Because all members share identical stakes in eternity.
Consider Pharaoh—his wise men, his armies, his chariots—plunging into the Red Sea like lead, sinking beneath the waters.
First, He claims boundless power to satisfy human want and longing.
An able minister requires two foundational elements: natural endowments and spiritual qualities.
Its acquisition presents such difficulties that it is seldom truly found in our age.
He names it twice in his opening movement (verses 1 and 4), and again when addressing the Corinthians themselves (verses 6-7).
The margin reads, "Set your heart to her bulwarks." This is no passing glance or negligent inspection; it demands wholehearted attention and deliberate investigation.
Christ does not warn His disciples of persecution as an unfortunate accident; He presents it as the necessary consequence of their union with Him.
Yet Maclaren observes that this solitude, rather than paralyzing the Apostle, clarified his method.
These heresy-hunters positioned themselves apart from the crowd at Peter's house, near enough to observe but far enough to demonstrate their separation from what they deemed vulgar enthusiasm.
In Palestine, the Passover coincided with harvest's first fruits—*aparche*—ready for Temple presentation.
Yet Spurgeon's commentator, John Field, clarifies what this plea was *not*: it was no prayer *to* David, nor did it suggest the dead saints intercede for us.
A great many cannot afford to have Christ.
Christ did not encourage this impetuous declaration but instead checked it—exposing the man's resolution as that of an unreflecting emotionalist and ambitious worldling.
For six days, Israel performed what appeared utterly useless—a silent, circular procession around an impregnable fortress.
The Greek word *parakletos* means 'one who is summoned to the side of another'—a Champion clad in celestial armour, dispatched directly from God's throne.