Study
Guide Answers
Matthew Henry
Chapter 1
1.
1. Why is the term “testament”
or “covenant” used to describe the Bible? Answer: This is called a
testament, or covenant (Diatheke)(NT:1242), because it was a settled
declaration of the will of God concerning man in a federal way, and had its
force from the designed death of the great testator, the Lamb slain from the
foundation of the world, Rev 8:8.
2.
2.
What does
the word “Pentateuch” refer to? Answer: The first five books of the
Bible.
3.
3. List the threefold
description of the Scriptures according to Jesus. Answer: Law,
Prophets, and Psalms.
4.
4. When was Genesis written?
Answer: While some think, when Moses was in Midian, for the instruction
and comfort of his suffering brethren in Egypt: it is probable that he wrote it in the wilderness, after he had
been in the mount with God.
5.
5. List six things the book of
Genesis introduces. Answer: (1) Creation of the world (2) The
entrance of sin (3) The entrance of death (4) The invention of the arts (5) The
rise of nations and (6) The beginning of the Church.
Exodus
1.
1. In what two ways was Moses a
servant of the Lord? Answer: Moses
used his pen to serve the Lord by recording history and his used his rod of
authority to guide the people of God.
2.
2.
What does
the term “exodus” mean?” Answer: A
departure, or going out.
3.
3.
Give the
spiritual significance of the term “exodus.” Answer: No sooner have
we made our entrance into the world than we must think of making our exit, and
going out of the world. When we begin to live we begin to die.
4.
4.
State the
two major divisions of the book. Answer: I. The accomplishment of the promises made before to
Abraham (chapters 1-19). II. The establishment of the ordinances which were
afterwards observed by Israel (chapters 20-40).
5.
5. What New Testament passage
states that Moses wrote of Christ? Answer: John
5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
Leviticus
1.
1. What three historical
accounts are recalled in Leviticus? Answer: (1) The consecration of
the priesthood (chapters 8-9). (2) The punishment of Nadab and Abihu (chapter
10). (3) The ecclesiastical laws of God.
2.
2. What do the ecclesiastical
laws regulate? Answer: These laws regulated the sacrifices and
offerings of Israel.
3.
3. Where does the term
“Leviticus” come from and what does it mean? Answer: The term comes
from the Septuagint and refers to the priestly tribe of Levi.
4.
4. Does Leviticus suggest that
there is a proper way to worship the Lord? Explain. Answer: In the
divine appointments with God there are particular forms to follow.
5.
5. How might a New Testament
believer apply the teachings found in Leviticus? Answer: While the
New Testament Christian is freed from the yoke of ceremonial law, the ancient
laws strengthen faith in Jesus Christ.
Chapter 4
1.
1. What is the origin of the
title of the book and why is it so named? Answer: While the other
titles for the books of the Old Testament come from the Septuagint, this title
comes from the English. The title comes because of the numbers of the children
of Israel which are so often mentioned.
2.
2. How many times was the
Exodus Generation numbered and where? Answer: (1) At Mt. Sinai
(chapter 1) and (2) on the plains of Moab thirty nine years later (chapter 26).
3.
3. What is contained in the
historical part of the book? Answer: (1) The numberig and
organization of the tribes (chapters 1-4). (2) The dedication of the altar and
Levites (chapter 7-8). (3) The travels of the nation (chapter 9-10). (4) The
murmuring and unbelief, for which they were sentenced to wander for forty years
in the wilderness (chapter 11-14). (5) The rebellion of Korah (chapters 16,17).
(6) The history of the last year of the forty (chapter 20-26) (7) The conquest
of Midian, and the settlement of the two tribes (chapter 31, 32). (8) An
account of their journeys (chapter 33).
4.
4. What did the laws set forth
in Numbers regulate? Answer: (1) Laws about the Nazarites, etc (chapter
5,6). (2) Laws about the priests’ charge, etc. (chapter 18,19). (3) The feasts
(chapter 28, 29). (4) The vows (chapter 30). (5) Their settlement in Canaan
(chapter 27, 34, 35,36).
5.
5. Give the spiritual
application of this book to Christians today. Answer: Hebrews 4:1
provides an application of the book to ourselves. Let us fear lest we seem to
come short.
Deuteronomy
1.
1. What major event is recorded
in the last chapter of this book? Answer: The death of Moses.
2.
2. What does the word
“Deuteronomy” signify? Answer: Literally, the Second Law or the
second time the Law was given.
3.
3. Why was the Law repeated? Answer:
The men of the Exodus generation to which the law was first given were all
dead, and a new generation had sprung up.
4.
4. State one attribute of God
manifested by the giving of the Law. Answer: In compassion to the
infirmities of the people, the laws of more common concern are delivered a
second time.
5.
5. State one spiritual
application of Deuteronomy. Answer: What God has spoken once we have
need to hear twice, to hear many times, and it is well if, after all, it be
duly perceived and regarded.
6.
6. List
three ways the book was to be magnified and honored. Answer: (1) The king was
to write a copy of it with his own hand, and to read therein all the days of
his life, ch. 17, 18, 19. 2 (2) It was
to be written upon great stones plastered, at their passing over Jordan, Deut
27:2-3. (3) It was to be read publicly every seventh year, at the feast of
tabernacles, by the priests, in the audience of all Israel, Deut 31:9, etc.
7.
7.
In which
chapter is a song sung? Answer: Chapter 32.
8.
8. How much time is covered in
the book? Answer: Two months.
9.
9. How should the last words of
a person be treated? Answer: With great respect.
10.
10. How did Jesus use this book of the Bible? Answer:
The Lord answered the devil’s temptations with direct quotations from
Deuteronomy.
Joshua
Chapter 6
1.
1. List some of the “lost”
books of the Bible. Answer: (1) The Book of Jasher (2) The Chronicles
of the Kings of Israel and Judah (3) The Book of Gad (4) The Book of Nathan and
(5) The Book of Iddo.
2.
2. Who might be the author of
Joshua? Answer: Ezra the scribe.
3.
3. In what three ways is Joshua
shown to be the leader of Israel? Answer: (1) He led the people of
Israel into Canaan. (2) He led the people in the conquest of Canaan. (3) He led
the people in the distribution of the land that was conquered.
4.
4. How is the providence of God
revealed? Answer: (1) In the kingdom of nature, (2) in punishing the
Canaanites when the measure of their iniquity was full, (3) by His faithfulness
to His covenant with the patriarchs, and (4) by His kindness to His people
Israel, notwithstanding their provocations. (5) We may see him as the Lord of
Hosts determining the issues of war, and (6) as the director of the lot,
determining the bounds of men's habitations
5.
5. How is Joshua a type of
Christ? Answer: He bore our Savior’s name and serverd as a high
priest (Acts 7:45; Heb. 4:8; Zech.
6:11-12). Joshua saves God’s people from the Canaanites as Jesus promised to
save His people from their sins. Christ, as Joshua, is the captain of our
salvation, a leader of commander of the people, to tread Satan under their
feet, to put them in possession of the heavenly Canaan, and to give them rest,
which (it is said, Heb. 4:8), Joshua did not.
Judges
Chapter 7
1.
1. How many years are covered
in Judges? Answer: Two hundred and ninety nine years.
2.
2. List 12 of the Judges of
Israel. Answer:
(1)
(1) Othniel of Judah
(2)
(2) Ehud of Benjamin
(3)
(3) Barak of Naphtali
(4)
(4) Gideon of Manasseh
(5)
(5) Abimelech his son
(6)
(6) Tola of Issachar
(7)
(7) Jair of Manasseh
(8)
(8) Jephtha of Manasseh
(9)
(9) Ibzan of Judah
(10)Elon of Zebulun
(11)
(11) Abdon of Ephriam
(12)
(12) Samson of Dan
3.
3. How many tribes are
represented by the Judge? Answer: Eight.
4.
4. Characterize the Judges of
Israel. Answer: They do not appear here either so great or so good as
one might have expected the character of such a peculiar people would be. We
find them wretchedly corrupted, and wretchedly oppressed by their neighbours
about them.
5.
5. Describe the government of
Israel during the days of the Judges. Answer: The government of the
judges was not constant, but occasional. The judges were raised up and animated
by the Spirit of God to do particular service to the public when there was
occasion, to avenge Israel of their enemies, and to purge Israel of their
idolatries, which are the two things principally meant by their judging Israel.
6.
6. What was the name of the
woman who judged Israel? Answer: Deborah.
7.
7. Spiritually, who was the true
king of Israel? Answer: During the government of the judges, God was
in a more especially manner Israel’s king; so Samuel tells them when they were
resolved to throw off this form of government (1 Sam. 12:12).
8.
8. In Hebrews 4:12, who are the
four judges honored? Answer: (1) Gideon (2) Barak (3) Samson (4)
Jephtha
9.
9. Ho might be the author of
the book of Judges? Answer: The prophet Samuel.
10.
10. What should a Christian be thankful for? Answer:
Christians should be grateful for magistrates both supreme and subordinate,
for they are ministers of God unto us for good.
Chapter 8
1.
1. Who might have written Ruth?
Answer: The prophet Samuel.
2.
2. What is the design of the
book? Answer: (1) To lead individuals to recognize the hand of
Providence and, (2) to lead people to Christ.
3.
3. Give the most important
descendant of Ruth. Answer: The Messiah.
4.
4. What does Ruth typify?
Answer: In Ruth there is the anticipation of the calling of the Gentiles
in due time into the fellowship of Christ Jesus our Lord.
5.
5. What city is the setting for
the story of Ruth? Answer: Bethlehem.
1 Samuel
Chapter 9
1.
1. Describe the contents of 1
and 2 Samuel. Answer: These books record the fall of Eli and the rise
of Samuel. A full account of his birth, childhood, life and government is
provided. The life of Saul is then followed by the rise of David to power.
2.
2. What is the title of those
works in the Latin Vulgate? Answer: The First and Second Book of the
Kings.
3.
3. What is the title of those
works in the Septuagint? Answer: The First and Second Book of the
Kingdoms.
4.
4. Who is the author of these
works? Answer: It is probable that Samuel wrote the history of his
own time, and that, after him, some of the prophets that were with David
(Nathan as likely as any) continued it.
5.
5. What official position did
Eli and Samuel hold in the nation? Answer: They were priests unto the
Lord.
2 Samuel
1.
1. Who were the enemies of
David? Answer: The enemies of David included Saul, the Jebusites, and
the Philistines.
2.
2. Against whom did David
ultimately sin? Answer: David against Urriah the Hittite and against
the Lord God (Psalms 51).
3.
3. What was the sin of Ammon?
(chapter 13) Answer: He molested his sister.
4.
4. Who was Absalom and what did
he do? Answer: Absalom was the favored son of David and the handsome
crown prince. He led a rebellion against his father to take the throne by
force.
5.
5. For what sin of David did
thousands of Israelites die? (chapter 24) Answer: Lifted up with
pride David counted the people of Israel, not to take a census but to inflate
his own ego. It was a great sin in the sight of God.
Chapter 11
1.
1.
Who was
Solomon? Answer: Solomon was the second son born to David and
Bathsheba who was the wife of Uriah the Hittite. Beloved by God, Solomon was
chosen to follow David to the throne of Israel.
2.
2. What caused the nation of
Israel to be divided? Answer: The many wives of Solomon took his
heart away from the Lord. As a form of Divine judgment, the Lord divided the
kingdom of Israel.
3.
3. Describe the character of
the kings of Judah. Answer: The many wives of Solomon took his heart
away from the Lord. As a form of Divine judgment, the Lord divided the kingdom
of Israel.
David the devout
Solomon the wise
Rehoboam the simple
Abijah the valiant
Asa the upright
Jehoshaphat the religious
Jehoram the wicked
Ahaziah the profane
Joash the backslider
Amaziah the rash
Uzziah the mighty
Jotham the
peaceable
Ahaz the idolater
Hezekiah the reformer
Manasseh the penitent
Amon the obscure
Josiah the tender hearted
Jehoahaz
Jehoiakim
Jehoiachin
Zedekiah all wicked
4.
4. What did David want to build
for the Lord? Answer: David wanted to build a Temple to house the Ark
of the Covenant.
2 Kings
Chapter 12
1.
1. Who was Elijah and what are
some of the miracles he performed? (chapters 17-19) Answer: Elijah was a 9th century prophet
of God who ministered during the reign of King Ahab. He fed a widow and her
son, restored the child back to life when he died, called fire down from
heaven, and prayed that it not rain for three years. The rains ceased until he
prayed again.
2.
2. How did Elijah leave earth?
(chapters 1-2) Answer: Elijah ascended into heaven in a chariot of
fire.
1.
1. List some of the miracles of
Elisha. (chapters 3-7) Answer: (1) The miracle of Jordan (2) The
miracle of the healed waters (3) The miracle of judgment upon irreverent young
men. (4) The miracle of the flood (5) The miracle of the Shunammite’s son (6)
The miracle of the poisoned food (7) The miracle of the healing of Naaman (8)
The miracle of the healing of Gehazi (9) The miracle of the swimming axhead
(10) The miralce of open and blinded eyes and (11) The miracle of the siege
2.
2. Compare and contrast Hazael
and Jehu. Answer: Hazael and Jehu were both anointed as rulers and
appointed to be instruments of God. Hazael would be used of the Lord to bring
correction to Israel while Jehu would bring destruction to the house of Ahab
(chapters 8-10).
3.
3. Describe the reign of
Hezekiah. (chapters 18-20) Answer: The reign of Hezekiah was both
good and glorious.
1.
1. Who was the king that
destroyed Jerusalem? (chapters 24-25) Answer: Nebuchadnezzar
Chapter 13
1.
1. Who is the author of the
Chronicles? Answer: Ezra has been suggested.
2.
2. According to legend what
happened to the Law? Answer: It was burnt and destroyed so that Ezra
was divinely inspired to write it all over again.
3.
3. When were the Chronicles
written? Answer: Following the Babylonian Captivity.
4.
4. Describe the contents of the
Chronicles. Answer: We have in 1 Chronicles (1) a collection of
sacred genealogies (2) A repetition of the history of the translation of the
kingdom from Saul to David and the triumph of David’s reign (3) An original
account of the settlement David made of the ecclesiastical affairs and the
preparations for the building of the Temple.
5.
5. What preparations did David
make for the building of the Temple? (chapters 22-29) Answer: David
provided Trees and stones along with silver and gold for the Temple.
Chapter 14
1.
1. List four empires that once
ruled the world. Answer: Babylonian, Persian, Greek, Roman
2.
2. Who was Rehoboam? (chapters
10-12) Answer: Rehoboam was the son of Solomon and his successor on
the throne f Israel. His mother was Naamah, an Ammonitess (1 Kings 14:21). Born
c. 975 BC, Rehoboam was about forty-one years old when he began to reign.
Because he was foolish in his political polices the kingdom was divided.
3.
3. What great spiritual lesson
is to be learned from the lives of the kings? Answer: The Lord
honored those who honored God. Those who rebelled against righteousness knew
the heavy hand of Divine discipline.
4.
4. List the books of the Bible
written after the Babylonian captivity. Answer: Chronicles, Ezra, and
Nehemiah.
5.
5. What is one thing that the
Christian can be certain of concerning the Bible? Answer: We may be
confident that the foundation of God stands fast.
Ezra
1.
1. What is the theme of Ezra?
Answer: The history of this books if the accomplishment of Jeremiah’s
prophecy concerning the return of the Jews out of Babylon at the end of seventy
years.
2.
2. What does the book of Ezra
foreshadow? Answer: The narrative foreshadowed the deliverance of the
gospel church out of the New-Testament Babylon.
3.
3. What troubles did the Jew
meet with when they returned to Jerusalem? (chapters 3-6) Answer: Tremendous
personal and physical opposition concerning the rebuilding of the Holy City and
the Temple.
4.
4. What did Ezra force many men
to do? (chapters 9-10) Answer: Divorce their foreign wives.
5.
5. What was the result of this
action on family units? Answer: While much sorrow and heartache was
involved, the nation of Israel became smaller but more racially pure.
Nehemiah
Chapter 16
1.
1. Name three famous Greeks who
lived during the days of Nehemiah? Answer(1) Xenophon (2) Demosthenes
(3) Plato
2.
2. Who was the ruler of Persia?
Answer: Artaxerxes
3.
3. What government office did
Nehemiah hold and for how long? Answer: Twelve years, from his
twentieth year (Neh. 1:1) to his thirty second year (Neh. 13:6), Nehemiah was
the governor of Judea.
4.
4. By what authority did
Nehemiah go to Jerusalem? Answer: As the king’s trusted cupbearer
Nehemiah received a commission from the king to go to Jerusalem.
5.
5. Describe his religious
reforms. (chapter 13) Answer: The religious reforms of Israel
included a solemn reading of the Law, fasting, prayer, and a renewal of their
vows.
Esther
Chapter 17
1.
1. In what passage is the name
of God mentioned? Answer: The name of God is never mentioned in this
book though the Providence of God is evident.
2.
2. What does the Feast of Purim
commemorate? (chapter 9:20) Answer: This feast commemorates the grace
of the Lord in delivering His people from the plot of Haman to destroy Mordecai
and all Jews.
3.
3. Who is the author of this
book? Answer: It is possible that Mordecai is the author note Esth.
9:20).
4.
4. Who was Esther? Answer:
The root meaning of Esther is aster which means “a star” and implies “good
fortune.” She was related to a family carried away captive with Jeremiah about
600 BC. When her parents died, Esther came under the guardian caer of Mordecai,
a palace official, to whom she was related by marriage. In the Providence of
God, Esther became Queen of the land and so was in a position to expose a plot
to destroy her people.
5.
5. Describe the death of Haman.
(chapters 5-7) Answer: When Haman was perceived by the king as making
inappropriate advances against the Queen, he was taken and hanged on the same
gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.
Chapter 18
1.
1. Who is the human author of
this Divine narrative? Answer: It is the opinion of many of the
ancients that this history was written by Moses himself in Midian, and
delivered to his suffering brethren in Egypt. Others suggest that Elihu was the
author (note Job 32:15-16).
2.
2. What is the evidence that
Job was a real person? Answer: His history is referred to by James
(5:11). Also Job 5:13 is quoted by the apostle (cf. 1 Cor. 3:19). Ezekiel names
him with Noah and Daniel (Ezek. 14:14).
3.
3. List five teachings of Job.
Answer: The glory of God (chapters 38-39). (2) The reality of
Gentile devotion in the ancient world. (3) The providence of God. (4) The
importance of patience in suffering (James 5:11). (5) A type of Christ.
4.
4. List the three “friends” of
Job. Answer: (1) Eliphaz (2) Bildad (3) Zophar
5.
5. How will the righteous respond
when the Lord delivers them from suffering and sorrow? Answer: When
the Lord delivers the righteous from all their trials they will be found to
praise, honor, and glorify Him.
Psalms
Chapter 19
1.
1. List three authors of the
Psalms. Answer: (1)
David (2) Moses (3) Asaph
2.
2. Why were the Psalms written?
Answer: (1) To assist the exercises of natural religion and to kindle in
the souls of men devotion to the Lord. (2) To advance the excellencies of
revealed religion.
3.
3. How might the Psalms be of
practical use to Christians today? Answer: (1) The Psalms can be sung
(2) The Psalms can be studied for doctrinal truths. (3) The Psalms can be
prayed.
4.
4. What are the seven
penitential Psalms? Answer: Psalm 6,32,38,51,102, 130 and 143.
5.
5. How were the Psalms divided?
Answer:
Book One Psalms 1-41
Book Two Psalms 42-72
Book Three Psalms 73-89
Book Four Psalms 90-106
Book Five Psalms 107-150
Proverbs
Chapter 20
1.
1. Who is the human author of
the book of Proverbs? Answer: Solomon is the author of this book.
2.
2. What else did this author
write? Answer: Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon
3.
3. Define a proverb and tell
the value of teaching by proverbs. Answer: Short sentences filled
with Divine wisdom and practical counsel.
4.
4. List several topics found in
the Book of Proverbs: Answer: Government, ethics, sexual misconduct,
friendships, marriage, and wisdom.
5.
5. Provide
an outline of the book. Answer:
Introduction Chapters 1-9
First Volume Chapters 10-24
Second Volume Chapter 25-29
Agur’s Prophecy Chapter 30
The Wisdom of Lemuel Chapter 31
Chapter 21
1.
1. What is the test and theme
of the book? Answer: “The key text of this book is Ecclesiastes 1:2,
“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.”
2.
2. Observe three major truths
about the book. Answer: (1) It is a sermon. (2) It is a penitential
sermon. (3) It is a practical sermon.
3.
3. What is the scope of
Ecclesiastes? Answer: The scope of this book is to show that our
happiness does not consist in being gods to ourselves, to what we will and do
what we will, but in having Him that made us to be a God to us.
4.
4. Listen seven things that cannot
bring happiness. Answer: (1) Education (2) Politics (3) Sexual
licentiousness (4) Honor (5) Power (6) Accumulation of money (7) Many material
possessions.
5.
5. When should all people begin
to have a relationship with the Lord? Answer: In the days of their
youth.
Song of Solomon
Chapter 22
1.
1. How are Christians to
understand this book? Answer: This portion of Scripture sets forth
the spiritual relationship that exists between Christ and the Church.
2.
2. How might the Jews have
understood this book? Answer: The Jews would have applied this book
to their own situation. God betrothed the people of Israel to himself; he
entered into covenant with them, and it was a marriage-covenant. He had given
abundant proofs of his love to them, and required of them that they should love
him with all their heart and soul.
3.
3. Which Psalm provides the key
to unlocking this book? Answer: Psalm 45.
4.
4. When properly understood,
how will the heart respond to the Divine narrative? Answer: The scope
of this book is to show that our happiness does not consist in being gods to
ourselves, to what we will and do what we will, but in having Him that made us
to be a God to us.
5.
5. What is the proper frame of
mind to study the Song of Solomon? Answer: A serious state of mind is
needed to study the Song of Solomon for there are many things which are hard to
understand.
Isaiah
1.
1. Why did the prophets arise?
Answer: The prophets arose because the children of Israel were afraid of
God speaking directly to them (cf. Num. 12:6; Deut. 5:27-28).
2.
2. List some of the Old
Testament prophets? Answer:
(1) Abel Matthew
23:31,35
(2) Enoch Jude
1:14
(3) Noah
(4) Abraham Genesis 20:7
(5) Jacob Genesis 49:1
(6) Moses Deuteronomy 34:10
3.
3. Tell something of the man
Isaiah. Answer: Isaiah ministered in the days of Uzziah king of
Judah, and Jeroboam, king of Israel. He may have been a member of the royal
family.
4.
4. Of what does Isaiah speak?
Answer: The prophet addresses two great issues. The first concerned the
coming invasion by the forces of the Assyrian Sennacherib. The second issue was
the coming Messiah and His kingdom.
5.
5. In chapter 7 what great
messianic sign is promised? Answer: A virgin was to conceive and have
a child.
Jeremiah
Chapter 24
1.
1. List five facts about
Jeremiah. Answer: (1) He was a prophet at an early age. (2) He
ministered for more than fifty years. (3) He preached an unpopular message. (4)
He often wept over the sins of the people and the judgment that was to fall
upon them. (5) He suffered for the faith.
2.
2. What
is the last account of him? Answer: The last account we have of Isaiah in his
history is that the remaining Jews forced him to go down with them into Egypt;
whereas the current tradition is, among Jews and Christians, that he suffered
martyrdom by being stoned to death. Long after, when Alexander entered Egypt,
he took up the bones of Jeremiah where they were buried in obscurity, and carried
them to Alexandria, and buried them there.
3.
3. What is the theme of his
writings? Answer: Judgment on sin and the great mercy of a gracious
God.
4.
4. According to legend, what
did Jeremiah do when Jerusalem was destroyed? Answer: There is a
story in the Apocryphal writings (Baruch 6 and 2 Mac. 2:4) said to be written
by Jeremiah to the captives in Babylon, warning them against the worship of
idols, by exposing the vanity of idols and the folly of idolaters. It is
related that, when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Chaldeans, he, by direction
from God, took the ark and the altar of incense, and, carrying them to Mount
Nebo lodged them in a hollow cave there and stopped the door; but some that
followed him, and thought that they had marked the place, could not find it. He
blamed them for seeking it, telling them that the place should be unknown till
the time that God should gather his people together again.
5.
5. What concern should a
Christian have after reading the book? Answer: That good men are not
honored in their own generation.
Lamentations
Chapter 25
1.
1. Who is the human author of
this work? Answer: Jeremiah
2.
2. Why
did he write this book? Answer: The occasion of these Lamentations was the
destruction of Judah and Jerusalem by the Chaldean army and the dissolution of
the Jewish state both civil and ecclesiastical thereby. Some of the rabbies
will have these to be the Lamentations which Jeremiah penned upon occasion of
the death of Josiah, which are mentioned 2 Chron 35:25.
3.
3. What is unusual about the
composition of this book? Answer: The composition of it; it is not
only poetical, but alphabetical, all except the 5th chapter, each verse begins
with a several letter in the order of the Hebrew alphabet, the first aleph, the
second beth, etc., but the 3rd chapter is a triple alphabet, the first three
beginning with aleph, the next three with beth, etc., which was a help to
memory
4.
4. Of what practical use was
this work to the Jews? Answer: This portion of Scripture was of great
use to the pious Jews in their sufferings, furnishing them with spiritual
language to express their natural grief by, helping to preserve the lively
remembrance of Zion among them, and their children that never saw it, when they
were in Babylon, directing their tears into the right channel (for they are
here taught to mourn for sin and mourn to God), and withal encouraging their
hopes that God would yet return and have mercy upon them;
5.
5. Of what practical use is
this work to the Church? Answer: This portion of Scripture is
designed to affect the Church with godly sorrow for the calamities of the
Church of God, as becomes those that are living members of it and are resolved
to take our lot with it.
Ezekiel
Chapter 26
1.
1. What does the name “Ezekiel”
mean? Answer: “The strength of God,” or “One girt or strengthened of
God.”
2.
2. How and why did Ezekiel die?
Answer: According to tradition Ezekiel was put to death by the captives
in Babylon, for his faithfulness and boldness in reproving them; it is stated
that they dragged him upon the stones till his brains were dashed out. An
Arabic historian says that he was put to death and was buried in the sepulcher
of Shem the son of Noah.
3.
3. Where was Ezekiel when he
prophesied? Answer: The scene is laid in Babylon, when it was a house
of bondage to the Israel of God; there the prophecies of this book were
preached, there they were written, when the prophet himself, and the people to
whom he prophesied, were captives there.
4.
4. How do we know about sin?
Answer: By the law is the knowledge of sin.
5.
5. What final spiritual
principle is learned from the narrative? Answer: Those who would
apply the comforts of Christ to themselves must apply the convictions to
themselves.
Daniel
Chapter 27
1.
1. What is the meaning of the
name “Daniel”? Answer: The judgment of God.
2.
2. From what tribe did Daniel
come? Answer: He was of the tribe of Judah.
3.
3. Through the reigns of which
foreign rulers did Daniel ministry? Answer: Daniel ministered through
the reigns of Nebuchadnezzar the Babylonian king, and the Persian kings Cyrus,
and Darius.
4.
4. What future empires did
Daniel predict would arise? Answer: Daniel foresaw the rise of the
Medes-Persians, the Greeks, and the Romans.
5.
5. Under which man did the Jews
see excessive harshness? Answer: Antiochus.
Hosea
Chapter 28
1.
1. How many of the Minor Prophets
prophesied to be captive? Answer: Nine.
2.
2. How many prophesied after
the Exile? Answer: Three.
3.
3. When did Hosea minister?
Answer: Hosea ministered in the eighth century BC prior to the coming of
Isaiah.
4.
4. How long did he minister?
Answer: The ancient Jews contend that Hosea prophesied for almost
fourscore and ten years (about 90 years!).
5.
5. What did Hosea predict?
Answer: Hosea predicted the destruction of the northern kingdom of
Israel.
Joel
Chapter 29
1.
1. What three things did Joel
speak of? Answer: (1) A locust invasion. (2) Repentance. (3) The
mercy of God.
2.
2. To whom did Joel minister?
Answer: To the nation of Judah.
3.
3. What are the people called
upon to do? Answer: The people are called upon to repent and turn
from their sins.
1.
1. What promises are given to
the nation? Answer: If the people would repent the Holy Spirit would
be poured out and there would be material prosperity as well.
2.
2. What glorious things are
spoken of in chapter 3? Answer: Spiritual Jerusalem and all the
prosperity and perpetuity of it.
Amos
Chapter 30
1.
1. Is Amos the father of
Isaiah? Answer: There is no evidence for that.
2.
2. What was the occupation of
Amos? Answer: Amos was a country-farmer.
3.
3. What is the significance of
the name “Amos”? Answer: Amos signifies a burden, whence the Jews
have a tradition that he was of a slow tongue and spoke with stammering lips;
we may rather, in allusion to his name, say that his speech was weighty and his
words the burden of the Lord.
4.
4. What were the specific sins
of the nation? Answer: (1) Idolatry (2) Hard hearts (3) Hypocritical
sacrifices.
5.
5. How does the book come to a
conclusion? Answer: The work concludes with a promise of the setting
of the Messiah’s kingdom and the happiness of God’s spiritual Israel therein.
Obadiah
Chapter 31
1.
1. What is unique about the
composition of this book? Answer: This is the shortest of all the
books of the Old Testament.
2.
2. Who is Obadiah? Answer:
Little is known of Obadiah. Some believe him to the same with that Obadiah
that was steward to Ahab’s household (1 Kings 18:3). But that conjecture has no
ground. This Obadiah came later. Some think he was a contemporary with Hosea,
Joel, and Amos.
3.
3. Against whom did Obadiah
preach? Answer: Obadiah spoke against the nation of Edom.
4.
4. Was Obadiah an Edomite by
birth? Answer: There is no evidence for this.
5.
5. How is the Word of Truth
divinely established? Answer: Out of the mouth of two or three
witnesses every word shall be established
Chapter 23
1.
1. How many days did God give
Nineveh to repent? Answer: Forty days.
2.
2. From which city did Jonah come?
Answer: Jonah was of the city of Gath-hepher in Galilee, a city that
belonged to the tribe of Zebulon.
3.
3. During whose reign did Jonah
minister? Answer: Jonah ministered during the days of Jeroboam II.
4.
4. How is Jonah a type of Christ?
Answer: One way is that as Jonah was three days and three nights in the
belly of the great fish so Christ was in the grave for three days.
5.
5. What two themes are united
in the life of Jonah and the message he proclaimed? Answer: Human infirmity
and the grace of God.
Micah
Chapter 33
1.
1. To whom did Micah minister?
Answer: Micah had a message for Samaria and Jerusalem.
2.
2. State two purposes for the
book of Micah. Answer: (1) To convince sinners of their sins. (2) To comfort
God’s people with promises of mercy and deliverances with an assurance of the
coming of the Messiah and of the grace of the gospel through Him.
3.
3. Where else in Scripture is
Micah quoted? Answer: Micah is quoted in Jeremiah 26:17-18 and Matthew
2:5-6.
4.
4. What did Micah predict about
Christ? Answer: His birth.
5.
5. Which New Testament ruler
was interested in this Old Testament prophecy? Answer: Herod the
Great.
Nahum
Chapter 34
1.
1. What does the name of Nahum signify?
Answer: A comforter.
2.
2. Whose destruction is
foretold in this book? Answer: The destruction of the city of Ninevah
is foretold.
3.
3. During whose reign did Nahum
minister? Answer: Hezekiah, king of Judah.
4.
4. For what purpose did Nahum
prophesy? Answer: Nathan wanted to encourage God’s people in the Day
of Judgment and social upheaval.
5.
5. Did Nahum have anything to
say to Israel and Judah? Answer: While it is possible that Nahum had
s
Habakkuk
Chapter 35
1.
1. According to legend, whose
son is Habakkuk? Answer: According to some of the ancient Jewish
rabbin Habakkuk was the son of the
Shunamite woman that was at first miraculously given, and afterwards raised to
life, by Elisha (2 Kings 4). Others said that the prophet Jonah was the son of
the widow of Zarephath, which Elijah raised to life. Still others say that he
lived and prophesied in the reign of king Manasseh.
2.
2. During whose reign did
Habakkuk minister? Answer: It is uncertain when Habakkuk ministered
but it was probably in Judah during the Chaldean period (Hab. 2:20; 3:19 and
1:5,6)
3.
3. What does Bel and the
Dragon have to say about Habakkuk? Answer: In the apocryphal
story of Bel and the Dragon mention is made of Habakkuk the prophet in the land
of Judah, who was carried thence by an angel to Babylon, to feed Daniel in the
den; those who give credit to that story take pains to reconcile our prophet's
living before the captivity, and foretelling it, with that. Huetius thinks that
that was another of the same name, a prophet, this of the tribe of Simeon, that
of Levi; others that he lived so long as to the end of that captivity, though
he prophesied of it before it came.
4.
4. What is the duty of a
prophet? Answer: The prophet was responsible to address God in the
people’s name and they were to address the people in the name of the Lord.
5.
5. What great political events
had happened in Judah during the days of Habakkuk? Answer: Judah was
to be invaded by the Chaldeans who brought great hardships upon the land.
Zephaniah
1.
1. What distinction among the
prophets does Zephaniah hold? Answer: Zephaniah was last in time, of
all the minor prophets before the captivity, and not long before Jeremiah, who
lived at the time of the captivity.
2.
2. What did he foretell?
Answer: Zechariah foretells the general destruction of Judah and
Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, and sets their sins in order before them, which had
provoked God to bring their ruin upon them, calls them to repentance, threatens
the neighboring nations with the like destructions.
3.
3. What hope did Zephaniah
offer to the people? Answer: Zephaniah gives encouraging promises of
their joyful return out of captivity in due time, which have a reference to the
grace of the gospel.
4.
4. Who is Zephaniah? Answer:
He was the son of Cushi.
1.
1. When did Zephaniah engage in
prophecy? Answer: He ministered during the days of Josiah the son of
Amon, the king of Judah.
Chapter 37
1.
1. To whom did Haggai minister
and when? Answer: Haggai appeared about eighteen years after the
return of the Jews from Babylon, when the building of the Temple was opposed by
its enemies and neglected by its friends. Haggai prophesied unto the Jews that
were in Jerusalem.
2.
2. Why did Haggai speak to
others? Answer: In the mouth of two witnesses the works of the Lord
was to be established.
3.
3. What is the time span of
this work? Answer: All of the prophecies were delivered within four
months in the second year of Darius, beginning with the sixth month and ending
in the ninth.
4.
4. How did Haggai speak of
Christ? Answer: Haggai spoke of Christ as the glory of the latter
house referring to the second temple that was rebuilt.
5.
5. Which Psalms are attributed
in part to Haggai? Answer: Psalm 138, 146, 147, 148.
Chapter 38
1.
1. Who was a colleague of
Zechariah? Answer: Haggai
2.
2. When did Zechariah minister?
Answer: In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word
of the Lord unto Zechariah.
3.
3. How did Zechariah comfort
the people? Answer: Zechariah encouraged the people to hope for God’s
favor, having reproved them of their sin, and threaten God’s judgments against
the impenitent.
4.
4. What did Zechariah say about
Christ? Answer: Zechariah spoke of the Messiah and the setting up of
His kingdom in the world.
5.
5. Which specific Temple is in
view. (Zechariah 5:1) Answer: The Second Temple (Ezra 5:1).
Malachi
Chapter 39
1.
1. From which country and of
whose descent did Malachi come? Answer: We have only his name, Malachi,
and no account of his country or parentage.
2.
2. What does the name Malachi
mean? Answer: His name signifies, “my angel.”
3.
3. What is the scope of his
prophecy? Answer: Haggai and Zechariah were sent to reprove the
people for delaying to build the temple. Malachi was sent to reprove them for
the neglect of it when it was built.
4.
4. Why did Malachi preach?
Answer: Malachi called the people to repent of their profanation of the
temple service (for from idolatry and superstition they ran into the other
extreme of impiety and irreligious), and the sins he witnesses against.
5.
5. What are the final messages
of the last prophet of the Old Testament era? Answer: Malachi
concludes with a direction to the people of God to keep in remembrance the law
of Moses and to live in expectation of the gospel of Christ.
A Study Guide
for
by
Based on the Writing of
Study Guide Questions
Extracted from the
writings of
Matthew Henry
Matthew
1.
1. What does the word “gospel”
mean?
2.
2. List three false gospels.
3.
3. Who was Matthew?
4.
4. When were all the gospels
written?
5.
5. What argument could be set
forth that Matthew wrote in Greek?
Mark
Chapter 2
1.
1. What is known about Mark?
2.
2. According to tradition who
directed the writing of Mark’s gospel?
3.
3. What does Mark emphasize in
his gospel?
4.
4. Was Mark and apostle?
5.
5. According to legend what
happened to Mark?
Chapter 3
1.
1. What is known about Luke?
2.
2. What does Luke emphasize in
his gospel?
3.
3. What other works did Luke
write?
4.
4. How did Luke die?
5.
5. Who was Luke closely
associated with?
John
Chapter 4
1.
1. Who was John?
2.
2. Why was his gospel written?
3.
3. What other works did John
write?
4.
4. Who do the four living
creatures of the Revelation represent?
5.
5. How did John die?
Acts
Chapter 5
1.
1. Why is there not more
history in the book of Acts?
2.
2. What are some of the
miracles that confirmed the authority of the apostles?
3.
3. What evidences are there for
the resurrection of Christ in Acts?
4.
4. What story does the book of
Acts continue?
5.
5. How was the Church built?
Chapter 6
1.
1. How many of the New
Testament epistles might be credited to Paul’s authorship?
2.
2. In what year was The
Epistle to the Romans written?
3.
3. Who carried the letter from
Corinth to Rome?
4.
4. What great doctrine is set
forth in this epistle?
5.
5. What godly counsel is found
in the practical part of the letter? (chapters 12-15)
1 Corinthians
Chapter 7
1.
1. Where was the city of
Corinth located?
2.
2. How was the church
established in Corinth?
3.
3. Why was the epistle written?
4.
4. What were some specific sins
of the saints?
5.
5. In what chapter are the
following topics discussed: communion, spiritual gifts, love, and the
resurrection?
2 Corinthians
Chapter 8
1.
1. How long after the first
epistle was the second letter sent to Corinth?
2.
2. What should the attitude of the
assembly be towards a person who has repented?
3.
3. What did Paul want the
church to do for the believers in Jerusalem?
4.
4. In what chapter is a
comparison made between the Old Testament church and the New?
5.
5. In which chapter does Paul
give a defense of his apostolic ministry?
Chapter 9
1.
1. What necessitated the
writing of the letter to the Galatians?
2.
2. What was the great concern
of the apostle?
3.
3. What specific doctrine does
the apostle defend?
4.
4. What exhortation is given?
5.
5. What is the design of the
apostle in writing the letter?
Chapter 10
1.
1. What evidence is there that
the letter to the Ephesians was designed to be sent to that Church?
2.
2. Where was Paul when he wrote
this letter?
3.
3. What was his purpose in
writing?
4.
4. How does Paul present the
arguments he wishes to make?
5.
5. Which chapters teach the
doctrines of the faith and which chapters teach the duties of the Christian
life?
Philippians
Chapter 11
1.
1. How did the city of Philippi
receive its name?
2.
2. What famous battle was
fought near the city of Philippi?
3.
3. What year was the letter to
the Philippians written?
4.
4. How did Paul know he should
go and preach to the Philippians?
5.
5. What lady was used of the
Lord to help establish the church in the city of Philippi?
Chapter 12
1.
1. Why was the letter to the
Colossians written?
2.
2. When was it written?
3.
3. Who established the church
at Colosse?
4.
4. What hope is there for
Christians with lesser spiritual gifts?
5.
5. What spiritual lesson can be
learned from Paul’s example in ministering to the church at Colosse?
1 Thessalonians
1.
1. What was Thessalonica known
for in the ancient world?
2.
2. Who founded the church at
Thessalonica?
3.
3. Who was sent to report on
the church in Thessalonica?
4.
4. What distinction does this
epistle have in Pauline writings?
5.
5. What year was the letter
written and what was its purpose?
2 Thessalonians
Chapter 14
1.
1. When was 2 Thessalonians
written?
2.
2. What is the main topic of
concern?
3.
3. How does the author
alleviate the concerns of the church?
1 Timothy
Chapter 15
1.
1. What ministry did Timothy,
Titus, and Philemon have in the early church?
2.
2. How did Timothy come to
faith?
3.
3. What is the main theme of 1
and 2 Timothy?
4.
4. What is the main
responsibility of the pastor?
2 Timothy
Chapter 16
1.
1. Where was Paul when he wrote
to Timothy?
2.
2. What future lay before Paul
at the time of writing 2 Timothy?
3.
3. Under whose reign did Paul
die?
4.
4. What distinction in the
writings of Paul does 2 Timothy hold?
5.
5. What is the design of 2
Timothy?
Chapter 17
1.
1. Compare the spiritual work
of Titus with the work of Timothy.
2.
2. What are some things which
are known about Titus personally?
3.
3. Where did Titus minister?
4.
4. Why did Paul write to Titus?
5.
5. What specifically was Titus
to teach and do?
Philemon
Chapter 18
1.
1. What was the occasion for
the writing of Philemon?
2.
2. What is one way that the
goodness of God is revealed?
3.
3. Who was Onesimus?
4.
4. How was Philemon to treat
Onesimus?
5.
5. How does the experience of
Onesimus reflect salvation?
Chapter 19
1.
1. What do the Arians believe?
2.
2. Who is the author of
Hebrews?
3.
3. What is the purpose of the
epistle?
4.
4. How does the author
re-enforce his arguments?
5.
5. What spiritual lesson might
be learned from the effort to study this epistle?
James
Chapter 20
1.
1. Who is the author of this
epistle?
2.
2. Why is this letter called a
“general” epistle?
3.
3. What was the author known
for?
4.
4. What is the broad purpose of
this epistle?
5.
5. What might have been a
specific intent of the author in writing this letter?
1 Peter
Chapter 21
1.
1. What false teachings have
been perpetuated about Peter?
2.
2. List the threefold purpose
for the writing of 1 and 2 Peter.
Chapter 22
1.
1. What special moment was
Peter, James, and John present with the Lord?
2.
2. What evidence is there that
Peter is the author of this epistle?
3.
3. What is the design of 2
Peter?
1 John
Chapter 23
1.
1. What are some other names
for Jesus?
2.
2. List three things about
John.
3.
3. Why was 1 John written?
2 John
Chapter 24
1.
1. Who is the “elect lady” whom
John addresses?
2.
2. How did the Lord honor and
exalt women?
3 John
Chapter 25
1.
1. What is the theme of this
epistle?
2.
2. Who was Gaius?
3.
3. What virtue did Gaius possess
that is to be imitated?
Jude
Chapter 26
1.
1. Why was Jude written?
2.
2. List two special features of
the “truth.”
3.
3. What is one indication of
false doctrine?
4.
4. What is one thing that the
Christian can know with confidence?
5.
5. What caution should the
church take in relation to false teachers?
Chapter 27
1.
1. What prophetic utterances
have blessed the church?
2.
2. What did Christ predict?
3.
3. Why is this book of the Bible
called The Revelation?
Study Guide Answers
Extracted from the writings of
Matthew Henry
Matthew
1.
1. What does the word “gospel”
mean? Answer: The word gospel signifies “good news” or “glad
tidings.” “Gospel” is an old Saxon word; it is “God’s spell” or “word.”
2.
2.
List three
false gospels. Answer: (1) The Gospel of Peter (2) The Gospel of
Thomas (3) The Gospel of Philip.
3.
3. Who was Matthew? Answer: Matthew
was by birth a Jew, by calling a publican, and by sovereign grace a disciple of
Jesus Christ. He was said to have written this gospel about eight years after
the ascension of Christ.
4.
4. When were all the gospels
written? Answer: All the books of the New Testament were completed
prior to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70.
5.
5. What argument could be set
forth that Matthew wrote in Greek? Answer: It is possible that
Matthew wrote a gospel in Hebrew for the Jews but also a copy in Greek for the
Gentiles. He wrote in the common language of the people.
Mark
Chapter 2
1.
1. What is known about Mark? Answer:
Markus, a Roman name, was by birth a Jew. We read of John whose surname was
Mark, sister’s son to Barnabas, whom Paul was displeased with (Acts 15:37-38),
but afterward had a great kindness for (Col. 4:10 cf. 2 Tim. 4:11).
2.
2. According to tradition who
directed the writing of Mark’s gospel? Answer: It is a tradition very
current among the ancients, that St. Mark wrote this gospel under the direction
of St. Peter, and that it was confirmed by his authority.
3.
3. Was Mark an apostle? Answer:
While Mark was not an official apostle he may have been one of the
seventy disciples that Jesus sent out (Luke 10:19 cf. Mark 16:18).
4.
4. What does Mark emphasize in
his gospel? Answer: Mark emphasizes the miracles of Christ.
5.
5. According to legend what
happened to Mark? Answer: St. Jerome saith that, after the writing of
this gospel, he went into Egypt, and was the first that preached the gospel at
Alexandria, where he founded a church
Chapter 3
1.
1. What is known about Luke? Answer:
Luke was born at Antioch. He was a Jewish proselyte and was converted to
Christ during one of Paul’s missionary journeys (Acts 16:1). Paul calls him the
beloved Physician (Col. 4:14).
2.
2. What does Luke emphasize in
his gospel? Answer: Luke focuses attention upon the priestly nature
of Christ.
3.
3. What other works did Luke
write? Answer: Luke is also the author of the Acts of the Apostles.
4.
4. How did Luke die? Answer:
Jerome says that Luke died when he was eighty-four years of age, and was never
married.
5.
5. Who was Luke closely
associated with? Answer: Luke was a close traveling companion of Paul
in his travels (2 Cor. 8:18).
John
Chapter 4
1.
1. Who was John? Answer:
John was the brother of James and an apostle of Jesus Christ.
2.
2. Why was his gospel written? Answer:
John may have written his gospel at the request of the ministers of
several churches of Asia in opposition to the heresy of Corinthus and the
Ebonites who held that Jesus was merely a man.
3.
3. What other works did John
write? Answer: John is the author of the three epistles that bear his
name plus the book of the Revelation.
4.
4. Who do the four living
creatures of the Revelation represent? Answer: The four evangelists
with John being the eagle which soars high into the sky to reveal the Son of
God to man.
5.
5. How did John die? Answer:
John lived the longest of all the apostles and died a natural death.
Acts
Chapter 5
1.
1. Why is there not more
history in the book of Acts? Answer: “For fear of overburdening the
world (John 21:25), a Divine limitation was placed on what was recorded.
2.
2. What are some of the
miracles that confirmed the authority of the apostles? Answer: There
were miracles of mercy, restoring sick bodies to health and dead bodies to
life, miracles of judgment, and much greater miracles wrought on the minds of
people, in conferring spiritual gifts upon them, both of understanding and
utterance.
3.
3. What evidences are there for
the resurrection of Christ in Acts? Answer: There constant
testimonies from those that conversed with Christ after He arose from the dead.
Also, the power of the Holy Spirit was present to convert souls through the
preaching of the gospel.
4.
4. What story does the book of
Acts continue? Answer: The book of Acts continues to show how the
superstructure of the church was raised among the Jews, Samaritans, and
Gentiles.
5.
5. How was the Church built? Answer:
The disciples were baptized, organized in to religious societies, met
regularly for worship, learned the apostle’s doctrine, took communion, prayed,
and performed good works.
Chapter 6
1.
1. How many of the New
Testament epistles might be credited to Paul’s authorship? Answer:
Thirteen epistles of Paul are certain. Hebrews is often attributed to him.
2.
2. In what year was The
Epistle to the Romans written? Answer: Paul wrote this letter c.
AD 56 from the city of Corinth.
3.
3. Who carried the letter from
Corinth to Rome? Answer: A lady named Phebe, a servant of the church
at Cenchrea (Rom. 1:16) carried the letter to the church at Rome.
4.
4. What great doctrine is set
forth in this epistle? Answer: The glorious doctrine of justification
by grace through faith alone is taught in this epistle.
5.
5. What godly counsel is found
in the practical part of the letter? (chapters 12-15) Answer: In
Romans 12 there are general exhortations given for proper conduct of all
Christians. In chapter 13 directions are provided for acting as members of a
civil society. Rules for the conduct of Christians to one another as members of
the church are outlined in chapters 14 and 15.
1 Corinthians
1.
1. Where was the city of
Corinth located? Answer: It was situated on the isthmus (or neck of
land) that joined Peloponnesus to the rest of Greece, on the southern side, and
had two ports adjoining, one at the bottom of the Corinthian Gulf, called
Lechaeum, not far from the city, whence they traded to Italy and the west, the other
at the bottom of the Sinus Saronicus, called Cenchrea, at a more remote
distance, whence they traded to Asia.
2.
2. How was the church
established in Corinth? Answer: The history of the church is recorded
in Acts 18:1-18. For two years Paul labored in the lewd city of Corinth to
establish a church.
3.
3. Why was the epistle written?
Answer: Because of the great
doctrinal confusion and open immorality that Paul heard had come into the
church, he wrote to correct heresy and rebuke gross sin being allowed in the
sanctuary.
4.
4. What were some specific sins
of the saints? Answer: The specific sins of the saints included:
incest, parties and factions, abuse of spiritual gifts—especially tongues,
pride, law suits, various lusts, drunkenness at the Lord’s Table, and
disrespect towards apostolic authority.
5.
5. In what chapter are the
following topics discussed: communion, spiritual gifts, love, and the
resurrection? Answer:
Communion in chapter 11; spiritual gifts in chapters 12, 14; Love in chapter
13; and the resurrection in chapter 15.
2 Corinthians
Chapter 8
1.
1. How long after the first
epistle was the second letter sent to Corinth? Answer: About a
year after writing to the church at Corinth Paul addressed the assembly once
more.
2.
2. What should the attitude of
the assembly be towards a person who has repented? Answer: A person
who has truly repented of past sins should be restored and received again into
communion.
3.
3. What did Paul want the
church to do for the believers in Jerusalem? Answer: Because of a
famine in the land, Paul wanted financial relief to be taken to the church at
Jerusalem. A collection was to be gathered each Lord’s day for this purpose.
4.
4. In what chapter is a
comparison made between the Old Testament church and the
New? Answer: In
chapter 3 a great comparison and contrast is made between the law written on
tablets of stone and the new covenant written on the flesh of the heart.
5.
5. In which chapter does Paul
give a defense of his apostolic ministry? Answer: In chapters 10-12
Paul finds it necessary to defend himself from his false accusers who had
attacked his position as an apostle and his persona as a man.
Chapter 9
1.
1. What necessitated the
writing of the letter to the Galatians? Answer: False teaches had
come into the church of the Galatians to insist that the ceremonial law of
Moses be kept in addition to faith in Christ. This mingling of law and grace,
works righteousness and faith undermined the gospel of redeeming grace.
2.
2. What was the great concern
of the apostle? Answer: Paul was concerned that the church would
return to the law and leave the glorious doctrines of free grace for a works based
righteousness thereby nullifying the redemptive work of Christ at Calvary.
3.
3. What specific doctrine does
the apostle defend? Answer: Paul defends the doctrine of
justification by faith whereby individuals are declared righteous based on
belief in the substitutionary work of Christ on the cross.
4.
4. What exhortation is given? Answer:
The church must “stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ had made them
free.”
5.
5. What is the design of the
apostle in writing the letter? Answer: The purpose of this letter was
to (1) combat false teaching (2) caution against abusing spiritual liberty (3)
settle those who might be wavering in the faith (4) recover those who had been
perverted by erroneous teaching and (5) confirm those in the faith who had
maintained their integrity in the gospel.
Chapter 10
1.
1. What evidence is there that
the letter to the Ephesians was designed to be sent to that Church? Answer:
The epistle is expressly inscribed (1:1) to the saints that are at Ephesus; and
in the close of it Paul tells them that he had sent Tychicus unto them, whom,
in 2 Tim. 4:12, he says he had sent to Ephesus.
2.
2. Where was Paul when he wrote
this letter? Answer: Paul was in prison in Rome.
3.
3. What was his purpose in
writing? Answer: The purpose for this apostolic writing was to
establish the Ephesians in the truth and then to further acquaint them with the
mystery of the gospel.
4.
4. How does Paul present the
arguments he wishes to make? Answer: Paul reminds the believers of
what their lives were once like when they acted as idolatrous heathens. Now
that they have been converted to Christ they have been received into a covenant
relationship with the Lord.
5.
5. Which chapters teach the
doctrines of the faith and which chapters teach the duties of the Christian
life? Answer: In Ephesians 1-3 the doctrines of the faith are
set forth while in Ephesians 4-6 the duties of the Christian life are revealed.
Philippians
Chapter 11
1.
1. How did the city of Philippi
receive its name? Answer: It took its name from Philip, the famous
king of Macedon, who repaired and beautified it, and afterwards made it a Roman
colony.
2.
2. What famous battle was
fought near the city of Philippi? Answer: Near this place were the
Campi Philippici, remarkable for the famous battles between Julius Caesar and
Pompey the Great, and that between Augustus and Antony on one side and Cassius
and Brutus on the other.
3.
3. What year was the letter to
the Philippians written? Answer: This letter was written c. AD 62
during Paul’s second Roman imprisonment.
4.
4.
How did
Paul know he should go and preach to the Philippians? Answer: Paul
was called in an extraordinary manner to preach the gospel at Philippi, Acts
16:9. A vision appeared to Paul in the night: There stood a man of Macedonia,
and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. He saw God going
before him, and was encouraged to use all means for carrying on the good work
which was begun among them, and building upon the foundation which was laid.
5.
5. What lady was used of the
Lord to help establish the church in the city of Philippi? Answer:
Her name was Lydia.
1.
1. Why was the letter to the
Colossians written? Answer: The
design of the epistle is to warn them of the danger of the Jewish zealots, who
pressed the necessity of observing the ceremonial law; and to fortify them
against the mixture of the Gentile philosophy with their Christian principles.
2.
2. When was it written?
Answer: Along with Ephesians and Philippians this letter was written by
Paul c AD 62 during his second Roman imprisonment.
3.
3. Who established the church
at Colosse? Answer: Epaphras had planted this church.
4.
4. What hope is there for
Christians with lesser spiritual gifts? Answer: Christians must not
think that all spiritual honor is reserved for the most spiritual or useful of
God’s servants. We can all be used of the Lord if we are open to His
leadership. It is not ability but availability that the Lord uses.
5.
5. What spiritual lesson can be
learned from Paul’s example in ministering to the church at Colossi? Answer:
One person may “water” what others have “planted” or “build” upon the
“foundation” laid by someone else.
1 Thessalonians
1.
1. What was Thessalonica known
for in the ancient world? Answer: The city of Thessalonica was once
well known for commercial trade being a metropolis of Macedonia.
2.
2. Who founded the church at
Thessalonica? Answer: Passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, Paul
and his party came to Thessalonica, where the apostle planted a church that
consisted of some believing Jews and many converted Gentiles (Acts 17:1-4).
3.
3. Who was sent to report on
the church in Thessalonica? Answer: Timothy (Acts 18:5)
4.
4. What distinction does this
epistle have in Pauline writings? Answer: This may have been the
first of all the Pauline epistles.
6.
6. What year was the letter
written and what was its purpose? Answer: c. AD 51.
2 Thessalonians
Chapter 14
1.
1. When was 2 Thessalonians
written? Answer: c. AD 51/52
2.
2. What is the main topic of
concern? Answer: This second epistle seems to have been designed to
prevent a mistake, which might arise from some passages in the former epistle,
concerning the second coming of Christ, as if it were near at hand.
3.
3. How does the author alleviate
the concerns of the church? Answer: The apostle informs the church
that there were many intermediate counsels yet to be fulfilled before that day
of the Lord should come, though, because it is sure, he had spoken of it as
near.
1 Timothy
Chapter 15
1.
1. What ministry did Timothy,
Titus, and Philemon have in the early church? Answer: All three
ministers were evangelists (cf. Eph. 4:11). Their commission and work was much
the same with that of the apostles, to plant churches, and water the churches
that were planted.
2.
2. How did Timothy come to
faith? Answer: Timothy was converted by Paul, and therefore he called
him his own son in the faith: we read of his conversion in Acts 16:3.
3.
3. What is the main theme of 1
and 2 Timothy? Answer:
The scope of these two epistles is to direct Timothy how to discharge
his duty as an evangelist at Ephesus, where he now was, and where Paul ordered
him for some time to reside, to perfect the good work which he had begun there.
4.
4. What is the main
responsibility of the pastor? Answer: The main responsibility of the
pastor is to feed the flock of God, which He had planted with His own blood.
2 Timothy
Chapter 16
1.
1. Where was Paul when he wrote
to Timothy? Answer: This second epistle Paul wrote to Timothy from
Rome.
2.
2. What future lay before Paul
at the time of writing 2 Timothy? Answer: As a prisoner in Rome, Paul
sensed danger for his life; this is evident from these words, I am now ready to
be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand, 2 Tim 4:6. It appears that
his removal out of this world, in his own apprehension, was not far off,
especially considering the rage and malice of his persecutors.
3.
3. Under whose reign did Paul
die? Answer: had been brought before the emperor Nero, which he calls
his first answer, when no man stood with him, but all men forsook him, 2 Tim
4:16.
4.
4. What distinction in the
writings of Paul does 2 Timothy hold? Answer: Because the work in
Crete was more difficult than ordinary, Paul wrote this epistle to him to
encourage his heart and to give practical counsel in the work of the ministry.
5.
5. What is the design of 2
Timothy? Answer: Titus was to teach “sound doctrine.”
Chapter 17
1.
1. Compare the spiritual work
of Titus with the work of Timothy. Answer: Both were converts of
Paul, and his companions in labours and sufferings; both were in the office of
evangelists, whose work was to water the churches planted by the apostles, and
to set in order the things that were wanting in them: they were vice-apostles,
as it were, working the work of the Lord, as they did, and mostly under their
direction, though not despotic and arbitrary, but with the concurring exercise
of their own prudence and judgment, 1 Cor 16:10,12
2.
2. What are some things that
are known about Titus personally? Answer: We read much of this Titus,
his titles, character, and active usefulness, in many places-- he was a Greek,
Gal 2:3. Paul called him his son Titus 1:4, his brother 2 Cor 2:13, his partner
and fellow-helper 2 Cor 8:23, one that walked in the same spirit and in the
same steps with himself. He went up with the apostles to the church at
Jerusalem Gal 2:1, was much conversant at Corinth, for which church he had an
earnest care, 2 Cor 8:16.
3.
3. Where did Titus minister?
Answer: On the island of Crete.
4.
4. Why did Paul write to Titus?
Answer: Because the work in Crete was now more difficult than ordinary,
Paul wrote this epistle to him to encourage his heart and to give practical
counsel in the work of the ministry.
5.
5. What specifically was Titus
to teach and do? Answer: Titus was to “sound doctrine.”
Philemon
Chapter 18
1.
1. What was the occasion for
the writing of Philemon? Answer: In the Providence of the Lord, Paul
had met a runaway slave whom he was no sending back. Paul wanted the slave to
be treated with dignity and grace.
2.
2. What is one way that the
goodness of God is revealed? Answer: In the act of salvation the
goodness and grace of God is manifested.
3.
3. Who was Onesimus? Answer:
Onesimus was the name of the runaway slave.
4.
4. How was Philemon to treat
Onesimus? Answer: Philemon was to receive and treat his formerly
unprofitable servant as a brother.
5.
5.
How does
the experience of Onesimus reflect salvation? Answer: We, like
Onesimus, were revolters from God's service, and had injured him in his rights.
Jesus Christ finds us, and by his grace works a change in us, and then intercedes
for us with the Father, that we may be received into his favour and
family again, and past offences may be forgiven; and we are sure that the
Father heareth him always.
Chapter 19
1.
1. What do the Arians believe?
Answer: Arians deny the Godhead and self-existence of Christ.
2.
2. Who is the author of
Hebrews? Answer: While the authorship of this epistle is uncertain,
many scholars ascribe it to the Apostle Paul.
3.
3. What is the purpose of the
epistle? Answer: The purpose of this epistle is to set forth the
supremacy of Christ over the law, over Moses, over angels, and over the
Levitical priesthood and over the sacrifices they offered.
4.
4. How does the author
re-enforce his arguments? Answer: The glories of Christ are set
forth.
5.
5. What spiritual lesson might
be learned from the effort to study this epistle? Answer: While there
are many things hard to understand in Scripture, there is spiritual sweetness
in searching them out.
James
Chapter 20
1.
1. Who is the author of this
epistle? Answer: The writer of this epistle was not James the son of
Zebedee; for he was put to death by Herod (Acts 12) before Christianity had
gained so much ground among the Jews of the dispersion as is here implied. But
it was the other James, the son of Alpheus, who was cousin-germane to Christ,
and one of the twelve apostles, Mt. 10:3. He is called a pillar Gal. 2:9, and
this epistle of his cannot be disputed, without loosening a foundation stone.
2.
2. Why is this letter called a
“general” epistle? Answer: It is called a general epistle, because
(as some think) not directed to any particular person or church, but such a one
as we call a circular letter. Others think it is called general, or catholic,
to distinguish it from the epistles of Ignatius, Barnabas, Polycarp, and others
who were noted in the primitive times, but not generally received in the
church, and on that account not canonical, as this is. Eusebius tells us that
this epistle was "generally read in the churches with the other catholic
epistles." His. Eccles. Page 53. Ed. Val. Anno 1678.
3.
3. What was the author known
for? Answer: James was called “the just” for his great piety.
4.
4. What is the broad purpose of
this epistle? Answer: The design of it is to reprove
Christians for their great degeneracy both in faith and manners, and to prevent
the spreading of those libertine doctrines which threatened the destruction of
all practical godliness.
5.
5. What might have been a specific
intent of the author in writing this letter? Answer: It was
also a special intention of the author of this epistle to awaken the Jewish
nation to a sense of the greatness and nearness of those judgments which were
coming upon them; and to support all true Christians in the way of their duty,
under the calamities and persecutions they might meet with.
1 Peter
Chapter 21
1.
1. What false teachings have
been perpetuated about Peter? Answer: There are many things confidently
affirmed of this holy man that are directly false: as, That he had a primacy
and superior power over the rest of the apostles-- that he was more than their
equal-- that he was their prince, monarch, and sovereign-- and that he
exercised a jurisdiction over the whole college of the apostles: moreover, That
he as the sole and universal pastor over all the Christian world, the only
vicar of Christ upon earth-- that he was for above twenty years bishop of
Rome-- that the popes of Rome succeed to St. Peter, and derive from him a
universal supremacy and jurisdiction over all churches and Christians upon
earth-- and that all this was by our Lord's ordering and appointment; whereas
Christ never gave him any pre-eminence of this kind, but positively forbade it,
and gave precepts to the contrary. The other apostles never consented to any
such claim. Paul declares himself not a whit behind the very chief apostles, 2
Cor 11:5 and 12:11. Here is no exception of Peter's superior dignity, whom Paul
took the freedom to blame, and withstood him to the face, Gal 2:11. And Peter
himself never assumed any thing like it, but modestly styles himself an apostle
of Jesus Christ; and, when he writes to the presbyters of the church, he humbly
places himself in the same rank with them: The elders who are among you I
exhort, who am also an elder, 5:1
2.
2. List the threefold purpose
for the writing of 1 and 2 Peter. Answer: (1) To explain more fully the
doctrines of Christianity to these newly-converted Jews.(2) To direct and
persuade them to a holy conversation, in the faithful discharge of all personal
and relative duties, whereby they would secure their own peace and effectually
confute the slanders and reproaches of their enemies. (3) To prepare them for
sufferings.
Chapter 22
1.
1. What special moment was
Peter, James, and John present with the Lord? Answer: These three
apostles were present at the transfiguration of Christ.
2.
2. What evidence is there that
Peter is the author of this epistle? Answer: The penman of this
epistle appears plainly to be the same who wrote the foregoing; and, whatever
difference some learned men apprehend they discern in the style of this epistle
from that of the former, this cannot be a sufficient argument to assert that it
was written by Simon who succeeded the apostle James in the church at
Jerusalem, inasmuch as he who wrote this epistle calls himself Simon Peter, and
an apostle (v. 1), and says that he was one of the three apostles that were
present at Christ's transfiguration (v. 18), and says expressly that he had
written a former epistle to them, 3:1.
3.
3.
What is the
design of 2 Peter? Answer: The design of this second epistle is the
same with that of the former, as is evident from the first verse of the third
chapter, whence observe that, in the things of God, we have need of precept
upon precept, and line upon line, and all little enough to keep them in
remembrance; and yet these are the things which should be most faithfully
recorded and frequently remembered by us.
Chapter 23
1.
1. What are some other names
for Jesus? Answer: Jesus is called the Word, the Life, the Light; his
name was the Word of God. Compare 1:1 and 5:7 with John 1:1 and Rev 19:13.
2.
2. List three things about
John. Answer: (1) He is the disciple, whom Jesus loved, the Lord’s
peculiar friend. (2) He is the one who leaned on the Lord’s breast at the Last
Supper. (3) He is the one who asked “who is he that betrayeth thee?”
3.
3. Why was 1 John written?
Answer: The Epistle was sent
to divers churches (some say of Parthia), in order to confirm them in their
steadfast adherence to the Lord Christ, and the sacred doctrines concerning his
person and office, against seducers; and to instigate them to adorn that
doctrine by love to God and man, and particularly to each other, as being
descended from God, united by the same head, and traveling towards the same
eternal life
2 John
Chapter 24
1.
1. Who is the “elect lady” whom
John addresses? Answer: Here
we find a canonical epistle inscribed, principally, not only to a single
person, but to one also of the softer sex.
2.
2. How did the Lord honor and
exalt women? Answer: In gospel redemption, privilege, and dignity,
there is neither male nor female; they are both one in Christ Jesus. Our Lord
himself neglected his own repast, to commune with the woman of Samaria, in
order to show her the fountain of life; and, when almost expiring upon the
cross, he would with his dying lips bequeath his blessed mother to the care of
his beloved disciple, and thereby instruct him to respect female disciples for
the future. It was to one of the same sex that our Lord chose to appear first
after his return from the grave, and to send by her the news of his
resurrection to this as well as to the other apostles; and we find afterwards a
zealous Priscilla so well acquitting herself in her Christian race, and
particularly in some hazardous service towards the apostle Paul, that she is
not only often mentioned before her husband, but to her as well as to him, not
only the apostle himself, but also all the Gentile churches, were ready to
return their thankful acknowledgments. No wonder then that a heroine in the
Christian religion, honored by divine providence, and distinguished by divine
grace, should be dignified also by an apostolic epistle.
3 John
Chapter 25
1.
1. What is the theme of this
epistle? Answer: Christian communion is exerted and cherished by
letter. Christians are to be commended in the practical proof of their
professed subjection to the gospel of Christ.
2.
2. Who was Gaius? Answer:
Gaius was a friend of John’s.
3.
3. What virtue did Gaius
possess that is to be imitated? Answer: Gaius was well known for his
gift of hospitality.
Jude
Chapter 26
1.
1. Why was Jude written?
Answer: This epistle was designed to warn the church against seducers
and their seduction, to inspire us with a warm love to, and a hearty concern
for, truth (evident and important truth), and that in the closest conjunction
with holiness, of which charity, or sincere unbiased brotherly-love, is a most
essential character and inseparable branch.
2.
2. List two special features of
the “truth.” Answer: (I) It is the truth as it is in Jesus (Eph. 4:21)
and (2) it is truth which is after (or which is according to) godliness (Tit.
1:1).
3.
3. What is one indication of
false doctrine? Answer: Immorality is a natural product of false
doctrine.
4.
4. What is one thing that the
Christian can know with confidence? Answer: We know from what
foundation we are wholly and solely to draw all necessary saving knowledge.
5.
5. What caution should the
church take in relation to false teachers? Answer: Christians should
not believe that they are more spiritual than others.
Chapter 27
1.
1. What prophetic utterances
have blessed the church? Answer: That glorious prediction of breaking
the serpent's head was the stay and support of the patriarchal age; and the
many prophecies there were concerning the Messiah to come were the gospel of
the Old Testament.
2.
2. What did Christ predict?
Answer: Christ himself prophesied of the destruction of Jerusalem; and,
about the time in which that was accomplished, he entrusted the apostle John
with this book of revelation, to deliver it to the church as a prediction of
the most important events that should happen to it to the end of time, for the
support of the faith of his people and the direction of their hope.
3.
3. Why is this book of the
Bible called The Revelation? Answer: It is called the
Revelation, because God therein discovers those things which could never have
been sifted out by the reasonings of human understanding, those deep things of
God which no man knows, but the Spirit of God, and those to whom he reveals
them.