NIV Standard Lesson Commentary: 2016-2017

Top Highlights

“Based as they are in the facts of Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension, today’s texts paint a picture of enormous comfort: God’s love reconciles us to him with utter certainty. Because our relationship to God is founded on his love in Christ and not on any goodness of ours, we can have complete confidence that we are now, and will always be, his saved and blessed people.” (Page 295)

“These powerful, poetic expressions of God are saying, ‘He is not like us. His ways are far above ours. He is glorious beyond our comprehension.’” (Page 180)

“The future perspective sees the praise mostly focused on what God is going to do later. Support for this is seen in the future orientation of the phrase he will judge in both the verse before us and verse 13 (below). The stress is that everyone, all peoples, should be aware of the judgment to come. Unrighteous nations and individuals perish under God’s righteous judgment (Jeremiah 18:7–10; Hosea 10:8; Revelation 6:15–17; etc.). But what will cause many to fear will ultimately be the reason for universal celebration (next verse).” (Page 166)

“The movements of Philip are not devised by his own planning but directed by God through an angel of the Lord. In obedience, he travels through the countryside to be where God wants him at the precise time God intends.” (Page 427)

“People are not made righteous by their praise of God, but praising him is the right and proper thing to do. We cannot consider ourselves to be upright if we refuse or neglect worship.” (Page 155)