Isaiah, Chapter 55, verses 6-9
6 and to repentance, 8 The happy success of them that believePhilippians, Chapter 1, verses 20-27
12 He showeth what good the faith of Christ had received by his troubles at Rome, 21 and how ready he is to glorify Christ either by his life or death, 27 exhorting them to unity1
1:20 As always - Since my call to the apostleship. In my body - however it may he disposed of. How that might be, he did not yet know. For the apostles did not know all things; particularly in things pertaining to themselves, they had room to exercise faith and patience.
1:21 To me to live is Christ - To know, to love, to follow Christ, is my life, my glory, my joy.
1:22 Here he begins to treat of the former clause of the preceding verse. Of the latter he treats, Php 2:17.But if I am to live is the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour - This is the fruit of my living longer, that I can labour more. Glorious labour! desirable fruit! in this view, long life is indeed a blessing. And what I should choose I know not - That is, if it were left to my choice.
1:23 To depart - Out of bonds, flesh, the world. And to be with Christ - In a nearer and fuller union. It is better to depart; it is far better to be with Christ.
1:25 I know - By a prophetic notice given him while he was writing this. That I shall continue some time longer with you - And doubtless he did see them after this confinement.
1:27 Only - Be careful for this, and nothing else. Stand fast in one spirit - With the most perfect unanimity. Striving together - With united strength and endeavours. For the faith of the gospel - For all the blessings revealed and promised therein.
Matthew, Chapter 20, verses 1-16
1 Christ by the similitude of the labourers in the vineyard showeth that God is debtor unto no man20
20:1 That some of those who were first called may yet be last, our Lord confirms by the following parable: of which the primary scope is, to show, That many of the Jews would be rejected, and many of the Gentiles accepted; the secondary, That of the Gentiles, many who were first converted would be last and lowest in the kingdom of glory; and many of those who were last converted would be first, and highest therein. The kingdom of heaven is like - That is, the manner of God's proceeding in his kingdom resembles that of a householder. In the morning - At six, called by the Romans and Jews, the first hour. From thence reckoning on to the evening, they called nine, the third hour; twelve, the sixth; three in the afternoon, the ninth; and five, the eleventh. To hire labourers into his vineyard - All who profess to be Christians are in this sense labourers, and are supposed during their life to be working in God's vineyard.
20:2 The Roman penny was about seven pence halfpenny. [About thirteen and three quarter cents, American.] This was then the usual price of a day's labour.
20:6 About the eleventh hour - That is, very late; long after the rest were called.
20:8 In the evening - Of life; or of the world.
20:9 Who were hired about the eleventh hour - Either the Gentiles, who were called long after the Jews into the vineyard of the Church of Christ; or those in every age who did not hear, or at least understand the Gospel call, till their day of life was drawing to a period. Some circumstances of the parable seem best to suit the former, some the latter of these senses.
20:10 The first supposed they should have received more - Probably the first here may mean the Jews, who supposed they should always be preferred before the Gentiles.
20:12 Thou hast made them equal to us - So St. Peter expressly, Act 15:9.God - hath put no difference between us (Jews) and them, (Gentiles,) purifying their hearts by faith. And those who wereequally holy here, whenever they were called, will be equally happy hereafter.
20:14 It is my will to give to this last called among the heathens even as to the first called among the Jews: yea, and to the late converted publicans and sinners, even as to those who, were called long before.
20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? - Yea, doubtless, to give either to Jew or Gentile a reward infinitely greater than he deserves. But can it be inferred from hence, that it is lawful, or possible, for the merciful Father of spirits to "Consign an unborn soul to hell? Or damn him from his mother's womb?"Is thine eye evil because I am good - Art thou envious, because I am gracious? Here is an evident reference to that malignant aspect, which is generally the attendant of a selfish and envious temper.
20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last - Not only with regard to the Jews and Gentiles, but in a thousand other instances.For many are called - All who hear the Gospel; but few chosen - Only those who obey it. Mat 19:30; Mat 22:14.
55 An invitation to seek for spiritual blessings from Christ, whom the Father sends, Isa 55:1-5.
To come to him speedily and by repentance, Isa 55:6-7.
His grace infinite, Isa 55:8-9.
His word powerful, Isa 55:10-11.
The joy of believers, Isa 55:12-13.
55:6 Seek - Labour to get the knowledge of God's will, and to obtain his grace and favour. While - In this day of grace, while he offers mercy and reconciliation. Near - Ready and desirous to receive you to mercy.
55:7 Return - By sincere repentance, and faith.
55:8 For - If any man injure you, especially if he do it greatly and frequently, you are slow and backward to forgive him. But I am ready to forgive all penitents, how many, and great, and numberless soever their sins be.