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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 1:26

Verse 26 26.Let us make man (83) Although the tense here used is the future, all must acknowledge that this is the language of one apparently deliberating. Hitherto God has been introduced simply as commanding; now, when he approaches the most excellent of all his works, he enters into consultation. God certainly might here command by his bare word what he wished to be done: but he chose to give this tribute to the excellency of man, that he would, in a manner, enter into consultation... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 1:27

Verse 27 27.So God created man The reiterated mention of the image of God is not a vain repetition. For it is a remarkable instance of the Divine goodness which can never be sufficiently proclaimed. And, at the same time, he admonishes us from what excellence we have fallen, that he may excite in us the desire of its recovery. When he soon afterwards adds, that God created them male and female, he commends to us that conjugal bond by which the society of mankind is cherished. For this form of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 1:28

Verse 28 28.And God blessed them This blessing of God may be regarded as the source from which the human race has flowed. And we must so consider it not only with reference to the whole, but also, as they say, in every particular instance. For we are fruitful or barren in respect of offspring, as God imparts his power to some and withholds it from others. But here Moses would simply declare that Adam with his wife was formed for the production of offspring, in order that men might replenish the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 1:24-31

The sixth day. We pass from the sea and air to the earth. We are being led to man. Notice— I. THE PREPARATION IS COMPLETE . Before the earth receives the human being, it brings forth all the other creatures, and God sees that they are good—good in his sight, good for man. II. THE PURPOSE OF THE WORK IS BENEVOLENT . Cattle, creeping thing, beast of the earth. So man would see them distinguished—the wild from the domestic, the creeping from the roaming, the clean from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 1:26

The importance assigned in the Biblical record to the creation of man is indicated by the manner in which it is introduced. And God said, Let us make man. Having already explained the significance of the term Elohim , as suggesting the fullness of the Divine personality, and foreshadowing the doctrine of the Trinity ( Genesis 1:1 ), other interpretations, such as that God takes counsel with the angels (Philo, Aben Ezra, Delitzsch), or with the earth (Maimonides, M . Gerumlius), or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 1:26-27

The creation of man. Take it— I. As a revelation of God in his relation to man. II. As a revelation of man to himself. I. GOD IN RELATION TO MAN . 1. As the Father as well as Creator . As to the rest of creation, it is said, "Let be," and "it was." As to many "Let us make in our image." Closely kin by original nature, man is invited to intercourse with the Divine. 2. The spirituality of God's highest creature is the bond of union and fellowship. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 1:27

So (or and) God created ( bara , as in Genesis 1:1 , Genesis 1:21 , q.v.) man (literally; the Adam referred to in Genesis 1:26 ) in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them . The threefold repetition of the term "created" should be observed as a significant negation of modern evolution theories as to the descent of man, and an emphatic proclamation of his Divine original . The threefold parallelism of the members of this verse is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 1:27

The greatness of man. I. THE TIME OF HIS APPEARANCE . The latest of God's works, he was produced towards the close of the era that witnessed the introduction upon our globe of the higher animals. Taking either view of the length of the creative day, it may be supposed that in the evening the animals went forth "to roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God," and that in the morning man arose upon the variegated scene, "going forth to his work and to his labor until the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 1:28

And God blessed them. Not him , as LXX . As on the introduction of animal life the Divine Creator conferred on the creatures his blessing, so when the first pair of human beings are formed they are likewise enriched by their Creator's benediction. And God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply. As in the case of the lower creatures the Divine blessing had respect in the first instance to the propagation and perpetuation of the species, " which blessing," says Calvin, " may ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 1:29

Provision for the sustenance of the newly-appointed monarch and his subjects is next made. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. Of the three classes into which the vegetable creation was divided, grass, herbs, and trees ( Genesis 1:12 ), the two last were assigned to man for food. Macdonald thinks that without this express... read more

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