Genesis 18:12-15 NIV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:15

Verse 15 15.Then Sarah denied. Another sin of Sarah’s was, that she endeavored to cover and hide her laughter by a falsehood. Yet this excuse did not proceed from obstinate wickedness, according to the manner in which hypocrites are wont to snatch at subterfuges, so that they remain like themselves, even to the end. Sarah’s feelings were of a different kind; for while she repents of her own folly, she is yet so terrified, as to deny that she had done, what she now perceives to be displeasing to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:1-15

Noontide at, Mamre, or angels' visits. I. THE ARRIVAL OF THE STRANGERS . 1. The appearance they presented. Seemingly three men, they were in reality three angels, or, more correctly, Jehovah accompanied by two celestial attend ants, who, at an unexpected moment, were making for Abraham's tent. So are the homes of saints ofttimes visited by angels unawares ( Hebrews 1:14 ), and, greater honor still, by him who claims the angels as his ministers ( Psalms 8:4 ; Isaiah 57:17... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:1-15

The theophany at Mamre. I. THE DIVINE VISIT TO THE PATRIARCH . 1. A remarkable proof of the Divine condescension. 2. A striking adumbration of the incarnation of Christ. 3. An instructive emblem of God's gracious visits to his saints. II. THE DIVINE FEAST WITH THE PATRIARCH . 1. The courteous invitation. 2. The sumptuous provision. 3. The ready attention. III. THE DIVINE MESSAGE FOR THE PATRIARCH . 1. Its delivery to Abraham. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:1-15

The theophany at Mamre. "The Lord appeared unto him" ( Genesis 18:1 ). I. THE PREPARATION FOR DIVINE MANIFESTATION . 1. Abraham stands on a higher plane of spiritual life. He is endeavoring to fulfill the commandment given ( Genesis 17:1 ): "Walk before me," &c.; The appearances and communications are more frequent and more full. 2. The concentration of the believer's thought at a particular crisis. His place at the tent door, looking forth over the plains of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:12

Therefore (literally, and) Sarah laughed within herself —Abraham had laughed in joyful amazement, ( Genesis 18:17 ) at the first mention of Sarah's son; Sarah laughs, if not in unbelief (Calvin, Keil, 'Speaker's Commentary,' Wordsworth), at least with a mingled feeling of doubt and delight (Lange, Murphy) at the announcement of her approaching maternity— saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?— literally, and my lord, i.e. my husband, is old. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:12

"Sarah laughed within herself." 1. The incongruity between a Divine promise and the sphere of its fulfillment is temptation to unbelief. 2. A disposition to measure the reality and certainty of the Divine by a human or earthly standard is sure to lead us to irreverence and sinful doubt. 3. There may be an inward and concealed working, known to God though not outwardly expressed. Which is still both an insult to him a d an injury to us. 4. The root of unbelief is in the ground... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:13

And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh ,—a question which must have convinced Abraham of the Speaker's omniscience. Not only had he heard the silent, inaudible, inward cachinnation of Sarah's spirit, but he knew the tenor of her thoughts, and the purport of her dubitations— saying, Shall I of a surely bear a child, whilst (literally, and I ) am old? Sarah's mental cogitations clearly showed that the temporary obscuration of her faith proceeded from a strong... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:14

Is any thing too hard for the Lord ? Literally, Is any word too wonderful, i.e. impossible, for Jehovah μὴ ἀδυνατήσει παρὰ τῷ θεῷ ῥῆμα ( LXX .), with which may be compared Luke 1:37 . At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life ( vide supra, Luke 1:10 ), and Sarah shall have a son. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:14

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" I. TAKE IT AS THE QUESTION WHICH GOD ASKS OF MAN . 1. Remonstrance . The history of Divine manifestations proves that nothing is demanded of faith which is not justified by the bestowments of the past. 2. Invitation . We connect the question with the promise. He opens the gate of life; is it too hard for him to give us the victory? "At the time appointed" his word will be fulfilled. He would have us rest on himself . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:15

Then Sarah (who had overheard the conversation, and the charge preferred against her, and who probably now appeared before the stranger) denied, saying, I laughed not. Sarah's conduct will admit of no other explanation than that which the sacred narrative itself gives. For she was afraid. The knowledge that her secret thoughts had been deciphered must have kindled in her breast the suspicion that her visitor was none other than Jehovah. With this a sense of guilt would immediately assail... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:1-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:1-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:1-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:15

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