Nehemiah 6:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 6:1-9

Two plots upon Nehemiah we have here an account of, how cunningly they were laid by his enemies and how happily frustrated by God's good providence and his prudence. I. A plot to trepan him into a snare. The enemies had an account of the good forwardness the work was in, that all the breaches of the wall were made up, so that they considered it as good as done, though at that time the doors of the gates were off the hinges (Neh. 6:1); they must therefore now or never, by one bold stroke, take... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 6:3

And I sent messengers unto them ,.... He did not show any open contempt of them, nor did he even return answer by the messenger that came from them, but sent some of his own people to them: saying, I am doing a great work ; was about an affair of great importance, very busy, and not at leisure to give them a meeting: so that I cannot come down ; Jerusalem being built on an eminence, and the place proposed to meet at in a plain, going thither is expressed by coming down: why should... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 6:3

I am doing a great work - Though he knew their design, he does not think it prudent to mention it. Had he done so, they would probably have gone to extremities, finding that they were discovered; and perhaps in a formidable body attacked Jerusalem, when ill provided to sustain such a shock. They wished to effect their purpose rather by treachery than by open violence. I know not any language which a man who is employed on important labors can use more suitably, as an answer to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 6:1-9

Craft detected and baffled. The enemies without make cunning proposals in vain. I. THE OCCASION OF THEIR INTERFERENCE . They heard that the wall was completed, though the gates were not yet set up; and, thinking that further open opposition would be useless, adopted craft. II. THE MANNER OF THEIR INTERFERENCE . 1. They repeatedly proposed a conference. Pretending probably that they wished to come to a good understanding with Nehemiah, but really intending to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 6:1-9

The Christian workman. Nehemiah was an instance, and will ever be the type, of a faithful workman in the cause of God; from his conduct and career we may learn— I. HOW VALUABLE ONE WORKMAN MAY PROVE (verses 1, 2). Sin sometimes pays an unconscious tribute to integrity and worth. It acts on the assumption that righteousness is more than equal to its energy, and that, to gain its evil end, it must have recourse to "poisoned weapons." Thus, e.g; Philip of Spain, striving... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 6:1-14

God with us. The true safety of God's people in the midst of the world's opposition. Nehemiah represents the spirit of consecration, zeal, single-mindedness, dependence upon God, personal responsibility, and confidence in final issues, which should be the spirit of all God's people, and especially of those who hold prominent places in the Church. I. THE FACT OF OPPOSITION . 1. It is a constant fact. The form may change, but the substance is the same. Sleepless vigilance... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 6:1-16

The temptations of earnest moral life and service. I. THE WAY IN WHICH THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF EARNEST MORAL LIFE AND SERVICE ARE MADE KNOWN TO WICKED MEN . "Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein" ( Nehemiah 6:1 ). Christian life and service will make themselves known— 1. Naturally. The finished walls must be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 6:1-19

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 6:3

Hindrances repelled. "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down." This reply of Nehemiah to his subtle enemies is worthy of adoption by us in relation to all that would hinder us in Christ's service. In giving them this turn, we may employ the words "come down," used here of locality, in the sense of descending to a lower mental or moral level. I. WHO MAY WELL ADOPT THESE WORDS . 1. All Christians. 2. Those who occupy positions of peculiar responsibility.... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 6:3

Nehemiah 6:3. I am doing a great work He acquainted them that he thought the business which they might have with him could not be of such importance as that which he had in hand; and therefore he would not put a stop to it to come and confer with them. Thus he tells them one, but not the only, nor the principal reason of his refusal; for he properly judged that it would answer no good end to intimate to them his suspicions of their design to compass his death. read more

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