Notes
Notes
[1] Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words defines godliness as “to be devout, denotes that piety which, characterized by a Godward attitude, does that which is well-pleasing to Him” (Nashville: Royal Publishers, n.d., 492). J. C. Connell defines godliness as a personal attitude to God and the actions that spring directly from it (New Bible Dictionary, London: InterVarsity, 1962, 480).
[2] William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (Grand Rapids, MI: Sovereign Grace, 1971), 1.
[3] John Murray, Principles of Conduct (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1978), 229.
[4] Murray, 230.
[5] See, for example, 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:21; Colossians 3:22; 1 Peter 1:17. The New International Version of the Bible uses the word reverence for “fear” in some of these passages. It is, however, the same Greek word translated as “fear” in other places.
[6] Murray, 231.
[7] Albert N. Martin, cassette tape series, “The Fear of God” (Essex Fells, NJ: The Trinity Pulpit). This series consists of nine messages on the fear of God. I highly recommend it to those who wish to pursue this subject in greater detail. I am indebted to the Reverend Martin for the definition of the fear of God used in this chapter.
[8] Information on materials for Bible study and Scripture memorization may be obtained from NavPress, P.O. Box 35002, Colorado Springs, CO 80935.
[9] William Wilson, Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies (MacLean, VA: MacDonald, n.d.), 271.
[10] I believe it is the fruit of godly character and conduct that is primarily in view in this passage (John 15:1-6). When Jesus and Paul speak of the fruit of evangelism, they speak of harvesting or gathering, as opposed to producing fruit (see John 4:36; Romans 1:13). Certainly Jesus’ use of the term fruit in Matthew 7:15-23 relates primarily to character and conduct.
[11] Frederic Louis Godet, Commentary on John’s Gospel (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 1978), 855.
[12] Jac J. Müller, “The Epistles of Paul to the Philippians and to Philemon,” The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1978), 91.
[13] George W. Bethune, The Fruit of the Spirit (1839; repr., Swengel, PA: Reiner), 32–34.
[14] Norvel Geldenhuys, “Commentary on the Gospel of Luke,” The New International Commentary on the New Testament, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1977), 306–307.
[15] William Hendriksen comments on this passage, “What is promised here, therefore, is that our Lord, at his second coming will, in a manner consonant with his glory and majesty, ‘wait on’ his faithful servants!” in his “The Gospel of Luke,” New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1978), 677.
[16] William Hendriksen, Commentary on I & II Timothy and Titus (London: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1959), 198.
[17] W. E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, 226, 1105.
[18] Leland Ryken, “Puritan Work Ethic: The Dignity of Life’s Labors,” Christianity Today, 19 October 1979, 15.
[19] Providence is defined theologically as “the unceasing activity of the Creator whereby, in overflowing bounty and goodwill, he upholds his creatures in ordered existence, guides and governs all events, circumstances, and free acts of angels and men, and directs everything to its appointed goal, for his own glory.” The New Bible Dictionary (London: InterVarsity, 1962; repr., Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1973), 1050–1051.
[20] Other passages that affirm the truth of God’s providence include Genesis 12:17; 20:6; 50:20; Exodus 3:21; 8:22; 9:29; Ezra 1:1; Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 4:34-55; Acts 16:6-7; Romans 8:28.
[21] John W. Sanderson, The Fruit of the Spirit (Grand Rapids,MI: Zondervan, 1972), 72.
[22] Sanderson, 65–66.
[23] Sanderson, 71.
[24] Sanderson, 73.
[25] Howard Marshall, “The Epistles of John,” The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1978), 109.
[26] These five essentials, as well as other aspects of holiness, are more fully developed in The Pursuit of Holiness (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1978, 1996, 2006). This book may be obtained from most local Christian bookstores or by contacting NavPress at www.NavPress.com.
[27] John Murray, “The Epistles of Romans,” The New International Commentary on the New Testament, Vol. II (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1965), 114.
[28] Charles Bridges, An Exposition of Proverbs (1846; repr., Evansville, IN: Sovereign Grace Book Club, 1959), 483.
[29] D. G. Kehl, Control Yourself! (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1982), 25. This is an excellent book for those who want to pursue the subject of self-control further.
[30] George W. Bethune, The Fruit of the Spirit (1839; repr., Swengel, PA: Reiner), 179.
[31] Bridges, 250.
[32] Kehl, 79.
[33] Kehl, 26.
[34] Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary (Springfield, MA: G. & C. Merriam, 1974).
[35] As quoted in Character of the Christian, book 4 of the STUDIES IN CHRISTIAN LIVING series (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1964), 26.
[36] Jerry White, Honesty, Morality, and Conscience (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1978, 1996, 2007), 53. I highly recommend this book for further study on the topic of honesty.
[37] John W. Sanderson, The Fruit of the Spirit (Grand Rapids,MI: Zondervan, 1972), 117.
[38] John W. Sanderson, The Fruit of the Spirit (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1972), 90.
[39] George W. Bethune, The Fruit of the Spirit (1839; repr., Swengel, PA: Reiner), 100.
[40] Billy Graham, The Holy Spirit (Waco, TX: Word, 1978), 205–206.
[41] William Hendriksen, The Gospel of Matthew (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1973), 504.
[42] William Hendriksen, Exposition of Philippians (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1962), 193.
[43] James Adamson, “The Epistle of James,” The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1976), 155.
[44] W. E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, 474.
[45] George W. Bethune, The Fruit of the Spirit (1839; repr., Swengel, PA: Reiner), 117.
[46] Bethune, 126.
[47] Bethune, 127–128.
[48] Bethune, 132.
[49] George W. Bethune, The Fruit of the Spirit (1839; repr., Swengel, PA: Reiner), 40.
[50] Bethune, 41.
[51] Bethune, 38.
[52] W. E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, 693.
[53] Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1978, 1996, 2006), 101–102.
[54] Jac J. Müller, “The Epistles of Paul to the Philippians and to Philemon,” The New International Commentary on the New Testament, 124.
[55] Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the First Epistle to the Corinthians (Edinburgh, Scotland: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1959), 169.
[56] Thomas Manton, The Complete Works of Thomas Manton, Vol. 16 (Worthington, PA: Maranatha, n.d.), 178.