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Selected Verse: Luke 2:32 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Lu 2:32	Strong Concordance	A light [5457] to [1519] lighten [602] the Gentiles [1484], and [2532] the glory [1391] of thy [4675] people [2992] Israel [2474].
	King James	A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

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Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
A light to lighten the Gentiles - This is in accordance with the prophecies in the Old Testament, Isa. 49; Isa 9:6-7; Psa 98:3; Mal 4:2. The Gentiles are represented as sitting in darkness that is, in ignorance and sin. Christ is a "light" to them, as by him they will be made acquainted with the character of the true God, his law, and the plan of redemption. As the darkness rolls away when the sun arises, so ignorance and error flee away when Jesus gives light to the mind. Nations shall come to his light, and kings to the brightness of his rising, Isa 60:3. And the glory ... - The first offer of salvation was made to the Jews, Joh 4:22; Luk 24:47. Jesus was born among the Jews; to them had been given the prophecies respecting him, and his first ministry was among them. Hence, he was their glory, their honor, their light. But it is a subject of special gratitude to us that the Saviour was given also for the Gentiles; for: 1. We are Gentiles, and if he had not come we should have been shut out from the blessings of redemption. 2. It is he only that now. "Can make our dying bed. Feel soft as downy pillows are, While on his breast we lean our head, And breathe our life out sweetly there." Thus our departure may be like that of Simeon. Thus we may die in peace. Thus it will be a blessing to die. But, 3. In order to do this, our life must be like that of Simeon. We must wait for the consolation of Israel. We must look for his coming. We must be holy, harmless, undefiled, "loving" the Saviour. Then death to us, like death to Simeon, will have no terror; we shall depart in peace, and in heaven see the salvation of God, Pe2 3:11-12. But, 4. Children, as well as the hoary-headed Simeon, may look for the coming of Christ. They too must die; and "their" death will be happy only as they depend on the Lord Jesus, and are prepared to meet him.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

A light to lighten the Gentiles - This is in accordance with the prophecies in the Old Testament, Isa. 49; Isa 9:6-7; Psa 98:3; Mal 4:2. The Gentiles are represented as sitting in darkness that is, in ignorance and sin. Christ is a "light" to them, as by him they will be made acquainted with the character of the true God, his law, and the plan of redemption. As the darkness rolls away when the sun arises, so ignorance and error flee away when Jesus gives light to the mind. Nations shall come to his light, and kings to the brightness of his rising, Isa 60:3.

And the glory ... - The first offer of salvation was made to the Jews, Joh 4:22; Luk 24:47. Jesus was born among the Jews; to them had been given the prophecies respecting him, and his first ministry was among them. Hence, he was their glory, their honor, their light. But it is a subject of special gratitude to us that the Saviour was given also for the Gentiles; for:

1. We are Gentiles, and if he had not come we should have been shut out from the blessings of redemption.

2. It is he only that now.

"Can make our dying bed.

Feel soft as downy pillows are,

While on his breast we lean our head,

And breathe our life out sweetly there."

Thus our departure may be like that of Simeon. Thus we may die in peace. Thus it will be a blessing to die. But,

3. In order to do this, our life must be like that of Simeon. We must wait for the consolation of Israel. We must look for his coming. We must be holy, harmless, undefiled, "loving" the Saviour. Then death to us, like death to Simeon, will have no terror; we shall depart in peace, and in heaven see the salvation of God, Pe2 3:11-12. But,

4. Children, as well as the hoary-headed Simeon, may look for the coming of Christ. They too must die; and "their" death will be happy only as they depend on the Lord Jesus, and are prepared to meet him.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
A light (φῶς) The light itself as distinguished from λύχνος, a lamp, which the A. V. often unfortunately renders light. See on Mar 14:54. To lighten (εἰς ἀποκάλυψιν) Wrong. Rev., correctly, for revelation. Wyc., to the shewing. It may be rendered the unveiling of the Gentiles. Gentiles (ἐθνῶν) Assigned to the same root as ἔθω, to be accustomed, and hence of a people bound together by like habits or customs. According to biblical usage the term is understood of people who are not of Israel, and who therefore occupy a different position with reference to the plan of salvation. Hence the extension of the gospel salvation to them is treated as a remarkable fact. See Mat 12:18, Mat 12:21; Mat 24:14; Mat 28:19; Act 10:45; Act 11:18; Act 18:6. Paul is called distinctively an apostle and teacher of the Gentiles, and a chosen vessel to bear Christ's name among them. In Act 15:9; Eph 2:11, Eph 2:18; Eph 3:6, we see this difference annihilated, and the expression at last is merely historical designation of the non-Israelitish nations which, as such, were formerly without God and salvation. See Act 15:23; Rom 16:4; Eph 3:1. Sometimes the word is used in a purely moral sense, to denote the heathen in opposition to Christians. See Co1 5:1; Co1 10:20; Pe1 2:12. Light is promised here to the Gentiles and glory to Israel. The Gentiles are regarded as in darkness and ignorance. Some render the words εἰς ἀποκάλυψιν, above, for the unveiling of the Gentiles, instead of for revelation. Compare Isa 25:7. Israel, however, has already received light by the revelation of God through the law and the prophets, and that light will expand into glory through Christ. Through the Messiah, Israel will attain its true and highest glory.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
And the glory of thy people Israel - For after the Gentiles are enlightened, all Israel shall be saved.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
A light to lighten the Gentiles - Φως εις αποκαλυψιν εθνων - A light of the Gentiles, for revelation. By Moses and the prophets, a light of revelation was given to the Jews, in the blessedness of which the Gentiles did not partake. By Christ and his apostles, a luminous revelation is about to be given unto the Gentiles, from the blessedness of which the Jews in general, by their obstinacy and unbelief, shall be long excluded. But to all true Israelites it shall be a glory, an evident fulfillment of all the predictions of the prophets, relative to the salvation of a lost world; and the first offers of it shall be made to the Jewish people, who may see in it the truth of their own Scriptures indisputably evinced.

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¹¹ Seeing then [3767] that all [3956] these things [5130] shall be dissolved [3089], what manner [4217] of persons ought [1163] ye [5209] to be [5225] in [1722] all holy [40] conversation [391] and [2532] godliness [2150],
¹² Looking for [4328] and [2532] hasting [4692] unto the coming [3952] of the day [2250] of God [2316], wherein [1223] [3739] the heavens [3772] being on fire [4448] shall be dissolved [3089], and [2532] the elements [4747] shall melt [5080] with fervent heat [2741]?

⁴⁷ And [2532] that repentance [3341] and [2532] remission [859] of sins [266] should be preached [2784] in [1909] his [846] name [3686] among [1519] all [3956] nations [1484], beginning [756] at [575] Jerusalem [2419].

²² Ye [5210] worship [4352] ye know [1492] not [3756] what [3739]: we know [1492] what [3739] we [2249] worship [4352]: for [3754] salvation [4991] is [2076] of [1537] the Jews [2453].

³ And the Gentiles [01471] shall come [01980] to thy light [0216], and kings [04428] to the brightness [05051] of thy rising [02225].

² But unto you that fear [03373] my name [08034] shall the Sun [08121] of righteousness [06666] arise [02224] with healing [04832] in his wings [03671]; and ye shall go forth [03318], and grow up [06335] as calves [05695] of the stall [04770].

³ He hath remembered [02142] his mercy [02617] and his truth [0530] toward the house [01004] of Israel [03478]: all the ends [0657] of the earth [0776] have seen [07200] the salvation [03444] of our God [0430].

⁶ For unto us a child [03206] is born [03205], unto us a son [01121] is given [05414]: and the government [04951] shall be upon his shoulder [07926]: and his name [08034] shall be called [07121] Wonderful [06382], Counsellor [03289], The mighty [01368] God [0410], The everlasting [05703] Father [01], The Prince [08269] of Peace [07965].
⁷ Of the increase [04766] of his government [04951] and peace [07965] there shall be no end [07093], upon the throne [03678] of David [01732], and upon his kingdom [04467], to order [03559] it, and to establish [05582] it with judgment [04941] and with justice [06666] from henceforth even for [05704] ever [05769]. The zeal [07068] of the LORD [03068] of hosts [06635] will perform [06213] this.

⁷ And he will destroy [01104] in this mountain [02022] the face [06440] of the covering [03875] cast over [03874] all people [05971], and the vail [04541] that is spread [05259] over all nations [01471].

¹² Having [2192] your [5216] conversation [391] honest [2570] among [1722] the Gentiles [1484]: that [2443], whereas [1722] [3739] they speak against [2635] you [5216] as [5613] evildoers [2555], they may [1392] by [1537] your good [2570] works [2041], which they shall behold [2029], glorify [1392] God [2316] in [1722] the day [2250] of visitation [1984].

²⁰ But [235] I say, that [3754] the things which [3739] the Gentiles [1484] sacrifice [2380], they sacrifice [2380] to devils [1140], and [2532] not [3756] to God [2316]: and [1161] I would [2309] not [3756] that ye [5209] should have [1096] fellowship [2844] with devils [1140].

¹ It is reported [191] commonly [3654] that there is fornication [4202] among [1722] you [5213], and [2532] such [5108] fornication [4202] as [3748] is [3687] not so much [3761] as named [3687] among [1722] the Gentiles [1484], that [5620] one [5100] should have [2192] his father's [3962] wife [1135].

¹ For this [5127] cause [5484] I [1473] Paul [3972], the prisoner [1198] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] for [5228] you [5216] Gentiles [1484],

⁴ Who [3748] have [5294] for [5228] my [3450] life [5590] laid down [5294] their own [1438] necks [5137]: unto whom [3739] not [3756] only [3441] I [1473] give thanks [2168], but [235] also [2532] all [3956] the churches [1577] of the Gentiles [1484].

²³ And they wrote [1125] letters by [1223] them [5495] [846] after this manner [3592]; The apostles [652] and [2532] elders [4245] and [2532] brethren [80] send greeting [5463] unto the brethren [80] which [3588] are of [1537] the Gentiles [1484] in [2596] Antioch [490] and [2532] Syria [4947] and [2532] Cilicia [2791]:

⁶ That the Gentiles [1484] should be [1511] fellowheirs [4789], and [2532] of the same body [4954], and [2532] partakers [4830] of his [846] promise [1860] in [1722] Christ [5547] by [1223] the gospel [2098]:

¹⁸ For [3754] through [1223] him [846] we [2192] both [297] have [2192] access [4318] by [1722] one [1520] Spirit [4151] unto [4314] the Father [3962].

¹¹ Wherefore [1352] remember [3421], that [3754] ye [5210] being in time past [4218] Gentiles [1484] in [1722] the flesh [4561], who [3588] are called [3004] Uncircumcision [203] by [5259] that which [3588] is called [3004] the Circumcision [4061] in [1722] the flesh [4561] made by hands [5499];

⁹ And [2532] put [1252] no [3762] difference [1252] between [3342] [5037] us [2257] and [2532] them [846], purifying [2511] their [846] hearts [2588] by faith [4102].

⁶ And [1161] when they opposed [498] themselves [846], and [2532] blasphemed [987], he shook [1621] his raiment [2440], and said [2036] unto [4314] them [846], Your [5216] blood [129] be upon [1909] your [5216] own heads [2776]; I [1473] am clean [2513]: from [575] henceforth [3568] I will go [4198] unto [1519] the Gentiles [1484].

¹⁸ When [1161] they heard [191] these things [5023], they held their peace [2270], and [2532] glorified [1392] God [2316], saying [3004], Then [686] hath [1325] God [2316] also [2534] to the Gentiles [1484] granted [1325] repentance [3341] unto [1519] life [2222].

⁴⁵ And [2532] they of [1537] the circumcision [4061] which believed [4103] were astonished [1839], as many as [3745] came with [4905] Peter [4074], because [3754] that on [1909] the Gentiles [1484] also [2532] was poured out [1632] the gift [1431] of the Holy [40] Ghost [4151].

¹⁹ Go ye [4198] therefore [3767], and teach [3100] all [3956] nations [1484], baptizing [907] them [846] in [1519] the name [3686] of the Father [3962], and [2532] of the Son [5207], and [2532] of the Holy [40] Ghost [4151]:

¹⁴ And [2532] this [5124] gospel [2098] of the kingdom [932] shall be preached [2784] in [1722] all [3650] the world [3625] for [1519] a witness [3142] unto all [3956] nations [1484]; and [2532] then [5119] shall the end [5056] come [2240].

²¹ And [2532] in [1722] his [846] name [3686] shall [1679] the Gentiles [1484] trust [1679].

¹⁸ Behold [2400] my [3450] servant [3816], whom [3739] I have chosen [140]; my [3450] beloved [27], in [1519] whom [3739] my [3450] soul [5590] is well pleased [2106]: I will put [5087] my [3450] spirit [4151] upon [1909] him [846], and [2532] he shall shew [518] judgment [2920] to the Gentiles [1484].

⁵⁴ And [2532] Peter [4074] followed [190] him [846] afar [3113] off [575], even [2193] into [2080] [1519] the palace [833] of the high priest [749]: and [2532] he sat [2258] [4775] with [3326] the servants [5257], and [2532] warmed himself [2328] at [4314] the fire [5457].