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John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:21

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself ,.... This is the accommodation of the parable. Just such a fool is he, and this will be the end or him, who employs all his thoughts, and spends all his time, in amassing to himself worldly riches and wealth, in laying up treasures on earth for himself, for futurity: and makes no use of his earthly substance to be the good of others; nor shows any concern for spiritual and eternal riches; but places all his hope, trust, and confidence, in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:13

Speak to my brother, that he divide - Among the Jews, the children had the inheritance of their fathers divided among them; the eldest had a double portion, but all the rest had equal parts. It is likely the person complained of in the text was the elder brother; and he wished to keep the whole to himself - a case which is far from being uncommon. The spirit of covetousness cancels all bonds and obligations, makes wrong right, and cares nothing for father or brother. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:14

A judge - Without some judgment given in the case, no division could be made; therefore Jesus added the word judge. Pearce. A minister of Christ ought not to concern himself with secular affairs, any farther than charity and the order of discipline require it. Our Lord could have decided this difference in a moment; but the example of a perfect disengagement from worldly things was more necessary for the ministers of his Church than that of a charity applying itself to temporal concerns. He... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:15

Beware of covetousness - Or rather, Beware of all inordinate desires. I add πασης , all, on the authority of ABDKLM-Q, twenty-three others, both the Syriac, all the Persic, all the Arabic, Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, Vulgate, all the Itala, and several of the primitive fathers. Inordinate desires. Πλεονεξιας , from πλειον , more, and εχειν , to have; the desire to have more and more, let a person possess whatever he may. Such a disposition of mind is never satisfied; for, as soon... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:16

The ground of a certain rich man, etc. - He had generally what is called good luck in his farm, and this was a remarkably plentiful year. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:17

He thought within himself - Began to be puzzled in consequence of the increase of his goods. Riches, though ever so well acquired, produce nothing but vexation and embarrassment. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:18

I will pull down, etc. - The rich are full of designs concerning this life, but in general take no thought about eternity till the time that their goods and their lives are both taken away. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:19

Soul, thou hast much goods - Great possessions are generally accompanied with pride, idleness, and luxury; and these are the greatest enemies to salvation. Moderate poverty, as one justly observes, is a great talent in order to salvation; but it is one which nobody desires. Take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry - This was exactly the creed of the ancient Atheists and Epicureans. Ede, bibe, lude; post mortem nulla voluptas . What a wretched portion for an immortal spirit! and yet... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:20

Thou fool! - To imagine that a man's comfort and peace can depend upon temporal things; or to suppose that these can satisfy the wishes of an immortal spirit! This night - How awful was this saying! He had just made the necessary arrangements for the gratification of his sensual appetites; and, in the very night in which he had finally settled all his plans, his soul was called into the eternal world! What a dreadful awakening of a soul, long asleep in sin! He is now hurried into the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 12:21

So is he - That is, thus will it be. This is not an individual case; all who make this life their portion, and who are destitute of the peace and salvation of God, shall, sooner or later, be surprised in the same way. Layeth up treasure for himself - This is the essential characteristic of a covetous man: he desires riches; he gets them; he lays them up, not for the necessary uses to which they might be devoted, but for himself; to please himself, and to gratify his avaricious soul. Such... read more

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