Jeremiah 5:31

  1. Home
  2. KJV Bible
  3. Jeremiah 5
  4. Jeremiah 5:31

Old Testament

Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi

New Testament

Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation

Chapter

Jeremiah 1 Jeremiah 2 Jeremiah 3 Jeremiah 4 Jeremiah 5 Jeremiah 6 Jeremiah 7 Jeremiah 8 Jeremiah 9 Jeremiah 10 Jeremiah 11 Jeremiah 12 Jeremiah 13 Jeremiah 14 Jeremiah 15 Jeremiah 16 Jeremiah 17 Jeremiah 18 Jeremiah 19 Jeremiah 20 Jeremiah 21 Jeremiah 22 Jeremiah 23 Jeremiah 24 Jeremiah 25 Jeremiah 26 Jeremiah 27 Jeremiah 28 Jeremiah 29 Jeremiah 30 Jeremiah 31 Jeremiah 32 Jeremiah 33 Jeremiah 34 Jeremiah 35 Jeremiah 36 Jeremiah 37 Jeremiah 38 Jeremiah 39 Jeremiah 40 Jeremiah 41 Jeremiah 42 Jeremiah 43 Jeremiah 44 Jeremiah 45 Jeremiah 46 Jeremiah 47 Jeremiah 48 Jeremiah 49 Jeremiah 50 Jeremiah 51 Jeremiah 52

Verse

Jeremiah 5:1 Jeremiah 5:2 Jeremiah 5:3 Jeremiah 5:4 Jeremiah 5:5 Jeremiah 5:6 Jeremiah 5:7 Jeremiah 5:8 Jeremiah 5:9 Jeremiah 5:10 Jeremiah 5:11 Jeremiah 5:12 Jeremiah 5:13 Jeremiah 5:14 Jeremiah 5:15 Jeremiah 5:16 Jeremiah 5:17 Jeremiah 5:18 Jeremiah 5:19 Jeremiah 5:20 Jeremiah 5:21 Jeremiah 5:22 Jeremiah 5:23 Jeremiah 5:24 Jeremiah 5:25 Jeremiah 5:26 Jeremiah 5:27 Jeremiah 5:28 Jeremiah 5:29 Jeremiah 5:30 Jeremiah 5:31

Jeremiah 5:31 KJV

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Previous Verse
« Jeremiah 5:30
Next Verse
Jeremiah 6:1 »

Jeremiah 5:31 Bible Commentary

Commentary on Jeremiah 5:31

Jeremiah 5:31 states: "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" This verse encapsulates a profound crisis of faith and leadership in the context of Israel’s rebellion against God. Through a synthesis of insights from various public domain commentaries, we aim to draw a rich exploration of its theological, historical, and ethical implications.

Contextual Understanding

Jeremiah, known as the weeping prophet, addresses a people in moral decline and spiritual apostasy. The historical backdrop of this verse indicates a period when both the prophetic voices and the religious leaders had deviated from God’s truth, leading the nation astray.

Insights from Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry emphasizes the role of false prophets in the text, stating that these individuals speak soothing words that please the ears of the people rather than challenging them towards righteousness. He notes:

  • False Prophecies: The prophets prophesy falsely, indicating a persistent pattern of speaking what the people wanted to hear, rather than what God commanded.
  • Compliance of the People: This indicates a significant moral failure on the part of the people who prefer falsehood over truth, highlighting their self-destructive tendencies.
  • Consequences: Henry warns that this trajectory of ignoring divine commandments leads to dire consequences, culminating in God’s displeasure and judgment.

Insights from Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes provides a more detailed analysis of the power dynamics at play amongst the religious leaders:

  • Priestly Authority: Barnes points out that the priests ruled according to their own authority and interpretation, undermining divine commandments. This self-serving mechanism perpetuates injustice and leads the people further from the truth.
  • Popular Sentiment: The phrase "my people love to have it so" reveals the inclination of the people to accept and promote false teachings, demonstrating a collective moral decay.
  • Impending Judgment: He warns that the day of reckoning is approaching for a nation that chooses to ignore the truth. The rhetorical question posed serves as a dire admonition about the eventual outcomes of their choices.

Insights from Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke’s commentary brings a deeper exegesis into the implications of the prophet's message:

  • Call to Accountability: Clarke sees this as a call for self-examination among both the leaders and the laypeople. There is an urgent need for repentance and a return to the foundational truths of faith.
  • A Plea for Integrity: He stresses the importance of integrity in spiritual leadership, countering the falsehoods propagated by the priests and prophets.
  • Hope in Condemnation: Despite the grim tone of the passage, Clarke highlights that there remains an opportunity for restoration if the people turn back to God.

Theological Implications

The verse presents several theological implications for contemporary readers:

  • The Nature of Truth: The essence of prophetic ministry is rooted in the truth of God’s Word. This verse challenges modern leaders to uphold truth, even in the face of popular opposition.
  • Human Responsibility: The human tendency to pursue comfort over conviction necessitates a conscious effort to engage with scripture and seek truth rather than simply adhere to the prevailing culture.
  • Divine Judgment: The rhetorical question encourages a reflective consideration of one's spiritual state and the realities of divine justice.

Application for Today’s Believers

For pastors, theologians, and scholars, Jeremiah 5:31 serves as a significant reminder:

  • Discernment in Discipleship: Believers today must develop discernment to distinguish between sound teaching and falsehood.
  • Courageous Leadership: Leaders are called to speak the hard truths of the gospel, regardless of the discomfort it may bring to their congregations.
  • Community Reflection: Congregations should engage in communal reflection on their values and practices to align with God’s truth rather than societal preferences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Jeremiah 5:31 encapsulates the perennial struggle between truth and deception, leadership and accountability. Through the insights of Henry, Barnes, and Clarke, contemporary readers are urged to consider their own context within the themes of judgment, moral integrity, and the urgent call to return to faithfulness amid a culture that often embraces falsehood.

Jeremiah 5 (KJV) Verse Selection

Jeremiah 5:1 Jeremiah 5:2 Jeremiah 5:3 Jeremiah 5:4 Jeremiah 5:5 Jeremiah 5:6 Jeremiah 5:7 Jeremiah 5:8 Jeremiah 5:9 Jeremiah 5:10 Jeremiah 5:11 Jeremiah 5:12 Jeremiah 5:13 Jeremiah 5:14 Jeremiah 5:15 Jeremiah 5:16 Jeremiah 5:17 Jeremiah 5:18 Jeremiah 5:19 Jeremiah 5:20 Jeremiah 5:21 Jeremiah 5:22 Jeremiah 5:23 Jeremiah 5:24 Jeremiah 5:25 Jeremiah 5:26 Jeremiah 5:27 Jeremiah 5:28 Jeremiah 5:29 Jeremiah 5:30 Jeremiah 5:31

KJV Bible Books

KJV Bible Books and Chapters »