John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. Unto you, O men, I call , etc.] Not angels, the fallen angels; for, as they had nothing to do with Christ, he had nothing to do with them, or say unto them, ( Matthew 8:29); nor the brutes, irrational creatures; for, though the Gospel is to be preached to every creature, yet only to rational ones, ( Mark 16:15), “men”, whom God has loved and Christ has redeemed; these are by the Gospel called, and called effectually. There are some men indeed who are only externally called; but there are others who are also called with an holy calling, of which (see Gill on “ Proverbs 1:24”). Some think men of eminence are here meant, as rich men, so Aben Ezra; or men of wisdom and knowledge, such as the Scribes and Pharisees, and learned doctors among the Jews; but it rather seems to design men indefinitely, of whatsoever rank or order, state or condition; and my voice [is] to the sons of men ; which some interpret of the poor, as Aben Ezra; or those who are more illiterate, or the common people; so that high and low, rich and poor, have the Gospel preached unto them; but the phrase seems to intend the same as before, the same thing is said in different words.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - The will of God is made known by the works of creation, and by the consciences of men, but more clearly by Moses and the prophets. The chief difficulty is to get men to attend to instruction. Yet attentio to the words of Christ, will guide the most ignorant into savin knowledge of the truth. Where there is an understanding heart, an willingness to receive the truth in love, wisdom is valued above silve and gold.
Original Hebrew אליכם413 אישׁים376 אקרא7121 וקולי6963 אל413 בני1121 אדם׃120
