Genesis 2:16
Verse
Context
Man and Woman in the Garden
15Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.16And the LORD God commanded him, “You may eat freely from every tree of the garden,17but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.”
Sermons
Zac PoonenZac Poonen
Milton Green
Chuck Smith
C.H. Spurgeon
Ernest O'Neill
Glenn MeldrumSummary
Commentary
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the Lord God commanded the man,.... Over whom he had power and authority; and he had a right to command him what he pleased, being his Creator, benefactor, and preserver; and this is to be understood not of man only, but of the woman also, whose creation, though related afterwards, yet was before this grant to eat of all the trees of the garden but one, and the prohibition of the fruit of that; for that she was in being, and present at this time, seems manifest from Gen 3:2. saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: a very generous, large, and liberal allowance this: or "in eating thou mayest eat" (y); which was giving full power, and leaving them without any doubt and uncertainty about their food; which they might freely take, and freely eat of, wherever they found it, or were inclined to, even of any, and every tree in the garden, excepting one, next forbidden. (y) "comedendo comedas", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Drusius, &c.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Observe here, I. God's authority over man, as a creature that had reason and freedom of will. The Lord God commanded the man, who stood now as a public person, the father and representative of all mankind, to receive law, as he had lately received a nature, for himself and all his. God commanded all the creatures, according to their capacity; the settled course of nature is a law, Psa 148:6; Psa 104:9. The brute-creatures have their respective instincts; but man was made capable of performing reasonable service, and therefore received, not only the command of a Creator, but the command of a Prince and Master. Though Adam was a very great man, a very good man, and a very happy man, yet the Lord God commanded him; and the command was no disparagement to his greatness, no reproach to his goodness, nor any diminution at all to his happiness. Let us acknowledge God's right to rule us, and our own obligations to be ruled by him; and never allow any will of our own in contradiction to, or competition with, the holy will of God. II. The particular act of this authority, in prescribing to him what he should do, and upon what terms he should stand with his Creator. Here is, 1. A confirmation of his present happiness to him, in that grant, Of every tree in the garden thou mayest freely eat. This was not only an allowance of liberty to him, in taking the delicious fruits of paradise, as a recompence for his care and pains in dressing and keeping it (Co1 9:7, Co1 9:10), but it was, withal, an assurance of life to him, immortal life, upon his obedience. For the tree of life being put in the midst of the garden (Gen 2:9), as the heart and soul of it, doubtless God had an eye to that especially in this grant; and therefore when, upon his revolt, this grant is recalled, no notice is taken of any tree of the garden as prohibited to him, except the tree of life (Gen 3:22), of which it is there said he might have eaten and lived for ever, that is, never died, nor ever lost his happiness. "Continue holy as thou art, in conformity to thy Creator's will, and thou shalt continue happy as thou art in the enjoyment of thy Creator's favour, either in this paradise or in a better." Thus, upon condition of perfect personal and perpetual obedience, Adam was sure of paradise to himself and his heirs for ever. 2. A trial of his obedience, upon pain of the forfeiture of all his happiness: "But of the other tree which stood very near the tree of life (for they are both said to be in the midst of the garden), and which was called the tree of knowledge, in the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die;" as if he had said, "Know, Adam, that thou art now upon thy good behaviour, thou art put into paradise upon trial; be observant, be obedient, and thou art made for ever; otherwise thou wilt be as miserable as now thou art happy." Here, (1.) Adam is threatened with death in case of disobedience: Dying thou shalt die, denoting a sure and dreadful sentence, as, in the former part of this covenant, eating thou shalt eat, denotes a free and full grant. Observe [1.] Even Adam, in innocency, was awed with a threatening; fear is one of the handles of the soul, by which it is taken hold of and held. If he then needed this hedge, much more do we now. [2.] The penalty threatened is death: Thou shalt die, that is, "Thou shalt be debarred from the tree of life, and all the good that is signified by it, all the happiness thou hast, either in possession or prospect; and thou shalt become liable to death, and all the miseries that preface it and attend it." [3.] This was threatened as the immediate consequence of sin: In the day thou eatest, thou shalt die, that is, "Thou shalt become mortal and capable of dying; the grant of immortality shall be recalled, and that defence shall depart from thee. Thou shalt become obnoxious to death, like a condemned malefactor that is dead in the law" (only, because Adam was to be the root of mankind, he was reprieved); "nay, the harbingers and forerunners of death shall immediately seize thee, and thy life, thenceforward, shall be a dying life: and this, surely; it is a settled rule, the soul that sinneth, it shall die." (2.) Adam is tried with a positive law, not to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge. Now it was very proper to make trial of his obedience by such a command as this, [1.] Because the reason of it is fetched purely from the will of the Law-maker. Adam had in his nature an aversion to that which was evil in itself, and therefore he is tried in a thing which was evil only because it was forbidden; and, being in a small thing, it was the more fit to prove his obedience by. [2.] Because the restraint of it is laid upon the desires of the flesh and of the mind, which, in the corrupt nature of man, are the two great fountains of sin. This prohibition checked both his appetite towards sensitive delights and his ambitions of curious knowledge, that his body might be ruled by his soul and his soul by his God. Thus easy, thus happy, was man in a state of innocency, having all that heart could wish to make him so. How good was God to him! How many favours did he load him with! How easy were the laws he gave him! How kind the covenant he made with him! Yet man, being in honour, understood not his own interest, but soon became as the beasts that perish.
Genesis 2:16
Man and Woman in the Garden
15Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.16And the LORD God commanded him, “You may eat freely from every tree of the garden,17but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Basics) 3. the Power of Choice
By Zac Poonen4.6K12:57ChoiceGEN 2:16In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that animals are solely focused on earthly desires such as food, sleep, and sexual satisfaction. However, humans are created with a deeper part called the spirit, which makes them aware of the existence of God. The chaos and evil in the world are a result of humans ignoring their spirit and disobeying God. The preacher also discusses the importance of understanding sin, which separates humans from God and can cause them to behave like animals.
(Basics) 4. Sin Comes From Unbelief
By Zac Poonen4.0K12:42UnbeliefGEN 2:16In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the deceptive nature of temptation. He explains how Satan tempts individuals by focusing on the immediate pleasure and disregarding the long-term consequences. The preacher highlights examples such as alcohol and drugs, where Satan entices people with the promise of enjoyment without revealing the destructive outcomes. He emphasizes the importance of considering the consequences of our actions and how they can impact not only ourselves but also future generations. The sermon concludes by emphasizing the need for faith in God's love and the importance of obedience as a response to that faith.
The Pure Heart #1
By Milton Green1.9K1:00:45GEN 2:16
This sermon delves into the biblical narrative of Adam and Eve's fall in the Garden of Eden, highlighting the deception of the serpent, the choice to disobey God's command, and the resulting curse of sin that affects all of humanity. It emphasizes the importance of discerning false teachings, practicing righteousness, and understanding the consequences of rebellion against God.
(Through the Bible) Exodus 1-5
By Chuck Smith1.8K1:23:21ExpositionalGEN 50:26EXO 2:15EXO 4:1EXO 4:10In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God is not just a passive observer of our struggles and suffering. He takes action to deliver His people from their hardships. The preacher also highlights the importance of not getting too attached to material possessions, as they can easily be taken away. Instead, our focus should be on the things of the Spirit and God's eternal kingdom. The sermon references the story of Moses and the Israelites in Egypt, where they faced oppression and hardship, but ultimately God delivered them.
The Blood of the Everlasting Covenant
By C.H. Spurgeon1.8K40:20GEN 2:16HEB 13:20In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of spreading the gospel to all nations. He explains that while the application of God's message may be restricted to his chosen ones, the message itself is meant to be proclaimed to everyone. The preacher then presents the gospel message, stating that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He encourages the listeners to put their trust in the merit of Jesus' blood and find their comfort and everlasting song in this belief. The sermon concludes with the preacher asking the audience if they have the hope of being in the covenant and if they have put their trust in the blood of Jesus.
Original Sin and Death (Romans 5:12)
By Ernest O'Neill62532:00GEN 2:16ROM 5:12In this sermon, the speaker discusses the mess and chaos that exists in the world today. He attributes this mess to our failure to follow Jesus and his teachings. The speaker mentions that Jesus explained why we got into this mess 1900 years ago and many people believed him. By believing in Jesus, individuals can experience a new kind of life that brings order and harmony to the mess around them. The speaker also highlights the issues of greed and lack of self-control as contributing factors to the mess in society.
Obedience
By Glenn Meldrum50256:40GEN 2:16In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of loving and obeying God with all our hearts, souls, and strength. He encourages believers to impress God's commandments on their hearts and to teach them to their children. The preacher warns against idolizing sports and emphasizes that our love and obedience to God should be our consuming passion. He references Deuteronomy 28:47-48, which warns that failure to serve God joyfully and gladly in times of prosperity will result in serving enemies in times of hardship.
(Gaining God's Approval) 3. the Testing of Adam and Eve
By Zac Poonen0Trusting God's WisdomFaith and ObedienceGEN 2:16Zac Poonen emphasizes that God's testing of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden was essential for fulfilling His divine plans for them. Their failure stemmed from a lack of faith, as Eve allowed doubt in God's wisdom and love to lead her into disobedience. Poonen highlights that true faith requires confidence in God's commands, even when they seem unreasonable, and that obedience must stem from faith rather than intellect. He draws parallels between Eve's temptation and the challenges Christians face today, urging believers to trust in God's perfect love and power amidst trials. Ultimately, Poonen calls for a return to living by faith and adhering to God's commandments as a testament to His wisdom and love.
Paradise
By W.R. Inge0GEN 2:16MAT 6:10ROM 12:2JAS 4:151JN 2:17W.R. Inge delves into the concept of Paradise, describing it as encompassing all things that are good and pleasant, akin to an outer court of heaven. He draws parallels between this world being an outer court of eternity, with temporal things serving as guides to God and eternity. In this perspective, the world can be seen as a Paradise where all things are permissible except self-will, which goes against the eternal Will.
Man
By John Follette0GEN 2:16JHN 10:10ROM 8:29EPH 6:121TH 5:23John Follette preaches about how man was created for God's pleasure and glory, with God seeking humanity to cooperate with Him in bringing forth the hidden potentials and mysteries of creation. Despite the enemy's attempts to thwart God's plans, Jesus Christ has paved the way for redemption, defeating the enemy and offering us a path back to God. The sermon emphasizes the importance of worship and adoration as the highest vocation, highlighting the need for man to live in dependence on God and under the inspiration of the Spirit.
Our Choices Determine Our Future
By Zac Poonen0GEN 2:16GAL 6:7HEB 9:271JN 1:51JN 4:8Zac Poonen preaches on the importance of choices in our lives, emphasizing that without the freedom to choose, we cannot truly become children of God or live a holy life. He highlights how God allows us to make choices, whether to follow Him or live for ourselves, and how these choices have eternal consequences. Poonen explains how the choices we make in marriage and in life reflect whether we center our lives on God or on ourselves, impacting our relationships and spiritual growth. He delves into the concept of God's love being the driving force to overcome slavery to worldly desires and to prepare us for a kingdom ruled by love in eternity.
In Relation to His Knowledge
By T. Austin-Sparks0Authority in ChristSpiritual KnowledgeGEN 2:16T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the profound relationship between knowledge and power in the context of God's wisdom, contrasting the deceptive allure of worldly knowledge with the true spiritual knowledge embodied in Christ. He explains that while Adam and Eve sought knowledge to gain power, it ultimately led to their downfall, whereas Christ's knowledge, rooted in divine understanding, grants true authority and significance. Sparks urges believers to pursue a deep, personal knowledge of God, which comes through the Cross and leads to spiritual maturity and true significance in the universe. He highlights that this journey may involve suffering and trials, but it is essential for becoming men and women of God who reflect Christ's significance. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a commitment to knowing the Lord above all else, as this knowledge is the foundation of true power and authority.
The Loss of Intuition
By Ernest O'Neill0GEN 2:16PSA 139:14PRO 3:5ISA 30:21JHN 16:13ROM 8:141CO 2:11EPH 2:10COL 2:8Ernest O'Neill delves into the ancient civilizations of the Incas, Egyptians, and Chinese, marveling at their mathematical, engineering, and architectural feats that surpass our modern understanding. He explores the concept of intuition as a divine gift for navigating life, contrasting it with the detrimental effects of relying solely on human intellect and precedents. Reflecting on the Garden of Eden, he emphasizes the importance of intuition in man's early existence and the subsequent decline caused by choosing independence over intuitive connection with God. O'Neill highlights the remnants of God's image in us, urging a return to intuitive living and a departure from the limitations of accumulated human knowledge.
Spiritual Lessons From the Trees
By John Hames0GEN 2:16PSA 1:3ISA 49:16MAT 3:10ACT 20:241CO 15:42John Hames preaches on the valuable lessons we can learn from trees as divine creations, highlighting their instructive nature, dependence on unseen sources, resilience to weather changes, and provision for others. He emphasizes the importance of patience, perseverance, and faith in our Christian journey, drawing parallels between the growth of a tree and the development of believers in Christ. Hames also points out the unity, reliability, and steadfastness that trees exhibit, challenging Christians to emulate these qualities in their faith walk and interactions with others. Furthermore, he connects the changing seasons of a tree to the need for variety and freshness in our spiritual lives, urging preachers and believers to avoid monotony and embrace diversity in their expressions of faith.
Romans 9:18 Finding God's Plan for Your Life
By Ernest O'Neill0GEN 2:16EXO 5:1DEU 30:192SA 11:2PSA 51:17JHN 3:16Ernest O'Neill preaches about the destructive power of the words 'I can't' and the false beliefs of determinism and fatalism that hinder us from realizing our true potential. He emphasizes the importance of understanding our free will and ability to choose our own paths, as revealed by God throughout history. O'Neill highlights the misconception of God's arbitrary nature in Romans 9:18 and explains that God shows mercy to all but hardens the hearts of those who reject Him.
"Cana and the Covenants" Ch. 2
By Charles Alexander0GEN 2:16Charles Alexander preaches on the significance of the marriage at Cana in Galilee, symbolizing the establishment of a new covenant between God and man. The covenant of works, embodied in the Garden of Eden, regulated man's relationship with his Creator, leading to the breach of the covenant and the dire consequences of sin. The sermon delves into the terms of the covenant, the nature of sin, and the promised Seed who would bring redemption. It highlights the transition from the old covenant of works to the new covenant of grace through Christ's ministry, culminating in His cleansing of the temple and the prophecy of His resurrection.
The Importance of God's "Unpopular" Promises
By Bob Hoekstra0GEN 2:16Bob Hoekstra emphasizes the importance of believing in Jesus as the divine Savior to escape the inevitable consequences of sin. While popular promises of God bring comfort and encouragement, the promise of dying in sin due to unbelief may be unpopular but holds great significance in God's plan. Sin leads to spiritual death, a truth reiterated throughout the Bible, and the only way to be saved from this fate is through faith in Jesus, who declared His deity and role as the Savior.
The Fall of Man
By Watchman Nee0Spiritual DeathThe Nature of ManGEN 2:16Watchman Nee discusses 'The Fall of Man,' emphasizing the unique creation of humanity with a spirit, soul, and body, and the freedom of choice given by God. He explains how Adam and Eve's choice to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil led to a reversal of the intended order, resulting in spiritual death and the subjugation of the spirit to the soul and body. Nee highlights that the fall was not just a physical act but a profound spiritual rebellion against God, leading to a loss of communion with Him. He warns that the pursuit of knowledge outside of God's will can lead to spiritual death, and stresses the importance of recognizing the distinction between the spiritual and soulish life. Ultimately, he calls for a return to dependence on God to restore the intended order of spirit, soul, and body.
On the Prohibition in Paradise
By Thomas Reade0GEN 2:16PSA 19:7PSA 119:97PRO 3:5MAT 22:37ROM 6:231CO 10:6PHP 4:8COL 3:11JN 2:15Thomas Reade preaches on the prohibition in paradise, emphasizing the reasonableness, holiness, and goodness of God's law in requiring homage and obedience from man. The easy and reasonable prohibition of abstaining from one fruit served as an act of homage to God and a lesson of abstinence, self-denial, and submission to His authority. The breach of this law was seen as the highest instance of ingratitude and rebellion, yet God's grace was revealed through the promise of an Almighty Savior. Reade highlights the importance of obedience, love for God, dependence on Him, and seeking happiness in Him, as well as the inseparability of happiness from obedience.
The Requirements for Sin and Holiness.
By Steve Grochow0GEN 2:16ISA 7:14ISA 14:12JER 2:13ACT 17:30ROM 5:19ROM 8:1ROM 8:4JAS 1:13Steve Grochow delves into the concept of sin, emphasizing the importance of knowledge and free will in making moral choices. He distinguishes between natural and moral attributes, highlighting that sin is a result of a deliberate choice to rebel against God's authority. The sermon explores the origins of sin, the misconception of a sin nature, and the responsibility individuals hold for their own actions. Grochow challenges the idea of sin as a hereditary trait, emphasizing that sin is a personal choice and rebellion against God's rightful rule.
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the Lord God commanded the man,.... Over whom he had power and authority; and he had a right to command him what he pleased, being his Creator, benefactor, and preserver; and this is to be understood not of man only, but of the woman also, whose creation, though related afterwards, yet was before this grant to eat of all the trees of the garden but one, and the prohibition of the fruit of that; for that she was in being, and present at this time, seems manifest from Gen 3:2. saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: a very generous, large, and liberal allowance this: or "in eating thou mayest eat" (y); which was giving full power, and leaving them without any doubt and uncertainty about their food; which they might freely take, and freely eat of, wherever they found it, or were inclined to, even of any, and every tree in the garden, excepting one, next forbidden. (y) "comedendo comedas", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Drusius, &c.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Observe here, I. God's authority over man, as a creature that had reason and freedom of will. The Lord God commanded the man, who stood now as a public person, the father and representative of all mankind, to receive law, as he had lately received a nature, for himself and all his. God commanded all the creatures, according to their capacity; the settled course of nature is a law, Psa 148:6; Psa 104:9. The brute-creatures have their respective instincts; but man was made capable of performing reasonable service, and therefore received, not only the command of a Creator, but the command of a Prince and Master. Though Adam was a very great man, a very good man, and a very happy man, yet the Lord God commanded him; and the command was no disparagement to his greatness, no reproach to his goodness, nor any diminution at all to his happiness. Let us acknowledge God's right to rule us, and our own obligations to be ruled by him; and never allow any will of our own in contradiction to, or competition with, the holy will of God. II. The particular act of this authority, in prescribing to him what he should do, and upon what terms he should stand with his Creator. Here is, 1. A confirmation of his present happiness to him, in that grant, Of every tree in the garden thou mayest freely eat. This was not only an allowance of liberty to him, in taking the delicious fruits of paradise, as a recompence for his care and pains in dressing and keeping it (Co1 9:7, Co1 9:10), but it was, withal, an assurance of life to him, immortal life, upon his obedience. For the tree of life being put in the midst of the garden (Gen 2:9), as the heart and soul of it, doubtless God had an eye to that especially in this grant; and therefore when, upon his revolt, this grant is recalled, no notice is taken of any tree of the garden as prohibited to him, except the tree of life (Gen 3:22), of which it is there said he might have eaten and lived for ever, that is, never died, nor ever lost his happiness. "Continue holy as thou art, in conformity to thy Creator's will, and thou shalt continue happy as thou art in the enjoyment of thy Creator's favour, either in this paradise or in a better." Thus, upon condition of perfect personal and perpetual obedience, Adam was sure of paradise to himself and his heirs for ever. 2. A trial of his obedience, upon pain of the forfeiture of all his happiness: "But of the other tree which stood very near the tree of life (for they are both said to be in the midst of the garden), and which was called the tree of knowledge, in the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die;" as if he had said, "Know, Adam, that thou art now upon thy good behaviour, thou art put into paradise upon trial; be observant, be obedient, and thou art made for ever; otherwise thou wilt be as miserable as now thou art happy." Here, (1.) Adam is threatened with death in case of disobedience: Dying thou shalt die, denoting a sure and dreadful sentence, as, in the former part of this covenant, eating thou shalt eat, denotes a free and full grant. Observe [1.] Even Adam, in innocency, was awed with a threatening; fear is one of the handles of the soul, by which it is taken hold of and held. If he then needed this hedge, much more do we now. [2.] The penalty threatened is death: Thou shalt die, that is, "Thou shalt be debarred from the tree of life, and all the good that is signified by it, all the happiness thou hast, either in possession or prospect; and thou shalt become liable to death, and all the miseries that preface it and attend it." [3.] This was threatened as the immediate consequence of sin: In the day thou eatest, thou shalt die, that is, "Thou shalt become mortal and capable of dying; the grant of immortality shall be recalled, and that defence shall depart from thee. Thou shalt become obnoxious to death, like a condemned malefactor that is dead in the law" (only, because Adam was to be the root of mankind, he was reprieved); "nay, the harbingers and forerunners of death shall immediately seize thee, and thy life, thenceforward, shall be a dying life: and this, surely; it is a settled rule, the soul that sinneth, it shall die." (2.) Adam is tried with a positive law, not to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge. Now it was very proper to make trial of his obedience by such a command as this, [1.] Because the reason of it is fetched purely from the will of the Law-maker. Adam had in his nature an aversion to that which was evil in itself, and therefore he is tried in a thing which was evil only because it was forbidden; and, being in a small thing, it was the more fit to prove his obedience by. [2.] Because the restraint of it is laid upon the desires of the flesh and of the mind, which, in the corrupt nature of man, are the two great fountains of sin. This prohibition checked both his appetite towards sensitive delights and his ambitions of curious knowledge, that his body might be ruled by his soul and his soul by his God. Thus easy, thus happy, was man in a state of innocency, having all that heart could wish to make him so. How good was God to him! How many favours did he load him with! How easy were the laws he gave him! How kind the covenant he made with him! Yet man, being in honour, understood not his own interest, but soon became as the beasts that perish.