Matthew Henry on Joel 2:28–end
The promises of corn, and wine, and oil, in the foregoing verses, would be very acceptable to a wasted country; but here we are taught that we must not rest in those things. God has reserved some better things for us, and these verses have reference to those better things, both the kingdom of grace and the kingdom of glory, with the happiness of true believers in both. We are here told,
I. How the kingdom of grace shall be introduced by a plentiful effusion of the Spirit, (Joe 2:28, Joe 2:29). We are not at a loss about the meaning of this promise, nor in doubt what it refers to and wherein it had its accomplishment, for the apostle Peter has given us an infallible explication and applicatio…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joel 2:29
And also--"And even." The very slaves by becoming the Lord's servants are His freemen (Co1 7:22; Gal 3:28; Col 3:11; Plm 1:16). Therefore, in Act 2:18 it is quoted, "My servants" and "My handmaidens"; as it is only by becoming the Lord's servants they are spiritually free, and partake of the same spirit as the other members of the Church.
John Gill on Joel 2:29
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour my Spirit. Men servants and maidservants should partake of the gifts and grace of the Spirit in great, abundance; and many of them were effectually called by grace, through the ministry of the word; and some servants became ministers of it; all which appears from 1 Corinthians 7:21; for that is not true what the Jews (p) say, the Shechinah or divine Majesty does not rest but upon a wise man, and one mighty and rich; or prophecy, as Maimonides (q) has it.
(p) T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 92. 1.((q) Moreh Nevochim, par. 2. c. 32.
John Calvin on Joel 2:29
Joel 2:29
29. And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
29. Atque etiam super servoset super ancillas in diebus illis effundam Spiritum meam.
As the particle gm gam amplifies in Hebrew, it seems singular that the Prophet now limits to a few a gift common to all; for he had previously said, "Upon all flesh will I pour out my Spirit;" and now, "Upon servants and handmaids;" and he puts down "Also". If he had simply said "Upon servants and handmaids will I pour out my Spirit," there would have been no inconsistency, for it would have been the explanation of his former statement; for we know that what the Prophet says of all men must be taken w…
