SEV Biblia, Chapter 25:3
Las que eran fatuas, tomando sus lmparas, no tomaron consigo aceite;
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 3. They that were foolish took their lamps , etc.] The Vulgate Latin, and Munsters Hebrew Gospel, read, the five foolish, whose folly is here exposed; and which lay not merely, or only in taking up the lamps of a profession in a wrong way, and upon a wrong bottom, but chiefly in what follows; and took no oil with them : by oil is meant, not temporal blessings, nor spiritual ones, nor the Gospel, nor the gifts of the Spirit, all which are sometimes signified by oil; but either the Spirit of God himself, who is the oil of gladness, and the anointing which teacheth all things; or the regenerating and sanctifying grace of the Spirit, even all the graces which are implanted by him in conversion: this is so called, in allusion to the anointing oil under the law, in its excellent nature, its costly matter, its curious make, and particular application; and in the use of it to anoint both things, the tabernacle and its vessels, and persons, prophets, priests, and kings; (see Exodus 30:23), etc. The grace of the Spirit being of an holy and sanctifying nature, exceeding valuable and precious, and a curious piece of workmanship, and what is only applied unto, and bestowed on the elect of God; and with which all the vessels of mercy, small and great, are anointed, and are made prophets, priests, and kings, and is what is, as that was, lasting and abiding: or else with respect to the precious oil, or ointment poured on Aarons head, which was emblematical of the grace of the Spirit, which was poured forth, without measure, on Christ, and from him descends to all his members: or to the lamp oil for the candlestick in the tabernacle, which was oil olive, pure, beaten, and was for light, to cause the lamp to burn always; and fitly represented grace, which comes from Christ, the true olive tree; is pure, and of a purifying nature; and comes through a bruised, crucified Christ; and being put into the heart, causes the light of good works, and a becoming conversation, to shine forth: or else to oil in common, which is of a cheering and refreshing nature; is beautifying and adorning, supplying and healing, feeding and fattening, searching and penetrating, and will not mix with any thing else; upon all which accounts grace may be compared to it. Now these foolish virgins, though they took up a lamp of a profession, yet were unconcerned for the oil of grace, to fill, maintain, and trim this lamp: they were ignorant of the nature and use of true grace; they saw no need of it, and therefore did not ask for it, or about it; they neglected it, made light of it, and denied it as useless; and being destitute of it, took up their profession without it; and in this lay their folly.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-13 - The circumstances of the parable of the ten virgins were taken from the marriage customs among the Jews, and explain the great day of Christ' coming. See the nature of Christianity. As Christians we profess to attend upon Christ, to honour him, also to be waiting for his coming Sincere Christians are the wise virgins, and hypocrites the foolis ones. Those are the truly wise or foolish that are so in the affairs of their souls. Many have a lamp of profession in their hands, but have not, in their hearts, sound knowledge and settled resolution, which ar needed to carry them through the services and trials of the presen state. Their hearts are not stored with holy dispositions, by the new-creating Spirit of God. Our light must shine before men in goo works; but this is not likely to be long done, unless there is a fixed active principle in the heart, of faith in Christ, and love to God an our brethren. They all slumbered and slept. The delay represents the space between the real or apparent conversion of these professors, an the coming of Christ, to take them away by death, or to judge the world. But though Christ tarry past our time, he will not tarry pas the due time. The wise virgins kept their lamps burning, but they di not keep themselves awake. Too many real Christians grow remiss, an one degree of carelessness makes way for another. Those that allo themselves to slumber, will scarcely keep from sleeping; therefor dread the beginning of spiritual decays. A startling summons was given God ye forth to meet Him, is a call to those prepared. The notice of Christ's approach, and the call to meet him, will awaken. Even thos best prepared for death have work to do to get actually ready, 2P 3:14. It will be a day of search and inquiry; and it concerns us to think how we shall then be found. Some wanted oil to supply their lamp when going out. Those that take up short of true grace, will certainl find the want of it one time or other. An outward profession may ligh a man along this world, but the damps of the valley of the shadow of death will put out such a light. Those who care not to live the life yet would die the death of the righteous. But those that would be saved, must have grace of their own; and those that have most grace have none to spare. The best need more from Christ. And while the poor alarmed soul addresses itself, upon a sick-bed, to repentance an prayer, in awful confusion, death comes, judgment comes, the work i undone, and the poor sinner is undone for ever. This comes of havin oil to buy when we should burn it, grace to get when we should use it Those, and those only, shall go to heaven hereafter, that are mad ready for heaven here. The suddenness of death and of Christ's comin to us then, will not hinder our happiness, if we have been prepared The door was shut. Many will seek admission into heaven when it is to late. The vain confidence of hypocrites will carry them far i expectations of happiness. The unexpected summons of death may alar the Christian; but, proceeding without delay to trim his lamp, his graces often shine more bright; while the mere professor's conduc shows that his lamp is going out. Watch therefore, attend to the business of your souls. Be in the fear of the Lord all the day long.
Greek Textus Receptus
αιτινες 3748 R-NPF μωραι 3474 A-NPF λαβουσαι 2983 5631 V-2AAP-NPF τας 3588 T-APF λαμπαδας 2985 N-APF εαυτων 1438 F-3GPM ουκ 3756 PRT-N ελαβον 2983 5627 V-2AAI-3P μεθ 3326 PREP εαυτων 1438 F-3GPM ελαιον 1637 N-ASN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
3. They that were foolish (aitinev mwrai). Read aiJ gar mwrai, for the foolish. The for justifies the epithet foolish in the preceding verse.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
25:3 {Took no oil with them} (ouk elabon meq' heautwn elaion). Probably none at all, not realizing their lack of oil till they lit the torches on the arrival of the bridegroom and his party.
