Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let _them_ slip. Ver. 1. _We should let them slip_] Or, run out, παραρρυωμεν, as water runs through a cracked vessel. The word mingled with faith in the heart, asActs 16:14, must be carefu... [ Continue Reading ]
For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; Ver. 2. _For if the word, &c._] Moses' law, Galatians 3:19 . _ Was stedfast_] Ratified with this sanction, _Aut faciendum, aut patiendum, _ either do it, or die. _ And eve... [ Continue Reading ]
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard _him_; Ver. 3. _If we neglect_] He saith not, if we reject, renounce, persecute; but if we neglect, let slip, shift off, as the word παραιτησησθε is... [ Continue Reading ]
God also bearing _them_ witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? Ver. 4. _And with divers miracles_] Whereby, as by the wings of the wind, the doctrine of the gospel was divulged at first. But he that now requireth a mir... [ Continue Reading ]
For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. Ver. 5. _For unto the angels, &c._] The Jews, as they had embraced the Pythagorean transanimation,Matthew 16:14, so the Platonic opinion of angels moving the heavens, and ordering the world; whom therefore they w... [ Continue Reading ]
But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Ver. 6. _But one in a certain place_] The full sense is, but he hath subjected it to Christ, as David testified,Psalms 8:4,5; where whatsoever is spoken to man is here... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Ver. 7. _A little lower_] Or, for a little while, _Paulisper, _ viz. _Ab utero ad urnam, _ from the womb to the tomb, from his birth to his burial, from his abase... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing _that is_ not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. Ver. 8. _Under his feet_] It is not said, under his hands, but under his feet: 1. That he may trample... [ Continue Reading ]
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Ver. 9. _But we see Jesus_] The saints hold all _in cupite_ tenure in Christ. Now in him all things are already subj... [ Continue Reading ]
For it became him, for whom _are_ all things, and by whom _are_ all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Ver. 10. _For it became him_] That is, God, whose perfect wisdom, justice, &c., shineth most clearly in that great work of... [ Continue Reading ]
For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified _are_ all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Ver. 11. _Are all of one_] viz. of Adam; only with this difference; that we are of Adam, and by Adam, but Christ was of Adam, not by Adam, for he was not begotten, but... [ Continue Reading ]
Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. Ver. 12. _I will declare, &c._] Psalms 22:22. A psalm of Christ's sufferings, entitled upon Ajaleth Shachar, that is, "the morning stag," such a one as the huntsmen singleth out to hunt for th... [ Continue Reading ]
And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. Ver. 13. _I will put my trust in him_] Which he needed not, had he not been a man subject to misery. _ And the children, &c._] Christ is the everlasting Father, Isaiah 9:6, and the saints are the t... [ Continue Reading ]
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; Ver. 14. _Children are partakers_] παιδια, little children. Christ also became a little child, th... [ Continue Reading ]
And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Ver. 15. _And deliver them_] So that to those that are in Christ, death is but the daybreak of eternal brightness; not the punishment of sin, but the period of sin. It is but a sturdy porter, opening the door of... [ Continue Reading ]
For verily he took not on _him the nature of_ angels; but he took on _him_ the seed of Abraham. Ver. 16. _For verily he took not_] επιλαμβανεται. Or, for nowhere took he, q. d. We find not anywhere, either in the Scriptures or in any Church record. _ But he took_] He assumed, apprehended, caught,... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto _his_ brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things _pertaining_ to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Ver. 17. _In all things_] Except in sin; as the brazen serpent was like the fiery serpen... [ Continue Reading ]
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Ver. 18. _He is able to succour_] And no less apt than able; as he that hath been poor, or troubled with toothache, will pity those that are so. Queen Elizabeth said in her speech to the children of Chr... [ Continue Reading ]