Now of the things which we have spoken _this is_ the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; Ver. 1. _Who is set on the right hand_] And is therefore a King, as well as a Priest, as was Melchisedec.... [ Continue Reading ]
A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. Ver. 2. _A minister of the sanctuary_] λειτουργος. Or, a public officer, an agent for the saints, about holy things. _ Which the Lord pitched_] Christ's body was conceived in the virgin's womb, not by hum... [ Continue Reading ]
For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore _it is_ of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. Ver. 3. _Somewhat also to offer_] To wit, his own body, "an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour,"Ephesians 5:2. By Mount Olivet stood th... [ Continue Reading ]
For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Ver. 4. _He should not be a priest_] Because not of the tribe of Levi, whose priesthood lasted so long as Christ lived on earth, and was done away by his death.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, _that_ thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. Ver. 5. _Of heavenly things_] So he calleth the mystery of Christ,... [ Continue Reading ]
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. Ver. 6. _Of a better covenant_] Or rather testament (διαθηκη and not συνθηκη), heaven being conveyed to the elect by legacy. It is part of God's... [ Continue Reading ]
For if that first _covenant_ had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. Ver. 7. _Had been faultless_] Such as had not been weak and unprofitable, Hebrews 7:18; see the note there. If the people could have performed it, and have been perfected by it. If it could have c... [ Continue Reading ]
For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Ver. 8. _For finding fault with them_] Or, finding fault with it, that is, with the covenant; he saith to them, "Behold, the days," &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. Ver. 9. _The covenant that I made_] He meaneth not here the covenant of gra... [ Continue Reading ]
For this _is_ the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: Ver. 10. _I will put my laws, &c._] God's covenant is to write hi... [ Continue Reading ]
And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. Ver. 11. _And they shall not teach_] The full performance of this promise is reserved to the life to come; when we shall need no ordinances, but... [ Continue Reading ]
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Ver. 12. _I will be merciful_] I will be propitious through Christ, the propitiation for our sins, 1 John 2:2 . _ To their unrighteousness, and their sins and iniquities_] All kinds and de... [ Continue Reading ]
In that he saith, A new _covenant_, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old _is_ ready to vanish away. Ver. 13. _He hath made the first old_] He hath antiquated and abolished it. This the apostle often inculcates, because the Jews went about to establish their own righteo... [ Continue Reading ]