For every high priest being taken from among men — Is, till he is taken, of the same rank with them. And is appointed — That is, is wont to be appointed. In things pertaining to God — To bring God near to men, and men to God. That he may offer both gifts — Out of things inanimate, and animal sacrifi... [ Continue Reading ]
Who can have compassion — In proportion to the offence: so the Greek word signifies. On the ignorant — Them that are in error. And the wandering — Them that are in sin. Seeing himself also is compassed with infirmity — Even with sinful infirmity; and so needs the compassion which he shows to others.... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle begins here to treat of the priesthood of Christ. The sum of what he observes concerning it is, Whatever is excellent in the Levitical priesthood is in Christ, and in a more eminent manner; and whatever is wanting in those priests is in him. And no one taketh this honour — The priesthood... [ Continue Reading ]
So also Christ glorified not himself to be an high priest — That is, did not take this honour to himself, but received it from him who said, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee — Not, indeed, at the same time; for his generation was from eternity. Psalms 2:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Psalms 110:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
The sum of the things treated of in the seventh and following chapters is contained, Hebrews 5:7; and in this sum is admirably comprised the process of his passion, with its inmost causes, in the very terms used by the evangelists. Who in the days of his flesh — Those two days, in particular, wherei... [ Continue Reading ]
Though he were a Son — This is interposed. lest any should be offended at all these instances of human weakness. In the garden, how frequently did he call God his Father! Matthew 26:39, &c. And hence it most evidently appears that his being the Son of God did not arise merely from his resurrection.... [ Continue Reading ]
And being perfected — By sufferings, Hebrews 2:10; brought through all to glory. He became the author — The procuring and efficient cause. Of eternal salvation to all that obey him — By doing and suffering his whole will.... [ Continue Reading ]
Called — The Greek word here properly signifies surnamed. His name is, "the Son of God." The Holy Ghost seems to have concealed who Melchisedec was, on purpose that he might be the more eminent type of Christ. This only we know, — that he was a priest, and king of Salem, or Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]
Concerning whom — The apostle here begins an important digression, wherein he reproves, admonishes, and exhorts the Hebrews. We — Preachers of the gospel. Have many things to say, and hard to be explained — Though not so much from the subject — matter, as from your slothfulness in considering, and d... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye have need that one teach you again which are the first principles of religion. Accordingly these are enumerated in Hebrews 6:1. And have need of milk — The first and plainest doctrines.... [ Continue Reading ]
Every one that useth milk — That neither desires, nor can digest, anything else: otherwise strong men use milk; but not milk chiefly, and much less that only. Is unexperienced in the word of righteousness — The sublimer truths of the gospel. Such are all who desire and can digest nothing but the doc... [ Continue Reading ]
But strong meat — These sublimer truths relating to "perfection," Hebrews 6:1. Belong to them of full age, who by habit — Habit here signifies strength of spiritual understanding, arising from maturity of spiritual age. By, or in consequence of, this habit they exercise themselves in these things wi... [ Continue Reading ]