The sum of this chapter is, Christ, as appears from his type, Melchisedec, who was greater than Abraham himself, from whom Levi descended, has a priesthood altogether excellent, new, firm, perpetual. Genesis 14:18, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
Being first — According to the meaning of his own name. King of righteousness, then — According to the name of his city. King of peace — So in him, as in Christ, righteousness and peace were joined. And so they are in all that believe in him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Without father, without mother, without pedigree — Recorded, without any account of his descent from any ancestors of the priestly order. Having neither beginning of days, nor end of life — Mentioned by Moses. But being — In all these respects. Made like the Son of God — Who is really without father... [ Continue Reading ]
The greatness of Melchisedec is described in all the preceding and following particulars. But the most manifest proof of it was, that Abraham gave him tithes as to a priest of God and a superior; though he was himself a patriarch, greater than a king, and a progenitor of many kings.... [ Continue Reading ]
The sons of Levi take tithes of their brethren — Sprung from Abraham as well as themselves. The Levites therefore are greater than they; but the priests are greater than the Levites, the patriarch Abraham than the priests, and Melchisedec than him.... [ Continue Reading ]
He who is not from them — The Levites Blessed — Another proof of his superiority. Even him that had the promises — That was so highly favoured of God. When St. Paul speaks of Christ, he says, "the promise;" promises refer to other blessings also.... [ Continue Reading ]
The less is blessed — Authoritatively, of the greater.... [ Continue Reading ]
And here — In the Levitical priesthood. But there — In the case of Melchisedec. He of whom it is testified that he liveth — Who is not spoken of as one that died for another to succeed him; but is represented only as living, no mention being made either of his birth or death.... [ Continue Reading ]
And even Levi, who received tithes — Not in person, but in his successors, as it were, paid tithes — In the person of Abraham.... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle now demonstrates that the Levitical priesthood must yield to the priesthood of Christ, because Melchisedec, after whose order he is a priest, Is opposed to Aaron, Hebrews 7:11. Hath no end of life, Hebrews 7:15, but "remaineth a priest continually." If now perfection were by the Levitica... [ Continue Reading ]
For — One of these cannot be changed without the other.... [ Continue Reading ]
But the priesthood is manifestly changed from one order to another, and from one tribe to another. For he of whom these things are spoken — Namely, Jesus. Pertaineth to another tribe — That of Judah. Of which no man was suffered by the law to attend on, or minister at, the altar.... [ Continue Reading ]
For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah — Whatever difficulties have arisen since, during so long a tract of time, it was then clear beyond dispute.... [ Continue Reading ]
And it is still far more evident, that — Both the priesthood and the law are changed, because the priest now raised up is not only of another tribe, but of a quite different order.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who is made — A priest. Not after the law of a carnal commandment — Not according to the Mosaic law, which consisted chiefly of commandments that were carnal, compared to the spirituality of the gospel. But after the power of an endless life — Which he has in himself, as the eternal Son of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
For there is implied in this new and everlasting priesthood, and in the new dispensation connected therewith, a disannulling of the preceding commandment — An abrogation of the Mosaic law. For the weakness and unprofitableness thereof — For its insufficiency either to justify or to sanctify.... [ Continue Reading ]
For the law — Taken by itself, separate from the gospel. Made nothing perfect — Could not perfect its votaries, either in faith or love, in happiness or holiness. But the bringing in of a better hope — Of the gospel dispensation, which gives us a better ground of confidence, does. By which we draw n... [ Continue Reading ]
And — The greater solemnity wherewith he was made priest, farther proves the superior excellency of his priesthood.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Lord sware and will not repent — Hence also it appears, that his is an unchangeable priesthood.... [ Continue Reading ]
Of so much better a covenant — Unchangeable, eternal. Was Jesus made a surety — Or mediator. The word covenant frequently occurs in the remaining part of this epistle. The original word means either a covenant or a last will and testament. St. Paul takes it sometimes in the former, sometimes in the... [ Continue Reading ]
They were many priests — One after another.... [ Continue Reading ]
He continueth for ever — In life and in his priesthood. That passeth not away — To any successor.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore he is able to save to the uttermost — From all the guilt, power, root, and consequence of sin. Them who come — By faith. To God through him — As their priest. Seeing he ever liveth to make intercession — That is, he ever lives and intercedes. He died once; he intercedes perpetually.... [ Continue Reading ]
For such an high priest suited us — Unholy, mischievous, defiled sinners: a blessed paradox! Holy — With respect to God. Harmless — With respect to men. Undefiled — With any sin in himself. Separated from sinners — As well as free from sin. And so he was when he left the world. And made — Even in hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Who needeth not to offer up sacrifices daily — That is, on every yearly day of expiation; for he offered once for all: not for his own sins, for he then offered up himself "without spot to God.... [ Continue Reading ]
The law maketh men high priests that have infirmity — That are both weak, mortal, and sinful. But the oath which was since the law — Namely, in the time of David. Maketh the son, who is consecrated for ever — Who being now free, both from sin and death, from natural and moral infirmity, remaineth a... [ Continue Reading ]