1._Therefore we ought, etc. _He now declares what he had before in view, by comparing Christ with angels, even to secure the highest authority to his doctrine. For if the Law given through angels could not have been received with contempt, and if its transgression was visited with severe punishment,... [ Continue Reading ]
2._Steadfast, _or “firm,” or _sure_, _etc._; that is, it was the word of authority, for God required it to be believed; and that it was authoritative, was made more evident by its sanctions; for no one despised the law with impunity. Then firmness means authority; and what is added respecting punish... [ Continue Reading ]
3._If we neglect so great a salvation, etc. _Not only the rejection of the Gospel, but also its neglect, deserves the heaviest punishment, and that on account of the greatness of the grace which it offers; hence he says, _so great a salvation. _God would indeed leave his gifts valued by us according... [ Continue Reading ]
4._God also bearing them witness, etc. _In addition to the fact, that the Apostles had what they preached from the Son of God, the Lord also proved his approbation of their preaching by miracles, as by a solemn subscription. Then they who do not reverently receive the Gospel recommended by such test... [ Continue Reading ]
5._For unto the angels, etc. _He again proves by another argument that Christ ought to be obeyed; for the Father has conferred on him the sovereignty of the whole world, while the angels are wholly destitute of such an honor. It hence follows that none of the angels should stand in the way of his pr... [ Continue Reading ]
7._Thou madest him, etc. _A new difficulty now arises as to the explanation of the words. I have already shown that the passage is fitly applicable to the Son of God; but the Apostle seems now to turn the words from that meaning in which David understood them; for _a little, _ βραχύ τι seems to refe... [ Continue Reading ]
8._For in that he put all in subjection under him; _or, doubtless in subjecting all things to him, _etc. _One might think the argument to be this, — “To the man whom David speaks all things are subjected, but to mankind all things are not made subject; then he does not speak of any individual man.”... [ Continue Reading ]
9._But we see Jesus, etc. _As the meaning of the words , βραχύ τι “a little” is ambiguous, (36) he looks to the thing itself, as exhibited in the person of Christ, rather then to the exact meaning of the words, as I have already said; and he presents to our meditation the glory after the resurrectio... [ Continue Reading ]
10._For it became him, etc. _His object is, to make Christ’s humiliation to appear glorious to the godly; for when he is said to have been clothed with our flesh, he seems to be classed with the common order of men; and the cross brought him lower than all men. We must therefore take heed, lest Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
11._For both he that sanctifieth, etc. _He proves that it was necessary that what he had said should be fulfilled in the person of Christ on account of his connection with his members; and he also teaches that it was a remarkable evidence of the divine goodness that he put on our flesh. hence he say... [ Continue Reading ]
12._In the midst of the Church. _(43) It hence appears plainly, that the proclamation of God’s praises is always promoted by the teaching of the gospel; for as soon as God becomes known to us, his boundless praises sound in our hearts and in our ears; and at the same time Christ encourages us by his... [ Continue Reading ]
13._I will put my trust in him, _or, I will confide in him. As this sentence is found in Psalms 18:2, it was probably taken from that place; (44) and Paul, in Romans 15:9, applies another verse to Christ respecting the calling of the Gentiles. In addition to this, it may be said that the general con... [ Continue Reading ]
14._Forasmuch then as the children, etc._, or, _since then the children, etc. _This is an inference from the foregoing; and at the same time a fuller reason is given than what has been hitherto stated, why it behooved the Son of God to put on our flesh, even that he might partake of the same nature... [ Continue Reading ]
15._And deliver them who, etc. _This passage expresses in a striking manner how miserable is the life of those who fear death, as they must feel it to be dreadful, because they look on it apart from Christ; for then nothing but a curse appears in it: for whence is death but from God’s wrath against... [ Continue Reading ]
16._For verily, _or, _For nowhere, etc. _By this comparison he enhances the benefit and the honor with which Christ has favored us, by putting on our flesh; for he never did so much for angels. As then it was necessary that there should be a remarkable remedy for man’s dreadful ruin, it was the desi... [ Continue Reading ]
17._Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, _or, _to be like his brethren, etc. _In Christ’s human nature there are two things to be considered, the real flesh and the affections or feelings. The Apostle then teaches us, that he had not only put on the real flesh o... [ Continue Reading ]
18._For in that he himself has suffered, etc. _Having been tried by our evils, he is ready, he says, to bring us help. The word _temptation _here means no other thing than experience or probation; and to be _able, _is to be fit, or inclined, or suitable.... [ Continue Reading ]