1._Now of the things_, _etc. _That readers might know the subject he handles, he reminds them that his object is to prove that Christ’s priesthood, by which that of the law had been abolished, is spiritual. He, indeed, proceeds with the same argument; but as he contends with various reasonings, he i... [ Continue Reading ]
2._Of the sanctuary, _or, literally, _of holy things, etc. _The word is to be taken, as being in the neuter gender; and the Apostle explains himself by saying, _of the true tabernacle. _(128) But it may be asked, whether the tabernacle built by Moses was a false one, and presumptuously constructed,... [ Continue Reading ]
3._For every high priest, etc. _The Apostle intends to show, that Christ’s priesthood cannot coexist with the Levitical priesthood. He proves it in this way, — “The Law appointed priests to offer sacrifices to God; it hence appears that the priesthood is an empty name without a sacrifice. But Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
4._For if he were on earth, etc. _It is now beyond dispute that Christ is a high priest; but as the office of a judge does not exist without laws and statutes, so the office of sacrificing must be connected with Christ as a priest: yet he has no earthly or visible sacrifice; he cannot then be a prie... [ Continue Reading ]
5._Who serve unto the example, etc. _The verb λατρεύειν to serve, I take here to mean the performing of sacred rites; and so ἐν or ἐπὶ is to be understood. This is certainly more appropriate than the rendering given by some, “Who serve the shadow and example of heavenly things; and the construction... [ Continue Reading ]
6._But now has he obtained a more excellent ministry, etc. _As he had before inferred the excellency of the covenant from the dignity of the priesthood, so also now he maintains that Christ’s priesthood is more excellent than that of Aaron, because he is the interpreter and Mediator of a better cove... [ Continue Reading ]
7._For if that first, etc. _He confirms what he had said of the excellency of the covenant which God has made with us through Christ; and he confirms it on this ground, because the covenant of the Law was neither valid nor permanent; for if nothing was wanting in it, why was another substituted for... [ Continue Reading ]
8._Behold, the days come, etc. _(Jeremiah 31:31.) The Prophet speaks of future time; he arraigns the people of perfidy, because they continued not faithful after having received the Law. The Law, then, was the covenant which was broken, as God complains, by the people. To remedy this evil, he promis... [ Continue Reading ]
9._Not according to the covenant, etc. _Here is expressed the difference between the covenant which then existed and the new one which he caused them to expect. The Prophet might have otherwise said only: “I will renew the covenant which through your fault has come to nothing;” but he now expressly... [ Continue Reading ]
10_For this is the covenant that I will make, etc. _There are two main parts in this covenant; the first regards the gratuitous remission of sins; and the other, the inward renovation of the heart; there is a third which depends on the second, and that is the illumination of the mind as to the knowl... [ Continue Reading ]
11._And they shall not teach, etc. _We have said that the third point is as it were a part of the second, included in these words, _I will put my laws in their mind_; for it is the work of the Spirit of God to illuminate our minds, so that we may know what the will of God is, and also to bend our he... [ Continue Reading ]
13._In that he saith, A new, etc. _From the fact of one covenant being established, he infers the subversion of the other; and by calling it the old covenant, he assumes that it was to be abrogated; for what is old tends to a decay. (137) Besides, as the new is substituted, it must be that the forme... [ Continue Reading ]