Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

Hebrews 9:10

μόνον ἐπὶ βρώμασιν … μόνον evidently introduces the positive aspect of the virtue of the “gifts and sacrifices,” thus more closely defining μὴ δυνάμεναι κατὰ συνείδησιν τελειῶσαι … the gifts and sacrifices are not able to bring the worshipper into a final rest as regards conscience, only having effect so far as regards meats and drinks and divers washings ordinances of the flesh, not of the conscience, imposed until a time of rectification. The change of preposition from κατὰ to ἐπὶ need excite no surprise (cf. Aristotle's frequent change of preposition, e.g., Eth. Nic., iv. 3, 26); and here there is a slight distinction in the reference. ἐπὶ has frequently the meaning “in connection with,” “with regard to” as in Luke 12:52; John 12:16; Acts 21:24 [see especially Donaldson's excellent treatment of this preposition (Greek Gram., p. 518) showing that with the dative it signifies absolute superposition, i.e., rest upon, or close to, hence addition, subsequence and succession, then “that which is close by us as a suggesting cause, accompaniment, motive, or condition”. ἐπὶ τοῖς τ. φίλων ἀγαθοῖς φαιδροὶ γιγνόμεθα, “we are cheerful on account of the prosperity of our friends”. ὀνομάζοι δὲ πάντα ταῦτα ἐπὶ ταῖς δόξαις τοῦ μεγάλου ζώου “but were to give all these things names from in accordance with) the opinions of the great monster” (Plato, Rep. 493, c).] The meaning then is that the virtue (δυνάμεναι) of the gifts and sacrifices is only in relation to defilements occasioned by eating and drinking or neglecting the enjoined purifications. δικαιώματα σαρκὸς may either be construed as a contemptuous exclamation appended, or it may be softened by οὖσαι “which are”. μέχρι καιροῦ διορθώσεως “usque ad tempus correctionis”. διόρθωσις is a making straight or right; used by Hippocrates of reducing a fracture, by Aristotle of repairing roads and houses, by Polybius of paying debts, of education, etc. It means, putting things right, bringing matters into a satisfactory state, and is thus used of the introduction of the new covenant, in confirmation of Hebrews 8:8. No term could better express this writer's view of the characteristic of Messianic times.

Continues after advertising

BibliaPlus

Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

Hebrews 9:10

Old Testament

New Testament