William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Hebrews 13:9

There is an inference in these words from what was asserted in the former, concerning the immutability of Christ and his doctrine; namely, thus; Seeing that the doctrine of Christ taught by the apostles is as Christ himself, the same yesterday, today, and forever, there the apostle dehorts them from being carried about with divers and strange doctrines; that is, in short, the doctrines of those that mingled judaism and christianity together by cleaving to the legal observation.

Note here, The nature of the false doctrines, and what efficacy they have upon the minds of men; in themselves they are light and vain like the wind, tossing men up and down as the wind and the waves do the ship that wants ballast, turning them out of their course, and endangering their destruction; therefore, says the apostle, Take heed that ye be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.

By meals here, understand disputes and controversies about the differences of meats; by grace, understand the doctrine of the gospel, and the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit, which fixes and establishes the heart, and keeps the christian steady and steadfast.

Learn hence, That it is far better to have the heart filled with divine grace, than the head with disputes and controversies in religion; It is good that the heart be stablished with grace, and not with meats. The reason is added, They have not profited them that are occupied therein; that is, to observe the doctrine concerning. religious distinction of meats, since the gospel has been entertained, is altogether unprofitable and unavailable: yea, meats of themselves profited not thse who observed them, even whilst the institutions concerning them were in force.

Learn hence, That those who decline from the grace of God, as the only mean to establish their hearts in peace with him, do labour in that whereby they shall receive no advantage.

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William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Hebrews 13:9

Old Testament

New Testament