The apostle, in order to display Christ's dignity as a High-Priest, having illustrated what he affirmed, (Hebrews 8:7,) namely, that the Levitical priests worshipped God in the tabernacle with the representations of the services to be performed by Christ in heaven; also having contrasted the ineffec... [ Continue Reading ]
_For then would they not have ceased_, &c. There would not have been need to have offered them more than once: that is, if these sacrifices had made the worshippers perfect, in respect of pardon, they would have ceased to be offered; _because the worshippers once purged_ Or fully discharged from the... [ Continue Reading ]
_For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats_ Or of any brute animals; _should take away sins_ Should make full satisfaction and atonement for them, so as to procure the pardon of them on its own account. To understand the apostle, we must remember, that though remission of sins be orig... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore_ As if he had said, Because the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins, therefore Christ offered himself as a sacrifice to do it. _When he cometh into the world_ That is, when the Messiah is described by David as making his entrance into the world; _he saith_ He is represented... [ Continue Reading ]
_And every priest standeth_, &c. In token of humble service and subjection; _daily_ Morning and evening; _ministering and offering often the same sacrifices, which_ shows that these sacrifices _can never take away sins_ Can never fully expiate them, so as to make it consistent with the justice of Go... [ Continue Reading ]
_Having therefore_ The apostle, having finished the doctrinal part of his epistle, now proceeds to exhortation, deduced from what has been treated of from Hebrews 5:4. For though there are some occasional intermixtures of doctrines, consonant to those before insisted on, yet his professed design hen... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let us hold fast the profession of our faith_ Or, rather, _of our hope_, as the most approved MSS., indeed all but one, read the clause. The apostle referred to that _profession_ or _confession_ of their hope of eternal life, which believers made at their baptism. For being God's children, and heir... [ Continue Reading ]
_For_, &c. As if he had said, It concerns us to use all means to ensure our perseverance, because apostacy is so dangerous; _if we_ Any of us Christians; _sin wilfully_ By total apostacy from God; (see on Hebrews 6:4;) _after we have received the knowledge of the truth_ As it is in Jesus, namely, an... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that_ In capital cases, such as by the sins of sabbath- breaking, disobedience to parents, blasphemy, adultery, murder; _despised_ Presumptuously transgressed; _Moses's law, died_ Was put to death; _without mercy_ Without any delay or mitigation of his punishment, if convicted by _two or three w... [ Continue Reading ]
_For we know him_ As if he had said, We may well think that such shall be punished very severely, because God has declared as much, saying, _Vengeance belongeth unto me, Deuteronomy 32:35_; Psalms 94:1. Though this was originally said of the idolatrous nations who oppressed the Israelites, it was ve... [ Continue Reading ]
_But_ As if he had said, I trust you will be preserved from so terrible a ruin; and in order that you may, I exhort you to _call to remembrance the former days_ To look back upon past events, which, if duly considered, may be very instructive, and may prove the means of establishing you in your reso... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore_, having formerly behaved with such fortitude, _cast not away your confidence_ As cowardly soldiers cast away their shields, and flee in the day of battle; but since God has supported you under, and brought you through all your sufferings hitherto, with much patience and joy maintain and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now_ That is, in the mean time, as it is there added; _the just_, δικαιος, _the righteous_ He that is pardoned and renewed, or justified and regenerated, and who therefore is humble, meek, sincere, resigned to the will of God, and relying on his wisdom, power, goodness, and faithfulness; _shall liv... [ Continue Reading ]