In this chapter, which is of the same nature with the foregoing, the apostle proceeds with his exhortation to the Hebrews, and all professing Christians, to faith, obedience, and perseverance; and enforces it by a most apposite and striking instance in the punishment which befel the Israelites, thos... [ Continue Reading ]
_For we who have believed_ Or, _who believe_, namely, in Christ, and the promises of rest made in the gospel, and are diligent in the use of the means appointed in order to the attainment of it; _do enter into rest_ Are at present made partakers of the _rest_ promised by Jesus to the weary and heavy... [ Continue Reading ]
_For he spake in a certain place_ Namely, Genesis 2:2; Exodus 31:17; _on this wise, God did rest_, &c. These words the apostle quotes, because they show that _the seventh-day_ rest is fitly called _God's rest_, and that _the seventh-day_ rest was observed from the creation of the world. “God's ceasi... [ Continue Reading ]
_There remaineth therefore a rest_, &c. Since neither of the two former rests is intended by David, and there was no new rest for the people to enter into in the days of David, and the psalm wherein these words are recorded is acknowledged to be prophetical of the days of the Messiah, it unavoidably... [ Continue Reading ]
_For_ that rest of which we were speaking, may properly be called a sabbatical rest, or the celebration of a sabbath; for _he that_ hath _entered into_ this _his_ final and complete _rest, hath ceased from his own works_ From all his labours and toils; _as God did from his_ In that first seventh- da... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let us labour therefore_, &c. That is, since the Israelites were so severely punished for their unbelief, _let us labour_ Greek, σπουδασωμεν, _let us be in earnest, use diligence_, and _make haste_, (all which particulars are included in the word,) _to enter into that rest_ By sincerely believing a... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the word of God_ As if he had said, Take heed of unbelief, _for the word of God_ will try and condemn you if you be guilty of it. It is greatly debated among commentators whether this is to be understood of Christ, the eternal Word, or of the gospel. “None of the properties,” says Calmet, “ment... [ Continue Reading ]
_Neither is there any creature_ Especially no human creature; _that is not manifest_ Αφανης, _unapparent; in his sight_ Namely, in the sight of God, whose word is thus powerful; for it is God in whose sight, or before whom, Greek ενωπιο, αυτου, every creature is manifest, and of this his word, worki... [ Continue Reading ]
The writer of this epistle having spoken of the Author of the gospel, as the Creator of the world, as the Lawgiver in God's church, as the Conductor of the spiritual seed of Abraham into the heavenly country, the _rest_ of God, and as the Judge of the whole human race, now proceeds to speak of him a... [ Continue Reading ]
_For we have not a high-priest_, &c. As if he had said, Though he be so great, yet he is not without concern for us in our mean and low condition. Here the apostle lets the Hebrews know that in the gospel there is no loss of privilege in any thing. Had they a high-priest who, with his office, was th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let us therefore come boldly_ Without any doubt or fear, trusting in his sacrifice and intercession for acceptance; _unto the throne of grace_ The throne of our reconciled Father, which grace erected, and where it reigns and dispenses all blessings in a way of unmerited favour; _that we may obtain... [ Continue Reading ]