_For_, &c. The apostle having promised to lead the believing Hebrews forward to the perfection of Christian knowledge, (Hebrews 6:1,) particularly with regard to the high-priesthood of Christ as typified by that of Melchisedec, which he had repeatedly mentioned, (namely, Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 5:10; H... [ Continue Reading ]
_To whom also Abraham gave a tenth of all_ Namely, of all the spoils of the vanquished kings, (Hebrews 7:4,) but not _a tenth_ also of the goods that had been taken from the king of Sodom and from Lot; for of these Abraham took nothing to himself. By paying tithes to Melchisedec, Abraham acknowledge... [ Continue Reading ]
_Consider how great this man was_ The greatness of Melchisedec is described in all the preceding and following particulars. But the most manifest proof of it was, that Abraham gave him tithes as a priest of God, and a superior; though he was himself a patriarch, greater than a king, and a progenitor... [ Continue Reading ]
_And here_ In the Levitical priesthood; _men that die, receive tithes, but there_ In the case of Melchisedec; _he of whom it is witnessed that he liveth_ Who is not spoken of as one that died for another to succeed him, but is represented only as living, being mentioned in such a way as if he lived... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle, having cleared his way from objections, now enters on his principal argument concerning the priesthood of Christ, and all the consequences of it with respect to righteousness, salvation, and the worship of God which depend thereon. _If, therefore_, or, _now if perfection were by the Lev... [ Continue Reading ]
_For_, or, _wherefore, the priesthood_ On account of which the law was given; _being changed, of necessity there_ must be _a change also of the law_ As if he had said, Since there is such a near relation between the priesthood and the law, and since the whole administration of the law, as the rule o... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it is yet far more evident_ That both the priesthood and the law are changed, because the priest now raised up is not only of another tribe, and of a quite different order, but _is made_ a priest; _not after the law of a carnal commandment_ With such carnal rites and outward solemnities as the... [ Continue Reading ]
_For there is verily_ Implied in this new and everlasting priesthood, and in the new dispensation connected therewith; _a disannulling of the_ preceding _commandment_ An abrogation of the Mosaic law; _for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof_ In comparison of the new priesthood and dispensation... [ Continue Reading ]
_And inasmuch as_, &c. Here is another argument from the words of the psalmist, to prove the appointment of a new priesthood, the removal of the old, and the superior excellence of the new to the old; _not without an oath_ Which argues the weightiness of the matter, and the eternal continuance of Ch... [ Continue Reading ]
_And there were many priests_ One after another, because they were hindered by death from continuing in the perpetual execution of their office. _But this man, because he continueth ever_ In life and in his office; _hath an unchangeable priesthood_ One that passes not from one to another. _Wherefore... [ Continue Reading ]
_Such a High-Priest became us_ Or rather, was suited to us, who are unholy, mischievous, defiled sinners; _who is holy_ With respect to God; _harmless_ With respect to men; _undefiled_ In himself by any sin; _separate from sinners_ That is, from all defiling society of sinners, though mercifully con... [ Continue Reading ]