_CHRIST, WHO IS COME TO US IN THESE LAST TIMES FROM THE FATHER, IS INFINITELY PREFERRED ABOVE THE ANGELS, BOTH IN PERSON AND OFFICE._ _Anno Domini 63._ THE apostle begins this most learned epistle, with proposing the subjects of which he is about to discourse; namely, four important facts on which... [ Continue Reading ]
_HEBREWS 1:1_.— The design of the author of this epistle being, as we have observed, to shew the excellence of the Christian dispensation above that of the Jews in every respect; and that the Jews had no advantage in or by their law, which Christians had not in a superior measure by the law of Chris... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH IN THESE LAST DAYS, &C.— This latter age of the world, or the days of the Messiah. _By his Son,_ must here mean emphatically, "By his Son, as incarnate, and appearing in the human nature;" nor can any argument be gathered from hence, that God spoke not by the ministration of the _Logos,_ or sec... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO, BEING THE BRIGHTNESS, &C.— _Who, being a beam of his glory, and the express image of his substance._ The word Απαυγασμα, which we render _brightness,_ signifies that splendor or ray which proceeds from a luminous body. The words therefore represent the Father as _Light,_ which is agreeable to o... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING MADE SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE ANGELS,— _Being made so much superior to,_ or _more excellent than the angels, by how much he hath obtained a more excellent name than they._ The word Κεκληρονομηκεν, signifies to _obtain,_ or _be in possession of;_ without taking in the notion of _inheritance._ Se... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR UNTO WHICH OF THE ANGELS SAID HE, &C.— The word _for,_ shews that the sacred writer is here proceeding to his proofs. All the texts that are alleged by him, are to be considered as brought forward with this design; to shew that Christ at his resurrection was constituted, as man, infinitely super... [ Continue Reading ]
AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM— In proof of the infinite superiority of Christ over the angels, the apostle shews, that he was not only the _Son_ of God, while even the highest of them were but servants; but that he was the object of their adoration and _worship._ It is matter of doubt, w... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS, &C.— This refers to that unparalleled instance of the love of moral rectitude, which Christ has given in becoming a sacrifice for sin; by his atonement doing infinitely more, than has ever been done by any other intelligent and rational agent, towards displaying his lo... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL PERISH, &C.— "They, permanent as they seem, shall at length wear out; but thou endurest in undecaying glory; yea, all of them shall grow old as doth a garment; and thou shalt remove them out of their place, and introduce a new scene of things, with as much ease as a prince lays aside one... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT TO WHICH OF THE ANGELS, &C.— "But, not to insist on the manner in which men have addressed their homage and their praises to him, even under the inspiration of an unerring Spirit; let me refer you to another passage, in which the Father himself speaks to him under the character of his Son, exalt... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE THEY NOT ALL MINISTERING SPIRITS— "I asked, To which of the angels said God at any time, _Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?_"—And Iam well satisfied that no passage can be alleged wherein God is ever represented as using such language to, or concerning any of them.... [ Continue Reading ]