_HE EXHORTETH NOT TO FALL BACK FROM THE FAITH, BUT TO BE STEADFAST,
DILIGENT, AND PATIENT TO WAIT UPON GOD, BECAUSE GOD IS MOST SURE IN
HIS PROMISE._
_Anno Domini 63._
ALTHOUGH in the latter verses of the preceding chapter the apostle had
reproved the Hebrews for their ignorance of the first princ... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE, LEAVING THE PRINCIPLES— "Laying aside, comparatively
speaking, the doctrines which were taught you when you were first
initiated into Christianity." The apostle means what in the preceding
chapter were called the _elements,_ or _first principles_ of the
oracles of God, Hebrews 6:12.—_Let... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS,— Dr. Sykes and many others think the
reason why the sacred writer speaks of _baptisms_ in the plural number
to be this: He writes to the Hebrews, who had not only several sorts
of baptisms enjoined in and by the law, but who had had John, whom all
looked upon and acknowledg... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THIS WILL WE DO, IF GOD PERMIT.— That is, "We will go on to
teach those doctrines, with which a perfect Christian ought to be well
acquainted;" this verse being in connection with the first clause of
the first verse: and accordingly, the apostle goes on to represent
Christianity in its highest b... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IT IS IMPOSSIBLE, &C.— "For your apostacy would put an end to my
expectation of doing any good to you; it being impossible for those
who have been once thoroughly enlightened in the faith, &c." It is
thought by some, that we ought to soften the term_impossible,_ and
understand no more by it than... [ Continue Reading ]
TASTED THE GOOD WORD OF GOD,— That is, have been experimentally
acquainted with the gospel, which through the spirit conveys to the
believer remission of sins, justification, and sanctification here,
and the promise to the faithful of a resurrection to eternal life
hereafter. By _the powers of the w... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY,— Two things are here to be observed;
_First,_ That the apostle speaks of such as not only _fell away_ or
_apostatized_ from the genuine experience of the Christian, but also
from the very _profession_ of Christianity. This appears, from what he
presently adds, to set forth t... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE EARTH WHICH DRINKETH IN THE RAIN— By this comparison the
manner of the apostle's reasoning appears evident: those who have been
once _enlightened,_ and _have tasted the heavenly gift,_ &c. are
steadily to persevere in their duties; in which case they are just
like good soils, which, being we... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT, BELOVED, &C.— This is exactly like St. Paul's way of closing
and softening any thing that he had said which sounded terrible and
dreadful. See for examples, 2 Thessalonians 2:13.Ephesians 4:20.
Romans 8:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR GOD IS NOT UNRIGHTEOUS, &C.— "I just now mentioned my hopes of
your complete salvation; and I have reason to entertain such hopes, as
well knowing the pious and benevolent dispositions, which many of you
have expressed. For God is not unmindful of his gracious promises, so
as to forget your dili... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT FOLLOWERS OF THEM, &C.— He means such holy Christians as had
persevered in their sincere profession of Christ, as well as such
other faithful believers as had lived in a just expectation of his
coming, and were now in possession of the promises made to Abraham,
which were fully accomplished. The... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHEN GOD MADE PROMISE, &C.— "And a glorious confirmation you
will find these promises to be, when you come to compare one spiritual
object with another, and are better skilled in the method of
interpreting the sacred oracles, on principles which I am going to lay
down. For I may, in the first pl... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREIN— _Wherefore,_ or _therefore: on which account._ The word
rendered _confirmed,_ εμεσιτευσεν, signifies properly, as
in the margin, _interposed;_ and so it is rendered in many versions.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT BY TWO IMMUTABLE THINGS,— "Namely, a promise and an oath, in
each of which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong
consolation, even we who in humble obedience to the gracious designs
of his gospel, have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope laid
before us, the noble prize which... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH ENTERETH INTO THAT WITHIN THE VAIL;— The apostle means, that
the hope set before us, is not limited to any thing temporal or
present, but reaches to heaven and heavenly things; which he compares
to the _holy of holies,_ that part of the tabernacle which was behind,
or within the second vail. C... [ Continue Reading ]