THE SHADOW is unsubstantial, lacking all the qualities of the original except perhaps outlined form; the VERY IMAGE is an exact reproduction of the original. CONTINUALLY] is perhaps best taken with the preceding verb, 'offered.' COMERS THEREUNTO] see on Hebrews 7:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
SACRIFICE COMPLETE IN THE FULFILMENT OF GOD'S WILL. THE OPEN WAY TO GOD Recapitulation and close of the argument. The sacrifices of the Law were ineffective to cleanse the conscience, as shown by their continual repetition (Hebrews 10:1). In the mind of God they were temporary. But the offering of C... [ Continue Reading ]
CONSCIENCE OF SIN] i.e. consciousness of sin, sense of guilt: cp. Hebrews 9:9. 3. The continual repetition of the sacrifices served only to remind the worshippers of the continuity of the need of cleansing. 5. The quotation is from Psalms 40:6, according to the LXX, which reads, 'a body thou hast p... [ Continue Reading ]
HE TAKETH AWAY] i.e. Christ supersedes the legal and ineffectual mode of reconciliation by His own sacrifice, in accordance with God's will.... [ Continue Reading ]
SANCTIFIED] i.e. cleansed from the defilement of sin and enabled to draw near to God. 11-14. Further proof of the finality of Christ's sacrifice: see analysis at the beginning of this chapter. The ineffectiveness of the legal ordinances is brought out forcibly by the accumulation of the words, STAN... [ Continue Reading ]
BOLDNESS TO ENTER INTO THE HOLIEST] a privilege denied to the worshipper under the old covenant.... [ Continue Reading ]
The way is NEW, i.e. lately opened up, and it is LIVING, either because it is effective (cp. Hebrews 4:12), or because Christ is living: cp. John 14:6, where Christ says that He is the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. THROUGH THE VEIL] During His earthly life His flesh stood between Him and the ent... [ Continue Reading ]
ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES] i.e. the meeting of Christians which gives the opportunity to exercise the love and good works already recommended, and also to make the confession of the Christian faith and hope which is to be held fast. THE DAY] is the Day of the LORD, the Day of His Second Coming: cp. on... [ Continue Reading ]
SIN WILFULLY] The participial form of this condition expresses not a single act, but a deliberate and persistent state. The Levitical Law made no provision for the atonement of sins done with a high hand: see on Hebrews 5:2. NO MORE SACRIFICE] Christ's sacrifice is final: see on Hebrews 10:13; Hebre... [ Continue Reading ]
UNDER] RV 'at the word of': see Deuteronomy 17:2. 32-39. An exhortation to exhibit the same steadfastness under the present trials as they had shown in a previous time of affliction: cp. the similar change from a tone of warning to one of hope of better things in Hebrews 6:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
WERE ILLUMINATED] RV 'enlightened,' i.e. became Christians: cp. Hebrews 6:4. FIGHT OF A AFFLICTIONS] see Intro. § 3, 'Recipients and Probable Date.'... [ Continue Reading ]
COMPANIONS] i.e, voluntary partners and sympathisers with those who suffered: cp. Hebrews 6:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
RV 'had compassion on them that were in bonds.' This is the better attested reading, though the other has good support. IN YOURSELVES] It is possible to render, 'Knowing that ye have your own selves for a better possession,' a similar thought to that in Luke 9:25; Luke 21:19 RV, and in Hebrews 10:39... [ Continue Reading ]
RECOMPENCE OF REWARD] cp. the other aspect of 'just recompence' in Hebrews 2:2. 37. A quotation from Habakkuk 2:3, with the addition of the introductory clause 'yet a little while,' reminiscent of Isaiah 26:20. In Habakkuk the idea is that steadfast adherence to God is needed by the righteous man i... [ Continue Reading ]
THE JUST] RV 'my righteous one.' The Speaker is God.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WE] The writer is unwilling to believe that his readers will abandon their faith: cp. Hebrews 6:9. THE SAVING] lit. 'gaining,' or 'winning': see on Hebrews 10:34.... [ Continue Reading ]