II. (1-4) These verses must be closely joined with the first chapter. Before advancing to the next step in his argument, the writer pauses to enforce the duty which results from what has been already established. But (as in Hebrews 4:14) the exhortation does not interrupt the thought, but rather se... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard. — Better, _to the things heard;_ for this expression contains the complement of the thought of Hebrews 1:1. Both “speak” and “hear” are words which carry weighty emphasis in this Epistle. (See Hebrews 1:1; Hebrews 2:... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORD SPOKEN BY ANGELS. — Or rather, _through angels_ (comp. Hebrews 1:2): the word was God’s, but angels were the medium through which it was given to men. In accordance with the tone of the whole passage (in which the thought is not the reward of obedience, but the peril of neglect of duty), “t... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE? — In a different context these words might naturally mean, “How shall we, transgressors of the law, escape from the penalty it threatens, if we neglect the one means of deliverance now offered us?” (Comp. Galatians 3:13; Galatians 4:5.) Here, however, are placed in contrast the... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD ALSO BEARING THEM WITNESS. — That is, _bearing witness with them to_ the truth they preached. Mark 16:20 is a striking parallel; see also Acts 4:30. The divine attestation was given by miracles and by “gifts” (literally, _distributions,_ as in the margin; see 1 Corinthians 12:11) “of the Holy Gh... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR. — There is a very clear connection between this verse and Hebrews 1:14. “Angels are but ministering spirits, serving God in the cause of those who shall inherit salvation; _for_ not to angels is the world to come made subject.” But the connection with Hebrews 2:2, is equally important: “the sal... [ Continue Reading ]
(5-18) It was needful that Jesus, as Author of salvation to man, should in all points be made like to those whom He saves, and in their likeness suffer and die; thus He becomes for them a merciful and faithful High Priest.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT ONE IN A CERTAIN PLACE. — Better, _somewhere._ The expression is perfectly indefinite (comp. Hebrews 4:4). As a rule, the words of Scripture are in this Epistle quoted as God’s own utterances; and though the nature of the quotation (which is an address to God) made this impossible here, the writ... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST PUT... — There is in the Greek a studious repetition of the leading word, which should not be lost in translation: “Thou didst subject all things under his feet. For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing unsubjected to him. But now we see not yet all things subjected to him.” F... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WE SEE JESUS... — Rather, _But we see Him who has been made a little lower than angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour._ There is One in whom the divine purpose is fulfilled in all its parts. He was made a little (the rendering of the margin, “a little whi... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR. — What seemed to Jews incredible, that the Christ should die, was ordained “by the grace of God.” For thus to make sufferings the path to His kingdom was worthy of God, for whose glory and through whose power all things exist; who as Creator commands all agencies, and who cannot but do that whi... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR BOTH HE THAT SANCTIFIETH... — The special meaning of “sanctify” in this Epistle (Hebrews 9:13; Hebrews 10:10; Hebrews 10:14; Hebrews 10:29; Hebrews 13:12) seems to be, _bringing into fellowship with God,_ the Holy One. “They who are sanctified” — literally, _are being sanctified_ (comp. Acts 2:4... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL DECLARE THY NAME.... — The quotation is taken (with very slight variation) from the 22nd verse of Psalms 22 (Psalms 22:22) — a Psalm remarkable for its close connection with the narratives of the Passion of our Lord. Whether the inscription which speaks of David as author is correct, or wheth... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM... BEHOLD I AND THE CHILDREN... — Of the two passages cited in this verse, the latter is certainly from Isaiah 8:18; and though the former might be derived from 2 Samuel 22:3 or Isaiah 12:2, yet, as the words are also found in the same chapter of Isaiah (Isaiah 8:17), we m... [ Continue Reading ]
FORASMUCH THEN... — The two members of this verse directly recall the thoughts of Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 2:9. (1) It was the will of God that salvation should be won by the Son for sons; (2) this salvation could only be won by means of death. THE CHILDREN. — Said with reference to Hebrews 2:13. FLE... [ Continue Reading ]
DELIVER THEM WHO THROUGH FEAR OF DEATH.... — This verse brings into relief the former misery and the present freedom. We may well suppose these words to have been prompted by the intense sympathy of the writer with the persecuted and tempted Christians whom he addresses. He writes throughout as one... [ Continue Reading ]
HE TOOK NOT ON HIM THE NATURE OF ANGELS. — The rendering of the margin approaches very nearly the true meaning of the verse; whereas the text (in which the Authorised version differs from all our earlier translations) introduces confusion into the argument. Having spoken in Hebrews 2:14 of our Lord’... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE. — Since it is “the seed of Abraham,” His brethren, that He would help. IN ALL THINGS. — These words must be taken with “made like.” In all respects (the single exception does not come into notice here, see Hebrews 4:15) He must be made like to “the brethren” (a reference to Hebrews 2:12)... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR. — The necessity of being “in all things made like to His brethren” has been shown from the nature of the case; it is now illustrated from the result. The “brethren” and the “people” of Hebrews 2:17 are here “the tempted.” Through the temptations arose those sins of the people for which He makes... [ Continue Reading ]