CHAPTER II. _The use we should make of the preceding doctrine, and the danger_ _of neglecting this great salvation_, 1-4. _The future world is not put in subjection to the angels, but all_ _is under the authority of Christ_, 5-8. _Jesus has tasted death for every man_, 9. _Nor could he accompl... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 2:2. _IF THE WORD SPOKEN BY ANGELS_] The _law_, (according to some,) which was delivered by the _mediation of angels_, God frequently employing these to communicate his will to men. See Acts 7:53; and Galatians 3:19. But the apostle probably means those particular messages which God se... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 2:3. _HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE_] If they who had fewer privileges than we have, to whom God spoke in divers manners by angels and prophets, fell under the displeasure of their Maker, and were often punished with a sore destruction; how shall we escape wrath to the uttermost if we neglect t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 2:4. _GOD ALSO BEARING THEM WITNESS_] He did not leave the confirmation of these great truths to the testimony of _men_; he bore his _own_ testimony to them by _signs, wonders, various_ _miracles_, and _distributions of the Holy Ghost_, Πνευματος 'Αγιου μερισμοις. And all these were pr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 2:5. _THE WORLD TO COME_] That עולם הבא _olam habba, the_ _world to come_, meant the _days of the Messiah_ among the Jews, is most evident, and has been often pointed out in the course of these notes; and that the administration of this kingdom has not been intrusted to _angels_, who w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 2:6. _BUT ONE IN A CERTAIN PLACE_] This _one_ is _David_; and the _certain place_, Psalms 8:4. But why does the apostle use this indeterminate mode of quotation? Because it was common thus to express the testimony of any of the inspired writers; אמר ההוא _amar hahu kethab_, thus saith... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 2:7. _THOU MADEST HIM A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS_] We must again have recourse to the original from which this quotation is made: ותחסרהו מעט מאלהים _vattechasserehu meat meelohim_. If this be spoken of _man_ as he came out of the hands of his Maker, it places him at the _head_ of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 2:9. _SHOULD TASTE DEATH FOR EVERY MAN._] In consequence of the fall of Adam, the whole human race became sinful in their _nature_, and in their _practice_ added _transgression_ to _sinfulness_ of disposition, and thus became exposed to endless perdition. To redeem them Jesus Christ to... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 2:10. _FOR IT BECAME HIM_] It was suitable to the Divine wisdom, the requisitions of justice, and the economy of grace, to offer Jesus as a sacrifice, in order to bring many sons and daughters to glory. _FOR WHOM - AND BY WHOM_] God is the _cause_ of all things, and he is the _object_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 2:11. _FOR BOTH HE THAT SANCTIFIETH_] The word ο αγιαζων does not merely signify one who sanctifies or makes holy, but one who makes atonement or reconciliation to God; and answers to the Hebrew כפר _caphar_, to expiate. See Exodus 29:33-2. He that sanctifies is he that makes atonement... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 2:12. _I WILL DECLARE THY NAME_] See Psalms 22:22. The apostle certainly quotes this psalm as referring to Jesus Christ, and these words as spoken by Christ unto the Father, in reference to his incarnation; as if he had said: "When I shall be incarnated, I will declare thy perfections... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 2:13. _I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM._] It is not clear to what express place of Scripture the apostle refers: words to this effect frequently occur; but the place most probably is Psalms 18:2, several parts of which psalm seem to belong to the Messiah. _BEHOLD I AND THE CHILDREN WHICH... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _THE CHILDREN ARE PARTAKERS OF FLESH AND BLOOD_] Since those children of God, who have fallen and are to be redeemed, are _human beings_; in order to be qualified to redeem them by suffering and dying in their stead, _He himself likewise took part of the_ _same_-he became _incarnate_; and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _AND DELIVER THEM WHO THROUGH FEAR OF DEATH_] It is very likely that the apostle has the Gentiles here principally in view. As _they_ had no _revelation_, and no certainty of _immortality,_ they were continually in bondage to the fear of death. They preferred _life_ in any state, with the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 16. _FOR VERILY HE TOOK NOT ON_ him the nature of _angels_] Ου γαρ δηπου αγγελων επιλαμβανεται, αλλα σπερματος Αβρααμ επιλαμβανεται. _Moreover, he doth not at all take hold of angels_; _but of the seed of Abraham he taketh hold_. This is the _marginal_ reading, and is greatly to be preferred... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _WHEREFORE IN ALL THINGS_] Because he thus _laid hold_ on man in order to redeem him, it was necessary that he should in all things become like to man, that he might suffer in his stead, and make an atonement in his nature. _THAT HE MIGHT BE A MERCIFUL AND FAITHFUL HIGH PRIEST_] ινα ελεη... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 2:18. _FOR IN THAT HE HIMSELF HATH SUFFERED_] The maxim on which this verse is founded is the following: A state of suffering disposes persons to be compassionate, and those who endure most afflictions are they who feel most for others. The apostle argues that, among other causes, it w... [ Continue Reading ]