CHAPTER IV. _As the Christian rest is to be obtained by faith, we should_ _beware of unbelief lest we lose it, as the Hebrews did theirs_, 1. _The reason why they were not brought into the rest promised to_ _them_, 2. _The rest promised to the Hebrews was a type of that promised to_ _Christia... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 4:2. _FOR UNTO US WAS THE GOSPEL PREACHED_] Και γαρ εσμεν ευηγγελισμενοι. _For we also have received good tidings as well as_ _they_. They had a gracious promise of entering into an earthly rest; we have a gracious promise of entering into a heavenly rest. God gave them every requisite... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 4:3. _FOR WE WHICH HAVE BELIEVED DO ENTER INTO REST_] The great spiritual blessings, the forerunners of eternal glory, which were all typified by that earthly rest or felicity promised to the ancient Israelites, we Christians do, by believing in Christ Jesus, actually possess. We have... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 4:4. _FOR HE SPAKE IN A CERTAIN PLACE_] This _certain place_ or _somewhere_, που, is probably Genesis 2:2; and refers to the completion of the work of creation, and the setting apart the _seventh day_ as a day of _rest_ for man, and a _type_ of everlasting felicity. _See the notes on ... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 4:5. _AND IN THIS PLACE AGAIN_] In the ninety-fifth Psalm, already quoted, Psalms 95:3. This was a second rest which the Lord promised to the believing, obedient seed of Abraham; and as it was spoken of in the days of David, when the Jews actually possessed this long promised _Canaan_,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 4:6. _IT REMAINETH THAT SOME MUST ENTER THEREIN_] Why our translators put in the word _must_ here I cannot even conjecture. I hope it was not to serve a system, as some have since used it: "Some _must_ go to heaven, for so is the doctrine of the decree; and there _must_ be certain per... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 4:7. _HE LIMITETH A CERTAIN DAY_] The term _day_ signifies not only _time_ in general, but also _present time_, and a particular _space_. Day here seems to have the same meaning as _rest_ in some other parts of this verse. The day or time of rest relative to the ancient Jews being ove... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 4:8. _FOR IF JESUS HAD GIVEN THEM REST_] It is truly surprising that our translators should have rendered the Ιησους of the text _Jesus_, and not _Joshua_, who is most clearly intended. They must have known that the יהושע _Yehoshua_ of the Hebrew, which we write _Joshua_, is everywher... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 4:9. _THERE, REMAINETH THEREFORE A REST TO THE PEOPLE OF_ _God._] It was not, 1. The rest of the _Sabbath_; it was not, 2. The _rest_ in the _promised land_, for the psalmist wrote long after the days of Joshua; therefore there is _another rest_, a state of _blessedness_, for the pe... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 4:10. _FOR HE THAT IS ENTERED INTO HIS REST_] The man who has believed in Christ Jesus has entered into his rest; the state of happiness which he has provided, and which is the forerunner of _eternal glory_. _HATH CEASED FROM HIS OWN WORKS_] No longer depends on the observance of Mosa... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 4:11. _LET US LABOUR THEREFORE_] The word σπουδασωμεν implies every _exertion_ of _body_ and _mind_ which can be made in reference to the subject. _Rebus aliis omissis, hoc agamus_; All things else omitted, this one thing let us do. We receive grace, improve grace, retain grace, that w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 4:12. _FOR THE WORD OF GOD_ is _quick, and powerful_] Commentators are greatly divided concerning the meaning of the phrase 'ολογοςτοςθεου, _the word of God_; some supposing the whole of _Divine revelation_ to be intended; others, _the doctrine of_ _the Gospel faithfully preached_; ot... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 4:13. _NEITHER IS THERE ANY CREATURE THAT IS NOT MANIFEST_] God, from whom this word comes, and by whom it has all its _efficacy_, is infinitely _wise_. He well knew how to construct his word, so as to suit it to the state of all _hearts_; and he has given it that infinite fulness of m... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _SEEING THEN THAT WE HAVE A GREAT HIGH PRIEST_] It is contended, and very properly, that the particle ουν, which we translate _seeing_, as if what followed was an immediate inference from what the apostle had been speaking, should be translated _now_; for the apostle, though he had before... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _FOR WE HAVE NOT A HIGH PRIEST_] To the objection, "Your High Priest, if entered into the heavens, can have no participation with you, and no sympathy for you, because out of the reach of human feelings and infirmities," he answers: Ου γαρ εχομεν Αρχιερεα μη δυναμενον συμπαθησαι ταις ασθεν... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 4:16. _LET US THEREFORE COME BOLDLY UNTO THE THRONE OF_ _GRACE_] The allusion to the high priest, and his office on the day of atonement, is here kept up. The _approach_ mentioned here is to the כפרת _kapporeth_, ιλαστηριον, the _propitiatory_ or _mercy-seat_. This was the covering of... [ Continue Reading ]