The Lord of angels. HEBREWS II. His incarnation. a salvation; which at first began to be spoken || for whom are all things, and by whom are all by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make 4 that heard him; God at the same time bear- the author of their salvation perfect through ing testimony, by signs and wonders, and vari- sufferings. For both Christ that sanctifieth, 11 ous miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, ac- and they who are sanctified, are all of one 5 cording to his own will? For to the angels Father; for which cause he is not ashamed hath he not put in subjection the world to to call them brethren, Saying, "I will declare 12 6 come, of which we speak.. But David hath thy name to my brethren, in the midst of the somewhere testified, saying, "What is man, congregation I will sing praise to thee." And 13 that thou art mindful of him? or the son of again, "I will put my trust in him." And 7 man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest again, "Behold I and the children whom God him a little lower than the angels; thou hath given me." hath given me." Since then the children are 14 crownedst him with glory and honour, and partakers of flesh and blood, Christ himself didst set him over the works of thy hands: also likewise partook of the same; that through 8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under death he might destroy him that hath the his feet.". Now in that he put all in subjection power of death, that is, the devil; And might 15 under him, he left nothing that is not put deliver those who, through fear of death, were under him. But now we do not see all things all their life-time subject to bondage. 9 yet put under him. But we see Jesus who truly he taketh not hold of angels; but of was made a little lower than the angels, that, the seed of Abraham he taketh hold. Where- 17 by the grace of God, he might taste death for fore it behoved him to be made like his breevery one, for the suffering of death crowned thren, that he might be a merciful and faithful 10 with glory and honour. For it became him, high priest in things relating to God, to make 24. Spoken by angels, &c. That the law of Moses was given by the ministration of angels, see Acts vii. 53. Gal. iii. 19, where see the notes. How shall we escape, &c. The punishment due for neglecting a salvation so important in its nature, and in its consequences. Began to be spoken. Jesus first preached it, and as he is Lord of all, can punish the neglect of it. Acts x. 36.Bearing testimony. To the truth of the gospel, by signs, by enabling the apostles to work a miracle as a sign, and to perform wonders on inanimate nature; and he bestowed the powers and gifts of the Holy Spirit on them and by them, &c. 5. The world to come. This is a literal version; and I consider the sense to be, that the heavenly world is not under the government of angels, but of Christ; and that the heirs of it are also under him, who for their sakes became man, and to him as having assumed human nature, and the consequences of it may be applied the words of David. 6-8. What is man, &c. That the psalm primarily regards man in general, and the kindness and honour with which God has invested him, cannot, I think, be doubted; but the application of it to Christ, as here, for the illustration of his condescension, and of his exaltation, cannot but be considered as pertinent, and no doubt as containing a sense which the Holy Spirit might originally intend. 9. But we see Jesus. Whatever may be the intention of putting all things under him, we do not see this accomplished, as to all mankind, death, the evil angels, &c.; but we do see Jesus, &c. By the grace of God. Sending him into the world, that he might die for the sins of men; and for thus dying, he is crowned with glory and honour., I have, with Macknight, followed the construction of the text, and not the order of the words. 10. It became him. The Father, for whom are all things, &c.—Sons to glory. Those who are made sons by faith in Christ; and for every one of whom he tasted death, to make Jesus the author of their salvation, perfect, or a complete Saviour, by his sufferings. It became the righteous governor of all things, only to exalt sinners to glory through the intervention of such a mediator, and such a sacrifice as he offered. For 16 11. That sanctifieth. By the shedding of his blood, expiating and making a cleansing of their sins. Ch. i. 3. ; ix. 13. 12, 13. I will declare, &c. Ps. xxii. 22. Isa. viii. 17. These quotations show that the Saviour was to partake of human nature; and as a kinsman, or brother, have the right to redeem, as it follows. 14. Since then the children, &c. He takes up the term children from the preceding verse, and reasons upon it. Since those given to Christ to save, were men, partakers of flesh and blood, Christ in like manner partook of the same flesh and blood; and the merciful design he had in view was, that through his own atoning death, he might, &c.Destroy him, &c. Not his being, but his usurped power and dominion. Christ, by his death, vanquished him who had by his bold falsehoods prevailed to bring death into the world, and hoped to reign as prince over them. Hath the power of death. Who in. troduced it into the world by the fall of Adam; and is thereby the author of that dominion which death exercises over mankind. 15. Through fear of death. And of its consequences. Jesus did this by making more clear a future life of happiness, and by becoming the first-fruits of a blessed resurrection; so that they who believe in him, have no reason to be as it were in a state of slavery under a cruel and an inexorable tyrant... 16. Taketh not hold, &c. This is our marginal version, and is literal and just. The apostle had before stated, that "because the children were partakers of flesh and blood, he partook of the same;" which expresses his incarnation; and it is not probable that he would return to the same subject. "He taketh not hold of angels," of those that sinned, to deliver and save them ; "but he taketh hold of the seed of Abraham,” of all his believing seed, to help and rescue them from the pit of perdition. See Schleusner on the verb. 17. Wherefore it behoved, &c. It was fit and proper that he should be made like his brethren in nature, in afflictions, and temptations, that he might be a merciful, as well as a faithful high priest; and might be capable of making reconciliation for the sins of the people, by offering up himself on the cross. See Ch. v. 1, and 1 John ii. 2, comp. with Dan. ix. 24. See also Peirce's excellent note. Christ above Moses. HEBREWS III. Household of Christ. reconciliation for the sins of the people. For | formed by some one; but he who formed all in that he himself hath suffered, having been tempted, he is able to succour those that are tempted. REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTER II. 1. We hence learn that the gospel is more excellent and important than the law given by Moses. This indeed was established and confirmed, so that every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of punishment; and what then shall we deserve, if we disobey Christ, and neglect the great salvation which he announced? With what holy diligence should we keep in our memories the things which we have heard from him! They are of everlasting importance! The blessings of his salvation are inconceivably great and glorious; and they are freely exhibited to the faith and hope of men. Nor can there be any just ground of doubt, as the glad tidings were first published by our Lord, and then by his inspired apostles, who received the fullest and strongest testimony from God, of the truth of what they taught, by signs and wonders, and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit. As much then as our Lord excells Moses in nature, in dignity, and in his office, so much more vengeance will be executed on them that despise him, and reject the gospel. 2. We also learn the righteous sovereignity of divine grace, Christ passed by the angels that kept not their first state, and assumed CHAP. III. Heavenly calling, &c. Of the calling of the gospel, which is from heaven, and announced by the Son of God, who came from heaven, and the design of it is to induce us to pursue life and glory in heaven.Apostle, as one sent, by whom God hath spoken in these last days; and he is the high priest of our profession, or of the religion we profess, as has been just stated. 2. Faithful to him, &c. Exactly performing all things agreeably to his will; and of whom the same may be said as was of Moses, Numb. xii. 7. Comp. Gal, vi. 10. Eph. ii. 19, &c. 3. Formed the household. He who formed, constituted, and appointed any church or society, hath greater honour than that church or society, or than any member of it. But Christ ordered and formed even the Jewish dispensation, with all its laws and ordinances. See John i. 18. He was the angel of the.covenant. Mal. iii. 1. comp. with Exod. xxiii. 20, &c. 4. For every household, &c. Every religious or civil society has some head, as the angel Jehovah was to the Israelites, when they came out of Egypt, and received the law at Sinai; but the former, and supreme head of all societies is God. things is God.) And Moses indeed was faith- 5 ful in all God's household, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his 6 own household; whose household are we, if we maintain our confidence and glorious hope firm unto the end. Wherefore as the Holy 7 Spirit saith, "To-day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, 8. in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, 9 and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I 10 was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I swore in my 11 wrath, That they should not enter into my our inferior nature into a personal union with himself. By this astonish ing act of condescension he became related to us, and could take hold of us, so as to redeem us from our guilt, sanctify us for his service, and bring us into a state of holy fellowship and communion with God and one another. This he has accomplished through his own death; and has also vanquished Satan, and delivered his people from the slavish fear of death, giving them the assurance of a blissful immortality. When reflecting on this scheme of redemption and salvation, well may we cry out in wonder, Lord, what is man that thou shouldst thus visit him! How low was Jesus brought for a little while! He was made lower than the angels, when he tasted death for men. with glory and honour, as the reward of his sufferings; and all things are, and shall be put into subjection under him. This method of saving us sinners became the wisdom, holiness, justice, and government of God. No other way seemed so proper than by the sufferings of Christ, to bring many sons to glory. Let us exult in our relation to our Redeemer, who calls us brethren; and let us live in the joyful hope of see• ing his face, and living for ever with him. But now he is crowned 5, 6. Faithful as a servant, Acting according to the directions which he received For a testimony. The rites, ordinances, &c were to be for a testimony of what should be done and spoken under the gospel-dispensation. That Moses spoke of Christ as well as the prophets, John v. 46. Luke xxiv. 44.ds a son, &c. To whom all power and authority is given, and who having purchased the church with his own blood, in which he hath not only a trust and office as Moses had, but also a property; and which church or household we are, if we hold firm, &c. I read with all the old versions, and many of the edit. «úra, and apply it to the household. Peirce and others read auro, and apply it to the Father. 7-11. Wherefore, &c. The end I have in view in showing the dignity of Jesus, and his great superiority even to Moses, is that ye may abide firmly attached to him and the gospel; and with the same view I would caution you against unbelief and hardness of heart, by the example of your forefathers. "To-day, then, if ye will hear his voice, &c." See Ps. xcv. 7, &c. 12 rest." Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you in like manner an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To-day; lest any of you should be hardened 14 through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we maintain the beginning of our confidence firm to the end; 15 While it is said, "To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the pro16 vocation." For some, when they had heard, provoked God: however not all who came 17 out of Egypt under Moses. But with whom But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with those who sinned, whose carcases fell in the 18 wilderness? And to whom swore he, that they should not enter into his rest, but to those 19 who believed not? So we see that they could not enter in, because of unbelief. REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTER III. 1. Let us consider with unfeigned joy and gratitude, the qualifications and excellencies of Jesus, our great high priest. Being a partaker of our nature, and having suffered trials and temptations, he is able and willing to succour his people in their temptations. As we are partakers of the heavenly calling, and by our profession holy and separated from the world, let us attend to Christ, the apostle and messenger of divine mercy to us; and who is the high priest, and the only priest, who has offered himself for our sins, and in whom we believe. How far superior to Moses is our Lord. Moses was only a man and a servant in God's household and church; and the best that can be said of him is, that he was faithful. But Christ is the co-equal Son of God; and is the former of the household and church, the lord, proprietor, and ruler of it; and is in all his administration faithful to the Father who appointed him to his high and glorious office. What a privilege is it to be members of his household, for it is with his family he delights to dwell, and to impart the assurances of his love and favour! 2. From the conduct, unbelief, and end of the Israelities, who depart from the worship of the living God, as you will do, if you obey not the voice of his Son; but rather exhort and encourage one another, to perseverance in the faith, lest any of you, &c.Deceitfulness of sin. Which assumes a variety of arts to allure and destroy, like the original tempter, by whom it came into the world. 14, 15. Made partakers, &c. Of the benefits and blessings of Christ, as our high priest, and as the Son over his own household, if we maintain, &c. -While it is said!, To-day, &c. I have good reason to urge you to exhort one another, since God, by the Psalmist, does the same, still saying, "To-day if ye will hear his voice, &c." 16. For some, &c. When they had heard God's voice and promise, still went on provoking him. -Yet not all, &c. Joshua and Caleb, &c. were exceptions. 17-19. Carcases fell, &c. With the whole generation of those who Rest of the sabbath. CHAPTER IV. A. D. 63. Christians attain rest by faith; the power of God's word; by Christ our High-priest we must confidently come unto God. LET us fear therefore, lest, a promise being 1 left of entering into God's rest, any of you should come short of it. For to us glad tidings 2 have been preached, as well as to them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in, those that heard it. For we who believe shall enter into rest, as 3 he said, so I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter into my rest: not enter into my rest:" although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. For Moses somewhere speaketh thus of the 4 seventh day, "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works." day from all his works." And in this place 5 it is said again, it is said again, "They shall not enter into my rest." Since therefore it remaineth that 6 perished in the wilderness, we are forcibly admonished, not to be highminded, but to fear. Who can say that he is beyond all danger of being ensnared by an evil heart of unbelief, or of being hardened through the deceitfulness of sin? If we would be secure, we must maintain our confidence in Christ firm to the end, guarding against every unbelieving thought, and listening to his gracious voice. It is our duty, and will be our highest interest, to regard and obey the admonitions and directions of the Holy Spirit contained in his word, lest God should swear in his wrath, that we shall not enter into his rest. O how necessary is it, that we exhort one another daily; that we should watch unto prayer, lest we should err in our hearts, and apostatize from God's ways. We see whence all the sins and miseries of Israel sprang. Their unbelief occasioned their fall, and prevented their entrance into the good land. But even then there were some who believed and entered in. In like manner may we believe, be partakers of an interest in Christ, and hold firm our confidence, that an abundant entrance may be administered to us into the everlasting and heavenly kingdom of our Lord and Saviour. Those who be came out of Egypt; and concerning whom he swore, &c.lieved not. God's promise, or the report of Joshua and Caleb concerning the good land. -Because of unbelief. This was their sin, and prevented their going in, and enjoying the good land. CHAP. IV. 1. Should come, &c. I consider dxn as a mere atticism; and in a translation it should be omitted See 1 Cor. vii. 40, and note. 2. Glad tidings have, &c. Respecting a heavenly rest and country, by Jesus and his apostles, as it was to the Israelites by the type of the earthly Canaan, and by the language of God in the Psalms.The word preached, &c. Was of no use to them, because they did not believe it; for faith is the reception of the word of promise, by which it becomes effectual to the safety and edification of the soul. 3. We who believe, &c. We christians shall enter into rest; but this rest is different from the rest of the sabbath, or that which the Israelites were HEBREWS III. reconciliation for the sins of the people. For || in that he himself hath suffered, having been tempted, he is able to succour those that are tempted. CHAPTER III. A. D. 63. Christ more worthy than Moses; and they that believe not in him are worthy of greater punishment than the hardened Israelites. 1 WHEREFORE, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ 2 Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as Moses also was in God's whole 3 household. For this person is counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath formed the household hath more honour 4 than the household. (For every household is REFLECTIONS UPON CHAPTER II. 1. We hence learn that the gospel is more excellent and important than the law given by Moses. This indeed was established and confirmed, so that every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of punishment; and what then shall we deserve, if we disobey Christ, and neglect the great salvation which he announced? With what holy diligence should we keep in our memories the things which we have heard from him! They are of everlasting importance! The blessings of his salvation are inconceivably great and glorious; and they are freely exhibited to the faith and hope of men. Nor can there be any just ground of doubt, as the glad tidings were first published by our Lord, and then by his inspired apostles, who received the fullest and strongest testimony from God, of the truth of what they taught, by signs and wonders, and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit. As much then as our Lord excells Moses in nature, in dignity, and in his office, so much more vengeance will be executed on them that despise him, and reject the gospel. 2. We also learn the righteous sovereignity of divine grace, Christ passed by the angels that kept not their first state, and assumed CHAP. III. Heavenly calling, &c. Of the calling of the gospel, which is from heaven, and announced by the Son of God, who came from heaven, and the design of it is to induce us to pursue life and glory in heaven.Apostle, as one sent, by whom God hath spoken in these last days; and he is the high priest of our profession, or of the religion we profess, as has been just stated. 2. Faithful to him, &c. Exactly performing all things agreeably to his will; and of whom the same may be said as was of Moses, Numb. xii. 7. Comp. Gal, vi. 10. Eph. ii, 19, &c. 3. Formed the household. He who formed, constituted, and appointed any church or society, hath greater honour than that church or society, or than any member of it. But Christ ordered and formed even the Jewish dispensation, with all its laws and ordinances. See John i. 18. He was the angel of the covenant. Mal. iii. 1. comp, with Exod. xxiii. 20, &c. 4. For every household, &c. Every religious or civil society has some head, as the angel Jehovah was to the Israelites, when they came out of Egypt, and received the law at Sinai; but the former, and supreme head of all societies is God. Household of Christ. formed by some one; but he who formed all things is God.) And Moses indeed was faith- 5 ful in all God's household, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his 6 own household; whose household are we, if we maintain our confidence and glorious hope firm unto the end. Wherefore 'as the Holy 7 Spirit saith, "To-day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, 8 in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, 9 and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I 10 was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I swore in my 11 wrath, That they should not enter into my our inferior nature into a personal union with himself. By this astonish ing act of condescension he became related to us, and could take hold of us, so as to redeem us from our guilt, sanctify us for his service, and bring us into a state of holy fellowship and communion with God and one another. This he has accomplished through his own death; and has also vanquished Satan, and delivered his people from the slavish fear of death, giving them the assurance of a blissful immortality. When reflecting on this scheme of redemption and salvation, well may we cry out in wonder, Lord, what is man that thou shouldst thus visit him! How low was Jesus brought for a little while! He was made lowes than the angels, when he tasted death for men. But now he is crev with glory and honour, as the reward of his are, and shall be put into subjection under him. This method of us sinners became the wisdom, holiness, justice, and govern God. No other way seemed so proper than by the sufferings o to bring many sons to glory. Let us exult in our relation to deemer, who calls us brethren; and let us live in the joyf ing his face, and living for ever with him. sufferings; and al 5, 6. Faithful as a servant, Acting according to the i he received For a testimony. The rites, ordinances, & testimony of what should be done and spoken nuder the That Moses spoke of Christ as well as the prophets, 44.As a son, &c. To whom all power and autho having purchased the church with his own blood, in a trust and office as Moses had, but also a properti household we are, if we hold firm, &c. I read w many of the edit. avrou, and apply it to the house!, le auto, and apply it to the Father. 7-11. Wherefore, &r. The end I have of Jesus, and his great superiority even to Mos attached to him and the gospel; and with the against unbelief and hardness of heart, by To-day, then, if ye will hear his voice, 12, 13. Take heed, brethren, &c. } den your hearts as they did, nor reject * 66 d. Jesus said, indeed, "If it be e added, "Not my will, but thine ree, I include these words in a it in a little time he was delivered 1, and so his prayer was answered. t God in human nature, yet in this one trial preparing him for another; , and what faith and fortitude are have compassion on men.-Made gs, as a high priest, he has become in, and practically obey him.—Of is a digression in Paul's manner, one :i. 20, the words, "According to the tion of the subject, and in Ch. vii. 1, he assurance of discussing higher doc follow Macknight in considering tua as postle to refer to those spiritual views ses and the prophets, as relating to the in the course of his ministry, he had erstood, or had forgot, misled by the -In the his respect they were babes.which reveals the justifying righteousest foundation for the hope and comfort x. 6—1.- But strong food, &c. The gures of the law, or in allusions by the 1," as they invigorate the mind, and are ,ledge and piety, and who, by exercising cern good and evil, truth and falsehood. |