10 blish the second. By which will we have been sanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all*.

11

And every priest standeth ministering daily, and offering frequently the same sacrifices, which can never take away 12 sins: but he', after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, is 13 for ever seated at the right hand of God; waiting after this 14 till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering

he hath made perfect for ever those that are sanctified ‡. 15 of which the holy spirit also is a witness to us: for after 16 having said before, "This is the covenant which I will

2

make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write 17 them;" it then saith", "and their sins and iniquities I will 18 remember no more." Now where remission of these is, there is no more any offering for sin §.

19

WHEREFORE, brethren, having confidence to enter into 20 the most Holy Place through the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through

1 this person; or, this priest, N. Mss.

saith, N.

Or, on their minds. 3 God then

* The one sacrifice of Christ, a victim of the highest value, so consecrates all who by faith in him enter into the Christian covenant, that they can never exclude themselves from its benefits by sins of ignorance, so as to need another sacrifice to re-instate them. They are sanctified by the offering of Christ once for all. See ch. ix. 7.

+ that is, sins of ignorance, ix. 7. The sacrifices of the law could not take away sin, as their efficacy was limited to a year. See ver. 4.

See ver. 10, and ch. vii. 28. Believers are so far consecrated by this great sacrifice, that they can never forfeit their privileges by sins of ignorance. The writer labours to reconcile the Hebrews to a suffering Messiah by these bold figurative representations of the efficacy of his death. "Our Lord," says Mr. Lindsey (Sequel, p. 88), "never called himself a high-priest, nor is he so styled by any of the writers of the New Testament except the author of this epistle; from whence we may conclude that neither Christ nor the evangelists esteemed this to be any real part of his character, or needful to be attended to by his followers."

§ “The author here finishes the argumentative part of his epistle, in which he illustrates and proves the excellence of the New Covenant when compared with the Old. The practical part follows." Newcome.

21 the veil*, (that is, his flesh;) and having a high-priest over 22 the household of God; let us come near with a true heart,

in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our body washed with pure water: 23 let us hold fast the steady profession of our hope; (for he is 24 faithful that hath promised :) and let us consider one an

other, that we may provoke each other to love and to good 25 works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together', as the manner of some is; but exhorting to it 3: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

26

For if we sin wilfully, after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remaineth any sacrifice 27 for sins: but a certain fearful looking for of judgement

remaineth; and that fiery indignation which will devour 28 the adversaries. He who despised the law of Moses, died 29 without mercy, under two or three witnesses. Of how much

greater punishment, think ye, will he be deemed worthy, who hath trodden under foot the son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, by which he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath injuriously treated the spirit 30 of favour? For we know him that hath said, "Vengeance

belongeth to me: I will recompense;" [saith the Lord.] 31 And again, "The Lord will avenge his people.” It is a

1 our association in the gospel, Wakefield. 2 Or, the custom. 3 Or, encouraging each other. Sn, 4 Or, which is about to devour. 5 Or, offered an indignity to. "shown contempt of the holy spirit gratuitously shed on Christians." Newcome. 6 Or, will judge his people.

* "through the blood of Jesus; that new and life-giving way which he bath first prepared for us by passing through the veil." N. See Wakefield. As the high-priest entered into the most holy place through the veil, so believers are introduced into the Christian covenant through the flesh, i. e. the person, or, in other words, by the instruction, the example, and the death of Christ. See Sykes. + Mr. Simpson translates ver. 23, 24, thus: "Let us hold fast the profession of our hope without wavering (for he who has promised is faithful): and let us interest ourselves in each other, as an incitement to love and good works"

See ch. vi. 4-6. The meaning is, that for wilful apostasy there is no hope; because, having resisted the strongest evidence, even that of miracles themselves, it is hardly possible that they should be reclaimed. See Newcome's note.

32 fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye endured a great contest of sufferings; 33 partly, while ye were made a spectacle by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, while ye became sharers' with those 34 who were so treated. For ye had compassion for those who were in bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods; knowing that ye have for yourselves a better and an endu35 ring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, 36 which will have great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience; that, after ye have done the will of God, 37 ye may receive his promise. For yet a very little while, and he that is to come will come, and will not delay."

38

Now, "the just by faith shall live*: but if he draw 39 back, my soul will have no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to destruction; but of those who have faith to their own salvation †.

CH. XI. Now faith is a confidence in things hoped for, a con2 viction of things not seen. For by it those of old time ob3 tained a good witness. By faith we understand that the

ages were so ordered by the word of God, that the pre4 sent state of things arose not from what did then appear t.

1

2 1 compassionate sharers, N. on me, in my bonds, R. T. Or, For ye even suffered with those who were in bonds. 3 in yourselves, R. T. ♦ in the heavens. R. T. and N. 5 i. e. I will have, N. m.

* "the just shall live by faith: N. Hab. ii. 3, 4. See Rom. i. 17. They who hy faith are brought into a justified state, i. e. who are admitted into the Christian covenant, become entitled to the promise of life.

+ N.m. "to the saving of the soul," Gr. and N. t. "to the deliverance of our lives'" Wakefield. Faith under the new covenant is the condition of salvation or of deliverance from the condemning sentence of the first covenant, and placing believers in a justified state (see ver. 38); and giving them a title to the privileges of the new covenant.

See Wakefield, and Sykes, who observes that as properly signifies ages, or periods of time, and that there is no instance in the New Testament where more than this seems to be meant by the word. Sykes's note on Heb. i. 3. In the present instance the author's meaning is, that "it was so contrived that Christ's coming into the world, which we see, was brought about by means which could not be seen." Sykes's note in loc. and Rosenmuller. The Primate

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain; by which Abel obtained witness that he was righteous, God witnessing of his gifts': and by it he, 5 though dead, still speaketh *. By faith Enoch was translated, that he might not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation 6 he had this witness, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he who cometh to God must believe that God exists, and that he is a rewarder of 7 those who diligently seek him. By faith Noah, having been warned of God concerning things not then seen, moved with godly reverence, made ready an ark for preserving3 his household: by which he condemned the world, and became 8 heir of the justification which is by faith. By faith Abraham obeyed, when he was called to depart into the place* which he was afterward to receive for an inheritance; and 9 departed, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land; and dwelt in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the joint-heirs of the 10 same promise: for he was waiting for that city which hath 11 foundations; whose framer and builder is God. By faith

Sarah herself also gained strength to conceive, even when she was past age, because she thought him faithful that had 12 promised. Wherefore even from one3, and him too become as dead, sprang as many as the stars of heaven in multitude, 13 and as the innumerable sand which is by the sea-shore. All these died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and having hailed them', and

3 to

6 Or,

i.e, offerings: N.m. 2 Or, so that he did not see death; N.m. the preservation of, N. 4 into a place, N. 5 looked for, N. builder and ruler. See Macknight. 7 and brought forth, even, &c, R. T. 8 of one, N. 9 and having been persuaded of them, and having hailed them, R. T.

takes the words in the popular sense. His version is, "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God; so that the things which are seen were not made of things which appeared."

2

having confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on 14 the earth'. For those who speak such things plainly de15 clare that they are seeking their country. And indeed if they had borne in mind that country whence they came out, 16 they might have had opportunity of returning to it3: but now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly. Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: be17 cause he hath prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac; and he that had re18 ceived the promises offered up his only son; with reference to whom it was said, "In Isaac shall thy seed be 19 called:" having concluded that God was able to raise up

Isaac even from the dead; whence he had also in a man20 ner* received him. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob, and Esau, 21 concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was

dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshiped', 22 leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he was ending his life, mentioned the departure of the sons of Israel from Egypt; and gave commandment concerning his 23 bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three

months by his parents, because they saw that he was a good24 ly child: and they feared not the king's commandment. By

faith Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son 25 of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer cruel

treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the plea26 sures of sin for a short time; and esteeming 10 such reproach as the anointed of God + endured greater riches than the

3 to

5 only

'Or, strangers and pilgrims in the land. Wakefield. 2 sought, N. return: N. 4 i. e. the extraordinary promise, plur. for sing. sup. Sn. begotten son; Gr. and N. even he, N, 7 worshiped God, N. Or, after 9 and chose, N. 10 esteemed, N.

he was grown up.

6

8

"By Isaac's miraculous birth Abraham had, as it were, received him from the dead." Newcome.

✦ Gr. “the reproach of Christ," or, " of the anointed.” The Israelites are call❤ ed Christs, or anointed, i.e. a chosen and favoured people, Psalm cv. 15. Hab. iii. 13. "The meaning is," says Dr. Sykes in loc., " that Moses looked upon the contempt and indignity which he underwent on account of his professing him