For the law having a shadow of good things to come, _and_ not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. Ver. 1. _A Shadow of good things, &c._] That is, of Christ, saith one. When the sun is behind, t... [ Continue Reading ]
For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. Ver. 2. _No more conscience of sin_] Christ, though he took not away death, yet he did the sting of death; so though he took not away sin, yet he did the guilt of... [ Continue Reading ]
But in those _sacrifices there is_ a remembrance again _made_ of sins every year. Ver. 3. _Made of sins every year_] A solemn confession of them, and what great need they had of a Saviour to expiate them, laying their hands on the head of the sacrifice, in token that they had in like sort deserved... [ Continue Reading ]
For _it is_ not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Ver. 4. _Should take away sins_] And so pacify conscience; for sin is to the conscience as a mote to the eye, as a dagger to the heart, 2 Samuel 24:10, as an adder's sting to the flesh, Proverbs 23:32 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: Ver. 5. _But a body hast thou prepared_] A metaphor from mechanics, who do artificially fit one part of their work to another, and so finish the whole, κατηρτισω. God fitte... [ Continue Reading ]
In burnt offerings and _sacrifices_ for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Ver. 6. _Thou hast had no pleasure_] viz. As in the principal service and satisfaction for sin.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Ver. 7. _Lo, I come_] As an obedient servant bored through the ear, Exodus 21:6; Psalms 40:6,7, wise and willing to be obsequious. _Servus est nomen officii, _ a servant is the master's instrument, and ο... [ Continue Reading ]
Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and _offering_ for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure _therein_; which are offered by the law; Ver. 8. _Which are offered by the law_] To the great cost and charge of the offerers. This we are freed from, and are required no... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. Ver. 9. _Lo, I come_] True obedience is prompt and present, ready and speedy, without shucking and hucking, without delays and consults, Psalms 119:60 . _ He taketh away the first_] Clear co... [ Continue Reading ]
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once _for all_. Ver. 10. _By the which will_] That is, by the execution of which will, by the obedience of Christ to his heavenly Father.... [ Continue Reading ]
And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: Ver. 11. _Take away sin_] _Separando auferre, _ sunder it from the soul, strike a parting blow betwixt them, περιελειν, _Undique tollere._... [ Continue Reading ]
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; Ver. 12. _But this man_] Opposed to the plurality of Levitical priests. One sacrifice, and once for ever, not many and often, as they. And he sat down, when as they stood daily offering oftentimes... [ Continue Reading ]
From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. Ver. 13. _Expecting till his enemies_] Admire and imitate his patience. The God of peace shall tread Satan and the rest under our feet shortly, Romans 16:20 .... [ Continue Reading ]
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Ver. 14. _He hath perfected_] tie would not off the cross till all was finished.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whereof_ the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, Ver. 15. _The Holy Ghost also witnesseth_] viz. By inspiring the pemnen, 2 Timothy 3:16, acting and carrying them into all truth, 2 Timothy 2:25, as it were by a holy violence, φερομενοι .... [ Continue Reading ]
This _is_ the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; Ver. 16. _I will put my laws_] _See Trapp on "_ Heb 8:10 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Ver. 17. _Will I remember no more_] Therefore there needs not any repetition of a sacrifice for sin in the New Testament.... [ Continue Reading ]
Now where remission of these _is, there is_ no more offering for sin. Ver. 18. _Where remission of sin is_] viz. An impletory remission, as now in the New Testament, not a promissory, as under the Old.... [ Continue Reading ]
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Ver. 19. _To enter into the holiest_] viz. By our prayers, which pierce heaven and prevail with God.... [ Continue Reading ]
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; Ver. 20. _By a new_] Fresh, and as effectual at all times as if Christ were but newly sacrificed for us. _Tam recens mihi nunc Christus est, ac si hac hora fudisset sanguinem, _ saith Luther. Chr... [ Continue Reading ]
And _having_ an high priest over the house of God; Ver. 21. _Over the house of God_] As Jehoiadah was over the temple, presided and commanded there, 2 Kings 2:5. All power is given to Christ both in heaven and earth, for our behoof and benefit.... [ Continue Reading ]
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Ver. 22. _Let us draw near_] Come, for the Master calleth,Mark 10:49 . _ With a true heart_] That is, with a heart truly and entirely given up... [ Continue Reading ]
Let us hold fast the profession of _our_ faith without wavering; (for he _is_ faithful that promised;) Ver. 23. _Without wavering_] Gr. ακλινη, without tilting or tossing to one side or other. This amounts to more than that conjectural confidence of the Popish _dubitanei, _ and that common faith th... [ Continue Reading ]
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Ver. 24. _And let us consider_] Christians must study one another's cases, the causes and cure of their spiritual distempers, solicitous of their welfare. _ To provoke unto love_] To whet on, as Deuteronomy 6:7, to sharpen and... [ Continue Reading ]
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some _is_; but exhorting _one another_ : and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Ver. 25. _Not forsaking_] Schism is the very cutting asunder of the very veins and arteries of the mystical body of Christ. We may not s... [ Continue Reading ]
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, Ver. 26. _For if we sin wilfully_] Against the grace of the gospel, despising and despiting it, as those that fall into the unpardonable sin. Some good souls by mistakes of thi... [ Continue Reading ]
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Ver. 27. _Fearful looking for_] Though judgment be not speedily executed, yet it is certainly to be expected. Winter never rots in the air, or dies in the dam's belly, as they say. Could but men... [ Continue Reading ]
He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Ver. 28. _He that despised_] i.e. He that with a high hand violated it, or fell into any capital crime, and it came to light, died without mercy. As for those heinous offences, that not being discovered, and sufficiently p... [ Continue Reading ]
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Ver. 29. _Who hath trodden under foot_] Respect... [ Continue Reading ]
For we know him that hath said, Vengeance _belongeth_ unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. Ver. 30. _I will recompense_] And if God will avenge his elect,Luke 18:7, how much more his Son and his Spirit!... [ Continue Reading ]
_It is_ a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Ver. 31. _It is a fearful thing_] For who knoweth the power of his anger? even according to thy fear is thy wrath,Psalms 90:11. A melancholy man can fancy vast and terrible fears, fire, sword, racks, strappadoes, scalding lead, boili... [ Continue Reading ]
But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Ver. 32. _But call to remembrance_] q.d. You cannot utterly fall away, as those above mentioned; forasmuch as you have given good proof already of the reality of your graces. _ Af... [ Continue Reading ]
Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. Ver. 33. _Made a gazing-stock_] Gr. θεατριζομενοι, set upon a theatre; take it either properly, or metaphorically, both befell Christians. See1 Corinthian... [ Continue Reading ]
For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Ver. 34. _For ye had compassion_] Gr. Ye sympathized. _See Trapp on "_ Heb 10:33 _"_ And took joyfully] The joy of the Lord was th... [ Continue Reading ]
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. Ver. 35. _Cast not away your confidence_] Since it is your shield and buckler, Ephesians 6:16; but if battered with temptations, beat it out again. Demosthenes was branded with the name of Ριψασπις, one that had lost hi... [ Continue Reading ]
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. Ver. 36. _For ye have need of patience_] Whereas they might object, But where is this recompense you tell us of? Oh, saith he, you have need of patience to wait God's time of recompense. Good men f... [ Continue Reading ]
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Ver. 37. _For yet a little while_] _Tantillum, tantillum, adhuc pusillum._ A little, little, little while, ετι γαο μικρον οσον, οσον. God's help seems long, because we are short. Were we but ripe, he is full ready. Hence... [ Continue Reading ]
Now the just shall live by faith: but if _any man_ draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Ver. 38. _Now the just shall live by faith_] In the want of feeling; he shall rest upon God in the fail of outward comforts, as the believing Jews were to do in the Babylonish captivity, Habakkuk 2:... [ Continue Reading ]
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Ver. 39. _Who draw back unto_] Apostates have martial law, they run away but into hell's mouth. A worse condition they cannot likely choose onto themselves; for they are miserable by their own e... [ Continue Reading ]