Hebrews 6:16

ἄνθρωποι γάρ. Some MSS. read μὲν γάρ. But there is no subsequent δέ, and it is better to omit μέν. Winer, p. 719.

κατὰ τοῦ μείζονος. “By a greater.” The article is distributive, as also in ὁ ὅρκος. Genesis 21:23; Genesis 24:3; Genesis 26:30-31. The passage is important as shewing the lawfulness of Christian oaths (see our Article 39).

καὶ πάσης κ.τ.λ. “And an oath is to them an end of all gainsaying” (or “controversy” as to facts) “with a view to confirmation.” It is meant that when men swear in confirmation of a disputed point their word is believed. There is an exactly similar passage in Philo, De sacr. Abel et Cain (Opp. I. 181).