Hebrews 8:6

But now i.e. but, as it is.

a more excellent ministry, by how much also Rather, "a ministry more excellent in proportion as He is also." This proportional method of stating results runs throughout the Epistle (see Hebrews 1:4; Hebrews 3:3; Hebrews 7:22). It might be said with truth that the gist of his argument turns on the word "how much more." He constantly adopts the argumentum a minori ad majus(Hebrews 7:19; Hebrews 7:22; Hebrews 9:11; Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 9:23; Hebrews 10:29). For his object was to shew the Hebrews that the privileges of Judaism to which they were looking back with such longing eyes were but transitory outlines and quivering shadows of the more blessed, and more eternal privileges which they enjoyed as Christians. Judaism was but a shadow of which Christianity was the substance; Judaism was but a copy of which Christianity was the permanent Idea, and heavenly Archetype; it was but a scaffolding within which the genuine Temple had been built; it was but a chrysalis from which the inward winged life had departed.

the mediator Hebrews 9:15, Heb 12:24; 1 Timothy 2:5.

upon better promises Better, because not physical but spiritual, and not temporal but heavenly and eternal. Bengel notices that the main words in the verse are all Pauline. Rom 9:4; 1 Timothy 2:5.