_God formerly, etc. _This beginning is for the purpose of commending the doctrine taught by Christ; for it shows that we ought not only reverently to receive it, but also to be satisfied with it alone. That we may understand this more clearly, we must observe the contrast between each of the clauses... [ Continue Reading ]
2._Whom he has appointed, heir, etc. _He honors Christ with high commendations, in order to lead us to show him reverence; for since the Father has subjected all things to him, we are all under his authority. He also intimates that no good can be found apart from him, as he is the heir of all things... [ Continue Reading ]
3._Who being the brightness of his glory, etc. _These things are said of Christ partly as to his divine essence, and partly as a partaker of our flesh. When he is called_the brightness of his glory and the impress of his substance, _his divinity is referred to; the other things appertain in a measur... [ Continue Reading ]
4._Being made so much better, etc. _After having raised Christ above Moses and all others, he now amplifies His glory by a comparison with angels. It was a common notion among the Jews, that the Law was given by angels; they attentively considered the honorable things spoken of them everywhere in Sc... [ Continue Reading ]
5. _Thou art my Son, _etc. It cannot be denied but that this was spoken of David, that is, as he sustained the person of Christ. Then the things found in this Psalm must have been shadowed forth in David, but were fully accomplished in Christ. For that he by subduing many enemies around him, enlarge... [ Continue Reading ]
6._And again, when he bringeth or introduceth _(21) _, etc. _He now proves by another argument that Christ is above the angels, and that is because the angels are bidden to worship him. (Psalms 97:7.) It hence follows that he is their head and Prince. But it may seem unreasonable to apply that to Ch... [ Continue Reading ]
7._And to the angels, etc. _To the angels means _of _the angels. But the passage quoted seems to have been turned to another meaning from what it appears to have; for as David is there describing the manner in which we see the world to be governed, nothing is more certain than the winds are mentione... [ Continue Reading ]
8._But to the Son, etc. _It must indeed be allowed, that this Psalm was composed as a marriage song for Solomon; for here is celebrated his marriage with the daughter of the king of Egypt; (23) but it cannot yet be denied but that what is here related, is much too high to be applied to Solomon. The... [ Continue Reading ]
9._Wherefore God has appointed him, etc. _This was indeed truly said of Solomon, who was made a king, because God had preferred him to his brethren, who were otherwise his equals, being the sons of the king. But this applies more suitably to Christ, who has adopted us as his joint heirs, though not... [ Continue Reading ]
10._And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning, etc. _This testimony at first sight may seem to be unfitly applied to Christ, especially in a doubtful matter, such as is here handled; for the subject in dispute is not concerning the glory of God, but what may be fitly applied to Christ. Now, there is not in... [ Continue Reading ]
13._But to whom of the angels, etc. _He again by another testimony extols the excellency of Christ, that it might hence be evident how much he is above the angels. The passage is taken from Psalms 110:1, and it cannot be explained of any but of Christ. For as it was not lawful for kings to touch the... [ Continue Reading ]
14._Are they not all, etc. _That the comparison might appear more clearly, he now mentions what the condition of angels is. For calling them _spirits, _he denotes their eminence; for in this respect they are superior to corporal creatures. But the office ( λειτουργία) which he immediately mentions r... [ Continue Reading ]