Analysis Of The Chapter In Hebrews 5:10, the apostle had said that the Lord Jesus was called to the office of high priest after the order of Melchizedek, and that there were many things to be said of him which were not easy to be understood. They had not, he says, advanced as far in the knowledge of... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE - “Since, as was stated in the previous chapter, you ought to be capable of comprehending the higher doctrines of religion; since those doctrines are adapted to those who have been for a considerable time professors of Christianity, and have had opportunities of growing in knowledge and gr... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS - This is mentioned as the third element or principle of the Christian religion. The Jews made much of various kinds of “washings,” which were called “baptisms;” see the note on Mark 7:4. It is supposed also, that they were in the practice of baptizing proselytes to their... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THIS WILL WE DO - We will make these advances toward a higher state of knowledge and piety. Paul had confidence that they would do it (see Hebrews 6:9), and though they had lingered long around the elements of Christian knowledge, he believed that they would yet go on to make higher attainments.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IT IS IMPOSSIBLE - It is needless to say that the passage here Hebrews 6:4, has given occasion to much controversy, and that the opinions of commentators and of the Christian world are yet greatly divided in regard to its meaning. On the one hand, it is held that the passage is not intended to d... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HAVE TASTED THE GOOD WORD OF GOD - That is, either the doctrines which he teaches, and which are good, or pleasant to the soul; or the Word of God which is connected with good, that is, which promises good. The former seems to me to be the correct meaning - that the Word of God, or the truth whi... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY - literally, “and having fallen away.” “There is no if in the Greek in this place - “having fallen away.” Dr. John P. Wilson. It is not an affirmation that any had actually fallen away, or that in fact they would do it; but the statement is, that “on the supposition that they... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE EARTH - The design of the apostle by this comparison is apparent. It is to show the consequences of not making a proper use of all the privileges which Christians have, and the effect which would follow should those privileges fail to be improved. He says, it is like the earth. If that absor... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THAT WHICH BEARETH THORNS AND BRIARS IS REJECTED - That is, by the farmer or owner. It is abandoned as worthless. The force of the comparison here is, that God would thus deal with those who professed to be renewed if they should be like such a worthless field. AND IS NIGH UNTO CURSING - Is giv... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT, BELOVED, WE ARE PERSUADED BETTER THINGS - We confidently hope for better things respecting you. We trust that you are true Christians; that you will produce the proper fruits of holiness; that you will be saved. “Things that accompany salvation.” Things that pertain to salvation. The Greek phra... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR GOD IS NOT UNRIGHTEOUS - God will do no wrong. He will not forget or fail to reward the endeavors of his people to promote his glory, and to do good. The meaning here is, that by their kindness in ministering to the wants of the saints, they had given full evidence of true piety. If God should f... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WE DESIRE THAT EVERY ONE OF YOU - We wish that every member of the church should exhibit the same endeavor to do good until they attain to the full assurance of hope. It is implied here that the full assurance of hope is to be obtained by a persevering effort to lead a holy life. THE SAME DILIG... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YE BE NOT SLOTHFUL - Indolent; inactive. This was what he was especially desirous of guarding them against. By diligent and strenuous effort only could they secure themselves from the danger of apostasy. BUT FOLLOWERS - Imitators - that you may live as they lived. OF THEM WHO THROUGH FAITH AN... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHEN GOD MADE PROMISE TO ABRAHAM - That he would bless him, and multiply his seed as the stars of heaven; Genesis 22:16. The object of introducing this example here is, to encourage those to whom the apostle was writing to persevere in the Christian life, This he does by showing that God had giv... [ Continue Reading ]
SAYING, SURELY BLESSING I WILL BLESS THEE - That is, I will certainly bless thee. The phrase is a Hebrew mode of expression, to denote emphasis or certainty - indicated by the repetition of a word; compare Genesis 14:23; Exodus 8:10; Joel 3:14; Judges 5:30; Judges 15:16. MULTIPLYING I WILL MULTIPLY... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SO, AFTER HE HAD PATIENTLY ENDURED - After he had waited for a long time. He did not faint or grow weary, but he persevered in a confident expectation of the fulfillment of what God had so solemnly promised. HE OBTAINED THE PROMISE - Evidently the promise referred to in the oath - that he would... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR MEN VERILY SWEAR BY THE GREATER - That is, they appeal to God. They never swear by one who is inferior to themselves. The object of the apostle in this declaration is to show that as far as this could be done it had been by God. He could not indeed swear by one greater than himself, but he could... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREIN GOD - On account of which; or since an oath had this effect, God was willing to appeal to it in order to assure his people of salvation. WILLING MORE ABUNDANTLY - In the most abundant manner, or to make the case as sure as possible. It does not mean more abundantly than in the case of Abrah... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT BY TWO IMMUTABLE THINGS - What the “two immutable things” here referred to are, has been made a matter of question among commentators. Most expositors, as Doddridge, Whitby, Rosenmuller, Koppe, and Calvin, suppose that the reference is to the promise and the oath of God, each of which would be... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH HOPE WE HAVE AS AN ANCHOR OF THE SOUL - Hope accomplishes for the soul the same thing which an anchor does for a ship. It makes it fast and secure. An anchor preserves a ship when the waves beat and the wind blows, and as long as the anchor holds, so long the ship is safe, and the mariner appr... [ Continue Reading ]
WHITHER - To which most holy place - heaven. THE FORERUNNER - The word used here occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. A “forerunner” - πρόδρομος prodromos - is one who goes before others to prepare the way. The word is applied to light troops sent forward as scouts; Diod. Sic. 17, 17; compare... [ Continue Reading ]