Hebrews 7:19

For the law made nothing perfect [ο υ δ ε ν γ α ρ ε τ ε λ ε ι ω σ ε ν ο ν ο μ ο ς]. Parenthetical. The A. V. overlooks the parenthesis, ignores the connection of bringing in with disannulling, translates de but instead of and, and supplies did; thus making an opposition between the law which made nothing perfect and the bringing in of a better hope, which did make something perfect. What the writer means to say is that, according to the Psalm, there takes place, on the one hand, a disannulling of the preliminary commandment because it was weak and unprofitable, unable to perfect anything, and on the other hand, the introduction of a better hope. The bringing in of a better hope [ε π ε ι σ α γ ω γ η κ ρ ε ι τ τ ο ν ο ς ε λ π ι δ ο ς]. EpeisagwghN. T. o, o LXX, is "a bringing in upon" [ε π ι], upon the ground formerly occupied by the commandment. So Rev., correctly, "a bringing in thereupon." For kpeittwn better, see on ch. Hebrews 1:4. The comparison is not between the hope conveyed by the commandment, and the better hope introduced by the gospel, but between the commandment which was characteristic of the law (Ephesians 2:15) and the hope which characterized the gospel (Romans 5:2-5; Romans 8:24).

By the which we draw nigh to God [δ ι η ς ε γ γ ι ζ ο μ ε ν τ ω θ ε ω]. Giving the reason why the hope is better. Christianity is the religion of good hope because by it men first enter into intimate fellowship with God. The old priesthood could not effect this.

20 - 24. A third argument to show the inferiority of the old priesthood. It is twofold :

(a) the new priesthood was established with the oath of God;

(b) it is held perpetually by one person, in contrast with the old priesthood which was administered by a succession of priests.