_HE EXHORTETH NOT TO FALL BACK FROM THE FAITH, BUT TO BE STEADFAST, DILIGENT, AND PATIENT TO WAIT UPON GOD, BECAUSE GOD IS MOST SURE IN HIS PROMISE._ _Anno Domini 63._ ALTHOUGH in the latter verses of the preceding chapter the apostle had reproved the Hebrews for their ignorance of the first princ... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE, LEAVING THE PRINCIPLES— "Laying aside, comparatively speaking, the doctrines which were taught you when you were first initiated into Christianity." The apostle means what in the preceding chapter were called the _elements,_ or _first principles_ of the oracles of God, Hebrews 6:12.—_Let... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS,— Dr. Sykes and many others think the reason why the sacred writer speaks of _baptisms_ in the plural number to be this: He writes to the Hebrews, who had not only several sorts of baptisms enjoined in and by the law, but who had had John, whom all looked upon and acknowledg... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THIS WILL WE DO, IF GOD PERMIT.— That is, "We will go on to teach those doctrines, with which a perfect Christian ought to be well acquainted;" this verse being in connection with the first clause of the first verse: and accordingly, the apostle goes on to represent Christianity in its highest b... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IT IS IMPOSSIBLE, &C.— "For your apostacy would put an end to my expectation of doing any good to you; it being impossible for those who have been once thoroughly enlightened in the faith, &c." It is thought by some, that we ought to soften the term_impossible,_ and understand no more by it than... [ Continue Reading ]
TASTED THE GOOD WORD OF GOD,— That is, have been experimentally acquainted with the gospel, which through the spirit conveys to the believer remission of sins, justification, and sanctification here, and the promise to the faithful of a resurrection to eternal life hereafter. By _the powers of the w... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY,— Two things are here to be observed; _First,_ That the apostle speaks of such as not only _fell away_ or _apostatized_ from the genuine experience of the Christian, but also from the very _profession_ of Christianity. This appears, from what he presently adds, to set forth t... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE EARTH WHICH DRINKETH IN THE RAIN— By this comparison the manner of the apostle's reasoning appears evident: those who have been once _enlightened,_ and _have tasted the heavenly gift,_ &c. are steadily to persevere in their duties; in which case they are just like good soils, which, being we... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT, BELOVED, &C.— This is exactly like St. Paul's way of closing and softening any thing that he had said which sounded terrible and dreadful. See for examples, 2 Thessalonians 2:13.Ephesians 4:20. Romans 8:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR GOD IS NOT UNRIGHTEOUS, &C.— "I just now mentioned my hopes of your complete salvation; and I have reason to entertain such hopes, as well knowing the pious and benevolent dispositions, which many of you have expressed. For God is not unmindful of his gracious promises, so as to forget your dili... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT FOLLOWERS OF THEM, &C.— He means such holy Christians as had persevered in their sincere profession of Christ, as well as such other faithful believers as had lived in a just expectation of his coming, and were now in possession of the promises made to Abraham, which were fully accomplished. The... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHEN GOD MADE PROMISE, &C.— "And a glorious confirmation you will find these promises to be, when you come to compare one spiritual object with another, and are better skilled in the method of interpreting the sacred oracles, on principles which I am going to lay down. For I may, in the first pl... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREIN— _Wherefore,_ or _therefore: on which account._ The word rendered _confirmed,_ εμεσιτευσεν, signifies properly, as in the margin, _interposed;_ and so it is rendered in many versions.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT BY TWO IMMUTABLE THINGS,— "Namely, a promise and an oath, in each of which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, even we who in humble obedience to the gracious designs of his gospel, have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope laid before us, the noble prize which... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH ENTERETH INTO THAT WITHIN THE VAIL;— The apostle means, that the hope set before us, is not limited to any thing temporal or present, but reaches to heaven and heavenly things; which he compares to the _holy of holies,_ that part of the tabernacle which was behind, or within the second vail. C... [ Continue Reading ]