CHAPTER VIII. _The sum, or chief articles, of what the apostle has spoken_, _concerning the eternal priesthood of Christ_, 1-5: _The excellency of the new covenant beyond that of the old_, 6-9. _The nature and perfection of the new covenant stated from the_ _predictions of the prophets_, 10-12.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 8:2. _A MINISTER OF THE SANCTUARY_] των αγιων λειτουργος. _A public minister of the holy things_ or _places_. The word λειτουργος, from λειτος, _public_, and εργον, a _work_ or _office_, means a person who officiated for the public, a public officer; in whom, and his work, all the peo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 8:3. _EVERY HIGH PRIEST IS ORDAINED_] καθισταται, _Is set_ _apart_, for this especial work. _GIFTS AND SACRIFICES_] δωρα τε και θυσιας. _Eucharistic_ offerings, and _sacrifices for sin_. By the _former_, God's government of the universe, and his benevolence to his creatures in providi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 8:4. _FOR IF HE WERE ON EARTH_] As the Jewish temple was standing when this epistle was written, the whole temple service continued to be performed by the legal priests, descendants of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi; therefore if Christ had been then on earth, he could not have performed... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 8:5. _WHO SERVE_] Οἱτινες λατρευουσι. Who perform Divine worship. _UNTO THE EXAMPLE AND SHADOW_] Υποδειγματι και σκιᾳ, WITH _the_ _representation and shadow_; this is Dr. Macknight's translation, and probably the true one. The whole Levitical service was a representation and shadow... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 8:6. _NOW HATH HE OBTAINED A MORE EXCELLENT MINISTRY_] His office of priesthood is more excellent than the Levitical, because the covenant is better, and established on better promises: the old covenant referred to _earthly_ things; the new covenant, to _heavenly_. The old covenant had... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 8:7. _IF THAT FIRST HAD BEEN FAULTLESS_] This is nearly the same argument with that in Hebrews 7:11. The simple meaning is: If the first covenant had made a provision for and actually conferred pardon and _purity_, and given a _title_ to eternal life, then there could have been no need... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 8:8. _FOR FINDING FAULT WITH THEM_] The meaning is evidently this: God, in order to show that the first covenant was inefficient, saith to _them_, the Israelites, _Behold, the days come_ _when I will make a new covenant_, c. He _found fault_ with the _covenant_, and addressed the _peop... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 8:9. _NOT ACCORDING TO THE COVENANT_] The new covenant is of a widely different nature to that of the old; it was only temporal and earthly in itself, though it pointed out spiritual and eternal things. The new covenant is totally different from this, as we have already seen; and such... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 8:10. _THIS_ IS _THE COVENANT_] This is the nature of that glorious system of religion which I shall publish among them _after_ _those days_, i.e., in the times of the Gospel. _I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MIND_] I will influence them with the principles of law, truth, holiness, c. a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 8:11. _THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERY MAN HIS NEIGHBOUR_] Under the old covenant, properly speaking, there was no public instruction; before the erection of synagogues all worship was confined at first to the tabernacle, afterwards to the temple. When synagogues were established they were... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 8:12. _I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS_] In order to be their God, as mentioned under the preceding verse, it is requisite that their iniquity should be pardoned; this is provided for by the immolation of Jesus Christ as the _covenant_ _sacrifice_. By his blood, redemption... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 8:13. _HE HATH MADE THE FIRST OLD._] That is: He has considered it as _antiquated_, and as being no longer of any force. _THAT WHICH DECAYETH AND WAXETH OLD_] Here is an allusion to the ancient laws, which either had perished from the _tables_ on which they were written through _old a... [ Continue Reading ]