Hebrews 10

Hebrews 10:1

LAw] That is, the old Covenant. So the word Law is taken, Chap. 7. 12. & 19.

shadow] Some are of opinion, that here Saint Paul alludes to the custome of Painters, who first make a rude draught, and then out of it a perfect and lively picture. These make the sense this, viz. That the old Covenant did contain onely dark resemblances and types of heavenly things, no lively representations of them; this being reserved unto the time of the Gospel, wherein Christ and all spirituall blessings in him are clearly and plainly manifested. Others are of opinion, that Saint Paul alludes unto the shadow of a body, and these make this the sense of the words, viz. That the old Covenant had onely types, wherein Christ and heavenly things through him, were darkely represented, not the substance and truth of the things themselves. This is the more probable opinion. See Colossians 2:17.

of good] Chap. 9. 11.

image] That is, the substance or truth. See the former Note, and 2 Corinthians 4:4. Colossians 1:15. Philippians 2:6.

perfect] Vers. 4. That is, as touching the conscience. See Chap. 9. 9.

Hebrews 10:2

For] Or, otherwise they would have, &c. Whether this clause be read with or without an interrogation, the sense will be the same: the scope of the Apostle being to shew the weaknesse and insufficiencie of the Legall sacrifices to purge the conscience from the guilt of sinne, from their often repetition.

because] Vers. 18.

worshippers] Chap. 9. 9.

once] That is, if they had been once purged from the guilt of their sinnes.

conscience] Should not have their conscience any longer under the burden or guilt of those sinnes.

Hebrews 10:3

remembrance] Leviticus 16:21.

sinnes] That is, the same sinnes. For upon the day of propitiation there was confession of, and reconciliation for the sinnes of the whole yeer.

Hebrews 10:4

take away sinnes] Vers. 1. Chap. 9. 9.

Hebrews 10:5

when] That is, the Sonne of God, being to come, Matthew 11:3. or fore-telling of his coming.

into the world] John 16:28. & John 18:37. 1 Timothy 1:5. Understand it of his being made flesh, John 1:14. Or being manifested in the flesh, 1 Timothy 3:16.

saith] By David who was a type of him, and unto whom this passage agrees, though not in that exactnesse as it doth unto Christ.

Sacrifice] Psal. 40. 6, &c. Though Saint Paul keeps not himselfe unto the expresse words of the Psalmist, yet he retains the substance and matter of them.

body] Heb. mine eare hast thou opened, or, digged open. It is a proverbiall manner of speech, whereby there is implied the qualifying, or fitting a man unto obedience in service: the eare, or opening of the eare being an emblem or symboll, or a metaphoricall sign of obedience. See Esa. 50. 5. Job 33:16. Now Saint Paul following the Translation of the Septuagint, and being directed by the Spirit of God, expounds this of Gods sanctifying and fitting a body unto Christ, wherein he was obedient even unto the shamefull death of the Crosse.

hast thou prepared me] Or, thou hast sitted me.

Hebrews 10:6

sacrifices for sinne] Romans 8:3.

Hebrews 10:7

Lo, I] John 4:34. & John 5:30. & John 6:38.

volume] Luke 24:37. 44. John 1:45. & John 5:46. See the Note on Psalms 40:7.

Hebrews 10:8

by the law] Or, according to the law.

Hebrews 10:9

first] That is, the Legall sacrifices.

second] That is, the one sacrifice of Christ.

Hebrews 10:10

will] That is, of the Father, who appointed his Son to take our nature, and therein by death to make satisfaction for our sinnes. Or of the Sonne in his willing obedience unto his Father.

sanctified] That is, freed from the guilt of our sinnes, and consecrated to Gods service.

once] Chap. 7. 27. & 9. 26. 1 Peter 3:18.

Hebrews 10:11

take away] Vers. 4.

Hebrews 10:12

man] 1 Timothy 2:5.

for ever] Chap. 1. 3. Some referre it to [sacrifice,] others to [sate.]

Hebrews 10:13

till his enemies] Psalms 110:1. 1 Corinthians 15:25. Chap. 1. 13.

Hebrews 10:14

perfected] That is, as concerning the remission of their sinnes: having by his own offering paid the full price for the pardon of them.

sanctified] See Vers. 10.

Hebrews 10:15

holy Ghost] Chap. 9. 8. Mark 12:36. Acts 1:16. & 28 25. 2 Peter 1:21.

said before] Or, first said, or said in the first place.

Hebrews 10:16

This is the covenant, &c.] Or, This is the covenant that I will make with them: then followeth, after those dayes, saith the Lord, I will put, &c.

put my laws] Jeremiah 31:33. Esa. 59. 20.

Hebrews 10:18

Now, where, &c.] See Vers. 2.

Hebrews 10:19

Having] Here the Apostle resumes again the exhortation which he had begun, Chap. 2. 1. and farther pressed, Chap. 3. to the fifth.

therefore] That is, the pardon of sinne being purchased, sins onely excluding from heaven.

boldnesse] Or, liberty; or, freedome.

holiest] Chap. 9. 8, 12. That is, heaven, whereof the Holy of Holiest was a type.

by] Through the merit of the, &c.

Hebrews 10:20

new] Which the Apostle opposeth unto the old way, either by the bloud of beasts, wherewith the High Priest entered into the Holy of Holiest once in the yeer; or by the materiall vaile; or unto both.

living] That is, everlasting way which shall never faile, John 4:10. & John 6:51. & John 7:38. and which shall bring unto eternall life.

way] John 14:6.

consecrated] Or, new made. It is not improbable, that herein Saint Paul doth allude unto the custome of those, who in a snow or like case beat or tread out the way for those that are to follow after. It is by vertue of Christs resurrection and ascension that all true beleevers shall enter into heaven. Hence he is called the first-fruits of those who sleep, 1 Corinthians 15:20.

vail] The vail was a type of Christs humane nature, wherewith his Divine nature was hid and obscured, and through which he entered into heaven: even as the vail of the Temple did hide the Holy of Holiest, and as the High Priest through it did enter therein.

flesh] Humane nature, Psalms 16:9. & Psalms 27:2. John 1:14. called flesh because of the infirmities and weaknesses thereof, Psalms 78:39.

Hebrews 10:21

high priest] Chap. 2. 17. & 3. 1. & 4. 14.

house] Chap. 3. 6. That is, the Church of the faithfull, Ephesians 1:23. 1 Pet. 2. 5. & 4. 17.

Hebrews 10:22

draw neer] Chap. 4. 16. & 7. 25. & 11. 6. 1 Pet. 2. 14.

true heart] That is, with an upright and sincere heart without hypocrisie, Psalms 51:6. and with a constant heart without drawing back, vers. 38. Luke 16:11. John 6:32. Hereunto is opposed an evill heart of unbelief, Chap. 3. 12. See Matthew 15:8.

full assurance] That is, with a stedfast faith without wavering and doubting, vers. 23. James 1:6. Some are of opinion, that here and in other places there is an allusion unto ships under full saile: and then the Translation may be this: viz. With the full sail of faith. Faith is that grace, whereby we either do or may approach unto God, with full assurance of acceptance. Thus the righteousnesse of faith, Romans 4:13. is called the righteousnesse through faith, or by faith, Romans 9:30. & Romans 10:6. Philippians 3:9. See Chap. 6. 11. Colossians 2:2. 1 Thessalonians 1:5. Luke 1:1. Romans 14:5.

having] Or being sprinkled in, or, as touching our hearts.

sprinkled] By the bloud of Christ, Chap. 12. 24. 1 Peter 1:2.

hearts] That is, our soules; the heart being the chief seat of the soule.

evil conscience] That is, from the accusation of an evil Conscience. So long as our consciences are under the guilt of sinne, we cannot draw neere unto God with confidence of acceptation in any dutie. See Chap. 9. 14.

having] Or, being washed in, or, as touching our bodies.

bodies] Both soule and body are named; because every sinne is either of the soul or body. See 2 Corinthians 7:1.

washed] See Acts 22:16. 1 Corinthians 6:11.

pure water] Ezekiel 26:25. That is, with the bloud of Christ, whereof the Legall washings were a type. See Revelation 1:5. & Revelation 7:14. Some are of opinion, that here Saint Paul hath relation unto the Sacrament of Baptisme; as John 3:5. Titus 3:5.

Hebrews 10:23

hold fast] See Chap. 4. 14.

profession] Chap. 3. 1.

faith] Gr. hope.

faithfull that hath promised] Deuteronomy 17:9. & Deuteronomy 32:4. 1 Corinthians 1:9. & 1 Corinthians 10:13. 1 Thessalonians 5:24. 2 Thessalonians 3:3. Chap. 6. 10. & 11. 11.

Hebrews 10:24

consider] That is, let us take care of our watch over one other, prudently observing one anothers dispositions, gifts, graces, and defaults, that we may the better fit our selves to do good, each one of us to another, and to receive good each one of another.

Hebrews 10:25

Not forsaking] Here is propounded one means or help, whereby they might incite one another to good works. Romans 1:12.

assembling] That is, the publike congregation of the faithfull, wherein the Word of God is taught, the Sacraments administred, and common prayer and thanksgiving made, unto which God hath promised a blessing. Matthew 18:20. See Psa. 27. 4. & 122. 1.

manner] Either out of fear, or negligence, or pride, selfe-conceit and singularitie, or out of what causelesse reason else.

exhort] Chap. 3. 13. Luke 19:17. Ephesians 5:11. Whereby understand not onely exhortation properly so called, but also admonition, consolation, reproof, example, and the like. It may be a metaphor taken from sharpning tools. Deuteronomy 6:7. Proverbs 27:17.

and so much] Romans 13:11.

see] That is, by plain and evident foretold tokens and signes of the times. See Matthew 24:33.

day] Some understand it of the second or last coming of our Saviour Christ, or of his coming to judgement; whereof see 2 Peter 3:9, &c. but it is not improbable that here we are to understand it of the time of the utter destruction of Jerusalem, and the temple; at which time there should be so great affliction, that by reason thereof many should fall from the faith. See Marke 13. 19.

Hebrews 10:26

For if we sinne wilfully] See Chap. 6. 4.

remaines] In as much as such wilfully reject and scorn the onely sacrifice of the New Testament; viz. the Lord Jesus, and all his merit. See Numbers 15:30-31.

Hebrews 10:27

looking] Whereas the godly with comfort and joy expect the appearance of Christ. See Chap. 9. 28.

devour] Chap. 5. 8.

adversaries] Luke 19:17. Those who against the conviction of their consciences, wilfully resist, and persecute the Gospel. See Chap. 6. 4.

Hebrews 10:28

despised Moses] Num. 15. 30, 31.

under two or three witnesses] Deuteronomy 19:15. Matthew 18:16. John 8:17. 2 Corinthians 13:1. 1 Timothy 5:19.

Hebrews 10:29

Of how much] Chap. 2. 3. & 12. 25.

troden] In treading his truth under their feet, by a malicious resisting and persecuting thereof, they do as it were tread Christ himself under their feet; or thereby they shew such a spitefull minde against him, that they would (if it were possible) pull him out of heaven, and trample him under their feet.

bloud] Matthew 26:28. Luke 22:20. Chap. 17. 20. That is, the bloud of Christ, whereby the new Covenant was ratisied and confirmed. See Chap. 9. 10, &c.

sanctified] By which their sins were pardoned, in regard of that meritorious sufficient satisfaction purchased by it. See vers. 10. & 14.

unholy] Gr. common. Mark 7:2. Acts 10:15. They make no more account of the bloud of Christ, then of the bloud of some malefactour, or of a brute beast.

despite] That is, by a wilfull and malicious resisting the work of the Holy Ghost, testifying and convincing them of, and sealing unto them the truth of the Gospel. See Acts 6:10. & Acts 7:51. & 54.

Spirit of grace] That is, Authour of grace, Romans 15:16. 1 Corinthians 12:8. Galatians 5:22. Ephesians 5:9. Or, gracious Spirit, that is, which God of his free grace and mercy bestows on his people.

Hebrews 10:30

know] And therefore our condemnation shall be the greater, if knowing how just God is in revenging all impietie, we wilfully sinne against him. Luke 12. 47. John 15. 22.

Vengeance belongeth unto me] Deuteronomy 32:35. Romans 12:19. Psalms 94:1.

The Lord] Deuteronomy 32:36. Psalms 50:4.

Hebrews 10:31

hands] 2 Samuel 24:14.

living God] Chap. 3. 12. and 9. 14. Job 37:22.

Hebrews 10:32

But] In as much as these converted Hebrews had stood it out stedfastly against manifold afflictions even at their first entertaining of the Gospel; hence the Apostle inferreth, that therfore it did the much more become now to stand to that faith, which they had so long professed. See Galatians 3:4.

Illuminated] Converted to the faith of Christ. Acts 26:18. Ephesians 3:9.

fight] Or wrastlings of afflictions, whereby Satan sought to overthrow your faith. The Apostle alludes to the custome of wrastlers, who seek to trip up one another. This wrastling was by faith. Chap. 11. 36. 1 Timothy 6:12. 2 Timothy 4:7.

Hebrews 10:33

gazing-stock] Or placed, or shewed upon theaters or stages. Understand it either metaphorically, as it were so handled; or properly, for it was the custome of the heathen to set Christians upon theaters or stages, to be scorned and laught at. See 1 Corinthians 4:9.

compamons] Having a fellow-feeling of their miseries, and so assisting them to their ability, Chap. 13. 33. as also adjoyning themselves unto them, being not discouraged by their afflictions. 2 Timothy 1:16. Philippians 1:7.

Hebrews 10:34

joyfully] Acts 5:41. & Acts 21:13. James 1:2.

knowing] 2 Corinthians 5:1.

enduring] Chap. 11. 31. Matthew 6:20. John 6:27.

Hebrews 10:35

confidence] Vers. 23. & Chap. 3. 6, 14.

recompense] Chap. 11. 26. & 12. 2. 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Hebrews 10:36

need] Considering those great afflictions, which yet ye might endure.

promise] The thing promised, that is, heaven and the joyes thereof.

Hebrews 10:37

yet a little while] Habak. 2. 3, 4. Luke 18. 8. 2 Pet. 3. 8, &c.

shall come] Matthew 11:9. Revelation 1:4.

Hebrews 10:38

Now] Here the Apostle from the Prophet Habakkuk, directeth them to that grace, whereby they might be enabled to stand stedfast in the faith, in the sad and discouraging times of affliction. See Ephesians 6:16.

the just] Romans 1:17. Galatians 3:11.

but] Here is a transposition and change of the words, yet without any alteration of the sense. It is by pride that they trust not in God, but in themselves, and so by unbelief withdraw themselves from God, and such who do so have not upright heart, and in these God hath no pleasure.

Hebrews 10:39

But] See Chap. 6. 9.

we] See Chap. 2. 3.

saving] John 3:16. 1 Peter 5:9.