Hebrews 3

Hebrews 3:1

I charge [thee] before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ. The solemnity of this charge shows that Paul had a fear that Timothy’s sympathies might lead him aside from a strictly judicial course. And the elect angels. Why “elect” we do not certainly know. They may be the good angels as distinct from the bad angels, or those who were chosen to assist in the work of human redemption may be meant. Angels are often mentioned in this connection. Observe these things. Carry out this discipline without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Without respect to persons.

Hebrews 3:2

Lay hands suddenly on no man. The meaning is that no man must be ordained to office until his fitness is surely known. ``All the old commentators, and the great majority of modern ones, applies this to ordination.’' Neither be partaker of other men’s sins. He who appoints an unfit man to office becomes in a certain sense responsible for that man’s sins. Keep thyself pure. Free from the sins of other men.

Hebrews 3:3

Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake. I suppose the thought of Timothy’s trials called to mind a sense of his physical condition. Hence, he gives a medical prescription. The water of that region is not good. The writer well remembers a fearfully sick day that he passed at Ephesus in 1889, due to the water. Paul, hence, advises that instead, he try the light wines, with only the smallest percentage of alcohol. And thine often infirmities. The prescription is not of a beverage, but of a remedy for an invalid.

Hebrews 3:4

Some men’s sins are open beforehand. Discipline has been spoken of. Some men’s lives are fully known, and their sins cry out, but some [men] they follow after. Others conceal them, and they will only be fully manifest at judgment.

Hebrews 3:5

Likewise also the good works [of some] are manifest beforehand. The same rule applies to good works. Some get credit for more by far than they deserve, while they that are otherwise cannot be hid. The good deeds of others will not be fully revealed until judgment. Then all will be estimated aright.

Hebrews 3:7

Various Duties Enjoined SUMMARY OF I TIMOTHY 6: Duties of Servants. Life the Test of Doctrine. The Blessedness of Contentment. The Danger of the Love of Money. Charge to the Man of God. A Lesson for the Rich. Let as many servants as are under the yoke. Under the yoke of slavery. The slaves were as numerous as the free population, and many of the early Christians belonged to this class. Count their own masters worthy of all honour. There was danger that these converted slaves would despise their heathen masters. If they were to do so, it would create a great odium against the Christian religion and lead to attempts to extirpate it. Slavery was to be destroyed, not by putting a spirit of insubordination into slaves, but by putting a Christian spirit into masters.

Hebrews 3:8

They that have believing masters, let them not despise [them]. Converted slaves must not despise their masters, because they are brethren. Because in the church they are equal. Rather, do [them] service. Rather, they must serve them better, because they are beloved brethren, and partakers of the benefit of their service.

Hebrews 3:9

If any man teacheth otherwise. Teach new doctrines or duties which differ from the doctrine of Christ. See 1 Timothy 1:3,4.

Hebrews 3:10

He is proud, knowing nothing. The idea is that he is blinded with pride, so that he really knows nothing. But doting about questions and strifes of words. Morbidly dwelling upon foolish questions. He no doubt refers to foolish disputes which had been sprung upon the church by heretical teachers.

Hebrews 3:11

Supposing that gain is godliness. Men who have come into the church for gain and think that godliness is a source of gain.

Hebrews 3:12

But godliness with contentment is great gain. In contrast with this false view a godly life with contentment is a great gain. It brings its greatest gain in eternity.

Hebrews 3:13

For we brought nothing into [this] world. See Job 1:21. [And it is] certain we can carry nothing out. Since we must leave the earth as we came into it, contentment and an immortal hope are better than earthly gains.

Hebrews 3:14

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. Having the necessities of life let us be content without piling up wealth.

Hebrews 3:15

They that will be rich. Who have set their heart on riches. Fall into temptation and a snare. Are tempted to do sinful things in order to build up wealth. It is not much the possession of wealth, as cupidity and a trust in riches, which constitute the danger. See notes on Matthew 19:23 Mr 10:23.

Hebrews 3:16

For the love of money is the root of all evil. Not the money itself, which if used as by a steward of God is a blessing, so much as the love of it. This greedy love is the source of every sin. Men murder, cheat, lie, rob, run saloons, gambling houses, brothels, all for the love of money. For love of money Judas sold his Master. Some . . . have erred from the faith. Have wandered from the faith through the love of money. Judas is one example.

Hebrews 3:17

Man of God. This expression is used in the sense of an evangelist devoted to God’s work. See 1 Samuel 9:6,8 1 Kings 13:1,4,8. Flee from these things. The love of money. Instead of following after money, seek after righteousness, etc.

Hebrews 3:18

Fight the good fight of faith. The thought is of a soldier. See 1 Timothy 1:18. The Christian life is a struggle. Oppose hurtful earthful lusts, but seize upon eternal life. Hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. When called to eternal life. The “Speaker’s Commentary” says, This refers probably to his baptism, when, as we know from very early times, a public profession of faith was made.'' Bengel writes, The Divine call, and the confession of believers are correlatives; they imply each other.’’ Compare Acts 8:37.

Hebrews 3:19

I give thee charge in the sight of God . . . and [before] Christ Jesus. See 1 Timothy 1:5,18. The whole epistle is a charge, and here at the close Paul renews the charge very solemnly. Who before Pontius Pilate testified a good confession. The Greek may be rendered “under Pontius Pilate”. Jesus before the Sanhedrin confessed that he was the Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 26:63,64), and on that confession they condemned him to death and hurried him to Pilate for execution (Matthew 27:1,2). Ibelieved this is what Paul refers to. Though before Pilate our Lord reaffirmed in substance this same confession (John 18:33-37).