An Exposition of Pauls Epistles, Letter 14
The Epistle of Paul to the HEBREWS, Analytically expounded.
THE CONTENTS.
ALthough Paul, (seeing hee knew himself hated by all the Hebrews, not yet converted, and suspected also by many of the weaker Beleevers, too much addicted to the observation of Legal Rites) chose to suppress his name in the beginning of this Epistle, that without prejudice they might the more easily entertain the Truth: yet without controversie, hee intimated his name by messengers, to some chief and eminent Brethren in the Church, to whose hands this Epistle was first to come, and that it was known, appears in the end of the Epistle. But after demonstration of the same Spirit in this as in the other of Paul's Epistles, the Authority of the Apostle Peter may satisfie us, who by a singular providence of God, in the third Chapter of his second Epistle, to the same scattered Hebrews, witnesseth concerning the Epistle of Paul written to the same, which was in their hands, and openly acknowledged to bee Pauls, which Epistle Peter there commends, with the rest of Paul's Epistles, as divinely inspired by the same Spirit of Wisdome, as now brought into the Canon of the Scripture, and unanimously with his other Epistles acknowledged and received by the Church; wee must of necessity own this for the very Epistle, unless wee will undervalue the faithfulness of the Church, and the Providence of God, in keeping the Canon of the Scripture, and the Oracles delivered to the Church.
The scope of the Epistle is this, To strengthen the Hebrews that were weak in faith, and for the most part addicted to legal Rites, not sufficiently instructed about the Excellency of Christ, and further also troubled every where with persecutions by Infidels; and to encourage them against all fear, to perseverance in the faith, and obedience of the Gospel.
The parts of the Epistle (as of the other Epistles of Paul) are two; The one for the forming and confirming of their faith, to Chap. 12.
The other tends to holiness, and bringing forth fruits of faith in their lives and conversations, Chap. 12, 13.
As to what appertains to the Doctrine of faith, hee instructs the Hebrews how great the Excellency of Christ is, in his Prophetick and Priestly Office.
As for the Excellency of Christs Prophetical Office, hee shews it to bee incomparable, and far to exceed all, both Men and Angels, Chap. 1.
In the three next Chapters, hee makes a fourfold use of this Doctrine in a fourfold Exhortation.
The first Exhortation is, Not to Apostalize from the Christian faith.
2 That they detract not from the honour of Christ, because of his sufferings in the flesh, Chap. second.
3 That they constantly cleave to the Profession of the Christian faith, Chap. third.
4 That they make haste by faith to enter into the rest which God hath promised, whilest they hear the voyce of Christ, Chap. 4.
As to the Priestly Office of Christ, That the Iews ascribe not too much to the Levitical Priesthood, and pertinaciously adhere to the Ceremonies thereof; Hee proves Christ to bee the chief Priest, more excellent than any typical high Priest, even that true Melchizedeck; In the mean time hee rebukes the ignorance of the Hebrews, who could not comprehend the things hee had to say touching the Excellency of Christ, Chap. 5. From whence hee draws an Exhortation to growth in the knowledge and faith of the Gospel, Chap. 6.
Hee proceeds to demonstrate the eminency of Christ above the Levitical Priests, as well in respect to his Person, as also his Priestly Office, Chap. 7, 8, 9. And in the beginning of the tenth.
This Doctrine hee makes application of, exhorting them to go forward confidently and patiently in the profession of the true Religion, imitating the faithful Confessors and Martyrs, who departed in the faith, before the birth of Christ, in the latter end of Chap. 10, and Chap. 11.
In the second part of the Epistle divers Exhortations to Christian duties are laid down, which also may bee reckoned amongst the Uses which hee makes of the former Doctrine, Chap. 12, 13.