Exercitation on Hebrews, Biblical exegesis · Chapter 2 · Exposition of verse 14
Verse VII.
SEcondly, The especial instances wherein this Visitation of God expressed it self are contained in ver. 7. and therein referred unto two Heads: (1.) Mans Depression and Humiliation: (2.) His Exaltation and Glory.
The first is expressed in these words, Thou hast made him lower for a little while than the Angels. This was a part of Gods Visitation; and though not that which was immediately intended by the Apostle; yet that whereof he intends to make great use in his Progress. That these words intend not the Exaltation of the nature of meer man, as if they should intimate that such is his Dignity, that he is made but a little less than Angels, and how destructive that sense is unto the Apostles Intention and Application of the words, we shall afterwards declare. Three things are here expressed. (1.) The Act of God, in making of him low, or lessening of him. (2.) The measure of that Depression, than the Angels. (3.) His duration in that State and Condition, a little while.
First, foreign, the Word used by the Psalmist, is rendered by the Apostle foreign, and that properly; They both signifie a Diminution of State and Condition; a depression of any one from what he before enjoyed. And this in the first place belongs unto Gods Visitation. And the acting of the Will of Christ in this matter, suitably unto the Will of the Father, is expressed by words of the same importance. foreign, he emptied himself; and foreign, he humbled himself, Phil. 2.7, 8. denoting a voluntary depression from the glory of a former State and Condition. In this Humiliation of Christ in our nature, how much of that Care, and foreign, Inspection and Visitation of God was contained is known.
Secondly, The measure of this Humiliation and Depression is expressed in reference unto Angels, with whom he is now compared by the Apostle; he was made less than the Angels. This the Hebrews had seen and knew; and might from his Humiliation raise an Objection against what the Apostle asserted about his Preference above them. Wherefore he acknowledgeth, that he was made less than they, shews that it was foretold that so he should be, and in his following Discourse, gives the Reasons why it was so to be. And he speaks not of the Humiliation of Christ absolutely, which was far greater than here it is expressed by him, as he afterwards declares, but only with respect unto Angels, with whom he compares him; and it is therefore sufficient to his purpose at present to shew that he was made lower than they. foreign. Hierom renders the word in the Psalm, à Deo, then God; and Faher Stapulensis had a long contest with Erasmus to prove that they should be so rendered in this place; which is plainly to contradict the Apostle, and to accuse him of corrupting the word of God. Besides the sense contended for by him and others, is absurd and foolish; namely, that the Humane Nature of Christ was made little l…ss than God, and humbled that it might be so; when it was infinitely less than the Divine Nature, as being created. The LXX. and all old Greek Translations read Angels; That Elohim is often used to denote them we have proved before. The Targum hath foreign, Angels. And the scope of the place necessarily requires that sense of the word. God then in his Visitation of the nature of man, in the Person of his Son, put it, and therein him that was invested in it, into a condition of wants and streights, and humbled him beneath the condition of Angels, for the blessed Ends afterwards declared. For although from his Incarnation and Birth, the Angels adored his Person as their Lord; yet in the outward condition of his Humane Nature, he was made exceedingly beneath that state of Glory and Excellency, which the Angels are in a constant Enjoyment of.
Thirdly, There is a space of time, a Duration intended for this condition. He made him lower, foreign, for a little while, or a short season. That foreign, is often used in that sense, and that, that is the proper notation of foreign, we have shewed before. But that which renders that sense of the words here unquestionable, is the Apostles precise restraining them thereunto in v. 9. as we shall see. It was but for a little while, that the Person of Christ in the Nature of man was brought into a condition more indigent than the state of Angels is exposed unto: Neither was he for that season made a little, but very much lower than the Angels. And had this been the whole of his state it could not have been an Effect of that inexpressible Love and Care which the Psalmist so admires. But being it is but for a little continuance, and that for the blessed Ends which the Apostle declares, nothing can more commend them unto us.
Secondly, There is another Effect of Gods Visitation of man in his Exaltation; expressed, 1. In the Dignity whereunto he advanced him: and 2. In the Rule and Domion that he gave unto him.
For the first, He crowned him with Glory and Honour, foreign; is insigne regium; the badge and token of Supream and Kingly Power. Hence when David complains of the straightning and Diminution of his Power or Rule, he says, his Crown was profaned unto the ground, Psal. 89.39. That is, made contemptible, and trampled on. To be crowned then, is to be invested with Soveraign Power, or with Right and Title thereunto; as it was with Solomon, who was crowned during the life of his Father. Nor is it an ordinary Crown that is intended, but one accompanied with Glory and Honour. To be crowned with Glory and Honour, is to have a glorious and honourable Crown, or Rule and Soveraignty. foreign. The first denotes the Weight of this Crown; foreign, a weight of glory, from foreign, to be heavy; foreign, a weight of glory, as the Apostle speaks in Allusion to the Primitive signification of this word, 2 Cor. 4.17. The other its Beauty and Glory; both Authority and Majesty. How Christ was thus crowned, we have at large shewed on the first Chapter.
Secondly, This Soveraignty is attended with actual Rule; Wherein (1.) The Dominion it self is expressed: and (2.) The Extent of it. First, Thou madest him have Dominion over the works of thy hands: foreign, madest him to rule. foreign, appointedst him in Authority over. He had actual Rule and Dominion given him upon his Coronation. And Secondly, The Extent of this Dominion is the Works of Gods hands. And least any from this indefinite Expression should think this Rule limited, either to the things mentioned before by the Psalmist, v. 4. called the work of Gods fingers, that is, the Heavens, the Moon and the Stars, or in the following Distribution of things here below, into Sheep, Oxen, Fowls and Fish, v. 7, 8. that is, all the creatures here below, he adds an Amplification of it in an universal Proposition, foreign, he hath put all things without Exception in subjection unto him; and to manifest his absolute and unlimited Power, with the unconditional subjection of all things unto him, he adds that they are placed, foreign, under his very feet. An Expression setting forth a Dominion, every way unlimited and absolute.