Exercitation on Hebrews, Biblical exegesis · Chapter 2 · Exposition of verse 7 – Exposition of verse 9
Verse V, VI, VII, VIII, IX.
THe Apostle in these Verses proceeds in the pursuit of his former design. From the Doctrine of the first Chapter, he presseth the Exhortation at the beginning of this, which we have passed through. The Foundation of that Exhortation was the Preheminence of the Lord Christ, the Author of the Gospel, above the Angels by whom the Law was spoken and delivered. This he now farther confirms, and that by an instance suited to his present Purpose, and not as yet by him insisted on. And he doth it the rather, because by the Testimonies wherewith he proves his Assertion, he is lead to the Consideration of other concernments of the Mediation of Christ, which he thought meet to declare unto these Hebrews also. And this method he is constant unto throughout this whole Epistle. In the midst of his Reasonings, and Testimonies for the Explanation or Confirmation of what he delivers dogmatically, he layes hold on some Occasion or other, to press his Exhortation unto Faith, Obedience, with Constancy and Perseverance in the Profession of the Gospel. And in the Arguments which he enterweaveth, and Testimonies which he produceth for the enforcement of his Exhortations, something still offers it self, which accordingly he layes hold upon, leading him to some farther Explication of the Doctrine which he had in hand; so insensibly passing from one thing unto another; that he might at the same time inform the Minds, and Work upon the Affections of them with whom he dealt. All which will appear in our ensuing Exposition of these Verses.
Verse 5.
foreign.
foreign.foreign; subjecit; in ordinem coegit; put into subjection; brought into order under rule. foreign: Vul. orbem terrae futurum; the habitable earth to come. Arias; habitatam futuram; to the same purpose; improperly. Syr. foreign, Mundum, or seculum futurum. The world or age to come▪ Bez…; mundum illum futurum; that world to come. And indeed the repetition of the Article, with the words following, concerning which we speak, require that it be so expressed. That world to come;foreign. or, the world that is to come; foreign, Heb. foreign. So most commonly expressed by the LXX. as sometimes, though seldom, by foreign, the earth; and sometimes by foreign, the things under the Heavens. The Apostle useth this word from Psal. 8. where it denotes a mixture of Inhabitants there described.foreign. foreign. That is, foreign, concerning which we treat, about which we reason. The Vulgar Latin adds Deus, to the Text. Deus non subjecit. God hath not put in subjection, needlesly, as is acknowledged. De quo; Christo, saith the interlinear Gloss; but foreign, is not, of Christ.
Verse 5.
For unto the Angels hath he not made subject that world to come, whereof we speak; (concerning which we treat.)
Verse 6.
foreign.
Syr. foreign; But as the Scripture witnesseth and saith: limiting what was spoken indefinitely by the Apostle; needlesly; the words themselves declaring who spake them and where.foreign foreign, Vul. in quodam loco; in a certain place. Beza. alicubi; somewhere; that is, Psal. 8.5. foreign, quid homo mortalis; foreign, frail, mortal man, or the Son of man; foreign, filius hominis terreni; foreign, è terra editus; man of the earth; or an earthly man.
Verse 6.
But one (a certain man) testified, (hath witnessed) in a certain place, (somewhere, that is, in the Scripture from whence he is arguing) saying, what is man, that thou art mindful of him, or the Son of man that thou visitest him.