The Key of the Bible, Biblical commentary · Part 2 · Section 2 · Subsection 14
Hebrews.
THe Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the HEBREWS. So intituled in the Greek Copies, from the Penman writing it, and the parties to whom he wrote. The Syriack version hath it, The Epistle to the Hebrews.
HEBREWS. So denominated not from Heber, Selah's son, Sem's grandechild mentioned Gen. 10.24. But rather from Abram the father of the faithfull. and that not from the name Abram, which is written with foreign whereas Hebrews, is written originally with foreign viz. foreign Hhhibri. but from the Epithet given first to Abram, viz. Abram the Hebrew, Gen. 14.13. Abram being called foreign i. e. the Hebrew from foreign To passe over or passe thorough, Gen. 12.6. because from Mesopotamia he passed over Euphrates into Canaan, and so passed thorough the land. compare Gen. 12.1. to 7. with Act. 7.2, 3, 4. So that Abram the Hebrew, sounds as much as Abram the Passenger, or the Passer-thorough. Hence Abrams posterity are called Hebrews, which name seems somwhat more worthy then the name Iews, because the name Iews came but from Iudah, Iacobs son the kingly stock. To Hebre…s by nation, but now become Christians by profession, this Epistle was written. Some think the Apostle wrote only to those Hebrews that dwelt in Ierusalem and Iudea, because he promises to see them, Heb. 13.23. but Peter seems to testify this Epistle was written to the dispersed Hebrews; compare 2 Pet. 3.15. and 3.1, 2. with 1 Pet. 1.1, 2. Why might not the Epistle be written to them all?
Penman of this Epistle is not so infallibly agreed upon by learned men. Some of old ascribed it to Luke, or Barnabas, or Clement, Euseb. Hist. l. 6. Platin. in vit. Petri, p. 10. and Hieronymus. Some to Barnabas, Tertullian. See Erasin. Annot. in Act. 1. p. 199. Some to Apollos, Luther in Gen. 48. fol. 643. De Luc. Osiander in Praefat. ad Hebr. Calvin himselfe, though in his Argument, before this Epistle, he saith, he cannot be brought to think it was Pauls, yet after seems to incline to that opinion, that Paul wrote it, Calv. Com. in Heb. 13, 13. But that Paul was Penman of this Epistle, was the unanimous opinion of all the ancient Greek writers, (except Caius mentioned by Nicephorus l. 4. c. 34.) and of divers Latin Authors, ancient and moderne. See Gerh. loc. com. de Script. sacr. loc. 1. Exeges. Sect. 275. and D. Pareus Proem in ep. ad Hebr. Sect. 1. G. Whitaker disp. de sacr. script. q. 1. c. ult. That the Apostle Paul was Penman of this Epistle, may be evinced by divers considerable Arguments, As
1. All the Greek Copies of the Epistle to the Hebrews, (except one wherein the Title was only, foreign i. e. To the Hebrews) have this Title foreign i. e. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews. Th. Bez. in Annot. ante ep. ad Hebr.
2. The Testimony of Peter is most considerable; As our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisedome given unto him, hath written unto you. As also in all his Epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to be understood, &c. 2 Pet. 3.15, 16. wherein note with Gerh. Piscat. and others,
1. That Paul wrote to them also to whom Peter wrote, But Peter wrote to the Hebrews, both his Epistles, 1 Pet. 1.1, 2. 2 Pet. 3.1, 2. Therefore Paul wrote to the Hebrews, either this Epistle is that which Paul wrote to the Hebrews, or its lost. That it should be lost, is unlikely, when Gods providence hath preserved such a small Epistle, and of private concernment, as his Epistle to Philemon, for the use of the Church, but doubtlesse what Paul wrote to the Hebrews, was more large and full, and touching the mystery of salvation by Christ crucifyed, as most necessary to them who stuck too much to the Leviticall Priesthood, as if it should be perpetuated, and stumbled at Christ c…ucified; and this is the Argument of this Epistle.
2. That Paul wrote to them of the same things that Peter wrote. Herein Peters Epistle, and this to the Hebrews, agree, as That by Christ are given to us, all things pertaining to life and godlinesse, 2 Pet. 1.3, 4. That Iesus Christ is the son of God in whom the father is well pleased with us, of whom the Prophets spoke, 2 Pet. 1.16, 17, 18.19. So these things are largely handled, Heb. 1.1. to c. 10.19 Peter exhorts them to faith and holinesse, 2 Pet. 1.5. to 16. and 3.1. to 15. So the Epistle to the Hebrews, c. 2, 1. to 5. and 3.1, 6. to the end and c. 4. and 6.11, 12. and c. 10, 19. to c. 13, 20▪ Peter shews the danger of Apostacy, 2 Pet. 2.20, 21, 22. So the Epistle to the Hebrews, c. 6, 4. to 9. and 10.26, to 32.
3. That Paul wrote wisely, much wisedome appears both in words, matter and method of this Epistle to the Hebrews.
4. That herein are some things hard to be understood, as about Apostates, Heb. 6. and Heb. 10. as about predestination, Rom. 9. c. 11. and Eph. 1.
3. Pauls zeale and affection was great to the Hebrews, Rom. 9.1, 2, 3, 4. &c. and can we thinke he should never write to them that were so exceeding deare to him, and what could he write more proper and necessary for them, then touching the abrogation of the Leviticall Priesthood, and the excellency of Christs person and office; which this Epistle treats of, above any other?
4. Mention is here made of Timothy his brother, and that he is set at liberty, Heb. 13.23. elsewhere Paul cals Timothy his brother, 1 Thes. 3. 2. Philem. 1. and in what account Timothy, (Pauls companion) was with Paul, See Annot. in 1 Tim. before.
5. The Author of this Epistle mentions his bonds, Heb. …0.34. and 13.23. and this is Pauls manner in his Epistles, Rom. 16.21. 1 Cor. 16.10, 11. 2 Cor. 1.1. Col. 1.1. 1 Thes. 1.1. and 3.2. 2 Thes. 1. 1. Philem. 1.9.10.
6. The character of the stile and language in this Epistle, seems so plainly to be the same with Pauls in his other Epistles, that they indigitate Paul to be the Penman Well consider and parallel the ensuing places.
Heb. 1, 2, 3.—with Col. 1.14, 15, 16, 17.
Heb. 5, 12, 13.—with 1 Cor. 3.1, 2.
Heb. 9.15.—with Rom. 3.25.
Heb, 10.34.—with Phil. 1.13. and Philem. v. 1, 9, 10.
Heb. 10.34.—with 1 Thes. 2.14.
Heb. 10.36.—with Gal 3.22.
Heb. 11.11, 12.—with Rom. 4.18, 19.
Heb. 12.1.—with 1 Cor 9.24.
Heb. 13.7.—with Philip. 2.25.29.
Heb. 13.9.—with Eph. 4.14.
Heb. 13.15, 16.—with Rom. 12.1, 2.
Heb. 13.17.—with 1 Thes. 5.12, 13.
Heb. 13.18 —with 2 Cor. 1.11, 12. Act. 23.1.24.16.
Heb. 13.20, 21. — with 1 Thes. 5.23. Rom. 15.23. and 16.20. 2 Cor. 23.13. Phil. 49.
7. Finally, that which the Apostle himselfe counts as it were the character and seale of all his Epistles, his Token, 2 Thes. 3.17, 18. The Grace of our Lord Iesus Christ be with you all. Amen; is the valedictory close of this Epistle, Heb. 13.25.
These Arguments may strongly perswade that the Apostle Paul was Penman of this Epistle, and consequently, that this Epistle is of Apostolicall, yea of divine Authority, as well as his other Epistles. Nor are the objections usually brought to the contrary, of such difficulty, but that they may easily receive satisfactory Answers. And are answered by Bez. Pareus and Piscator in their Prologue before this Epistle. Gerh. exeges. loc. Com. 1. de script. sacr. cap. 10. Sect. 277. &c.
When and Whence this Epistle was written, See in former Table.
That it was not written in Hebrew by P…ul, an Hebrew to the Hebrews, and so translated into Greek, by Luke or Barnabas as some think, viz. Clem Alexan. S…rom. l. 4. Euseb. Hist. Eccles. l. 3. c. 3…. Hieronym. in Catal. script. illustr. &c. But rather that Paul wrote this Epistle at first in Greek, may be probably believed upon these ensuing grounds, vid. Fran. Iunium paral. l. 3. in c. 9. hujus Epist. p. 479.
1. The stile and phrase of this Epistle seems rather to Grecize, then to Hebraize, there being fewer Hebraismes in this Epistle, then in Pauls other Epistles.
2. The places alledged out of the old Testament, are not alledged according to the Hebrew originall, but the Greek version of the LXXII.
3. The Hebrew names are interpreted, as Melchi-zedek, King of righteousnesse, and Salem, peace, Heb. 7.1, 2.
4. Most Iewes then understood the Greek tongue, especially those that lived in Asia Minor.
5. Peter and Iames wrote their Epistles to the dispersed Iewes in Greek, and Paul wrote all his other Epistles to the Gentiles in Greek; why then should we imagine this to be written in Hebrew?
6. The Ancient writers testifie not, that they have seen any originall Hebrew Copy of this Epistle.
Occasion, seemes to be the infirmity and affliction of the believing Hebrews. For the whole current of the Epistle, seems to intimate, That though they had entertained Christ, yet they adhered too much to Moses and the Leviticall Priesthood, and perhaps some of them had some hesitancy about Christ, whether he were the promised Messiah: and yet for their entertaining of Christ so farre as they did, they seem not only to be reproached by their Countreymen, as Apostates from the Law, but were greatly persecuted for Christ; the Apostle understanding this their s…ate, wrote to instruct and support them herein; vid. Athanas. in Synops.
Scope. For confirmation and comfort, of the weak and afflicted Hebrews, to evidence that Iesus Christ is true God and man, like us in all things, (only sin excepted,) and therefore the only true Messiah, promised in the Old Testament, and exhibited in the New; that he is the Churches only King, Prophet and Priest, able to save all that come to him to the uttermost, having by offering up himselfe once, for ever perfected them that are sanctified, and abrogated the Leviticall Priesthood and law, and therefore that they ought to believe in him, persevere in faith, and walk worthy of Christ and his Gospel.
Principall parts. to this end. This Epistle is partly Doctrinall, partly Practicall.
I. Doctrinall and Informatory touching Christ himselfe, viz. In respect of
1. His Person; That he is 1. The eternall sonne of God, c. 1. 2. True man, taking flesh of the seed of Abraham, c. 2. And therefore his Doctrine to be more hearkned to then the word of Moses or Angels.
2. His Office, viz.
1. Propheticall, Wherein he farre surpassed Moses, whom therefore we must believe and obey lest we lose the eternall, as Israel the temporall Canaan c. 3, 4.
2. Sacerdotall or Priestly, wherein Christ is asserted by the Apostle, to be out great High-priest, To this end,
1. He compares him to Aaron in his call to his Office, c. 5.1. to 6.
2. He preferres him before Aaron, c. 5, 6. to 11, (and being to speake further of this mystery, by way of digression he taxes their dulnesse in understanding, and warnes them against Apostacy, c. 5.11. to the end, & c. 6.) Christ is preferred before Aaron, 1. In excellency of order, being of Melchisedeck's order, who was above Levi, Christ also being made of this order by an Oath, and that for ever. c. 7. 2. In Excellency of Sacrifice and Ministry beyond Aarons, he being Mediator of the New and lasting Covenant, the old being antiquated, c. 8. He entring into heaven, not an earthly Tabernacle, with his own blood, not blood of beasts; Once, and not often; hath purged the Conscience not onelyonly the flesh; and this not for a season, but for ever c. 9, and 10, 1. to 19.
3. Regall in divers places.
II. Practicall and Hortatory to Christians, Whom he exhorts
1. To Faith and constancy therein, 1. From the perill of Apostacy; and the great reward, c. 10.19. to the end. 2. From the cloud of faithfull examples to be followed, c. 11.
2. To divers Religious exercises. 1. To patience and constancy under the crosse, c. 12.1. to 14. 2. To Peace and holinesse, 14. to 18. 3. To entertainment of the Gospel, v. 18. to the end. 4. To Charity, c. 12.1, 2, 3. 5. To Marriage-chastity ver. 4. 6. To Contentment ver. 5.6. 7. To follow the Faith and constancy of their teachers, ver. 7. to 16, 8. To Benisicence, ver. 16. 9. To due respect to Church-governours ver. 17. And so concludes his Epistle ver. 18. to the end.
Thus of the Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the believing Hebrewes.
Now follow seven other Epistles, some of them evidently, the rest of them probably, written to believing Hebrews. viz. The Epistle of Iames, Jam. 1.1. The two Epistles of Peter; compare 1 Pet. 1.1, 2. with 2 Pet. 1.1.2. & 3.1. The first Epistle of Iohn seems probably written to al the believing Hebrews, especially in Asia Minor; for 1. the Greek title cals it a Catholique or generall Epistle Zanch. Prolegom. in 1 Ioan. Ep. p. 6, Bez. Annot. in 1 Ioan. Because generally written to al the Jewes. (Though some think it was written to the Parthians, among whom were many Jewes of the old Captivity and dispersion of the tenne Tribes, whence Parthians are thought to be named in the first place, Act. 2.9. Possilius in Indic. operum Augustin. August. l. 2. Q. Evang. c. 39.) 2. The very matter of the Epistle being directed against the blasphemous errou…s broached among the Iewes, especially those of Ebion and Cerinthus against the Divinity of Christ, seemes to imply that it was principally written to the Iewe…. The second Epistle of Iohn is to an Elect Lady, probably a believing Hebrew, of great wealth and worth. For he warns both her and her children of the Heresies and seducers that opposed the person of Christ after the manner of his first Epistle. And he intimates his intention of visiting them shortly. Gaius, …o whom he wrote his third Epistle, is not obscurely intimated there to be a believing Jew, 3 Ioh. v. 1, 2, 6, 7. As Piscat. in loc. notes. Finally the Epistle of Iude seemes written to the dispersed believing Iewes. 1 In the Greek title it being called Catholike or Generall. 2 And for the matter of it being of like nature with 2 of Pet. even as an Abstract of it; against the Seducers of those times, as the samenesse of words and phrase import.
These seven Epistles are by some called, Catholique; by some Canonicall.
Catholique, or Generall; not in respect of the universall concernment of the matters contayned in them, for such is the matter of Pauls Epistles also: but in respect of the parties to whom these Epistles are written, viz. Not to any particular Church, as the Epistle to the Romanes, Corinth, &c. Nor to particular persons as the Epistle to Timothy, Titus, Philemon: But generally to the believing Iewes dispersed in severall Countries. In this respect divers Latin, especially Greek writers call them Catholique, viz. Greek Scholiast. (as Bez. Annot. ante Epist. Iac. observes.) Origen apud Euseb. Hist. l. 6. c. 19. Dionys. Alexandrin. apud Euseb. l. 7. c. 20. Eusebiu… Hist. l. 2. c. 22. Cyril Hierosolym. Catech. 17. Hieronym▪ in Catal. Script. &c. Though properly the second and third Epistle of Iohn cannot be called Catholique, yet being joyned to Iohn's first Epistle, which is Catholique, by use they come to be so called, though abusively.
Canonicall; not that these seven Epistles onelyonly, or peculiarly, among al… others are Canonicall and A…thentique; that were to derogate from other Epistles of Paul; but because they contain Canons or Rules of Christian life. Ger. loc. …om. exeg. loc. 1. c. 10. §. 291. Beza thinks they were by mistake called Canonicall (perhaps for Catholicall) for 1. why should not also Pauls Epistles be called Canonicall? 2. Greek writers do not so call them. 3. Latins have, though groundlesly, doubted of the authority of the Epistle of Iames, and second of Peter. Therefore its not probable they would call them Canonicall. Bez. Annot. ante Epist. Iacob. & D. Pareus in prolegom. in Epist. Iacobi.