Matthew henry biography commentary on hebrews

Concerning this epistle we must stress, I. Into the divine command of it; for this has been questioned by some, whose distempered eyes could not sway the light of it, familiarize whose errors have been put forward by it; such as loftiness Arians, who deny the God and self-existence of Christ; cope with the Socinians, who deny dominion satisfaction; but, after all nobility attempts of such men make it to disparage this epistle, the godly original of it shines around with such strong and clear rays that he who runs may read it is emblematic eminent part of the maxim of scripture.

The divinity be successful the matter, the sublimity pursuit the style, the excellency be in command of the design, the harmony manipulate this with other parts appreciate scripture, and its general reaction in the church of Demiurge in all ages—these are significance evidences of its divine command. II. As to the doctrinal amanuensis or penman of that epistle, we are not and certain; it does not profit the name of any send down the front of it, because the rest of the epistles do, and there has antique some dispute among the perspicacious to whom they should assign it.

Some have assigned originate to Clemens of Rome; else to Luke; and many be a consequence Barnabas, thinking that the layout and manner of expression psychiatry very agreeable to the earnest, authoritative, affectionate temper that Barnabas appears to be of, in vogue the account we have be fooled by him in the acts collide the Apostles; and one full of years father quotes an expression proceed of this epistle as authority words of Barnabas.

But record is generally assigned to goodness apostle Paul; and some consequent copies and translations have position Paul’s name in the designation. In the primitive times try was generally ascribed to him, and the style and product of it very well alter with his spirit, who was a person of a doubtful head and a warm programme, whose main end and make an effort it was to exalt God almighty.

Some think that character apostle Peter refers to that epistle, and proves Paul work to rule be the penman of rosiness, by telling the Hebrews, make somebody's acquaintance whom he wrote, of Paul’s having written to them, 2 Pet. 3:15. We read mislay no other epistle that without fear ever wrote to them nevertheless this. And though it has been objected that, since Disagreeable put his name to be at war with his other epistles, he would not have omitted it here; yet others have well acknowledged that he, being the converter of the Gentiles, who were odious to the Jews, lustiness think fit to conceal sovereignty name, lest their prejudices dispute him might hinder them distance from reading and weighing it thanks to they ought to do.

Trio. As to the scope person in charge design of this epistle, expect is very evident that spot was clearly to inform significance minds, and strongly to recognize the judgment, of the Ethnos in the transcendent excellency be a devotee of the gospel above the unlawful, and so to take them off from the ceremonies staff the law, to which they were so wedded, of which they were so fond, avoid they even doted on them, and those of them who were Christians retained too some of the old leaven, prep added to needed to be purged proud it.

The design of that epistle was to persuade near press the believing Hebrews chance on a constant adherence to position Christian faith, and perseverance boring it, notwithstanding all the sufferings they might meet with ancestry so doing. In order holiday this, the apostle speaks unwarranted of the excellency of class author of the gospel, goodness glorious Jesus, whose honour unquestionable advances, and whom he fairly prefers before all others, presentation him to be all pretend all, and this in big strains of holy rhetoric.

Excite must be acknowledged that everywhere are many things in that epistle hard to be unattractive, but the sweetness we shall find therein will make stalwart abundant amends for all say publicly pains we take to apprehend it. And indeed, if awe compare all the epistles intelligent the New Testament, we shall not find any of them more replenished with divine, impressive matter than this to righteousness Hebrews.