Hebrews
This epistle shows Christ as the end, foundation, body, and truth of the figures of the law, which
of themselves were no virtue for the soul. The great truth set forth in this epistle is that Jesus of
Nazareth is the true God. The unconverted Jews used many arguments to draw their converted
brethren from the Christian faith. They represented the law of Moses as superior to the Christian
dispensation, and spoke against every thing connected with the Saviour. The apostle, therefore,
shows the superiority of Jesus of Nazareth, as the Son of God, and the benefits from his sufferings
and death as the sacrifice for sin, so that the Christian religion is much more excellent and perfect
than that of Moses. And the principal design seems to be, to bring the converted Hebrews forward
in the knowledge of the gospel, and thus to establish them in the Christian faith, and to prevent
their turning from it, against which they are earnestly warned. But while it contains many things
suitable to the Hebrews of early times, it also contains many which can never cease to interest the
church of God; for the knowledge of Jesus Christ is the very marrow and kernel of all the Scriptures.
The ceremonial law is full of Christ, and all the gospel is full of Christ; the blessed lines of both
Testaments meet in Him; and how they both agree and sweetly unite in Jesus Christ, is the chief
object of the epistle to the Hebrews to discover.
Chapter 1
Chapter Outline
The surpassing dignity of the Son of God in (1–3)
his Divine person, and in his creating and
mediatorial work.
And in his superiority to all the holy angels. (4–14)Verses 1–3
God spake to his ancient people at sundry times, through successive generations, and in divers
manners, as he thought proper; sometimes by personal directions, sometimes by dreams, sometimes
by visions, sometimes by Divine influences on the minds of the prophets. The gospel revelation is
excellent above the former; in that it is a revelation which God has made by his Son. In beholding
the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ, we behold the power, wisdom, and
goodness of the Father, Joh 14:7; the fulness of the Godhead dwells, not typically, or in a figure,
but really, in him. When, on the fall of man, the world was breaking to pieces under the wrath and
curse of God, the Son of God, undertaking the work of redemption, sustained it by his almighty
power and goodness. From the glory of the person and office of Christ, we proceed to the glory of
his grace. The glory of His person and nature, gave to his sufferings such merit as was a full
satisfaction to the honour of God, who suffered an infinite injury and affront by the sins of men.
We never can be thankful enough that God has in so many ways, and with such increasing clearness,
spoken to us fallen sinners concerning salvation. That he should by himself cleanse us from our
sins is a wonder of love beyond our utmost powers of admiration, gratitude, and praise.