Chapter 2:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Philemon James
Hebrews 2
Concise Complete
The duty of stedfastly adhering to Christ and his
gospel. (1-4) His sufferings are no objection against his pre-eminence. (5-9)
The reason of his sufferings, and the fitness of them. (10-13) Christ's taking
the nature of man, and not his taking the nature of angels, was necessary to his
priestly office. (14-18)
Verses 1-4 Christ
being proved to be superior to the angels, this doctrine is applied. Our minds
and memories are like a leaky vessel, they do not, without much care, retain
what is poured into them. This proceeds from the corruption of our nature,
temptations, worldly cares, and pleasures. Sinning against the gospel is neglect
of this great salvation; it is a contempt of the saving grace of God in Christ,
making light of it, not caring for it, not regarding either the worth of gospel
grace, or the want of it, and our undone state without it. The Lord's judgments
under the gospel dispensation are chiefly spiritual, but are on that account the
more to be dreaded. Here is an appeal to the consciences of sinners. Even
partial neglects will not escape rebukes; they often bring darkness on the souls
they do not finally ruin. The setting forth the gospel was continued and
confirmed by those who heard Christ, by the evangelists and apostles, who were
witnesses of what Jesus Christ began both to do and to teach; and by the gifts
of the Holy Ghost, qualified for the work to which they were called. And all
this according to God's own will. It was the will of God that we should have
sure ground for our faith, and a strong foundation for our hope in receiving the
gospel. Let us mind this one thing needful, and attend to the Holy Scriptures,
written by those who heard the words of our gracious Lord, and were inspired by
his Spirit; then we shall be blessed with the good part that cannot be taken
away.
Verses 5-9 Neither
the state in which the church is at present, nor its more completely restored
state, when the prince of this world shall be cast out, and the kingdoms of the
earth become the kingdom of Christ, is left to the government of the angels:
Christ will take to him his great power, and will reign. And what is the moving
cause of all the kindness God shows to men in giving Christ for them and to
them? it is the grace of God. As a reward of Christ's humiliation in suffering
death, he has unlimited dominion over all things; thus this ancient scripture
was fulfilled in him. Thus God has done wonderful things for us in creation and
providence, but for these we have made the basest returns.
Verses 10-13
Whatever the proud, carnal, and unbelieving may imagine or object, the spiritual
mind will see peculiar glory in the cross of Christ, and be satisfied that it
became Him, who in all things displays his own perfections in bringing many sons
to glory, to make the Author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. His
way to the crown was by the cross, and so must that of his people be. Christ
sanctifies; he has purchased and sent the sanctifying Spirit: the Spirit
sanctifies as the Spirit of Christ. True believers are sanctified, endowed with
holy principles and powers, set apart to high and holy uses and purposes. Christ
and believers are all of one heavenly Father, who is God. They are brought into
relation with Christ. But the words, his not being ashamed to call them
brethren, express the high superiority of Christ to the human nature. This is
shown from three texts of Scripture. See
8:18 .
Verses 14-18 The
angels fell, and remained without hope or help. Christ never designed to be the
Saviour of the fallen angels, therefore he did not take their nature; and the
nature of angels could not be an atoning sacrifice for the sin of man. Here is a
price paid, enough for all, and suitable to all, for it was in our nature. Here
the wonderful love of God appeared, that, when Christ knew what he must suffer
in our nature, and how he must die in it, yet he readily took it upon him. And
this atonement made way for his people's deliverance from Satan's bondage, and
for the pardon of their sins through faith. Let those who dread death, and
strive to get the better of their terrors, no longer attempt to outbrave or to
stifle them, no longer grow careless or wicked through despair. Let them not
expect help from the world, or human devices; but let them seek pardon, peace,
grace, and a lively hope of heaven, by faith in Him who died and rose again,
that thus they may rise above the fear of death. The remembrance of his own
sorrows and temptations, makes Christ mindful of the trials of his people, and
ready to help them. He is ready and willing to succour those who are tempted,
and seek him. He became man, and was tempted, that he might be every way
qualified to succour his people, seeing that he had passed through the same
temptations himself, but continued perfectly free from sin. Then let not the
afflicted and tempted despond, or give place to Satan, as if temptations made it
wrong for them to come to the Lord in prayer. Not soul ever perished under
temptation, that cried unto the Lord from real alarm at its danger, with faith
and expectation of relief. This is our duty upon our first being surprised by
temptations, and would stop their progress, which is our wisdom.
Chapter 2:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Philemon James
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
