Chapter 3:
| 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 3
Concise Complete
The superior worth and dignity of Christ above Moses is
shown. (1-6) The Hebrews are warned of the sin and danger of unbelief. (7-13)
And of necessity of faith in Christ, and of stedfastly following him. (14-19)
Verses 1-6 Christ
is to be considered as the Apostle of our profession, the Messenger sent by God
to men, the great Revealer of that faith which we profess to hold, and of that
hope which we profess to have. As Christ, the Messiah, anointed for the office
both of Apostle and High Priest. As Jesus, our Saviour, our Healer, the great
Physician of souls. Consider him thus. Consider what he is in himself, what he
is to us, and what he will be to us hereafter and for ever. Close and serious
thoughts of Christ bring us to know more of him. The Jews had a high opinion of
the faithfulness of Moses, yet his faithfulness was but a type of Christ's.
Christ was the Master of this house, of his church, his people, as well as their
Maker. Moses was a faithful servant; Christ, as the eternal Son of God, is
rightful Owner and Sovereign Ruler of the Church. There must not only be setting
out well in the ways of Christ, but stedfastness and perseverance therein to the
end. Every meditation on his person and his salvation, will suggest more wisdom,
new motives to love, confidence, and obedience.
Verses 7-13 Days
of temptation are often days of provocation. But to provoke God, when he is
letting us see that we entirely depend and live upon him, is a provocation
indeed. The hardening of the heart is the spring of all other sins. The sins of
others, especially of our relations, should be warnings to us. All sin,
especially sin committed by God's professing, privileged people, not only
provokes God, but it grieves him. God is loth to destroy any in, or for their
sin; he waits long to be gracious to them. But sin, long persisted in, will make
God's wrath discover itself in destroying the impenitent; there is no resting
under the wrath of God. "Take heed:" all who would get safe to heaven must look
about them; if once we allow ourselves to distrust God, we may soon desert him.
Let those that think they stand, take heed lest they fall. Since to-morrow is
not ours, we must make the best improvement of this day. And there are none,
even the strongest of the flock, who do not need help of other Christians.
Neither are there any so low and despised, but the care of their standing in the
faith, and of their safety, belongs to all. Sin has so many ways and colours,
that we need more eyes than ours own. Sin appears fair, but is vile; it appears
pleasant, but is destructive; it promises much, but performs nothing. The
deceitfulness of sin hardens the soul; one sin allowed makes way for another;
and every act of sin confirms the habit. Let every one beware of sin.
Verses 14-19 The
saints' privilege is, they are made partakers of Christ, that is, of the Spirit,
the nature, graces, righteousness, and life of Christ; they are interested in
all Christ is, in all he has done, or will do. The same spirit with which
Christians set out in the ways of God, they should maintain unto the end.
Perseverance in faith is the best evidence of the sincerity of our faith.
Hearing the word often is a means of salvation, yet, if not hearkened to, it
will expose more to the Divine wrath. The happiness of being partakers of Christ
and his complete salvation, and the fear of God's wrath and eternal misery,
should stir us up to persevere in the life of obedient faith. Let us beware of
trusting to outward privileges or professions, and pray to be numbered with the
true believers who enter heaven, when all others fail because of unbelief. As
our obedience follows according to the power of our faith, so our sins and want
of care are according to the prevailing of unbelief in us.
Chapter 3:
| 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
