Chapter 7:
| 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 7
Concise Complete
A comparison between the priesthood of Melchizedec and
that of Christ. (1-3) The excellence of Christ's priesthood above the Levitical
priesthood is shown. (4-10) This is applied to Christ. (11-25) The faith and
hope of the church encouraged from this. (26-28)
Verses 1-3
Melchizedec met Abraham when returning from the rescue of Lot. His name, "King
of Righteousness," doubtless suitable to his character, marked him as a type of
the Messiah and his kingdom. The name of his city signified "Peace;" and as king
of peace he typified Christ, the Prince of Peace, the great Reconciler of God
and man. Nothing is recorded as to the beginning or end of his life; thus he
typically resembled the Son of God, whose existence is from everlasting to
everlasting, who had no one that was before him, and will have no one come after
him, in his priesthood. Every part of Scripture honours the great King of
Righteousness and Peace, our glorious High Priest and Saviour; and the more we
examine it, the more we shall be convinced, that the testimony of Jesus is the
spirit of prophecy.
Verses 4-10 That
High Priest who should afterward appear, of whom Melchizedec was a type, must be
much superior to the Levitical priests. Observe Abraham's great dignity and
happiness; that he had the promises. That man is rich and happy indeed, who has
the promises, both of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This
honour have all those who receive the Lord Jesus. Let us go forth in our
spiritual conflicts, trusting in his word and strength, ascribing our victories
to his grace, and desiring to be met and blessed by him in all our ways.
Verses 11-25 The
priesthood and law by which perfection could not come, are done away; a Priest
is risen, and a dispensation now set up, by which true believers may be made
perfect. That there is such a change is plain. The law which made the Levitical
priesthood, showed that the priests were frail, dying creatures, not able to
save their own lives, much less could they save the souls of those who came to
them. But the High Priest of our profession holds his office by the power of
endless life in himself; not only to keep himself alive, but to give spiritual
and eternal life to all who rely upon his sacrifice and intercession. The better
covenant, of which Jesus was the Surety, is not here contrasted with the
covenant of works, by which every transgressor is shut up under the curse. It is
distinguished from the Sinai covenant with Israel, and the legal dispensation
under which the church so long remained. The better covenant brought the church
and every believer into clearer light, more perfect liberty, and more abundant
privileges. In the order of Aaron there was a multitude of priests, of high
priests one after another; but in the priesthood of Christ there is only one and
the same. This is the believer's safety and happiness, that this everlasting
High Priest is able to save to the uttermost, in all times, in all cases. Surely
then it becomes us to desire a spirituality and holiness, as much beyond those
of the Old Testament believers, as our advantages exceed theirs.
Verses 26-28
Observe the description of the personal holiness of Christ. He is free from all
habits or principles of sin, not having the least disposition to it in his
nature. No sin dwells in him, not the least sinful inclination, though such
dwells in the best of Christians. He is harmless, free from all actual
transgression; he did no violence, nor was there any deceit in his mouth. He is
undefiled. It is hard to keep ourselves pure, so as not to partake the guilt of
other men's sins. But none need be dismayed who come to God in the name of his
beloved Son. Let them be assured that he will deliver them in the time of trial
and suffering, in the time of prosperity, in the hour of death, and in the day
of judgment.
Chapter 7:
| 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
