THIS whole chapter is a continuation of the digression which the apostle had occasionally entered into in the 11th verse of the preceding chapter. For upon the consideration of the greatness of the my…

In the remainder of the first verse and the next that follows, the apostle declares in particular instances what were the things and doctrines which he called in general before, "the beginning of the…

Καὶ τοῦτο ποιήσομεν, ἐάνπερ ἐπιτρέπῃ ὁ Θεός. And this will we do, if so be that God permit. These words contain two things:—1. The resolution of the apostle as to the matter and occasion before him:…

Ἀδύνατον γάρ τοὺς ἅπαξ φωτισθέντας, γευσαμένους τε τῆς δωρεᾶς τῆς ἐπουρανίου, καὶ μετόχους γενηθέντας Πνεύματος ἁγίου, καὶ καλὸν γευσαμἐνους Θεοῦ ῥῆμα, δυνάμεις τε μέλλοντος αἰῶνος, καὶ παραπεσόντας,…

What the apostle had doctrinally instructed the Hebrews in before, in these verses he layeth before them under an apposite similitude. For his design herein is to represent the condition of all sorts…

Expositors generally agree in giving these verses as an instance of the great wisdom and prudence used by the apostle in his dealing with these Hebrews. Chrysostom in especial insists upon it, making…

Οὐ γὰρ ἄδικος ὁ Θεὸς, ἐπιλαθέσθαι τοῦ ἔργου ὑμῶν, καὶ τοῦ κόπου τῆς ἀγάπης, ἧς ἐνεδείξασθε εἰς τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ, διακονήσαντες τοῖς ἁγίοις και διακονοῦντες. The Syriac renders ἄδικος by עָוָּל, "perver…

Ἐπιθυμοῦμεν δὲ ἓκαστον ὑμῶν τὴν αὐτὴν ἐνδείκνυσθαι σπουδὴν πρὸς τὴν πληροφορίαν τῆς ἐλπίδος ἄχρι τέλους. There is not much difficulty as to the signification of these words, and therefore both ancien…

Ἵνα μὴ νωθροὶ γένησθε, μιμηταὶ δὲ τῶν διὰ πίστεως καὶ μακροθυμίας κληρονομούντων τὰς ἐπαγγελίας. Νωθροί, "segnes;" "slothful," "dull." Γένησθε, "sitis," "efficiamini;" "be" or "become," or be made. S…

In the close of the foregoing verse the apostle expresseth the end of all his exhortations, what they tended unto, and what would be the advantage of all that complied with them in faith and obedience…

In this last part of the chapter two things are further designed by the apostle: 1. An explication of the purpose and end of God in his promise, as it was confirmed by his oath; and therewithal and fr…