Hebrews 4

Notes on the verses

Chap. IV. Ver. 1. Lest promise being left us.—The pronoun us being marked with italics in our version, intimates its being supplementary, and it is, in our opinion, both unnecessary and improper. ‘The rest was left indefinitely for all who should seek it.—Let us [apostles and preachers] be fore indulgent an affectionate jealousy, lest any of you to whom we preach, “should seem to—should “ evidently’’—come short of it. See note on (1 Corinthians 7:40).—Any Of $y.—Some copies read, af ws, to which Doddridge inth the Syriac and the Vulgate. Spiel but, with Macknight, ne refer the common reading, which is support, on. 2, For unto us was the ee preached, &c.—Doddridge, ‘For we are made partakers of the good tidings.”

Greek, aa been evangelized even as they;” that is, according to M’Lean, ‘“‘ We Christians have been favoured with the good news of a rest in the heavenly country, even as Israel were with the good news of a rest in the land of Canaan.— But the word preached —Gr. “ The word of hearing’’—did not profit them; not being mixed with faith in them that heard [it.] The idea is medical, and alludes to our food being mixed with the juices of the stomach, in order to its digestion. The margin reads, “ because they were not united by faith;”? and so many of the ancients: but Doddridge, Macknight, M‘Lean, and most of the moderns, prefer the common translation, which is also sanctioned by the Vulgate and the Syriac.

Ver. 3. If they shall, enter.—See note on (Hebrews 3:11).—Although the works were finished from the foundation.—Macknight, “ from the formation of the world ” The word here evidently refers to the completion, not the commencement, of creation, as in the verse following. Ver. 6. To whom it—i. e. the gospel, or good tidings. Ver. 8. For if Jesus.—Margin, ‘‘ Joshua;” which is the Hebrew name corresponding to the Greek, Jesus. Ver. 9. A rest.—The word here used is not the same as in the preceding Ver. 12. Quick and powerful.—Literally, “ living and energetic.”——Sharper than any two-edged sword.—Macknight quotes from a Pagan writer, that ‘*reason penetrates into a man deeper than a sword:” but we apprehend it is the power of God’s word upon the conscience, that is here alluded to.—To the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow— That is, of things the most intimately and inseparably connected.

See our note on (1 Thessalonians 5:23), here we have distinguished the rational soul from the animal; but whether the latter (which is common to brates) be matter, or an inferior kind of spirit, or a middle substance between both, we presume not to decide. Most certain it is, that many animals are intelligent, as well as sentient; that they feel, that they recollect, and that they dream; and, therefore, that they think. Ver. 13. Naked and opened.—Doddridge, “laid bare.” This is an allusion to the state in which the burnt-offerings were laid on the altar: they were stripped of their skins, their breasts ripped open, their back-bone cleft, and their head thrown back, so as to be easily inspected by the officiating priest —— With whom we have to do.—Doddridge and Macknight, “To whom we must give an account:’’ so the Greek phrase is rendered, (Hebrews 13:17); also (Romans 14:12). and elsewhere. Ver. 14. Our profession—Or confession; see (Hebrews 3:1). Ver. 15. Which cannot be touched.—Macknight, “who cannot sympathize.’’——Like as we are—i. e. in the same points.