Hebrews 9

Hebrews 9:1

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work - Which is far more than delivering me from death. Yea, and, over and above, preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom - Far better than that of Nero.

Hebrews 9:3

When I came on, Erastus abode at Corinth - Being chamberlain of the city, Romans 16:23. But Trophimus I have left sick - Not having power (as neither had any of the apostles) to work miracles when he pleased, but only when God pleased.

Hebrews 9:8

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ - Titles suitable to the person of Paul, and the office he was assigning to Titus. According to the faith - The propagating of which is the proper business of an apostle. A servant of God - According to the faith of the elect. An apostle of Jesus Christ - According to the knowledge of the truth. We serve God according to the measure of our faith: we fulfil our public office according to the measure of our knowledge. The truth that is after godliness - Which in every point runs parallel with and supports the vital, spiritual worship of God; and, indeed, has no other end or scope. These two verses contain the sum of Christianity, which Titus was always to have in his eye. Of the elect of God - Of all real Christians

Hebrews 9:9

In hope of eternal life - The grand motive and encouragement of every apostle and every servant of God. Which God promised before the world began - To Christ, our Head.

Hebrews 9:10

And he hath in his own times - At sundry times; and his own times are fittest for his own work. What creature dares ask, “Why no sooner?” Manifested his word - Containing that promise, and the whole “truth which is after godliness.” Through the preaching wherewith I am intrusted according to the commandment of God our Saviour - And who dares exercise this office on any less authority?

Hebrews 9:11

My own son - Begot in the same image of God, and repaying a paternal with a filial affection. The common faith - Common to me and all my spiritual children.

Hebrews 9:12

The things which are wanting - Which I had not time to settle myself. Ordain elders - Appoint the most faithful, zealous men to watch over the rest. Their character follows, Titus 1:6 - 9. These were the elders, or bishops, that Paul approved of; - men that had living faith, a pure conscience, a blameless life.

Hebrews 9:13

The husband of one wife - Surely the Holy Ghost, by repeating this so often, designed to leave the Romanists without excuse.

Hebrews 9:14

As the steward of God - To whom he intrusts immortal souls. Not selfwilled - Literally, pleasing himself; but all men “for their good to edification.” Not passionate - But mild, yielding, tender.

Hebrews 9:16

As he hath been taught - Perhaps it might be more literally rendered, according to the teaching, or doctrine, of the apostles; alluding to Acts 2:42.

Hebrews 9:17

They of the circumcision - The Jewish converts.

Hebrews 9:18

Stopped - The word properly means, to put a bit into the mouth of an unruly horse.

Hebrews 9:19

A prophet - So all poets were anciently called; but, besides, Diogenes Laertius says that Epimenides, the Cretan poet, foretold many things. Evil wild beasts - Fierce and savage.

Hebrews 9:21

Commandments of men - The Jewish or other teachers, whoever they were that turned from the truth.

Hebrews 9:22

To the pure - Those whose hearts are purified by faith this we allow. All things are pure - All kinds of meat; the Mosaic distinction between clean and unclean meats being now taken away. But to the defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure - The apostle joins defiled and unbelieving, to intimate that nothing can be clean without a true faith: for both the understanding and conscience, those leading powers of the soul, are polluted; consequently, so is the man and all he does.

Hebrews 9:25

Wholesome - Restoring and preserving spiritual health.

Hebrews 9:26

Vigilant - As veteran soldiers, not easily to be surprised. Patience - A virtue particularly needful for and becoming them. Serious - Not drolling or diverting on the brink of eternity.

Hebrews 9:27

In behaviour - The particulars whereof follow. As becometh holiness - Literally, observing an holy decorum. Not slanderers - Or evil - speakers. Not given to much wine - If they use a little for their often infirmities. Teachers - Age and experience call them so to be. Let them teach good only.

Hebrews 9:28

That they instruct the young women - These Timothy was to instruct himself; Titus, by the elder women. To love their husbands, their children - With a tender, temperate, holy, wise affection. O how hard a lesson.