There are only two questions of real importance — the canonicity of the Epistle, and its Author. As to the first, it has never been doubted except by some of the strange heretics in the first ages. It was from the first received by the Churches, Eastern and Western, as a portion of the Inspired Volume.
The testimony of the Fathers from the earliest time is uniformly the same in this respect. And this subject occupies the largest portion of the Epistle, extending from the first chapter to the 19th verse of the tenth chapter. From that verse to the end of the Epistle, we have exhortations, warnings, examples of faith and patience, admonitions, directions, and salutations.
The parainetic or hortative, from the 19th verse of the tenth chapter to the end of the Epistle. Testament and to deny the New; the latter being most evidently the fulfillment of the former.
TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE
ROBERT EARLE OF SALISBURIE, VICOVNT
For where are the natures and offices of Christ so largely described; the doctrine of the free remission of sins in Christ’s blood better established, or faith with her effects more highly commended, than in this Epistle to the Hebrews. Now as touching the reasons, Right Honorable, that have moved me hereunto, they are briefly these; First, I was not ignorant what singular love and affection your Honor bare to the author of this Commentary for his work’s sake, whereof many also are witnesses. Unto which, if your Honor should be pleased to add a second favor in Patronizing these his labors, I thought it would be a special means to revive his memory again, now almost decayed amongst us.
Secondly, I was persuaded that if your Lordship, whom it has pleased the Almighty so highly to advance, being also a favorer and defender of the truth, and of all good causes; would permit this works to pass under your Honors protection: that it would be both better esteemed, and the more acceptably received of all. Thus in most humble manner craving pardon for my great boldness, I humbly end; beseeching the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth, to pour out the abundance of all blessings both upon you and yours in this life, and to crown your H.
TO THE READER
EPISTLE DEDICATORY
JOHN CALVIN
SIGISMUND AUGUSTUS,
And as I claim not the praise of great knowledge or of erudition, so what has been given me by the Lord for the purpose of understanding the Scripture, (since this is to glory in him,) I am not ashamed to profess; and if in this respect I have any. But on this point strange conflicts arise, while men, not only inflated with pride, but also bewitched by monstrous madness, pay less regard to the unchangeable oracles of our heavenly Master than to their own vain fictions; for whatever pretenses they may set up, who oppose us and strive to assist the Roman Antichrist, the very fountain of all the contentions, by which the Church for these thirty years has been so sorely disturbed, will be found to be, that they who seek to be deemed first among Christ’s. Ambition as well as audacity has so far prevailed, that the truth of God lies buried under innumerable lies, that all his institutions are polluted by the basest corruptions; his worship is in every part vitiated, the doctrine of faith is wholly subverted, the sacraments are adulterated, the government of the Church is turned into barbarous tyranny, the abominable sale of sacred things has been set up, the power of Christ has been abused for the purpose of sustaining the tyranny of the ungodly, and in the place of Christianity is substituted a dreadful profanation, full of the grossest mummeries of every kind.
They also adduce this as a pretext for their fierce recriminations, that we by our appeals disturb the peace of the Church. And it has hitherto happened through God’s wonderful Providence that no innocent blood has been shed in the renowned kingdom of Poland — no, not a drop, which by calling for vengeance might retard so great a benefit. Majesty, I shall at least effect this, that I shall wash away from the name of Poland the base filth of Eckius, so that it may not stick where it has been so unworthily fixed.
And we know that the prince of this world has innumerable agents who are ever ready to oppose the kingdom of Christ. Therefore, all those who undertake to promote the doctrine of salvation and the well-being of the Church must be armed with invincible firmness.
THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS
THE ARGUMENT
Besides, what is said of the practice of catechizing in the sixth chapter, does not well suit the time or age of Paul. But the design of the writer was to prove what the office of Christ is. At the end of the fourth chapter he begins to explain the priesthood of Christ, which abolishes all the ceremonies of the Law.
Then [in the seventh chapter] he returns to the priesthood; and first shows that it differed from the ancient priesthood under the Law; secondly, that it was more excellent, because it succeeded it, and was sanctioned by an oath, — because it is eternal, and remains for ever efficacious, — because he who performs its duties is superior in honor and dignity to Aaron and all the rest of the Levitical tribe; and he shows that the type which shadowed forth all things was found in the person of Melchisedec. And in order to prove more fully that the ceremonies of the Law were abrogated he mentions that the ceremonies were appointed, and also the tabernacle, for a particular end, even that they might get forth the heavenly prototype. Abraham and the Prophets; and that on the other hand all are bastards who follow not the faith of the fathers.
And this is no small commendation of the Gospel, that by it we have union and fellowship with the universal Church, which has been from the beginning of the world. The two last chapters contain various precepts as to the way in which we ought to live: their speak of hope, of bearing the cross, of perseverance, of gratitude towards God, of obedience, of mercy, of the duties of love, of chastity, and of such like things.
COMMENTARIES
EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE HEBREWS CHAPTER 1
Even Moses is to be also classed among the prophets, as he is one of the number of those who are inferior to the Son. To this I answer, that it was not the Apostle’s design to give an exact explanation of the words. And as it is composed of the faithful, each of them is called a living stone.
It was the punishment of their madness, that they were deprived of the rest promised them. To this I answer, that the Apostle speaks of the whole community rather than of individuals. Then our first business always is, to teach that Christ is the end of the Law.
For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Let us then know that the Apostle speaks generally of the truth of God, when he says, that it is living and efficacious. But as the similitude is very suitable, so it must be wisely applied to the design of the Apostle.
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. They were therefore led by the hand of the Law as a schoolmaster, that they might advance farther. The word is to be taken, as being in the neuter gender; and the Apostle explains himself by saying, of the true tabernacle.
It is a common saying that the accessory is of the same character with his principal. But into the second [went] the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and [for] the errors of the people:. But the particulars of the comparison between Christ and the ancient high priest, ought to be carefully noticed.
What then does the Apostle mean when he speaks of the purgations of the flesh. Thus the death of the testator is necessary, in order that the testament may be really consecrated.
