PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 20
John Owen · 308,868 words · 307 reading sections
Section 181
VER. 5-9.| EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 339 in reference unto angels, with whom he is now compared by the apostle,—he was made less than the angels. This the Hebrews had seen and knew, and might from his humiliation raise an objection against what the apostle asserted about his preference above them. Wherefore he acknowled…
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Ver. 8.—The apostle having recited the testimony which he in- tends to make use of, proceeds in the eighth verse unto some such explications of it as may make it appear to be proper and suited unto the end for which it is produced by him. And they are two; —the first whereof respects the sense of the words, which expre…
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The consideration of the infinitely glorious excellencies of the nature of God, manifesting themselves in his works, doth greatly set out his condescension and grace in his regard and respect unto man- kind. This the occasion of the words, and the words themselves, do teach us. This the method of the psalmist, I say, …
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Secondly, These glorious works of God do indeed show the infi- nite glory of him that made them. This is the use that men should have made of their contemplation of them, and not have chosen them for their gods, as they did when “their foolish hearts were dark- ened,” and “they waxed vain in their imaginations.” This u…
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Secondly, His injinite self-sufficiency doth manifest itself in his works; for all these things are the absolute product of his power, and wisdom, and goodness. From the infinite stores and treasures of them did he bring them all forth. They had no previous matter whereof they were made; no reason, cause, or end was th…
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potent,” Rev. xix. 6. This himself sets forth in general, Isa. xl. 28. And to convince Job hereof, he treats with him in particular in- stances about some few of his fellow-creatures here below, in the earth and in the waters, chap. xxxviil—xli. And if the power of God in making this or that creature which we see and b…
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350 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP II. this goodness, and been but a dead lump, or mass of being. But in this great variety and diversity of things which we behold, every one hath its proper place and service, and nothing is useless, As the apostle says that it is in the several parts and members of the lesser world, man,…
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7 \ it 352 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. II. dantly shows that little weight also is to be laid on that duration which he hath here in this world, in that he takes many from the very womb, who scarce ever beheld the light, into the participation of his own eternal glory. Thirdly, This earthy, frail man hath made himse…
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VoL, XX. 23 354 AN EXPOSITION OF THE ee (o:0.0 btn they had seen with their eyes, or had been otherwise taught concern- ing his low estate and humiliation: ‘ These things,’ saith he, ‘we see, —they are evident unto us, nor can be denied whilst the gospel is acknowledged.’ Now this confession, on the evidences mention…
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356 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. II. honour, who was for a little while made lower than the angels for the suffering of death, that he by the grace of God might taste death for every man.” And the only reason of the transposition of the words consisteth in the apostle’s following the order of the things testified unto …
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But saith he, ‘This was but for a little while, during his conver- sation with us on the earth, ending at his death” The apostle knew that he had now fixed upon that which of all things the Jews most stumbled at, the low and mean and despised condition of Jesus, they having inveterate prejudicate opinions of another ma…
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3dly. The end of this his tasting of death,—it was for others; 'Yztp wavrés. Of the extent of this end of his death, expressed in that word savrés, We Shall speak afterwards; for the present we consider how he died iép, “for” them, for whom he died. ‘rap, is either “pro,” or “super,”or “supra,”—“for,” or “above,” or “o…
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(4.) And thus, we hope, our whole interpretation of these verses receives light from as well as brings some light unto the text; and 362 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. II. that we need no argument to confirm it but its own suitableness throughout to the context and design of the apostle. That wherein divers worthy expos…
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364 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. II. they are made partakers of in the person of Christ. Besides,—which is the great absurdity of this interpretation,—they all affirm that the same words are used to express and confirm things directly con- trary and adverse unto one another. For those words in the psalmist, “Thou hast …
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I. The respect, care, love, and grace of God, unto mankind, ex- pressed in the person and mediation of Jesus Christ is a matter of singular and eternal admiration. 366 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. II. We have before showed, from the words of the psalmist, that such in general is the condescension of God, to have any r…
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368 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. IL all being of grace, they leave place unto nothing but eternal admi- ration and thankfulness. Secondly, Had not God been thus mindful of man, and visited him in the person of his Son incarnate, every one partaker of that nature must have utterly perished in their lost condition, And …
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First, In that it shows that what he was to do and what he was to undergo in this work were proposed unto him, and that he will- ingly accepted of the terms and conditions of it. Ps. xl 6, God says unto him, that sacrifice and offering could not do this great VOL, XX. 24 370 AWN EXPOSITION OF THE [ CHAP. II. work,—b…
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372 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [ CHAP. II. unto us, as unto one part of our obedience: Phil. ii, 5, “ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus;” and what that mind was he declares in the ensuing verses, laying out his infinite condescension in taking our nature upon him, and submitting to all misery, reproach…
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VI. The Lord Jesus Christ in his death did undergo the penal sentence of the law, in the room and stead of them for whom he died. Death was that which, by the sentence of the law, was due unto sin and sinners. For them did Christ die, and therein tasted of the bitterness of that death which they were to have undergone…
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The proper signification of the words in this verse is much to be heeded, as that which will give us much light into the sense of the whole. Tpéwrss is “ decet,” “convenit,” “ dignum est;” “it becometh,” it is “ meet,” “ convenient, or “ just.” Tlpérov Ocois, in Plato, is rendered by Cicero, “ Deo decorum,” “that which…
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VER. 10.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 377 limited by sarnpizs. It denotes the chief or principal operator or worker of that Salvation, with especial reference unto the kingly or princely power whereunto he was advanced after his sufferings; as he is also absolutely a prince, a ruler, and the author or spring of the whole …
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2. The design of God is expressed in this whole matter, and that was, to “ bring many sons unto glory.” And herein the apostle de- clares the nature of the salvation which was to be wrought by the Messiah, about which the Jews were so greatly mistaken, and con- sequently in and about the way whereby it was to be wrough…
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(3.) He signally gave out the first promise, that great foundation of the covenant of grace; and afterwards declared, confirmed, and ratified by his oath, that covenant wherein all the means of bring- ing the elect unto glory are contained, Gen. iii. 15; Jer. xxxi. 31-34; Heb. viii. 8-12. The person of the Father is co…
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3. There is in these words intimated the principal means that God fixed on for the accomplishment of this design of his, for the bringing of many sons unto glory; it was by appointing a “captain of their salvation.” The Jews generally granted that the Messiah was to be the captain of their salvation; but misunderstandi…
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I. That the whole work of saving the sons of God, from first VER. 10.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 385 to last, their guidance and conduct through sins and sufferings unto glory, is committed unto the Lord Jesus; whence he is constantly to be eyed by believers in all the concernments of their faith, obedi- ence, and cons…
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VER. 10.] EPISTLE TO THE HUBREWS. 387 are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the Lorp on the head of them.” Many obstacles lie in their way, but they shall break through them all, because of their king and lord that goes before them. And those difficulties which in this world they meet withal, …
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But what is the end of all this obedience and suffering? death lies at the door, as the ocean whereinto all these streams do run, and seems to swallow them up, that there they are lost for ever. No; for,—[3.] This captain of our salvation is gone before us in passing through death, and entering into glory. He hath show…
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(3.) He supplies them with strength by his grace, that they may be able to pass on in their way. ‘They have much work lying before them, much to do, much to suffer, and “ without him they can do nothing,’ John xv. 5. Wherefore he watcheth over them, to “succour them that are tempted,” Heb. ii. 18, and to give out “help…
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[2.] They know also that all these enemies.set upon his person in their quarrel, and as he was the great defender of the farthful: so that although they were not conquered by their persons, yet they were conquered in their cause; and they are called in to be sharers in the victory, although they were not engaged in the…
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394 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. IL (6.) He provides a reward, a crown for them; and in the bestow- ing thereof accomplisheth this his blessed office of the captain of our salvation. He is gone before the sons into heaven, to make ready their glory, to “prepare a place for them;” and “he will come and receive them unto…
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Il. We may observe, that the Lord Jesus Christ being priest, sacrifice, and altar himself, the offering whereby he was consecrated unto the perfection and complement of his office was of necessity to be part of that work which, as our priest and mediator, he was to undergo and perform. When other typical priests were …
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398 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. II. in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake,” Phil. i. 29, 1 Pet. iv. 14-16. (3.) He hath thereby made them useful and profitable. Troubles and afflictions in-themselves and their own nature have no good in them, nor do they tend unto-any go…
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400 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. II. image of God, capable of yielding obedience unto him, according to the law concreated with him and written in his heart, which obedi- ence was his moral being for God, as he was from or of him; sup- posing that he by sin had broken this law, and so was no longer for God, according t…
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That the Son of God, who did no sin, in whom his soul was always well pleased on the account of his obedience, should suffer and die, and that a death under the sentence and curse of the law, is a great VOL, XX. 26 402 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. II. and astonishable mystery. All the saints of God admire at it, the …
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“no, we shall immediately inquire. Others grant many free acts of the mind and will of God in this matter; as, first, the creation of man in such a condition as that he should have a moral dependence on God in reference unto his ut- most erid was an effect of the sovereign pleasure, will, and wisdom of God. But on sup…
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Again, the Scripture expresseth this nature of God with reference unto sin properly, as to what we can conceive thereof in this world, and that is by his holiness, which it sets forth to be such, as that on the account thereof he can bear with no sin, nor suffer any sinner to approach unto him; that is, let no sin go u…
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VER. 10.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 407 of anger and wrath in punishment itself be denoted by these expres- sions, yet often also they denote the habitude of the nature of God in his justice towards sin. For anger in itself, being a passion and perturbation of mind, including change and weakness, cannot pro- perly be as…
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VER. 10.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 409 unconquerable apprehension of it. But these things I have handled at large elsewhere.’ And this fully discovers the vile and horrid nature of sin. “Fools,” as the wise man tells us, “make a mock of it.” Stifling for a while their natural convictions, they act as if sin were a thi…
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Ver. WI-13.—"0 rz yap ayicZanv xd of cyreCbmevor 2E Evdg archvrece OF fy airiay bm erasoxiverces BOEADods adbrods narel, Aéyovr Amayyeaw rd Svomce cov ois aDEAOIE pou, ev meow ExxAnolas Imvqow of. Kal wddw “Eya eoowen werodas ex celrgr nad adds "Idod eyw nal r& rosin a wor cOwner 6 Osés. There is no variety in the rea…
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The words contain,—First, A further description of the captain of salvation, and the sons to be brought unto glory by him, men- tioned in the verse foregoing, taken from his office and work towards them, and the effect thereof upon them, “ He that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified ;” which is the subject of the …
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414 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [omar. 11 out in the open field, to the loathing of thy person.” Thus we were, saith the apostle ; even we, who are now sanctified and cleansed by tho means which he afterwards relates. The like description he gives of this estate, 1 Cor. vi. 11, with an assertion of the same delivery from it.…
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416 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. II. to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” This it became him to do, this was the end why he did it: he sanctifieth his church that he may present it a meet bride or spouse unto him- self. The like m…
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(2.) Tf it respect a person, it may be “ex uno homine,” “ of one man;” that is, of Adam. They are all of one common root and stock, he and they came all of one, Adam. Unto him is the genea- VOL, XX, 27 "RE bvas. 418 _ AN EXPOSITION OF THE _ [CHAP. IT. logy of Christ referred by Luke. And as a common stock of our na…
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And thus this interpretation of the word will sufficiently bear the whole weight of the apostle’s argument and inferences. But if any one list to extend the word further, and to comprise in it the mani- fold relation that is between Christ and his members, I shall not contend about it. There may be in it,—J. Their bein…
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_ ashamed to be called their God.” And this distance between Christ and us, which makes his condescension so marvellous, relates unto a fourfold head :— 1. The immunity of the nature wherein he was of one with us in his person from all sin. He was made like unto us in all things, sin excepted. The nature of man in ev…
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And this is a ground of unspeakable consolation unto believers, with supportment in every condition. No unworthiness in them, no misery upon them, shall ever hinder the Lord Christ from owning them, and openly avowing them to be his brethren. He is a brother born for the day of trouble, a Redeemer for the friendless an…
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VER. 11-13.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 425 the “name” of God, and then how itis or was “declared” by Jesus Christ. This expression, the “name of God,” is variously used. Sometimes it denotes the being of God, God himself; sometimes his attributes, his excellencies or divine perfections, some one or more of them. As it …
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There are two things in the psalm and the words that manifest how much this was upon the heart of Christ. The most part of the psalm containeth the great conflict that he had with his sufferings, and the displeasure of God against sin declared therein. He is no sooner delivered from thence, but instantly he engageth in…
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And this frame of heart ought to be in them who under him are called unto this work. The work itself, we see, is noble and excel- lent,—such as the Lord Christ carried in his eye through all his suf- ferings, as that whereby they were to be rendered useful unto the glory of God and the salvation/of the souls of men. An…
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II. The Lord Christ, in all his perplexities and troubles, betook himself unto the protection of God, trusting in him. See Isa. 1. 7-9. And he always made an open profession of this trust, Imsomuch that his enemies reproached him with it in his greatest distress, Matt. xxvii. 43. But this was his course, this was his r…
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VERSES 14 15. The union of Christ and the children, in their relation unto one common root and participation of the same nature, being asserted, the apostle proceeds to declare the ends, use, and necessity of that union, in respect of the work which God had designed him unto, and the ends which he had to accomplish th…
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Ilapsernoias, we see, is rendered by interpreters “ similiter,” “ consimiliter,” * eodem modo,” “ad eandem similitudinem;” that is, dzolws, or rév ebroy tpdmoy, VOL, XX, 434 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. II. —* likewise,” or, “after the same manner.” And xapamrargotos is as much as nore weve solos, verse 17,—* every w…
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and in others that Samael would have done it; which proves that it is one and the same who by both names is intended. And hence they usually call him yw byw Eewir > ws3,—* the wicked Samael, the prince of all the devils;” and say of him, xaby Sob xmva os Sxttd,—“ Samael brought death upon all the world.” So that by thi…
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Kal drurrdéy rovrovs doo, “ Et liberaret ipsos,” “hos,” “ quotquot,”’ “ qui- cunque,’—“and free those who.” ’Azaadrru is “to dismiss,” “ discharge,” “free ;” and in the use of the word unto the accusative case of the person, the genitive of the thing is added or understood: “Arwadrrw ce rovrov,—*I free thee from this.”…
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In the first place the apostle expresseth, as by way of supposition, 1, The natural condition of the children,—that is, the children whom God designed to bring unto glory, those who were given unto Christ; they were in common “partakers of flesh and blood.” Ishall not stay to remove the conceit of some, who yet are not…
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440 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. Iz. were overthrown in battle, if they granted them peace, how they would keep it, what peace they should have with them? he answered, “Si bonam dederitis, et fidam et perpetuam; si malam, haud diutur- nam.” Whereat some in the senate stormed, as if he had threatened them with war and r…
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442 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [cuar. IL with such means of conviction as they do enjoy, and they will quickly find what a judgment there is made in their own souls con- cerning death to. come, and what effects it will produce. They will conclude that it is “the judgment of God, that they which commit sin are worthy of deat…
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He proceeds with his exceptions against the application of these words unto the incarnation of the Lord Christ; the sum whereof is, ‘That the words rapardnoiwg weréoye denote a universal conformity or specific identity between Christ and the children, not only as to the essence, but also as to all other concernments of…
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VI. That the Son of God should take part in human nature with the children is the greatest and most admirable effect of divine love, wisdom, and grace. So our apostle proposeth it, 1 Tim. iii. 16,—a mystery which the angels with all diligence desire to look into, 1 Pet. i. 11,12. See John i, 14; Isa. ix. 6; Rom. ix. 5…
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There yet remain in these verses the effects of the death of Christ: “That he might destroy sin, and deliver,” ete.; wherein we must consider,—1. Who it is that had the power of death; 2. Wherein that power of his-did consist; 3. How he was destroyed; 4. How by the death of Christ; 5. What was the delivery that was obt…
903 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical edition (1850–1870); OCR text from Internet Archive. OCR may contain scanning/transcription errors. Verify quotations against page images when precision matters.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.