PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 20
John Owen · 308,868 words · 307 reading sections
Section 241
VIII. All the power of Satan in the world over any of the sons of men is founded in sin and the guilt of death attending it. Death entered by sin; the guilt of sin brought it in. Herewith comes in Satan’s interest, without which he could have no more to do in the earth than he hath in heaven. And according as sin aboun…
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The Socinians give us another exposition of these words, as know- ing that insisted on to be no less destructive of their error than the death of Christ is of the power of the devil. The reason hereof, saith Schlichtingius, is, “Quia per mortem Christus adeptus est supre- mam potestatem in omnia; qua omnes inimicos suo…
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VERSE 16. Having asserted the incarnation of the Lord Christ, the captain of our salvation, and showed the necessity of it, from the ends which were to be accomplished by it, and therein given the reason of his concession that he was for a season made less than the angels, the apostle proceeds in this verse to confirm…
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Some, then, take the meaning of this expression to be, that the Lord Christ, by his participation of flesh and blood, brought help and relief, not unto angels, but unto men, the seed of Abraham. And they suppose to this purpose, that ériAuuCdveras is put for carnapedvercs,—“ to help, to succour, to relieve, to vindicat…
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The context, therefore, not answering their occasion, they betake themselves to the words: “ Verbum zw”AapCdveros,” saith he, “sig- nificat proprie, manu aliquem apprehendere; sive ut illum aliquo ducas, sive ut sustentes; hinc ad opitulationem significandum com- modé transfertur; quos enim adjutos volumus ne cadant, v…
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Thirdly, “The apostle,” he saith, “ showeth, verse 17, that Christ ought in all things to be made like unto us, by this reason, ‘ Quod non assumpsit angelos, sed semen Abrahe.’ But if this be to take on him the nature of man, he comes to prove the same thing by the same; for to be made like unto us, and to assume human…
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462 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [ CHAP. IT. prevented its proper personality. Neither, 7. Did hence any mix- ture or confusion of natures ensue, or of the essential properties of them; for he took the seed of Abraham to be his human nature, which if mixed with the divine it could not be. And this he hath done, 8. Inseparably…
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464 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. IL nt 52 02), “and shall give thee tender mercy” (“ bowels of compassion ”), is i Rn by Ben Uzziel, pba arom qann ysby 2", “and shall wax hot towards you with compassion, and shall have compassion on you,”—*‘ He shall be warmed and moved with compassion towards you.’ In like manner is t…
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Ver. 17, 18.—Wherefore [hence] it behoved him to [it was meet he should | be made like unto his [the] brethren in all things [every manner of way], that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the things of [ pertaining unto] God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that [whereas] he ha…
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(1.) He was made like unto them in the essence of human nature, a rational spiritual soul, and a mortal body, quickened by its union therewithal. This it was necessary he should be like the brethren in, and not have a fantastical body, or a body animated by the Deity, as some have fancied of old. But that he should tak…
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VER. 17, 18.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 469 more required, that he might be a high priest, but that he should partake of our nature; but that he might be merciful and faithful, with that kind of mercy and faithfulness which the brethren stood in need of, it was moreover required that he should suffer and be tempted: whi…
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VER. 17, 18.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 471 Before we proceed unto the explication of the remaining passages of these verses, what offers itself from what hath been already dis- coursed unto our instruction, may be observed; as,— I. The promised Messiah was to be the great high priest of the people of God. This the ap…
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III. Such was the unspeakable love of Christ unto the brethren, that he would refuse nothing, no condition, that was needful to fit him for the discharge of the work which he had undertaken for them. ‘hy Their high priest he must be; this he could not unless he were made like unto them in all things. He knew what this…
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[2.] The action ascribed unto him is expressed in these words, ina Eig +d ikcdonsodas vas cmuprias, Which want not their Hi eat difficulty, the construction of the verb being inconsistent with its native and proper signification. ‘IAdéoxojas is pro- perly and usually, in all writers, sacred and others, to “appease,” …
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(8dly.). The Jews, to whom Paul wrote, knew that the principal work of the high priest was to make atonement with God for sin, whereof their expiation and freedom from it were a consequent; and therefore they understood this act and duty accordingly, it being the usual expression of it that the apostle applies unto it.…
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(3.) Satan had a principal hand in the temptations wherein he — suffered. He set upon him in the entrance of his ministry, immedi- — ately in his own person, and followed him in the whole course of it by the instruments that he set on work. He had also a season, an hour of darkness, allowed unto him, when he was to try…
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[2.] His heart is hereby inclined to compassion, and acquainted with what it is that will afford relief. In his throne of eternal peace and glory, he sees his poor brethren labouring im that storm which with so much travail of soul himself passed through, and is inti- mately affected with their condition.. Thus Moses s…
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3. It was so on the part of God also; for herein principally had he designed to manifest his righteousness, grace, love, and wis- dom, wherein he will be glorified: Rom. ii. 25, “ He set him forth to be a propitiation, to declare his righteousness.” The righteousness of God was most eminently glorified in the reconcili…
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(2.) They who would come unto God by Christ may see what in the first place they are to look after. Indeed, if they are once brought into that condition wherein they will seriously look after him, they will not be able to look from it, though for a while it may be they will be unwilling to look unto it. Reconciliation …
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486 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [ CHAP. II. high priest to transact all our affairs with God, he would be sensible of that condition in his own person which he was afterwards to pre- sent unto God for relief to be afforded unto it. IIL. Temptations cast souls into danger. They have need under them of relief and succour. Th…
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488 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. ILE. 3. Especial reasons relating unto his general argument, taken from express testimonies of Scripture, verse 7-11, and the dealings of God towards others failing in the duty exhorted unto; which he pursues at large in the next chapter. The whole, therefore, of this chapter is a pathe…
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To roijourrs aire, “facienti ipsum,” “ ei qui fecit ipsum,’—“to him that made him.” Some Socinians from these words would’prove that Christ is a mere crea- ture, because God is said to make him. But it is not of the essence or nature of Christ that the apostle treateth, as Schlichtingius himself acknowledgeth, but of h…
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Secondly, In the manner of his pressing his exhortation two things oceur:—I1 His compellation of them, in these words, “ Holy brethren.” 2. His description of them by one property or privilege, “ Partakers of the heavenly calling.” 492 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [ CHAP. IIE. 1. In the former, two things also are observable…
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2. He describes them from their calling, Kajcews eroupaviou [ETON Obe This is usual with our apostle: “Called to be saints”— “Sanctified in Christ Jesus.” And this calling or voca- tion he first describes by its quality; it is “heavenly,” or “super-celestial;” or, as elsewhere, “the calling that is from above:” and the…
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496 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. III, false apostles, raised their attention, prepared them every way for instruction, and won them over to Christ. Blessed Jesus! what cause have we to mourn when we consider the pride, covetousness, ambition, wrath, negligence, self-seeking, and contempt of thy flock, which are found a…
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VI. The effectual heavenly vocation of believers is their great “privilege, wherein they have cause to rejoice, and which always ought to mind them of their duty unto Him that hath called them. For these two ends doth the apostle mind the Hebrews of their participation in the heavenly calling ;—first, That they might …
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VII. The spiritual mysteries of the gospel, especially those which concern the person and offices of Christ, require deep, diligent, and attentive consideration. This is that which the Hebrews are here exhorted unto: Karavo7y- ours, “ Consider attentively,” or “diligently.” This is assigned as one means of the convers…
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istical notes of the Messiah. He is one sent of God upon his great errand unto the children of men, his apostle, Speaking of himself by his Spirit, Isa. xlviii. 16, he saith, iN) any myn}, ‘II, —“ The Lord Gop, and his Spirit, hath sent me;” and again, chap. Ixi, 1, ynw-nim ——“ The Lorp hath sent me,” namely, according…
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2. Hereunto is added the “high priest ;’—both in one, as the king- dom and priesthood are also promised, Zech. vi. 13. Both the Hebrews and we are now to look for all in him. These offices of old were in several persons. Moses was the apostle, or ambassador of God, to declare his will and law unto the people; and Aaron…
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VER. 1, 2.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS, 505 God, in the Revelation, was of so great concernment that “no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth,” that is, no crea- ture, “was able to open it, or look thereon,” Rev. v. 3, until the Lamb himself undertook it, verses 6-8, how much less was any creature meet or …
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the Son there is full and plenary satisfaction tendered unto us that the whole counsel of God was originally known unto him; so that there is no ground of the least suspicion that there is any reserve in the counsels of God concerning us that he hath not made known. (3.) To this end also it was necessary that he shoul…
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VER. 1, 2.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 509 3 was meet to declare it. “He is our peace;” and he “came and preached peace,” Eph. ii. 14,17. And on the account of the dis- charge of this work is he called 6 Aéyos, “ the Word of God,” Rev. xix. 13, John i. 1, as by whom God was declared; and 28 Ned , Isa. Ixiii. 9, “The ang…
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VER. 1, 2.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 511 Thus they had no one that was king, priest, and prophet to the church; nor could any be so after the giving of the law, the kingdom being promised unto the tribe of Judah, and the priesthood confined to the house of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi. Neither could any typical person a…
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First, The chief qualification of an apostle or ambassador is, that he be faithful. God’s apostle is the chief steward or dispenser of his mysteries, and it is principally “required in stewards, that a man be found faithful,” 1 Cor. iv. 2. *Améororog zy o/xw, an “apostle in the house” is o/xévowog, the steward and dis…
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2. In the solemn promise made from the beginning to send him for this purpose. This gave him a virtual law-constitution, whereby he became, as its prophet, the object of the church’s faith and expectation. And this was included in the first promise, Gen. iii. 15. Darkness, blindness, and ignorance, being come upon us b…
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3. As to the comparison in these words, “as Moses,” we may con- sider,— (1.) That the apostle was now entering upon the greatest strength of the Hebrews, and that wherein they were most warily and tenderly to be dealt withal; for although they would allow that the angels were in some respect above Moses, yet they adhe…
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These are the ends for which it is here called for by the apostle. These Hebrews were yet entangled in their old Judaism, and by reason of their temptations, prejudices, and persecutions, were ready to decline from the truth. To free them from the one, and to pre- vent the other, the apostle calls them to the considera…
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520 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [omar. m1. he was the eternal Son of God, “ the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person,” by whom the worlds were made; and therefore deservedly exalted, even.as mediator, being incarnate, in- comparably above the most glorious beings of all God's creation. This he would h…
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[2.] His mercifulness, as the high priest of his church. This he had 522 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [cHaP. IIL asserted, chap. it. 17, and that upon a full and evident previous de- monstration. Consider him that isso, and as heisso. This, because of its importance, he often presseth, chap. iv. 14-16, vii. 25-28, ix. 11-14,…
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If it be yet inquired whether those who duly consider Jesus Christ may not yet mistake the truth and fall into errors? I answer, they may; but,— (1.) Not into any that are pernicious. He will assuredly pre- . serve such persons from destructive errors. As he hath not prayed that they may be taken out of the world, but…
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The spouse, in like manner, in the Canticles, giving an account of her great and incomparable love unto her beloved, manifests that it arose from the exact consideration that she had taken of his per- son and all that belonged thereunto, chap. v. 9-16. The like may be said of all other graces; and by these must we be p…
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(3.) This tends directly unto our instruction in these perilous days, such as the latter days are foretold to be. All means that ever the devil made use of from the foundation of the world, to draw off or deter men from gospel obedience, are at this day displayed. The world smiles upon apostates, and promiseth them a p…
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TIAsiovos. Vulg. Lat., “Amplioris enim glorie iste pre Moyse dignus est habitus.” Retaining the case of the Greek substantive, the Latin is corrupt, as Valla, Erasmus, and Vatablus observe. But the sense is not obscured. The Syriac renders not #Z/ares at all, but reads the words “For the glory” (or “honour”) “of this m…
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“ Dicam equidem, licet ille mihi mortemque minetur ;” “ He would speak truth, though it cost him his life.” And so weep inoley d:dévee is to give liberty of speech. Boldness and confidence absolutely is oa pfos. Ours leave Beza (which they do seldom), and render this word “ confidence.” It is used frequently in the Ne…
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532 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [ CHAP. IIT. them unto constancy and perseverance, as the verses immediately ensuing do manifest. The connection of the discourse is denoted in the first word, “for,” a causal conjunction, which sometimes renders a reason of what hath been before spoken; sometimes directs unto an inference of…
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534 ' AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. III. none but him who is God. And these take the Son to be expressed by that name, “God.” And some there are who would not have any proof to be intended in these words, but a mere illustration of what was before spoken, by a comparison between Christ and his works about his house, and…
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536 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP, III. This, then, was the glory of Moses; and if we shall add hereunto other concernments of him, they will make it the more conspicuous, Such were the care of God over him in his infancy, his miraculous call to his office, the honour he had in the world, the miracles which he wrought, a…
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Fifthly, Their especial honour will one day appear in their espe- cial reward: Dan. xii. 3, 0’?2¥87, “instructors,” “ teachers,” they that make men wise, that give them understanding, “ shall shine as the brightness of the firmament ;” 0°21] ‘P"1¥4, “ and the justifiers of many,” those that make them righteous minister…
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The glory of Christ intended the apostle sets forth under the metaphorical terms of a house, its building, and builder... The occa- sion of this metaphor he takes (as was said) from the foregoing testi- mony, wherein it is affirmed that “ Moses was faithful in the house of God.” A house is either natwral,—that is, a fa…
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Ans. To remove this difficulty, we must consider both what house it is that the apostle intends, and also what manner of building of it, in the application of his metaphor. First, For the house of God in this place, the apostle doth not intend by it the house of this or that particular age, under this or that form or …
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It is evident, then, that these three things are required to the building of the house of God, whereof these material fabrics were a type and representation. And all these were perfectly effected by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have said before, that it is not the house or church of this or that age, place, or gener…
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Secondly, The materials of the tabernacle being freely offered, were wisely framed and compacted together, and fashioned into a sanctuary for a habitation of the Lord. This was the work of Bezaleel and Aholiab, by art, wisdom, and skill. But the fashion- ing of the real spiritual house of God by Christ in all ages is a…
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And so we have briefly demonstrated the first thing cnttnleds in 9 the words, namely, that Christ was the builder of the house, whereof Moses was a part and a member only. VER. 3-6. ] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 547 2. The second thing asserted is, that the Lord Christ is worthy of all glory and honour, upon the account …
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VER. 3-6.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 549 Secondly, As to the nature of this glory, it consists in this, that he is the object of all divine religious worship, and the principal author of all the laws thereof whereby it is outwardly and solemnly celebrated or performed. Hence there is a twofold duty incumbent on the chur…
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And we may see here the difference that is between our worship of Christ the mediator, and the Papists’ worship of their saints and angels. They go first to their saints, to the blessed Virgin especially. To her they pray ;—what to do? To give them grace, merey, pardon VER. 3-6. | EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS, 551 of sins,…
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From what hath been spoken, it is evident in what sense we worship “the man Christ Jesus” with divine honour and worship, even as his human nature, by virtue of personal union, subsisteth in the person of the Son of God, which person is the proper object of our worship. To close this matter, here lies a great differen…
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3. The honour and glory of all that ever were employed, or ever shall so be, in the work and service of the house of God, jointly and severally considered, is inferior, subordinate, and subservient to the glory and honour of Jesus Christ, the chief builder of the house. He is worthy of more honour than they all. He is …
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Thirdly, It is contrary to his purpose; for whereas he doth not prove the Lord Christ to be deservedly preferred above Moses, unless he manifest that by his own power he built the house of God in such a manner as Moses was not employed in, according to this in- terpretation of the words, he here assigns the principal b…
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558 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. IIL Two things are in general contained in the words, as they report the relation of Moses to the house of God,—1. His ministry, 2.'Che end of that ministry, as was observed. 1. “Moses verily was faithful as a servant in his whole house.” The office ascribed unto him is that of a serva…
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And here the apostletakes his leave of Moses,—he treats not about him any more; and therefore he gives him as it were an honourable burial. He puts this glorious epitaph on his grave, “ Moses, a faithful servant of the Lord in his whole house.” Aarndnoo- peeve. 560 ' AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. III. Ver. 6.—“But Chr…
977 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.