PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 23
John Owen · 307,706 words · 316 reading sections
Section 121
(1.) Their daily services were two: [1.] The dressing of the lamps of the candlestick, supplying them with the holy oil, and taking care of all things necessary unto the cleansing of them, that their light might be preserved. This was done morning and evening, a continual service in all generations,—the service of the …
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VER. 6, 7.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 229 was so far from it, that any person entered with him into the most holy place, that no one was allowed to be in the other part of the sanctuary, where he might so much as see the veil opened, or look in after him whilst he performed his service, verse 17. As all the people were …
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Yea, it is most probable and almost very certain, that he entered into it four times on that day. For before he carried in the blood, he was to go in with the incense to make a cloud over the mercy- seat. And it is evident that he could not carry in the incense and the blood at the same time: for when he went in with t…
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6. The apostle declares for whom this blood was offered. And wvneiiary: this was “for himself and the people;” first for himself, meee and then for the people. For he hath respect unto the distinct sacrifices that were to be offered on that day. The first was of a bullock and a ram; which was for himself. And this arg…
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Myre reQavepacbar: Vule. Lat., “nondum propalatam esse;” made palam, “open,” “manifest.” Syr., DoT mS3nN 82, “not yet revealed.” “Manifestata,”’ “facta manifesta;” “not made evidently to appear.” Toy trav é&yloy odov. Vulg. Lat., “viam sanctorum,” “the way of the holies.” Beza, “ viam ad sacrarium,” “the way into the …
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z Tod Tvedue- ros eylov. 236 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. IX. signified that an entrance there was to be, and that with boldness, thereinto. For unto what end else did he allow and appoint that once a-year there should be an entrance into it by the high priest, in the name of and for the service of the church? But th…
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Thirdly, That which the Holy Ghost did thus signify and instruct the church in, (the rotro, “this,” in the words,) was, “that the way into the most holy place” (“the way of the holies”) “was not yet made manifest.” And for the explication hereof we must consider the things before proposed :— 1, What the apostle intend…
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The apostle by ayiwy here, div ray &y/wv, intends the same with what, verse 3, he called dyia réiv ayiav, “the holy of holies,” the second part of the sanctuary; whereinto the high priest alone could enter once a-year, as he declares ‘in the foregoing verse: only whereas he there spake of the material fabrie of the tab…
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Wherefore the plain, open manifestation of the -way into the holiest, which the apostle denies unto the church under the old testament, consists in these three things:— (1.) In the actual exhibition of Christ in the flesh, and his sacri- fice of himself, making atonement for sin; for hereby alone was the way laid open…
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Obs. IV. The design of the Holy Ghost in all the tabernacle ordi- nances and institutions of worship, was to direct the faith of be- lievers unto what was signified by them. Obs. V. Typical institutions, attended diligently unto, were suffi- - cient to direct the faith of the church unto the expectation of the real ex…
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. VER. 9, 10.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 245 cessary. And if, notwithstanding its outward excellency and glory, it was no other but what it is here declared to be, as evidently it was not, then was it not only an unreasonable thing, and a plain rejection of the wisdom and grace of God, to adhere unto it in opposition un…
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us in what he requires, what he expects from us, unto whom all — these things are unfolded, made plain and evident. 3. The third thing in the text is the time or season wherein the Bie ely xa. tabernacle was so parabolically or mystically instructive. pov cov eveoen It was cig rbv xaupdy rdv eveornxdra. Some few copie…
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And the apostle here distributes all the 5°22)P, all the “ sacred i offerings,” into dépa and Svoja¢,—that is, unbloody and Pr xa) 3 bloody sacrifices; as he did before, chap. v. 1, where the distinction hath been explained. Of them all he affirms, Wpoogépovras,— They are offered ;” not that they were so: for the apo…
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These sacrifices were impotent and ineffectual unto this end, rerciaous What the redrt/wors 1s which the apostle so frequently mentions in this epistle, I have before de- clared, and so what it is rzAed@oos. It is indeed to “ perfect,” to “ consummate,” to “sanctify,” to “ dedicate,” to “consecrate;” but whereas those …
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2. That the things instanced in do comprise a great part of the Levitical institutions; and his assertion concerning them may, by a parity of reason, be extended unto them all. For to render his description of them comprehensive, the apostle (1.) Expresseth them in a particular enumeration of the heads whereunto they m…
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Mavov. 254 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. Ix. it, whose very nature and use declared their insufficiency unto the end inquired after ;—“ [And other laws] only concerning meats and drinks, and divers washings ;” which in general he calls “ carnal rites.” Hereby is the argument in hand carried on and completed. There are…
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Thirdly, Concerning all these things it is affirmed, that they were “imposed” on the people,—éaixeiueva, There is a diffi- culty in the syntax of this word, which all interpreters take notice of. If it refers unto the substantives immediately fore- going, Sumac xa? xowaos, etc. it agrees not with them in case; if unto …
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Aropbacins. - into the worship of God;—so it was by our Saviour with respect unto pharasaical traditions: but the apostle treats here of the wor- ship itself as it was first instituted by God, without respect unto any such abuses. This was not the object of any just correction. The time intended is sufficiently know…
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Aid pesiGovos nol rersiorépas oxnvng. Vulg. Lat., “ per amplius et perfectius tabernaculum;” barbarously for “majus et prastantius.” Syr., 82° rrpwind by s2>¥21, “ and he entered into that great and perfect tabernacle.” ca Ov ravens ris xrlsews. Vulg. Lat., “non hujus creationis.” Syr., 727 79 SO™2> “of” or “from amon…
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VER. 11.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 261 of Christ is declarative of the accomplishment of them. Where- fore by calling him by this name, as it was most proper when he was to speak of his coming, so in it he minds the Hebrews of what was the ancient faith of their church concerning him, and what in general they expected …
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1, This confines the relation of the priesthood of Christ in this’ place unto the effects of tt only, and excludes the consideration of his sacerdotal actings in the great sacrifice of himself; for this was VER. 11.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 263 not now to come, but was already past and accomplished. But this is so fa…
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Obs. II. These things alone are absolutely good unto the church; s VER. 11.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 265 all other things are good or evil as they are used or abused.—Out- ward peace and prosperity are good in themselves, but oftentimes they prove not so to the church. Many a time have they been abused unto its grea…
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2. This tabernacle, whereby he came a high priest, was his own human nature. The bodies of men are often called their taber- nacles, 2 Cor. v. 1; 2 Pet. i. 14 And Christ called his own body the temple, John i.19. His flesh was the veil, Heb. x. 20. And in his incarnation he is said to “ pitch his tabernacle among us,” …
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(2.) He describes this tabernacle by a double negation: [1.] That it was “not made with hands.” [2.] That it was “not of this building.” And this latter clause is generally taken to be exegetical of the former only, and that because of its introduction by rour’ Zorn, “that is to say.” I shall consider both :— [1.] It …
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This is that which the apostle intimates: Whereas Solomon openly affirms that the habitation of God could not be in the temple that he had built, because it was made with hands, and it is a prin- ciple of natural light, that he who made the world and all things contained therein could not dwell in such a temple; and wh…
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. Ver. 12.—Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the [most | holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. In this verse there is a direct entrance into the great mystery of, the sacerdotal actings of Christ, especially as unto the sacrifice he offered to make atoneme…
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The design of this whole discourse is to overthrow the nature of the sacrifice of Christ, and to destroy all the real similitude between it and the sacrifice of the high priest; the whole of its sophistry be- ° ing animated by a fancied signification of the preposition “ per,” or falsely-pretended reason of the use of …
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276 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [ CHAP. IX. infra ver. 14, dicitur, seipsum, non vero sanguinem suum Deo obtulisse; licet alias comparatio cum sacrificiis expiatoriis postulare videretur, ut hoc posterius potius doceretur.” 1. Here they fully declare, that, according to their notion, there was indeed no manner of similitude…
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These glosses being removed, I shall proceed unto the exposition of the words. _ The apostle hath a double design in this verse and those two that follow: 1. To declare the dignity of the person of Christ in the discharge of his priestly office above the high priest of old. And this he doth, (1.) From the ewcellency o…
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Tpéyos is a “goat;” a word that expresseth “totum genus ca- prinum,’—that whole kind of creature, be it young or old. So the goats of his offering were ‘TY, “kids,” verse 5; that is, young he- goats, for the precise time of their age is not determined. So the bullock the priest offered for himself was 15, “juvencus ex …
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_ Three things must be inquired into, with what brevity we can, for the explication of these words: (1.) What is “redemption ;” (2.) Why is this redemption called “ eternal ;” (3.) How Christ “ obtained” tt. (1.) All redemption respects a state of bondage and captivity, with all the events that do attend it. The objec…
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From hence it is evident that four things are required unto that redemption which is a deliverance by price or ransom from this state. For, [1.] It must be by such a ransom as whereby the guilt of sin as exprated; which was the meritorious cause of our captivity. Hence it is called “the redemption of transgressions,” v…
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Obs. VI. The nature of our redemption, the way of its procure- ment, with the duties required of us with respect thereunto, are greatly to be considered by us. VERSES 13, 14. ~ There is in these verses an argument and comparison. But the comparison is such, as that the ground of it is laid in the relation of the com…
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From these suppositions the argument is firm and stable; and there are two parts of it: 1. That as the ordinances of old, being carnal, had an efficacy unto their proper end, to purify the unclean as to the flesh; so the sacrifice of Christ hath a certain efficacy unto its proper end, namely, the “purging of our consci…
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bs + es if ¢ VER. 18, 14.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 289 ’ all the particulars wherein there was a representation of the sacrifice of Christ and the purging virtue of it in this ordinance; yet the mention of some of them is of use unto the explication of the apostle’s general design: as,— (1.) It was to be a red heif…
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These and many others were excluded from an interest in the solemn worship of God, upon ceremonial defilements. And some vehemently contend that none were so excluded for moral defile- : , KExoivamevous. VER. 13, 14. ] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 291 ments; and it may be it is true, for the matter is dubious. But * tha…
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Ver 14.—How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purify your { ” conscience from dead works to serve the living God! This verse contains the inference or argument of the apostle from \ VER. 13, 14.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 293 the preceding propo…
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Secondly, We must consider the things themselves. First, The subject spoken of, and whereunto the effect mentioned _ is ascribed, is “ the blood of Christ.” The person unto evs *’ whom these things relate is Christ. I have given an account before, on sundry occasions, of the great variety used by the apostle in this…
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Nae Christ. And two things are to be inquired hereon: / 7 @""" “1, What is meant by “the blood of Christ.” 2. How this effect was wrought by it. First, It is not only that material blood which he shed, absolutely considered, that is here and elsewhere called “ the blood of Christ,” when the work of our redemption is …
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The Socinian expositor on this place endeavours, by a long per- plexed discourse, to evade the force of this testimony, wherein the expiation of sin is directly assigned unto the blood of Christ. His pretence is to show how many ways it may be so; but his design is to prove that really it can be so by none at all; for …
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Eavroy xpoo~ hyeyne. 300 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [ CHAP. IX, Lord Christ, as the high priest of the church, wherein, according unto the will of God, and what was required of him by virtue of the eternal compact between the Father and him concerning the redemption of the church, he gave up himself, in the way of most pro…
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(5.) It offers violence unto the text. For herein Christ’s offering of himself is expressive of the way whereby his blood purgeth our consciences; which in their sense is excluded. But we may observe, unto our purpose,— Obs. 1V. This was the greatest expression of the inexpressible love of Christ; “ he offered himself…
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3. How he offered himself is also expressed; it was “by the eternal Spirit.” “By,” dé It denotes a concurrent te operation, when one works with another. Nor doth it a always denote a subservient, instrumental cause, but sometimes that which is principally efficient, John i. 3; Rom. xi 36; Heb. i. 2. So it doth here; th…
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I shall not positively determine on either of these senses unto the exclusion of the other. The latter hath much of spiritual light and comfort in it on many accounts; but yet I must acknowledge that there are two considerations that peculiarly urge the former inter- pretation :— (1.) The most, and most ancient copies…
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-eternal Spirit of Christ in the offering of himself, of the holy exer- cise of all grace in the human nature that was offered, of the nattire, dignity, and efficacy of this sacrifice, faith finds life, food, and re- freshment. Herein doth it contemplate the wisdom, the righteous- ness, the holiness, and grace of God; …
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4, This stipulation and engagement of his, God accepteth of, and withal, as the sovereign lord and ruler of all, prescribeth the way and means whereby he should make atonement for sin, and recon- ciliation with God thereon. And this was, that “he should make his soul an offering for sin,” and therein “bear their iniqui…
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(2.) Respect is had herein unto the generality of the Hebrews, whether already professing the gospel or now invited unto it. And he proposeth this unto them as the advantage they should be made partakers of, by the relinquishment of Mosaical ceremonies, and be- taking themselves unto the faith of the gospel. For wherea…
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Thirdly, This being the state of our conscience, this being the _ respect of dead works and their defilement to it and us, we may consider the relief that is necessary in this case, and what that is which is here proposed :— Unto a complete relief in this condition, two things are neces- sary :— . 1. A discharge of c…
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The first, they say, hath therein respect unto the blood of Christ, in that thereby his doctrine was confirmed, in obedience whereunto _ we forsake sin, and purge our minds from it. The latter also relates _ thereunto, in that the sufferings of Christ were antecedent unto his exaltation and power in heaven. Wherefore …
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Thirdly, What is required on our part hereunto is included in the manner of the expression of it, E/s rd Aurpebes,— “that we may serve.’ And two things are required hereunto: 1. Liberty; 2. Ability. The first includes right and bold- ness, and is expressed by rapfnofa: our holy worship is rpocayay7 ev wappnoia,—* an ac…
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Ver. 15——<And for this cause he is the mediator of the ? new testament, that by means of death, for the re- demption of the transgressions under the first testa- ment, they who are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. The things which are to be considered in this verse are, 1. The note of connectio…
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2. There was a promise and conveyance of an inheritance unto - ment; as much as “also, VER. 15.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 321 them, namely, of the land of Canaan, with all the privileges of it. God declared that the land was his, and that he gave it unto them for an inheritance. And this promise or grant was made unt…
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1 God designed unto some an “eternal inheritance.” ae ae And both the reason of this grant with the nature of it must be inquired into:— (1.) As unto the reason of it: God in our first creation gave unto man, whom he made his son and heir, as unto things here below, a great inheritance, of mere grace and bounty. This …
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(1.) The “promise” principally intended is that which was given unto Abraham, and confirmed by the oath of God: for the inherit- ance, that is, the eternal inheritance, was of the promise, Gal. iii. 18, namely, that in the seed of Abraham all nations should be blessed. It includes, indeed, the first promise, made unto …
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Obs. II. All our interest in the gospel inheritance depends on our receiving the promise by faith—Though it be prepared in the counsel of God, though it be proposed unto us in the dispensation of the gospel, yet, unless we receive the promise of it by faith, we have no right or title unto it. Obs. III. The conveyance …
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Ans. The emphasis of the expression, “sins under the old testa- ment,” respects either the tvme when the sins intended were com- mitted, or the testament against which they were committed. And the preposition éa/ will admit of either sense. Take it in the first way, and the argument follows “a fortiori,” as unto the si…
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500 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. IX. (3.) Whereas the apostle mentions only the sins under the first covenant, as unto the time past before the exhibition of Christ in the flesh, or the death of the mediator of the new testament, what is to be thought of them who lived during that season who be- longed not unto the cov…
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(1.) The first covenant of works was broken and disannulled, be- cause it had no mediator. (2.) The covenant at Sinat had no such mediator as could ex- piate sin. Hence,— (8.) Both of them became means of death and condemnation. (4.) God saw that, in the making of the new covenant, it was ne- cessary to put all thin…
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334 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [ CHAP. Ix. Besides the particular observations which we have made on the several passages of this verse, something may yet in general be ob- served from it; as,— Obs. VIII. A new testament providing an eternal inheritance in sovereign grace; the constitution of a mediator, such a mediator, f…
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ose the phrase “ covenanting party.” But from this translation results another difficulty; the death of a covenanting party dissolves rather than confirms a covenant. Ebrard’s solution of this difficulty is ingenious: “The man who will enter into a covenant with God is a sinner, and as such incapable of entering into f…
1,084 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical edition (19th century); 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.