PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 23
John Owen · 307,706 words · 316 reading sections
Section 241
That which they intend by his coming into the world, is what him- VER. 5-10.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 45] self constantly calleth his leaving of the world, and going out of it. See John xiii. 1, xvi. 28, xvii. 11, 18: “I leave the world; I am no more in the world, but these are inthe world.” This, therefore, cannot b…
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@vciay xah T poo Popeey. Odx thiancas. Obx eddoxnous. VER. 5-10.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 453 psalmist, as they are applied the one unto the other, yet it is evident that in both of them the full and exact meaning of both those used by the psalmist is declared; which is sufficient unto his purpose. All the difficu…
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[1.] The words are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, considered as to be incarnate for the redemption of the church. As such, he ‘was always in. the bosom of the Father, parti- cipant of his counsels, especially of those which concerned the church, the children of men, Prov. viii. 22-24, etc. He was t…
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Obs. V. The constant use of sacrifices to signify those things which they could not effect or really exhibit unto the worshippers, was a great part of the bondage that the church was kept in under the old testament.—And hereon, as those who were carnal bowed down their backs unto the burden, and their necks unto the yo…
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3. The words, therefore, in this place are the words whereby the apostle expressed the sense and meaning of the Holy Ghost in those used in the psalmist, or that which was intended in them. He did not take them from the translation of the LXX., but used them himself, to express the sense of the Hebrew text. Tor al- tho…
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There is therefore nothing remaining but that we give an exposi- tion of these words of the apostle, as they contain the sense of the Holy Ghost in the psalm. And two things we must inquire into: 1. What is meant by this “body.” 2. How God “prepared” it. 1. A “body” is here a synecdochical expression of the human i n…
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Obs. IX. Whatever God designs, appoints, and calls any unto, he will provide for them all that is needful unto the duties of obedience whereunto they are so appointed and called—aAs he prepared a body for Christ, so he will provide gifts, abilities, and faculties suit- able unto their work, for those whom he calleth un…
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[5.] This body and soul were obnoxious unto all the sorrows and sufferings which our nature is liable unto, and we had deserved, as they were penal, tending unto death. Hence was he meet to suffer in our stead the same things which we should have done. Had they been exempted by special privilege from what our nature is…
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Ver. 6, 7—“ In burnt-offerings and [sacrifices] for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God.” Two things are asserted in the foregoing verse in general: 1. The rejection of sacrifices for the end of the complete expiation of sin; 2. T…
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Obxz ebdoxnous. ‘the apostle. There are two reasons of this seeming repetition, “Thou wouldest not,’ ‘“‘ Thou hadst no pleasure:” 1. A repetition of the same words, or words almost of the same signification, about the same subject,.sig- nifies the determinate certainty of the removal of these sacrifices, with the dis…
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did Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in infinite wisdom, love, and grace, interpose himself in our behalf, in our stead, to do, answer, and perform, all that God, in infinite wisdom, holiness, and righte- ousness, required unto that end. And we may observe, that— Obs. XIV. There is a signal glory put upon the undertaking…
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¢ VER. 5-10.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 471 plished, God had hid in his own bosom from the beginning of the world, Eph. iii. 8, 9; so as that it was beyond the wisdom and indagation of all angels and men to make a discovery of. How- beit, even from the beginning he declared that such a work he had graciously designed; …
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(1.) David is not at all intended in these words of the psalmist, any otherwise but as he was the penman of the Holy Ghost, and a type of Christ, on which account he speaks in his name, They are the words of Christ, which David was inspired by the Holy Ghost to declare and utter. Neither would David speak these words c…
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Ver. 8-10.—* Above when he said, Sacrifice, and offering, and burnt-offerings, and [offerings] for sin, thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure [therein]; (which are offered by. the law;) then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we a…
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[2.] The end of this removal of the “ first,” was “the establishment of the second.” ‘This “second,” say some, is the will of God; but the opposition made before is not between the will of God and the legal sacrifices, but between those sacrifices and the coming of Christ to do the will of God. Wherefore it is the way …
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The designation of such a state for the church, and the present VER, 5-10.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 479 introduction of it by the preaching of the gospel, is that whose con- firmation the apostle principally designs in this whole discourse; the sum whereof he gives us, chap. xi. 40, “ God having provided some better …
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This “ offering of the body of Jesus Christ” is the glorious centre . VER. 11-14. ] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. R-0481 of all the counsels of the wisdom of God, of all the purposes of his will for the sanctification of the church. For, (1.) No other way or means could effect it: (2.) This will do it infallibly; for Chris…
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First, The introduction is by xa/, mostly a copulative, sometimes © redditive, as it is here taken by us and rendered. In this latter way it gives a further reason of what was be- fore declared of the efficacy of the sacrifice of Christ, by a compa- rison of it with those of the priests, which were often repeated. In t…
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Fourthly, In the last place, the apostle passeth that sentence con- cerning them all, whose truth he had before sufficiently confirmed, “They cannot,” they never could, “take away sins.” They could not wepieAciy, “ take them out of the way;” that is, absolutely, perfectly, as the word denotes. They could not do it befo…
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Fourthly, The consequent hereof on the part of Christ is twofold : 1. What immediately ensued on this offering of his body, verse 12; 2. What continueth to be his state with respect thereunto, verse 13: both of them evidencing God’s high approbation and acceptance of his person, and what he had done; as also the glory …
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After our Lord Christ left this world, there was a mighty contest between the dying apostate church of the Jews and the rising gos- pel church of believers. The Jews boasted of their success, in that by fraud and cruelty they had destroyed him as a malefactor; the apostles and the church with them gave testimony unto h…
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The things which rise up ia enmity and opposition to him and the work of his grace, are, sin, death, the grave, and hell, All these endeavour to obstruct and frustrate all the ends of Christ's mediation, and are therein his enemies. (2.) There is the disposal of this subject, of these enemies of Christ. They shall be …
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Obs. VI. The Lord Christ, in his ineffable love and grace, put himself between us and all our enemies; and took into his breast ‘all their swords, wherewith they were armed against us: so they are his enemies. Obs. VII. The Lord Christ, by the offering of himself, making peace with God, ruined all the enmity against …
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Obs. XII. There was a glorious efficacy in the one offering of Christ. Obs. XIII. The end of it must be effectually accomplished. to- ¢ TertAcinxey, ‘\ 494 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. x. wards all for whom it was offered; or else it is inferior unto the legal sacrifices, for they attained their proper end. Obs. X…
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Maprupes. 496 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. X. that place: ‘This is that which the Holy Ghost in the Scripture testifies unto us all; which should put an end unto all controversies about these things. Nothing else is taught you but what is testified beforehand by God himself.’ Obs. I. It is the authority of the Holy G…
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Ver. 19-23.—Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and [having] an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart, in aaa assurance of faith, hav…
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Oz». 500 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. x: (1.) It would insensibly weaken their faith in Christ, and give them a disregard of evangelical worship; which did indeed prove unto many of them a cause of that apostasy and final destruction which he so frequently warns them against. (2.) Whereas God had determined now speed…
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matter: [1.] A legal prohibition from entering into the holy place; whereon they had no liberty or freedom so to do, be- cause they were forbidden on several penalties; [2.] Dread and fear, which deprived them of all boldness or holy confidence in their approaches unto God: therefore the apostle expresseth the contrary…
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(2.) It is the cause of it with respect unto the consciences of be- hevers, in the application of vt unto their souls. There are not only all the hinderances mentioned, on the part of God, lying in the way of our access unto him, but also the consciences of men, from a sense of the guilt of sin, were filled with fear a…
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(2.) Zéouy, it is “living.” This epithet is placed by apposition, without any note of distinction or conjunction. And it is said to be living, [1.] In opposition unto the way into the holiest under the tabernacle, which was, 1st. By death. Nothing could be done in it without the blood of the sacrifices. 2dly. It was th…
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This is the first encouragement unto the duty exhorted unto, from the benefit and privilege we have by the blood of Christ. Another to the same purpose follows. Ver. 21.—“ And [having] a great high priest over the house of God.” “Having,” is understood from verse 19 ;—the word whereby the apostle expresseth our relat…
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Ver. 22.—“ Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” The duty is here expressed whereunto these encouragements and privileges do direct and lead. And this duty is described, 1. By the nature of it; “Let u…
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(2.) As unto this access unto God by Christ, the apostle requires that there be “a full assurance of faith.” Many have disputed "AAnbiwis zapdias. VER. 19-23. ] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 511 wherein this assurance of faith doth consist, what it is that belongs thereunto, We must consider the design of the apostle and …
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VER, 19-23, ] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 513 And this is the first thing in particular, namely, the way or means of the removal of this evil conscience; which is by .,.., L sprinkling of owr hearts, The expression is taken ya i sa from the sprinkling of blood upon the offering of the *s- sacrifices, Exod. xxix. 16, 21; L…
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Ver. 23.—“ Let us hold fast the profession of [owr] faith without wavering; (for he [7s] faithful that promised.)” This is the second exhortation which the apostle educeth by way of inference from the principles of truth which he had before de- clared and confirmed. And it is the substance or end of the whole pareneti…
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2. What is it to “hold fast this profession?” The words we so render are xariyw, xparéw, and sometimes éyw singly, as 1 Thess. v.21. Karéyw and xpuréw are indefinitely used to this end, Heb. iil. 6, iv. 14; Rev. 11. 25, ii. 11. So that which is here xaréyamev Thy djworoyicy, IS xpardipmer rig omoroyins, chap. iv. 14, …
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This, therefore, is the sense of the apostle’s reason unto the end he aims at: ‘ Consider,’ saith he, ‘the promises of the gospel, their incomparable greatness and glory: in their enjoyment consists our eternal blessedness; and they will all of them be in all things ac- complished towards those who hold fast their prof…
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Obs. I. The mutual watch of Christians, in the particular societies whereof they are members, is a duty necessary unto the preservation of the profession of the faith. Obs. II. A due consideration of the circumstances, abilities, temp- tations, and opportunities for duties, in one another, is required hereunto. Obs. …
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[2.] Spiritual sloth, with the occasions of this life, is the cause in many of this sinful neglect. Other things will offer themselves in competition with the diligent attendance unto these assemblies. If men stir not up themselves, and shake off the weight that lies — upon them, they will fall under a woful neglect as…
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The nature of this mutual exhortation among Christian believers in church societies hath been discoursed on chap. iii. Here it is opposed unto the evil dehorted from, “ Forsake not, ...... but exhort one another.” Wherefore it is comprehensive of the general nature of all the duties of believers in church societies, an…
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But it may be said, ‘How should the approach of this day, — wherein all things seem to be dissolved, the church to be scattered, the whole nation to be consumed with blood and fire, be a motive unto redoubled diligence in attendance unto the duties of Christian assemblies? It should now seem rather to have been a time …
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Obs. 1X. If men will shut their eyes against evident signs and — tokens of approaching judgments, they will never stir up themselves nor engage into the due performance of present duties. . Obs. X. In the approach of great and final judgments, God by his — word and providence gives such intimations of their coming as …
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*Exoucius. without an internal rejection of the gospel; (3.) Not through dark- ness, ignorance making an impression for a season on the minds — and reasonings of men: which things, though exceedingly evil and dangerous, may befall them who yet contract not the guilt of this crime, : done éxovo/us, “ willingly;’,as,…
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1. Whether this commination may be extended to all ages, times, and seasons? or whether it were confined unto the present state of the Hebrews, with the circumstances they were in? The reasons of the inquiry are, (1.) Because their circumstances were eminently peculiar, and such as cannot befall others in any season. (…
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Obs. V. There is an inseparable concatenation between apostasy and eternal ruin. i Obs. VI. God oftentimes visits the minds of cursed apostates'’ with dreadful expectations of approaching wrath. Obs. VII. When men have hardened themselves in sin, no fear of punishment will either rouse or stir them up to seek after r…
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[1.] It “shall” do so; it is not yet come to the effect, it is futwre. Hence many of them despised it, as that which would never be, 2 Pet. ii. 3-6.. But there are three things intimated in this word: Isé. That it is “in procinctu,” im readit- ness; not yet come, but ready to come: so is the word used to ex- press that…
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ness, all hopes, comforts, and relief at once; but it shall not at once utterly consume their being. This is that which this fire shall eter- nally prey upon, and never utterly consume, But if we make the application of it unto the temporal destruction that came upon them, the similitude holds throughout, for it utterl…
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SECONDLY, The punishment of this sin, or of him that was guilty of it, was, that “he died without mercy.” He “died,” —that is, he was put to death; not. always, it may be, “ de facto,” but such was: the constitution of the law, he was to be put to death without mercy. There were several ways of inflicting capital punis…
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First, We shall therefore consider it in its nature and distinct ageravations. The ait in general is that which we have spoken to before, namely, sinning wilfully, after we have received the knowledge of the truth, and ‘in an absolutely total relinquishment and rejection of the gospel. 1. In the description of the sp…
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diabiixns. of the covenant.” And that included in it, is the frame Kowsy 4yn- of their minds in that opposition, “they counted it an io ke unholy thing;” both which have a third aggravation from the use and efficacy of that blood,—it is that “wherein he was sanctified.” For the first, in what sense the blood of Chris…
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VOL, XXUI. 35 Ey @ nye agen. 546 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. X. in or whereby he was sanctified, and dedicated unto God as the eter- nal high priest of the church, this they esteemed “an unholy thing;” that is, such as would have no such effect as to consecrate him unto God and his office. Obs, VII. However men may…
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_ SxEconpiy, Hence, therefore, the apostle proposeth it unto the judgment of the Hebrews, “of how much sorer punish- ment ” they suppose a sinner guilty of this sin shall be judged worthy, above what was inflicted on the wilful transgressor of the law. And there is included herein, 1. That such a sinner shall be punish…
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Obs. XVII. It is our duty to justify and bear witness unto God in the righteousness of his judgments against gospel-despisers. VERSES 30, 31. Oviapev yep viv cixbyra, “Emo éxdiunors, eyo dvramoddow, Aéyer Kipiog. Kai rédw, Kipios xpive? rov Awdy abrod. DoCepdy rd euarecsiy cig xelpas Ocod Caivros. Ver. 30, 31.—For w…
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Secondly, This consideration is confirmed by a double testimony, wherein God assumeth unto himself that which will give assurance of the punishment of apostates. And we may consider, concerning these testimonies, 1. The apostle’s application of them unto his pur- pose; 2. The force that is in them unto that end. 1. Th…
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This being so, God having said that vengeance belongeth unto him, and that it is due unto provoking sins and sinners; , that it is in his power, and his alone, to inflict it when and how he pleaseth, and that he will certainly do so,—in the as- surance whereof the apostle adds that word, “saith the Lord,” he will repay…
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Obs. VI. This name, “the living God,” is full of terror or comfort unto the souls of men. Secondly, The event. of the sin spoken against, as unto its penne with respect unto God, is called “ falling into his hands.” The assertion is general, but is particularly applied unto this case by the apostle. To “ fall into the…
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Ver, 32-34.—But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; partly whilst ye were made a gazing-stock, both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and…
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"Ey ais Qucic- Sévees. 560 AN EXPOSITION OF THE ' [CHaP. x. shining into their hearts is this illumination,—the saving, sanctifying light which they received at their first effectual call, and conversion to God. This spiritual change was presently followed with days of affliction, trouble, and persecution. In itself …
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2. Of these trials, afflictions, persecutions, they had woaajy ddanonv. That labour and contention of spirit which they had in their profession, with sin and sufferings, is expressed by nS these words; which set forth the greatest, most earnest, vehement actings and endeavours of spirit that our nature can arise VOL. …
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1. What refers unto the first part is their suffering in their own persons; and herein he declares both what they suffered, and the manner how. That which they suffered was “ reproaches and afilic- tions;” and for the manner of it, “they were made a gazing-stock” unto other men. (L.) The first thing wherein they suffe…
932 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.