[2.] This also will teach us how to use these earthly things, how dying persons should use dying creatures; that is, to use them for our present service and necessity, but not as those that look after rest or satisfaction in them, which they will not afford us, Use the world, but live on Christ.
[3.] Not to despond under a sense of our present frailty. We see what blessed relief is provided against our fainting on that account.
218 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. I.
VERSE 13.
The next verse contains the last testimony produced by the apostle for the confirmation of the pre-eminence of the Lord Christ above angels, in the words ensuing: —
Ver. 13.—Tpis rive 0: ra ayyéhow eipnué wore’ Keibou ex dsSsaw mov, ag dy 3H rods ex bpods cov Larorddsv rev roday cov
There is no difference about the reading of these words. As they are here expressed by the apostle so are they in the translation of the LXX., and the original text is exactly rendered by them.
Ver. 13.—But unto which of the angels said he at any time, Sit thou on my right hand, until 1 make [ put, place] thine enemies thy footstool [the footstool of thy feet |?
The usefulness of this testimony for the confirmation of the dig- nity aud authority of the Messiah is evidenced by the frequent quo- tation of it in the New Testament: as by our Saviour himself, Matt. xxi. 44; by Peter, Acts ii. 34, 35; and twice by our apostle, in this place and 1 Cor. xv. 25,
As the words are here used, we may consider the introduction of the testimony, and the testimony itself.
The introduction of the testimony is by way of interrogation : “ Unto which of the angels said he at any time?” And herein three things may be observed :—
1. That in the interrogation a vehement negation is included: ‘He said not at any time to any angels;’ he never spake these words or the like concerning them; there is no testimony unto that purpose recorded in the whole Book of God. The way of expres- sion puts an emphasis upon the denial. And the speaking here relates unto what is spoken in the Scripture; which is the only means of our knowledge and rule of our faith in these things.
2. That he makes application of this testimony to every angel in heaven severally considered; for whereas he had before sufficiently proved the pre-eminence of the Messiah above the angels in general, to obviate their thoughts about the especial honour and dignity of any one or more angels, or angels in a singular manner, such as indeed they conceived, he applies the present testimony to every one of them singly and individually considered: “ Unto which of the angels said he at any time?”
3. A tacit application of this testimony unto the Son, or the Messiah: ‘ Unto the angels he said not, but unto the Son he said, Sit thou on my right hand’
VER. 13.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 219
That the testimony itself doth clearly prove the intendment of the apostle, provided the words were originally spoken of him or to him unto whom they are applied, is beyond all exceptions ; for they contain an eulogium of him of whom they are spoken, and an assig- nation of honour and glory to him, beyond whatever was or can be ascribed unto any angel whatever. It remains, therefore, that this be first proved, and then the importance of the testimony is self- explained.
1. For those that believe the gospel, the authority of the Lord Christ and his apostles applying this testimony unto him is sufficient for their conviction. By our Saviour, as was observed, it is applied unto the Messiah in thesi, Matt. xxii. 42-44. And had not this been generally acknowledged by the scribes and Pharisees, and whole church of the Jews, as it had not been to his purpose to have mentioned it, so they had not been reduced unto that conviction and shame by it as they were. The apostles apply it unto the true Messiah in hypothesi; and herein doth our faith rest.
2. But a considerable part of the controversy which we have with the Jews relating much unto this 110th psalm, we must yet further clear the application of it unto the Messiah from their exceptions.
Of the Targum or Chaldee paraphrase there are two copies,—one printed in Arias’ Bible, the other in the Basle edition by Buxtorf. The title of the psalm in both of them is, xnnawn at 3° Sy,—“ A song by the hand of David,’ and the beginning of it is thus ren- dered by the former of them: “The Lord said by his Word that he would give me the kingdom, because I studied the doctrine of the law of his right hand. Wait thou until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” By the other thus: “The Lord said by his Word that he would appoint me the lord of all Israel. “But he said unto me again, Stay, for Saul, who is of the tribe of Benjamin, until he die, for a kingdom will not admit of a companion; and after that I will make thine enemies thy footstool.”
Besides what appears from other considerations, it is hence suffi- ciently evident that this Targum was made after the Jews began to be exercised in the controversy with Christians, and had learned to corrupt by their glosses all the testimonies given in the Old Testa- ment unto the Lord Christ, especially such as they found to be made use of in the New. Their corrupting of the sense of the Holy Ghost in this place by a pretended translation is openly malicious, against evident light and conviction. The psalm they own from the title to be written by David; but they would have him also to be the subject of it, to be spoken of in it. And there- fore these words, “The Lorp said unto my Lord,” they translate, “The Lord said unto me:” which assertion is contrary to the text and false in itself; for whoever was the penman of the psalm, he