Ver. 2.—For if the word spoken [ pronounced] by angels was sure [steadfast], and every transgression and [ stub- born] disobedience received a just [meet, equal] retri- bution [or, recompence of reward |;
Ver. 3.— Tas nweis expevddusda rnrixavrns amerAjouvres owrnpias; Hrig apynv AaGovoa Aursiodas dice rod Kupiov, vod Thy axoVohYT WY ig Hlucs eCeCaswdy,
* Ausargourres, “si neglexerimus,” V. L., Eras., Beza, “ if we neglect;” ND22 JS, Syr., “si contemnamus,” “if we despise,” “if we care not about,” “if we take no care of.” Tyrimedrns cwrnples, “tantam salutem,” “so great salvation;” the Syriac, a little otherwise, P70 J2S F277 ps by, “ super ea ipsa que sunt vite,” “ those things which are our life;” or, as others render the words, “ eos sermones qui vivi sunt,” “those words which are living.” The former translation, taking the pro- noun in the neuter gender, and }"7 substantively, with respect unto the effects of the gospel, most suits the place. “Hris doydv raboton rwrsiobas, “ que cum primum enarrari copit,” Eras., Bez., “which when it was begun to be declared ;” and so the Syriac, “ which began to be declared,’ which was first, at first spoken, declared, pronounced.
272 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [ CHAP. II.
Ver. 3.—How shall we escape [ fly or avoid], if we neglect [not taking care about] so great salvation, which began to be [was first of all} spoken [declared] by the Lord,
and was confirmed [asswred, established] unto us by them that heard [it of him],
Ver. 4.—Suveripmaprupodyrog rot @col onwelors re nal répacs, wal moins- Aars duvdwect, xa! Tlvebmaros cyiou wepromors, narce riv adrod SEAnov.
Duveriweprvpovyros, “ contestante Deo,” V. L.; “attestante Deo,” Eras. ; “ tes- timonium illis prabente Deo,” Beza;—* God withal testifying, attesting it, giving testimony unto them.” It is doubtful whether it be the word itself or the preachers of it that God is said to give testimony unto. Syr., STS ymey Od 7D, “when God had testified unto them.” Arab., “whose truth was also proved unto us, besides the testimony of God with wonders;” separating between God’s testimony to the word and the signs and wonders that accompanied it. Tépeor, “ prodigiis,” “ portentis,” “ miraculis,”
Ver. 4,.—God bearing witness with signs and wonders | prodigies |, and divers [various] mighty works | powers], and distributions [divisions] of the Holy Ghost, accord- ing to his own will?
The design of the apostle in these three verses is to confirm and enforce the inference and exhortation laid down in the first, as that which arose from the discourses of the former chapter. The way he proceeds in for this end, is by interposing, after his-‘usual manner in this epistle, subservient motives, arguments, and considerations, tending directly to his principal end, and connatural unto the sub- ject treated on. Thus the main argument wherewith he presseth his preceding exhortation unto attendance and obedience unto the word is taken “ab incommodo,” or “ab eventu pernicioso,”’—from the pernicious end and event of their disobedience thereunto, The chief proof of this is taken from another argument, “& minori;” and that is, the confessed event of, dinetediense unto the law, verse 2. To confirm and strengthen which reasoning, he gives us a summary comparison of the law and the gospel; whence it might appear, that if a disregard unto the law was attended with a sure and sore revenge, much more must and would the neglect of the gospel be so. And this comparison on the part of the gospel is expressed, 1. In the nature of it,—it is “great salvation;” 2. The author of it,—it was “spoken by the Lord;” 3. The manner of its tradition,— being “confirmed unto us by them that heard him,” and the testi- mony given to it and them, by “signs and wonders, and distributions of the Holy Ghost:” from all which he infers his proof of the per- nicious event of disobedience unto it or disregard of it. This is the © sum of the apostle’s reasoning, which we shall further open as the words present it unto us in the text,
VER. 2-4.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 273
The first thing we meet with-in the words is his subservient argument “a minori,” verse 2, wherein three things occur :—1. The description that he gives us of the law, which he compares the gospel withal,—it was “the word spoken by angels.” 2. An adjunct of it, which ensued upon its being spoken by them,—it was “firm” or “steadfast.” 3. The event of disobedience unto it,—‘ every trans- gression” of it “and stubborn disobedience received a just recompence of reward.” How from hence he confirms his assertion of the per- nicious consequence of neglecting the gospel, we shall see afterwards,
The first thing in the words is the description of the law, by that periphrasis, ‘O Aédyos bf ayyikwvy AuAndeic, “ The word spoken” (or “pronounced”) by “angels.” Adyog is a word very variously used in the New Testament. The special senses of it we shall not need in this place to insist upon. It is here taken for a system of doctrine; and, by the addition of Awrndess, as published, preached, or declared. Thus the gospel, from the principal subject-matter of it, is called, 6 Aéyos 6 rod craupod, 1 Cor. i. 18,—the word, the doctrine, the preaching concerning the cross, or Christ crucified. So 6 Aéyos here, “ the word,” is the doctrine of the law; that is, the law itself spoken, declared, published, promul- gated. Ar cdyytiwv, “by angels;” that is, by the minis- try of angels. It is not the vojwodérnc, he from whom the law was given, that the apostle intends; but the ministerial publishers of it, by whom it was given. ‘The law was given from God, but it was given by angels, in the way and manner to be con- sidered,