_ “Ey ri day, “in aliquo vestrum,” so the Vulg. Lat. Ar.; “in ullo vestrum,” Beza, more properly; so we, “inany of you.” }>22 wI82, “in homine ex vobis,” “in a man,” “in any man of you.” Arab., “in corde ullius vestrum,” “in the heart of any of you;” taking in the word “heart” out of the next clause, which there it supplies by adding “ wickedness,” “ the wickedness of unbelief.” Kepdice rovnpd dxiorias, “cor malum incredulitatis; so the Vulg. Lat.,— “an evil heart of unbelief.” 72" 8>7 Nova 825, “cor malum quod non fidele sit,” “an evil heart that is not faithful” or “believing.” Others, “ cor malum et incredulum,” “ an evil and unbelieving heart.”
"Ey r@ droorqvast, Ar., “in discedere.” Wulg. Lat., “discedendi.” Beza, “ ut desciscatis.” Properly “descisco” is “to depart unlawfully,” “ to withdraw
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98 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. III.
wickedly;” that is, to apostatize from an engagement of duty. Syr., VET}, * and you should withdraw,” or “ draw back.”
Shapamgenees suvrovs. Vulg. Lat., “ adhortamini vosmetipsos,” “ exhort yourselves.” Hras., “ vos invicom,” to the same purpose. Beza, “ exhortamini alii alios,” “exhort one another:” as we also. Syr., 1>¥22 12 12 NPN, “ sed postu- late ab anima vestra,” “but ask” (or “ require”) “it of your soul;” thati is, of your- self. Tremel., “sed examinate vos ipsos,” “but examine yourselves;” that is, by inquiry. This expresseth somewhat another duty as to the manner of its performance, but to the same purpose.
Kal txaorny qyvepav. Arias, “per unumquemque diem.” Vulg. Lat., “per singulos dies,” “every day;” oe is, “sigillatim,” “ separately and distinctly considered.” Syr., 802 77>2, “omnibus diebus,” “ always.” Beza, “ quoti- die;” that is, as ours, e ahs cs every day.”
"Axpis ov to oncpoy xwarsiret. Vulg. Lat., “donec hodie cognominatur;” Arias, “usque quo;” Beza, “quoad dies appellatur hodiernus,’—* whilst it is called the present day,” “to-day.” N72") NDpR27 wend s2 77, “until the day which is called to-day,” or, “this day.” It is “uncertain "what day is intended by that translator. It seems to be the day of death; which answers the “ omnibus die- bus” before; that is, “ hujus vite,” “all the days of this life.”
“Tue eo) onarnpuydn ris €& yuav. Vulg. Lat., “ ut non obduretur quis ex vobis;” Beza, “ nequis ex vobis;’—“ lest any of you be hardened.” The Ethiopie adds, ‘that there be none that may say that any one of them is hardened in any sin.”
"Avary is rendered by some “deceptio,” by some “seductio,”—“a seducing deceit.” Rhemists, “ that none of you be obdurate with the fallacy of sin;” most darkly and corruptly.
Méroxor eer tov Xpiorov, “ Christi participes facti, effecti samus,” Beza; * consortes.” Syr. > qwenhs, “commixti sumus Christo,”—* we are immixed with Christ;” that is, as I suppose, “ united unto him.” Ethiop., “‘ we are as Christ.”
"Eavrep. Vulg. Lat., “si tamen;” but zép is not exceptive. Beza, “ si modo,” “if so be.” The Syriac takes no notice of it; nor we in our translation, iT7 if.”
“Apxay r9s Uroorécews. Vulg. Lat., “initium substantie ejus;” adding “ ejus” to the text and corrupting the sense. Beza, “ principium illud quo sustentamur,” —*that beginning” (or “ the beginning”) “ of that whereby we are supported.” We, “the beginning of our confidence.” Rhemists, “ yet so as if we keep the beginning of his substance firm.” Castalio, “hoc argumentum ab initio ad finem usque,”—* this argument” (or “ evidence”) “from the beginning unto the end.” Syr., “if from the beginning unto the end we abide in this firm substance” or “foundation.” Ethiop, “if we persevere to keep this new testament.” All to the same purpose.
Ver. 12-14.—Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of minbehee in departing [wickedly | from the living God. But exhort one another [your- selves| daily [every day], whilst it is called To-day ; lest any of you [among you] be hardened through the [seducing | deceitfulness of sin. For we are made par- takers of Christ, if so be we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.
In these three verses there are three things in general proposed by the apostle:—First, An exhortation unto the avoidance of an
VER. 12-14. | EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS, 99
evil, even that which it is his principal design to caution them against, and to dissuade them from, verse 12. Secondly, A pro- posal of one useful means whereby they may be assisted in its avoidance, verse 13. Thirdly, An enforcement of the exhorta- tion from that evil, and unto the use of that means, from sundry considerations, is added, verse 14.
In the First of these we may consider what is included in it, namely,—1. The dependence of this exhortation on the discourse fore- going. 2. The compellation used by the apostle in this renovation of an especial address unto the Hebrews, “ Brethren.” 3. The duty he exhorts them unto; and that, (1.) As to the act of it, “Take heed ;” (2.) “As to the persons concerned, “ Lest there be in any of you;” (3.) As to object of it, or the evil dehorted from, “An evil heart of unbelief;”’ which is further described by its effects, “In de- parting from the living God.”
SECONDLY, 1. The means of the prevention of the evil dehorted from is presented, verse 13; and thisin general is by exhortation against it, “ Exhort:” which hath a treble qualification,—(1.) As to the per- sons by whom it is to be performed or the means used, “ One an- other;” (2.) The season of its performance, which also includes the manner of it, “Every day;” (8.) With a limitation of that season, “Whilst it is called To-day.” 2. An especial enforcement of this preventive duty from the danger of their condition, which would be increased by a neglect thereof. And this is described,—(1.) From the cause of it, “The deceitfulness of sin;” (2.) From its tendency and effects, “ Lest any be hardened through the deceitful- ness of sin.”