_ Turepty, There is a general enforcement of the whole, both as to the evil to be avoided and the means to be used for that purpose; and this is taken from their state and condition on supposition of the avoidance of the one and observance of the other, verse 14 And this is,—1. Expressed, “ For we are partakers of Christ;” and, 2. Declared as to its dependence on the preceding exhortation, “ Tf so be we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.”
In the exhortation proposed, in,the first place, there is included, —1. A dependence on the discourse foregoing. Some suppose a hyperbaton in the words, and that this “take heed” depends imme- diately on the “ wherefore” which is in the beginning of verse 7, as was intimated on that place. So the following words are intro- duced only as an instance to enforce the exhortation by. In this sense the reference here is to be taken immediately from the autho- tity of Christ over his house, and the necessity of our perseverance to the securing of our interest in that house, as verses 5, 6; “ Where- fore, take heed, brethren.” But the truth is, the matter of this
100 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. III.
exhortation is educed so directly and immediately out of the fore- going example, that we must in it own a respect thereunto; for the words are a plain inference from that discourse, though the note of illation be omitted. As if the apostle had said, ‘Seeing it is thus, seeing our forefathers, who were our types, and are proposed for an example unto us, did so miscarry under a dispensation of God repre- senting that which he exerciseth now towards us, let us take heed.’ This is the dependence of the words.
2. The apostle returning unto the Hebrews with an especial address and exhortation, renews his former affectionate compellation, “ Brethren.” This hath been spoken unto, verse 1 of this chapter, where the reader may find the reason of it, and what is contained in it. Only the cause wherefore he repeats it again seems to be, that it might appear that he had no commo- tion of spirit upon him in his pressing the severe instance and ex- ample insisted on. A minister must be ére7s, 1 Tim. iii. 3, “meek,” “patient,” not easily provoked; wu épyiados, Tit. i 7, “not soon angry” with his flock, or any of them. And tenderness, gentleness, demonstrations of love and care towards them with whom we have to do, secretly soften them, and open their ears and hearts to let in a word of instruction and exhortation. ‘O 7Aso¢ rév cvemov evinnos. Besides, he obviates any suspicion that might arise as though he insinuated a fear of such an evil in them, and might make them think that he had hard thoughts of them. By this appellation he re- moves all such jealousies, and lets them know that the best of saints had need be cautioned sometimes against the worst of evils.
3. The manner of the performance of the duty exhorted unto, and, (1.) The act of it, is expressed in the first word, BAémere, “Take heed.” BAéqw is firstly and properly “to see” and “behold,” as that is an act of sense; then “to take heed,” or “beware,” an act of the mind;—by an easy translation, first “video,” then “caveo.” And when it is used for “to see” as an act of sense, it commonly hath respect unto expectation, either of some good to be received, or of some inconvenience to be watched against. And be- cause men look out or about them to beware of dangers, the word is used for “to take heed” or “ beware.” In this sense it is often used in the New Testament, yea, so far as I have observed, it is peculiar unto the sacred writers; especially it is frequently used by our apostle, as 1 Cor. i 26,x. 18; Phil. iii, 2; Eph. v. 15; Col. ii. 8. And some- times it is used transitively affecting the object, merely for “ to con- sider:” 1 Cor. i. 26, BAéwere ry xAjow duaiv,— Consider your call- ing ;’ chap. x. 18, BAéwere riv ’Iopandr xard oc&pxa,—* Consider Israel according to the flesh.” Sometimes it hath a reciprocal pronoun joined with it, BAéwers étavrots, 2 John 8, “ Consider” or “look well to yourselves.” Sometimes it is used absolutely, as here, and signifies
"ADEA Gol.
Brivecs.
VER. 12-14.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 101 8
to beware of somewhat ; but in this sense it hath often &é joined with it; as Mark viii. 15, BAérers dard rijs Chung rev Dapsouiwv: which in Matt. XVL Gis rpootyere, “take heed of” (beware of) “the leaven of the Pha- risees.” And azé is sometimes omitted, as Phil. iti. 2, BAérere rods xbvas, Brewers rods xanods épydras, BAéwere rhv xararouqv,—that is, dard ray xivev, and so of the rest ;—“ Take heed of dogs, take heed of evil workers, take heed of the concision,” ‘that ye neither join with them nor be hurt by them.’ This is here the use of the word ; “ care,” “ heedfulness,” “circumspection with respect to danger and opposi- tion, and those imminent or near,” is that which the word imports: whence observe that,—
Obs. I. There is need of great care, heedfulness, watchfulness, and circumspection, for a due continuance in our profession, to the glory of God and advantage of our own souls.