(2.) He describes them from the time and season of their offer- ing. It was xu’ énauriv, “yearly, every year, year by year.” It is hence manifest what sacrifices he princi- pally intends, namely, the anniversary sacrifices of expiation, when the high priest entered into the most holy place with blood, Ley. xvi. And he instanceth therein, not to exclude other sacrifices from the same censure, but as giving an instance for them all in that which was most solemn, had the most eminent effects, at once re- specting the whole church, and that which the Jews principally trusted unto, Had he mentioned sacrifices in general, it might have been replied, that although the sacrifices which were daily offered, or those on especial occasions, might not perfect the wor- shippers, at least not the whole congregation, yet the church itself might be perfected by that great sacrifice which was offered yearly, with the blood whereof the high priest entered into the presence of God. Accordingly, the Jews have such a saying among them, “That on the day of expiation all Israel was made as righteous as in the day wherein man was first created.” But the apostle, ap- plying his argument unto those sacrifices, and proving their insuffi- ciency unto the end mentioned, leaves no reserve unto any thoughts that it might be attained by other sacrifices which were of another nature and efficacy. And besides, to give the greater cogency unto his argument, he fixeth on those sacrifices which had the least of
ficiis ;
Tuis avrais Suciass.
Ku?’ iviavroy.
VER. 1.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 427
what he proves their imperfection by. For these sacrifices were
repeated only once a-year. And if this repetition of them once a-year proves them weak and imperfect, how much more were those so which were repeated every day, or week, or month!
(3.) He refers unto the offerers of those sacrifices: “ Which they offer,”—that is, the high priests, of whom he had treated in the foregoing chapter. And he speaks of things in the present tense. “The law cannot,” and “which they offer:” not “The law could not,” and “which they offered.” The reason hereof hath been before declared. For he sets before the Hebrews a scheme and representation of all their worship at its
“As m por Qe- pouct.
first institution, that they might discern the original intention of
God therein, And therefore he insists only on the tabernacle, making no mention of the temple. So he states what was done at the first giving of the law, and the institution of all its ordinances
_ of worship, as if it were now present before their eyes, And if it
unto;
had not the power mentioned at their first institution, when the law was in all its vigour and glory, no accession could be made unto it by any continuance of time, any otherwise but in the false
- Imagination of the people.
8. That which remains of the words is an account of what the
law could not do or effect by its sacrifices: “It could not make the
comers thereunto perfect for ever.”
There are in the words, (1.) The effect denied. (2.) The persons with respect unto whom it is denied, (8.) The limitation of that denial.
(1.) The effect denied ; what it cannot do, is red<rd00s,—“ dedicate,” “consummate,” “consecrate,” “perfect,” “sanctify.” Of the meaning of the word in this epistle I have spoken often before. As also, I have showed at large what that reAsiwoig is which God designed unto the church in this world, wherein it did consist, and how the law could not effect it. See the exposition on chap. vii. 11. Here it is the same with rersidious xare ovveidno, chap. ix. 9,—“ perfect as pertaining unto the con- science ;” which is ascribed unto the sacrifice of Christ, verse 14. Wherefore the word principally in this place respects the expiation of sin, or the taking away the guilt of it by atonement; and so the apostle expounds it in the following verses, as shall be declared.
(2.) Those with respect unto whom this power 1s denied unto the law are sxpocspyduevor; say we, “the comers there- ’ “accedentes.” The expression is every way the same with that of chap. ix. 9, TeAidicus xarc ouve/dqow Fly Aarpedovra, Of Aurpetovres and of xpooepyduevos, “ the worshippers”
TeArciaoui.
Tos xpoc- Epxcomeevous.
_ and “the comers,” are the same, as is declared verses 2, 3; those _ who make use of the sacrifices of the law in the worship of God,
Mi
a
428 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [orar. x.
f
who approach unto him by sacrifices, And they are thus expressed by “the comers,” partly from the original direction given about the observation, and partly from the nature of the service itself, The first we ave) Lev. i. 2, 1227 03 AMpr"d DIN, The word signifies “to draw nigh,” “to come near with an oblation.’ These are the “comers,” those who draw nigh with, and bring their oblations unto the altar. And such was the nature of the service itself, It consisted in coming with their sacrifice unto the altar, with the priests approaching unto the sacrifice; in all which an access was made unto God. Howbeit the word ore is of a larger signification, nor is it to be limited unto them who brought their own. sacrifices, but extends unto all that came to attend unto the solemnity of them; whereby, according to God’s appointment, they had a partici- pation in the benefit of them. For respect is had unto the anni- versary sacrifice, which was not brought by any, but was provided for all. But as the priests were included in the foregoing wordg, “which they offer;” so by these “comers,” the people are intended, for whose benefit these sacrifices were offered. For, as was said, respect is had unto the great anniversary sacrifice, which was offered in the name and on the behalf of the whole congregation. And those, if any, might be made perfect by the sacrifices of the law, namely, those that came unto God by them, or through the use of them, according unto his institution.