For a testimony of those things which were to be spoken (eis paptipiov TOV AaANOnooOMEevwv). ’Eus for, with the whole
* The older expositors regarded 6 6eds as predicate, and 6 rdvra xaracKev- doas as designating Christ ; and explained, ‘‘ now he that founded all things (Christ) must be God,’’ thus using the passage as a proof of Christ’s deity. But this would be entirely irrelevant. The writer is not trying to show that Christ was greater than Moses because he was God, but because of his fidel- ity as a son instead of asa servant. This is the point which he goes on to elaborate.
Cx. IID] THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 413
preceding clause. Moses’ faithful service in God’s house was for a testimony, etc. The things which were to be spoken are the revelations afterward to be given in Christ. Others, how- ever, explain of the things which Moses himself was after- ward to speak to the people by God’s command, referring to Num. xii. 8. According to this explanation, the fidelity hitherto exhibited by Moses ought to command respect for all that he might say in future. But (1) in the present connection that thought is insignificant. (2) It would be an exaggeration to speak of Moses’s fidelity to God through- out his whole official career as a witness of the things which he was to speak to the people by God’s command. (8) The future participle requires a reference to a time subsequent to Moses’s ministry. The meaning is that Moses, in his entire ministry, was but a testimony to what was to be spoken in the future by another and a greater than he. Comp. Deut. xviii. 15, explained of Christ in Acts iii. 22, 23.
6. But Christ. Replacing the human name Jesus, and being the official name which marks his position over the house.
As a son (as vids). The fidelity of Moses and the fidelity of Christ are exhibited in different spheres: of Moses in that of servant; of Christ in that of son.
Over his own house (ézi rov ofxov avrov). Comp. ch. x. 21, and notice é7t over his house, and év zn all his house, of Moses. For “Ais own house” rend. “ his house,” referring to God. Reference to Christ would destroy the parallel. It is said by some that the matter of respective positions is irrele- vant: that the main point is fidelity, and that therefore it does not matter whether Moses was a son or a servant, pro- vided he was faithful. But the writer evidently feels that Christ’s position as a son enhanced his fidelity. Comp. cu. v. 8. The implication is that Christ’s position involved peculiar difficulties and temptations.
Whose house (08). : God’s house. The church is nowhere called the house of Christ.
414 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. ([Cx. If
We (jjuels). Even as was the house in which Moses served. The Christian community is thus emphatically designated as the house of God, implying the transitoriness of the Mosaic system. Comp. 1 Cor. iii. 16,17; 2 Cor. vi. 16; Eph. ii. 22; 1 Pet. iv. 17.
Hold fast (xardoywopuev). The verb is used in N. T. as here, 1 Th. v. 21; Philem. 13; of restraining or preventing, L. iv. 42; of holding back or holding down with an evil pur- pose, Rom. i. 18; 2 Th. ii. 7; of holding one’s course toward, bearing down for, Acts xxvii. 40.
The confidence and the rejoicing of the hope (77 zrap- pnoiay Kal To Kavynua Ths éd7ridos). ‘The combination con- fidence and rejoicing N. T.°. Rejoicing or boasting of hope N. T.°, but comp. 1 Th. ii. 19. For rappnata confidence see on 1 Tim. iii. 18. The entire group of words, cavynua ground of glorying, xavynows act of glorying, and Kavyac@a to glory, is peculiarly Pauline. Outside of the Pauline letters cav- xao Ga occurs only Jas. i. 95 iv. 16; xavynous only Jas. iv. 16; and xavynua only here. The thought here is that the condi- tion of being and continuing the house of God is the holding fast of the hope in Christ (€dzrééos of the object of hope) and in the consummation of God’s kingdom in him ; making these the ground of boasting ; exultantly confessing and proclaim- ing this hope. There must be, not only confidence, but joyful confidence. Comp. Rom. vy. 3; Eph. iii. 12, 13; Philip. iii. 3.