500 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. X.
was weakened into new.* Note that the contrast is not between a new and an old way, but between a new way and no way. So long as the old division of the tabernacle existed, the way into the holiest was not opened, ch. ix. 8. Zdcay living. A living way seems a strange expression, but comp. Peter’s living stones, 1 Pet. ii. 5. Christ styles himself both way and life. The bold figure answers to the fact. The new way is through a life to life.
Through the veil (6:a rot xatarerdcpatos). The veil of the holy of holies is rent. Christ’s work does not stop short of the believer’s complete access to God himself.
That is to say his flesh (rodr’ éotw ths capKds adtod). Const. with veil: the veil which consisted in his flesh. His flesh was the state through which he had to pass before he entered heaven for us. See ch. ii. 9-18; v. 7-9; x. 5. When he put off that state, the veil of the temple was rent. He passed through humanity to glory as the forerunner of his people, ch. vi. 20.
21. A high priest (cepéa péyav). Lit. a great priest. Comp. Lev. xxi. 10, LXX. Not merely = dpyepeds high priest, but emphasising Christ’s superior greatness as high priest.
House of God (oixov rod Oeod). In the Gospels always of the temple. Not found in Paul. Once in the Pastorals, of the church, 1 Tim. iii. 15, and so 1 Pet. iv. 17. Here the whole Christian family. Comp. 1 Cor. iii. 16, 17; 2 Cor. vi. 16; Eph. ii. 22.
22. Let us draw near (spocepympuefa). See on ch. iv. 16.
With a true heart (uera arnOivijs xapdias). A right and genuine inward attitude toward God. For the phrase comp. ee ee eee
* The derivation from mpd before and opd fev to slay is more than suspicious, -
Cu. X.] THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 501
LXX, Isa. xxxviii. 3. N.T.° For aAOwhs see on J. i. 9, and comp. Heb. viii. 2; ix. 24. A true heart is required to enter the true sanctuary. The phrase means more than in sincerity. Sincerity is included, but with it all that enters into a right attitude toward God as revealed in our Great High Priest, — gladness, freedom, enthusiasm, bold appro- priation of all the privileges of sonship.
In full assurance of faith (év wAnpodopia wrictews). Full conviction engendered by faith. See on ch. vi.11. Faith is the basis of all right relation to God.
Sprinkled from an evil conscience (pepavticwévor — aro cuvelonoews Tovnpas). This qualification for a right approach to God is stated typologically. As the priests were sprinkled with the sacrificial blood and washed with water before minis- tering, so do you who have now the privilege and standing of priests in approaching God, draw near, priestlike, as sharers in an economy which purges the conscience (ch. ix. 14), having your consciences purged. Your own hearts must experience the effects of the great sacrifice of Christ, — pardon, moral renewal, deliverance from a legal spirit. On the priesthood of believers see 1 Pet. ii. 5,9; Ex. xix. 6; Isa. lxi. 6. This idea is dominated in our epistle by that of Christ’s priesthood ; but it is not excluded, and is implied throughout. Seech. xiii. 15. For sprinkled, see on 1 Pet. i. 2.
Bodies washed (Acdovcpevor to cHpa). Also typological. Most expositors refer to baptism. The most significant pas- sage in that direction is 1 Pet. iii. 21; comp. Eph. v. 26; Tit. iii. 5. It may be, though I doubt if the idea is emphas- ised. I incline, with Dr. Bruce, to think that it indicates generally the thoroughness of the cleansing process undergone by one who surrenders himself, soul, body, and spirit, to God.
23. Profession of our faith (r7v opuoroytay tis érmidos). Rend. “confession of our hope.” Faith does not appear among Ms. readings. It is an innovation of the translators.