The saints, although few and wretched, are of more value than all the world besides. So Prov. viii. 11, ™ ri/uov ovx afyov a-jrqe hnv, no precious thing is to be compared with it (wisdom). The clause is construed with they went about ; and yet it is in this passage in particular that it is put, on account of the anti thesis between the spacious world and the dens and caves of the earth. — ^Xavw/xsi/o/, wandering) shut out by wicked men. — g^- \aiois9 caves) 1 Kings xviii. 4, 13. — xa/ ra/Y) The article makes an emphatic addition (Epitasis), and so therefore ; comp. annot. on Chrysost. de Sacerd. p. 493.
39. Ka/ obroi ndvrsg, and all these) A pathetic Symperasma (Summary. See Append.) — f&apTvpri6evTe$9 having obtained a good report) ver. 2, note. — rqv ktfctyyt'kiav, the promise) i.e. the pro mise of the heavenly inheritance, ch. x. 36, note. Flacius says : u It is probable, that some degree, so to speak, or accumulation of blessedness was added to holy souls, when Christ came and fulfilled all things ; even as at His burial the evangelists testify that many rose from the dead, who beyond all doubt ascended into heaven with Him." Even Christ Himself was altogether made perfect in the death of Christ, ch. ii. 10 ; and the living and the dead have obtained this perfection, ch. x. 14, and the perfecting of individual believers takes place at their death, ch. xii. 23 ; but the universal and final perfecting of believers will take place at the coming of the Lord, of which the passage here speaks.
40. Kptfrrov r/, some better thing) This better thing is the clearer revelation of the promised salvation ; its confirmation on higher testimony ; a nearer expectation, by Christ having been ex hibited to us ; and at last salvation itself and glory. — rtpofiXs-^a- [t'svov, having provided) A word of exquisite meaning. GOD provides (foresees) what faith does not yet see ; Gen. xxii. 8, 14 ; John vi. 6. From this provision (foresight) flowed the whole economy of ages, and the testimony of GOD to the men of old. — xupts TI/AUV, without us) Meiosis : not only not without us were they perfected, but they are rather perfected with us, than we with them. He does not say, that we not without them, but that they not without us. We should carefully hold this fast : for not merely is our being gathered to them intimated, but our condition superior to theirs, who were waiting for His appearance.