[comprehending ten thousands of angels and of the first-born. — V. g.] For it is a Chiasmus : 1. Zion. 2. The city of God. 3. God the Judge. 4. Jesus the Mediator. The first and fourth, the second and third agree. — 'l^>o-j<raX^ l<rot^ai//w, the heavenly Jerusalem) Rev. xxi. 2. — Muptdt/v, ten thousands) These are spoken of absolutely, as in the prophecy of Enoch, Jude 14 : comp, Dent, xxxiii. 2 ; Dan. vii. 10. — a/yeXwc, of angels) We cannot construe x,ai ftvpidtfiv dyyeXuv, 'Travyyvpsi xal sxx\ii(fiCfo x.r.X.: for both the polysyndeton must be retained, and the general as sembly no doubt belongs to one party ; the church to another ; for who would join the synonyms, general assembly and Church ? The church consists of the first-born ; the general assembly, there fore, of angels. But the ten thousands consist not only of the general assembly of angels, but also of the church of the first-born. For the expression, ten thousands, is applicable to both, and the dative pvpiaatv is suited to both. The things which are presently about to be mentioned, may be added. In the meantime we must here observe the Chiasmus of the genitive and dative [the genitives being first and fourth ; the datives, second and third], dyyeXuv Kavriyvpti and sxKXqffjct, wpuroroxuv. — tfavq'yvpti, general as sembly) This word, and presently afterwards, church and Judge, indicate solemnity ; which is even now in heaven, and will be at
its height at the revelation of Jesus from heaven. Consider the
&
expression — all angels, all nations, Matt. xxv. 31, 32.
23. Ka/ J/c/cXfjov'c^ Kpuroro'/twv sv olpavoTg awyeypafAfAevuv, and to the church of the first-born that are written in heaven) The sons of GOD, of the ages that preceded the first coming of Christ, and the believing Israelites, come under the denomination of the first-born ; Ex. iv. 22 ; Jer. xxxi. 9 ; Eph. i. 12 ; especially the patriarchs, Matt. viii. 11, and those who first attended Him who rose as the First-born from the dead, Matt, xxvii. 53, as well as also the rest, so to say, of the ordinary flock. The church or assembly consists of these, as the general assembly consists of the angels.1 The first-born in the time of Moses were written (in a roll), Num. iii, 40 ; but these, of whom the apostle speaks, are written in heaven, because they are citizens of the heavenly city : comp. anoypupsffQa/, to be enrolled (written in a roll), Luke
1 Or else, For there is a church or assembly of them, as there is a general assembly of angels.— ED,