Vers. 22-25.-Last words. If the previous part of this chapter is of the nature of a postscript, these closing verses seem to be a. second and briefer postscript appended to the first. The apostle's loving heart lingers fondly over the close of the letter, and prolongs its last words. I. HE ORAVEB A KINDLY RECEPTION FOB THE EPISTLE. (Ver. 22.) Although his book is an inspired message, he does not urge its Divine authority as the reason why it should be carefully studied. He rather solicits the Hebrews as his "brethren," and "for love's sake," to "bear with the word of exhortation." It is interesting to mark the description of the book which is thus given by its author. The theologian deals with it as a profound theological treatise; the expositor regards it as the New Testament counterpart of the Book of Leviticus; but the writer himself calls it simply a " won! of exhortation." But when we study the structure of the Epistle, we find that this description, although modest, is most appropriate. What is often_ spoken of as the doctrinal part (eh. i. 1-x. 18) is itself full also of earnest expostulations anJ. warnings; I\UU these but prepare the_way for the prolonged and solemn practical appeal oi the 40G THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. [oR. xm. 1-25.
closing chaptci:s (x. 19 to the end). The Epistle wRs written for the purpose of pre~si~g upon its readers the duty of u_nflinching loyalty to Christ.. 11 'l'l:ie key-note of 1t 1s ~truck and heard throughout m the hortatory parts, to which the doctrinal elements are ~nbservient" (Dr. A. B. Davidson). The apostle might have enforced his request in this vel'!le by many weighty reasons; but he mentions only one, viz. the brevity of the Epistle. He had written "in few words "-few, as compared with (1) the extent and importance of the subject; (2) his own burning interest in it, which would have made it ea.sy for him to dilate; (3) the gravity of the crisis in relation to the spiritual life of the Hebrews. But he had rigorously condensed his matter that his readers might not be deterred from the study of the Epistle, or their paiience exhausted before the close of the argument. It was desirable that when it should be read aloud in their Churches-a task which would occupy less than an hour-the last words of it should le.ave the people longing rather than loathing. And what o. marvel of condensation is this book to the Hebrews I During the preparation of these homilies, the writer has had his conviction of the plenary inspiration of the Epistle greatly deepened,-especially in view of its wealth of holy thought, its lucid expositions and arguments, its rhetorical splendour, its singular spiritual elevation, e.nd its living power to pierce the heart and conscience. What a blank there would have been in Holy Scripture had this book, which is the key to the entire Levitical system, been excluded from the canon! Had such a calamity been allowed to happen, the New Testament would have been utterly silent about the priesthood of Christ-this great theme being dealt with exclusively in the Epistle to the Hebrews. II. HE SENDS ETh"DLY TIDINGS AND GREETINGS. (Vers. 23, 24.) Cheering news is given about Timothy; he" hath been set at liberty." The expression seems to imply that this beloved spiritual "son" of Paul had been in prison and had been discharged. It was the writer's int.ention, should Timothy and he meet, that the two should together visit the Hebrews. (This reference to Timothy, as well as the salutations in ver. 24, have been eagerly canvassed by commentators, in their vain endeavours to arrive at certainty regarding the author of the Epistle, the place of its composition, and the Churches to which it was addressed.) The apostle's greetings are sent through tho members to the spiritual rulers, as if to remind us that it is the members of congrega- tions that constitute the Church, and not their pastors alone. Still, the apostle is careful to give honour to the office-bearers: he has already exhorted the people to "obey" them (ver. 17), and now he sends his farewell salutation first to them. "They of Italy" refers to the greetings of Italian brethren ; but it cannot be determined from the words whether the Epistle was sent from Italy or to Italy. Such Christian courtesies as those of ver. 24 are not to be dismissed as mere formalities. They remind us of the duty of loving our brethren in the Lord everywhere. Spiritual love is intercational. It is cosmopolitan. Wherever Christians are, our hearts should warm to them. Salutations like those before us derive their value (1) from the character of the sender, and (2) from their substance. Here we have the affectionate messages of a great apostle, or at least of an eminent apostolical man-the author of one of the noblest of the Epistles of the New Testament. And his greetings are not empty compliments. He has shown himself on every page of his letter to be deeply in earnest, and to have a heart brimful of loving solicitude for the souls of those to whom he writes. Let us learn, accordingly, the duty of courtesy and kindliness in our Christian intercourse. "As ye enter into the house, salute it" (Matt. x. 12). III. HE CLOSES WITH THE PAULINE BENEDICTION. (Ver. 25.) The same form of ble;;si.n.g is used by Paul at the close of every one of his thirteen letters ; and, apparently becAuse Paul had already appropriated this form, none of the other writers of New Testament Epistles conclude with any expression which is at all similar. This fact seems to corroborate the opinion that this anonymous Epistle is to be ascribed to the Apostle Paul, so far as regards the authorship of its thoughts, and although it may have received ils literary form from another mind and hand. The final adieu is brief; but it could not be richer or more comprehensive. The word "grace" expresses the sum of all blessing, both temporal and spiritual. The author desires for his dear readers graco of every kind---efficacious grace, preventing grace, co-operating grace, habitual grace. For gre.ce blesses with pardon. It purifies from sin. It comforts amid sorrow. It 11treugtbens for duty. And it will at length ripen into glory. CU, XIII, 1-~5.] THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS.