VER. 22. And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation; for I have written a letter unto you in few words. The apostle knew that many of the Hebrews were not without great prejudices, in the cause wherein he had been dealing with them; as also that he had been necessitated to make use of some severe admonitions and reprehensions. Having, therefore, finished his discourse, he adds this word both in his own justification, as unto what he had written, and to caution them that they lost not the benefit of it, through negligence or prejudice. And he gives this caution with great wisdom and tenderness. 1. In his kind compellation by the name of adeλpoi, 'brethren,' denoting, 1. His near relation unto them in nature and grace. 2. His love unto them. 3. His common interest with them in the cause in hand; all suited to give an access unto his present exhortation. See ch. iii. 1, with the Exposition. 2. In calling his discourse, or the subject-matter of his Epistle, TOV λоYOU TηS Tαρakλnσews, 'a word of exhortation,' or of consolation;' for it is used to signify both, sometimes the one, and sometimes the other, as hath been declared before by instances. Wherefore, λoyos λογος Tapakλnoewe is the truth and doctrine of the gospel applied unto the edification of believers, whether by way of exhortation or consolation, the one of them constantly including the other. Most think, that the apostle intends peculiarly the hortatory part of the Epistle, in chapters vi. x. xii. xiii., for therein are contained both prescriptions of difficult duties, and some severe admonitions, with respect whereunto he desires that they would bear or suffer it as that which had some appearance of being grievous or burdensome. But I see no just reason why the whole Epistle may not be intended; for, 1. The nature of it, in general, is parænetical or hortatory, that is, a word of exhortation, as hath been often shown. 2. The whole Epistle is intended in the next words, 'for I have written a letter unto you in few words.' 3. There is in the doctrinal part of it, that which was as hard to be borne by the Hebrews, as any thing in those which are preceptive or hortatory. Wherefore, the whole of it being a word of exhortation, or a consolatory exhortation, he might use it with confidence, and they bear it with patience. And I would not exclude the notion of consolation, because that is the proper effect of the doctrine of the gospel, delivering men from bondage unto the ceremonies of the law, which is the design of the apostle in this whole Epistle; see Acts xv. 31. Obs. I. And when ministers take care that the word which they deliver is a word tending unto the edification and consolation of the church, they may with confidence press the entertainment of it, by the people, though it should contain things, by reason of their weakness or prejudices, some way grievous unto them. 3. In persuading them, avexeoda, 'to bear,' or 'suffer this word;' that is, in the first place, to take heed that no prejudices, no inveterate opinions no apprehension of severity in its admonitions and threatenings, should provoke them against it, render them impatient under it, and so cause them to lose the benefit of it. But there is more intended; namely, that they should bear and receive it as a word of exhortation, so as to improve it unto their edification. This is a necessary caution for these Hebrews, and indeed for all others, unto whom the word is preached and applied with wisdom and faithfulness. For neither Satan, nor the corruptions of men's own hearts, will be wanting to suggest unto them such exceptions and prejudices against it, as may render it useless. 4. He adds the reason of his present caution, yao dia Boaxεwv ETTEσTEIλa vμiv, for I have written a letter unto you in few words.' There are two things in the words warranting his caution. 1. That out of his love and care towards them, he had written, or sent this Epistle to them; on the account whereof they ought to bear with him and it. 2. That he had given them no more trouble than was necessary, in that he had written in few words. Some inquiry is made why the apostle should affirm that he wrote this Epistle briefly, or in few words, seeing it is of a considerable length, one of the longest he ever wrote. A few words will satisfy this inquiry. For considering the importance of the cause wherein he was engaged, the necessity that was on him to unfold the whole design and mystery of the covenant and institutions of the law, with the office of Christ; with the great contests that were amongst the Hebrews about these things, and the danger of their eternal ruin, through a misapprehension of them; all that he hath written may well be esteemed but a few words, and such as whereof none could have been spared. He hath in this matter written dia Boaxewv, or given us a brief compendium, as the words signify, of the doctrine of the law and the gospel, which they ought to take in good part. VER. 23. Γινώσκετε τον αδελφον Τιμοθεον απολελυμένον, μεθ ̓ οὗ εαν ταχιον ερχηται οψομαι ὑμας. VER. 23.-Know ye that (our) brother Timothy is set at liberty, with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. Who this Timothy was, what was his relation unto Paul, how he loved him, how he employed him and honoured him, joining him with himself in the salutation prefixed unto some of his Epistles, with what care and diligence he wrote unto him with reference unto his office of an evangelist, is known out of his writings. This Timothy was his perpetual companion in all his travels, labours, and sufferings, serving him as a son serveth his father, unless when he designed, and sent him unto any special work for the church. And being with him in Judea, he was well known unto them also, as was his worth and usefulness. He seems not to have gone to Rome with Paul, when he was sent thither a prisoner, but probably followed him not long after; and there, as it is most likely, being taken notice of, either as an associate of the apostle's or for preaching the gospel, he was cast into prison. Hereof the Hebrews had heard, and were no doubt concerned in it, and affected with it. He was at this present dismissed out of prison, VOL. IV. 3 E whereof the apostle gives notice unto the Hebrews, as a matter wherein he knew they would rejoice. He writes them the good news of the release of Timothy. He doth not seem to have been present with the apostle at the dispatch of this Epistle, for he knew not his mind directly about his going into Judea; only he apprehended that he had a mind and resolution so to do. And hereon he acquaints them with his own resolution to give them a visit, which, that he might do, he had before desired their prayers for him. However, he seems to intimate, that if Timothy, whose company he desired in his travels, could not come speedily, he knew not whether his work would permit him to do so or not. What was the event of this resolution, God only knows. VER. 24.--Ασπάσασθε παντας τους ἡγουμενους ύμων και παντας τους άγιους. Ασπαζονται ύμας οἱ απο της Ιταλίας. VER. 24.-Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints: they of Italy salute you. This is given in charge unto them to whom the Epistle was sent and committed. For although it was written for the use of the whole church, yet the messengers by whom it was carried, delivered and committed it, according to the apostle's direction, unto some of the brethren, by whom it was to be presented and communicated unto the church. These he speaks unto peculiarly in this postscript, giving them in charge to salute both their rulers, and all the rest of the saints, or members of the church, in his name. To salute in the name of another is to represent his kindness and affection unto them. This the apostle desires for the preservation and continuation of entire love between them. Who these rulers were that they are enjoined to salute, hath been fully declared on ver. 17, and all the rest of the members of the church are called the saints,' as is usual with our apostle. Such rulers, and such members, did constitute blessed churches. He adds, to complete this duty of communion in mutual salutation, the performance of it by those that were with him, as well as by himself, They of Italy salute you:' they did it by him, or he did it unto the whole church by them. Hence it is taken for granted, that Paul was in Italy at the writing of this Epistle. But it is not unquestionably proved by the words; for oἱ απο της Ιταλίας may as well be those who were come to him out of Italy,' as those that were with him in Italy.' But in Italy there were then many Christians, both of Jews and Gentiles. Some of these, no doubt, were continually with the apostle; and so knowing his design of sending a letter to the Hebrews, desired to be remembered unto them; it being probable that many of them were their own countrymen, and well known unto them. VER. 25.—Η χαρις μετα παντων ὑμων. Αμην. VER. 25.-Grace be with you all. Amen. This was the constant close of all his Epistles. This he wrote with his own hand, and would have it esteemed an assured token, whereby an Epistle might be known to be his, 2 Thess. iii. 17, 18. He varieth sometimes in his expressions; but this is the substance of all his subscriptions, Grace be with you all.' And by grace he intends the whole good-will of God, by Jesus Christ, and all the blessed effects of it, for the communication of which unto them, he prays herein. The subscription in our books, is, Προς Εβραίους εγραφη απο της Ιταλιας δια Τιμοθεου. Written to the Hebrews from Italy, by Timothy. This is partly uncertain, as that it was written from Italy; and partly most certainly untrue, as that it was sent by Timothy, as ex pressly contrary unto what the apostle speaks concerning him imme diately before. But these subscriptions have been sufficiently proved by many to be spurious, being the additions of some unskilful transcribers in after ages. Μονῳ τῳ Θεῳ δοξα. |