Verse 9, 10, 11, 12

Expositors generally agree in giving these verses as an instance of the great wisdom and prudence used by the Apostle in his dealing with these Hebrews. Chrysostome in especial insists upon it, making observations to that purpose on all the considerable passages on the context. What is really of that nature will occur to us, and shall be observed in our progress. His design in general is twofold. First, to mollify the severity of the preceding commination and prediction contained therein, that it might not have an effect on their minds beyond his intention. He knew that all circumstances considered, it was necessary for him to make use of it. But withal he was careful that none of them who were sincere should be terrified or discouraged. For if men are disanimated in the way wherein they are engaged by those on whose guidance they depend, and to whose judgement they are to submit, it makes them despond and give over thoughts of a cheerful progress. Therefore in all cases our Apostle was exceeding careful, not in any thing to make heavy or sorrowful the hearts of his disciples, unless it were in case of extreme necessity. Hence is his apologie or excuse as it were, to the Corinthians for having put them to sorrow by some severe reproofs in his former letter to them (2 Corinthians 2:1, 2). "But I determined this with my self, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me." He lets them know, that whatever sorrow he had put them to, it was so to himself, no less than to them, seeing they were the chiefest causes of his joy and gladness. And thus deals he in this place with the Hebrews. Lest they should be amazed with the terror of the preceding commination, and the prediction therein contained, of the inevitable and dreadful ruin of slothful apostates and hypocrites, he lets them know that he did no way therein determine or pass a judgement on them, their state and condition. But having far other thoughts and hopes concerning them, and the end of their profession, he yet judged it necessary to excite them to that diligence which some among them had neglected to use, by declaring the miserable end of those who always abide unfruitful under, or do apostatize from the profession of the Gospel. Herein does he steer a direct and equal course between the extremes in admonition. For he neither uses so much lenity as to enervate his reproof and warning; nor so much severity as to discourage or provoke those who are warned by him. In a word, he lays weight upon things and spares persons, the contrary whereunto is the bane of all spiritual admonition. Secondly, he makes use of this discourse for a transition to the second part of his design. And this was to propose to them who were true believers, such encouragements and grounds of consolation, as might confirm and establish them in their faith and obedience, which are the subjects of the remaining part of this chapter. Therefore as to make way for the severe threatenings which he has used, it was necessary for him to describe the persons to whom they did in an especial manner belong, so it was no less requisite that he should describe those also to whom the ensuing promises and consolations do pertain, which he does in these verses.