Hebrews 7 — Verse 18, 19 (Introduction)

In the Twelfth Verse of this Chapter the Apostle affirms, that the Priesthood being changed, there was of necessity a change made of the Law also. Having proved the former, he now proceeds to confirm his inference from it, by declaring that the Priest and Priesthood that were promised to be introduced, were in all things inconsistent with the Law. In that place he mentions only a [in non-Latin alphabet], or change of the Law. But he intended not an alteration to be made in it, so as that being changed and mended, it might be restored to its former use. But it was such a change of it, as was an [in non-Latin alphabet], an abrogation of it, as in these Verses he does declare.

Now this was a matter of the highest concernment to the Hebrews, and of great importance in itself. For it included and carried along with it an alteration of the whole state of the Church, and of all the solemn worship of God therein. This therefore was not to be done but on cogent reasons and grounds indispensable. And no doubt but the Apostle foresaw, what a surprisal it would be to the generality of the Hebrews, to hear that they must quit all their concern and special interest in the Law of Moses. For he had three sorts of persons to deal withal in this great cause.

1. Such as adhered to and maintained the Mosaical institutions in opposition to Christ and the whole way of our coming to God by him. These esteemed it the greatest blasphemy imaginable for any to affirm, that the Law was to be changed or abrogated. And this was the occasion of the death of the first martyr of Jesus Christ under the accusation of blasphemy, which by the Law was to be punished with death. For this they made their charge against Stephen, that he spake blasphemous words against Moses, (whom they put in the first place) and against God (Acts 6:11). And the proof of this blasphemy they lay on those words, that Jesus should change the customs which Moses had delivered to them. Accordingly on this very account they stirred up persecution with rage and madness against the Holy Apostles all the world over. The mouths of these cursed unbelievers were to be stopped; and therefore cogent reasons and unanswerable were in this case to be urged by the Apostle; and they are so accordingly. And they were now to know that notwithstanding all their rage and bluster, those that believed were not ashamed of the Gospel, and they must be told that the Law was to be abrogated, whether they would hear or forbear, however they were provoked or enraged thereby.

2. There were others of them who, although they received the Gospel and believed in Christ, yet were persuaded that the Law was still in force, and the worship prescribed in it still to be observed. And of these there were very great multitudes as the Apostle declares (Acts 21:20). This error was in the patience of God for a while tolerated among them, because the time of their full conviction was not yet come. But those who were possessed with it, began after a while to be very troublesome to the Church, and would not be content to observe the Law themselves, but would impose the observation of it on all the Gentile converts on the pain of eternal damnation (Acts 15:1). They said and contended, that unless they were circumcised after the manner of Moses, they could not be saved. These also were to be restrained and convinced. And those of them who were obstinate in this persuasion, not long after apostatized from the whole of Christianity. And

3. There were sincere believers, whose faith was to be strengthened and confirmed. With respect to them all the Apostle labors with great diligence in this argument, and evidently proves, both that it was the will and purpose of God that the administration of the Law should have an end, and also that the time was now come, wherein it was to cease and be abrogated. This therefore he proceeds withal in these Verses.

[in non-Latin alphabet], Vul. Lat. Reprobatio; Rhem. Reprobation, most improperly; Syr. [in non-Latin alphabet] Mutatio, a change; which reaches not the force of the word, Ar. Abrogatio; Bez. fit irritum; that is, mandatum. [in non-Latin alphabet] is rendered, loco moveo, abrogo, abdico, irritum facio; to take out of the way, to abrogate, to disannul, to make void; and for the most part it has respect to a rule, law or command, that was or is in force. Sometimes it is used of a person, who ought in duty to be regarded and honored, but is despised (Luke 10:16; John 12:48), where it is rendered to despise. So (1 Thessalonians 4:8; Jude 8). Sometimes it respects things (Galatians 2:21; 1 Timothy 5:12). But commonly it respects a law, and is applied to them who are absolutely under the power of the law, or such in whose power the law is. The first sort are said to make void the law, when they transgress it, neglecting the authority whereby it is given (Mark 7:9; Hebrews 10:28). But when this word is applied to him who has power over the law, it signifies the abrogation of it, so far as that it shall have no more power to oblige to its observance. [in non-Latin alphabet] is used no where in the New Testament but here and chapter 9:26. Here it is applied to the Law, being the taking away of its power to oblige to obedience; there to sin, denoting the abrogating of its power to condemn.

[in non-Latin alphabet]; quidem, equidem, enim Syr. [in non-Latin alphabet] autem, but; For verily.

[in non-Latin alphabet] praecedentis mandati. The Syriac thus renders the verse, The change, which was made in the first commandment, was made for its weakness and because there was no profit in it.

[in non-Latin alphabet]; propter ipsius imbecillitatem; infirmitatem; propter illud quod in eo erat infirmum aut imbecille.

[in non-Latin alphabet]; et inutilitatem, [in non-Latin alphabet] Syr. and because there was no profit in it.

The Arab. changes the sense of the place; reading to this purpose. For there is a transgression where the commandment went before, because that was weak and of little advantage.

[in non-Latin alphabet]; perfecit lex. Bez. consummavit, ad perfectum adduxit; Vul. Lat. Rhem. brought nothing to perfection. Syr. For the Law did not perfect any thing.

[in non-Latin alphabet]. Vul. introductio verò melioris spei. Beza, sed superintroducta spes potior. Others, Sed erat Introductio ad spem potiorem. Syr, But there entered in the room thereof, an hope more excellent than it.

[in non-Latin alphabet]; appropinquamus; accedimus; Vul. proximamus. Rhem. we approach.

Our own translation fully expresses the original in all the parts of it, only it determines the sense of verse the 19, by the insertion of that word (did.)