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Hebrews Chapter
Eight
Hebrews 8
Chapter 8 in this respect is simple and clear; the last
verses only give room for a few remarks.
The sum of the doctrine we have been considering is, that we have a
High Priest who is seated on the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a
Minister of the heavenly sanctuary which is not made with hands. As such, He
must have an offering to present there. Jesus, were He on earth, would not be a
Priest; there were priests on earth according to the law, in which all things were
but figures of the heavenly things; as Moses was told to make all according to
the pattern that was shewn him in the mount. But the ministry of Jesus is more
excellent, because He is the Mediator of a better covenant, spoken of in
Jeremiah 31, which is here quoted; a clear and simple proof that the first
covenant was not to continue.
We again find here that particular development of the
truth which was called for by the character of the persons to whom this letter
was addressed.
The first covenant was made with Israel; the second must
be so likewise, according to the prophecy of Jeremiah. The epistle however in
this passage only makes use of the fact that there was to be a second covenant,
in order to demonstrate that the first was to last no longer. It had grown old,
and was to vanish away. He recites the terms of the new covenant. We shall find
that he makes use of it afterwards. In that which follows, he contrasts the
services that belonged to the first with the perfect work on which Christianity
is founded. Thus the extent and the value of the work of Christ are introduced.
Although there is no difficulty here, it is important to
have light with regard to these two covenants, because some have very vague
ideas on this point, and many souls, putting themselves under covenants, that
is, in relationship with God under conditions in which He has not placed
them-lose their simplicity, and do not hold fast grace and the fullness of the
work of Christ, and the position He has acquired for them in heaven.
A covenant is a principle of relationship with God on the
earth-conditions established by God under which man is to live with Him. The
word may perhaps be used figuratively, or by accommodation. It is applied to
details of the relationship of God with Israel, and so to Abraham (Gen.15), and
like cases; but, strictly speaking, there are but two covenants, in which God
has dealt with man on earth, or will-the old and the new. The old was
established at Sinai. The new covenant is made also with the two houses of Israel.
[1]
The gospel is not a covenant, but the revelation of the
salvation of God. It proclaims the, great salvation of God. We enjoy indeed all
the essential privileges of the new covenant, its foundation being laid on
God's part in the blood of Christ, but we do so in spirit, not according to the
letter.
The new covenant will be established formally with Israel
in the millennium. Meanwhile the old covenant is judged by the fact that there
is a new one.
[1] We
have also, at the end of the epistle, the expression " the blood of the
everlasting covenant." " Covenant" he uses I doubt not (as the
word "law" also is used), because it was commonly employed as the
condition of relationship with God, and " eternal " is characteristic
of the Hebrews. There have been, and will be, covenants in time and for the
earth; but we have eternal conditions of relationship with God, of which the
blood of Christ is the expression and security, founded in everlasting grace,
and righteousness as well as grace, by that precious blood, in which all the
character and all the purpose of God has been made good and glorified, as well
as our sins been put away.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Hebrews》
Hebrews 8
Chapter Contents
The excellence of Christ's priesthood above that of Aaron
is shown. (1-6) The great excellence of the new covenant above the former.
(7-13)
Commentary on Hebrews 8:1-6
(Read Hebrews 8:1-6)
The substance, or summary, of what had been declared was,
that Christians had such a High Priest as they needed. He took upon himself
human nature, appeared on earth, and there gave himself as a sacrifice to God
for the sins of his people. We must not dare to approach God, or to present any
thing to him, but in and through Christ, depending upon his merits and
mediation; for we are accepted only in the Beloved. In all obedience and worship,
we should keep close to God's word, which is the only and perfect standard.
Christ is the substance and end of the law of righteousness. But the covenant
here referred to, was that made with Israel as a nation, securing temporal
benefits to them. The promises of all spiritual blessings, and of eternal life,
revealed in the gospel, and made sure through Christ, are of infinitely greater
value. Let us bless God that we have a High Priest that suits our helpless
condition.
Commentary on Hebrews 8:7-13
(Read Hebrews 8:7-13)
The superior excellence of the priesthood of Christ,
above that of Aaron, is shown from that covenant of grace, of which Christ was
Mediator. The law not only made all subject to it, liable to be condemned for
the guilt of sin, but also was unable to remove that guilt, and clear the
conscience from the sense and terror of it. Whereas, by the blood of Christ, a
full remission of sins was provided, so that God would remember them no more.
God once wrote his laws to his people, now he will write his laws in them; he
will give them understanding to know and to believe his laws; he will give them
memories to retain them; he will give them hearts to love them, courage to profess
them, and power to put them in practice. This is the foundation of the
covenant; and when this is laid, duty will be done wisely, sincerely, readily,
easily, resolutely, constantly, and with comfort. A plentiful outpouring of the
Spirit of God will make the ministration of the gospel so effectual, that there
shall be a mighty increase and spreading of Christian knowledge in persons of
all sorts. Oh that this promise might be fulfilled in our days, that the hand
of God may be with his ministers so that great numbers may believe, and be
turned to the Lord! The pardon of sin will always be found to accompany the
true knowledge of God. Notice the freeness of this pardon; its fulness; its
fixedness. This pardoning mercy is connected with all other spiritual mercies:
unpardoned sin hinders mercy, and pulls down judgments; but the pardon of sin
prevents judgment, and opens a wide door to all spiritual blessings. Let us
search whether we are taught by the Holy Spirit to know Christ, so as uprightly
to love, fear, trust, and obey him. All worldly vanities, outward privileges,
or mere notions of religion, will soon vanish away, and leave those who trust
in them miserable for ever.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Hebrews》
Hebrews 8
Verse 1
[1] Now
of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high
priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the
heavens;
We have such an high priest — Having finished his description of the type in Melchisedec, the apostle
begins to treat directly of the excellency of Christ's priesthood, beyond the
Levitical.
Who is set down —
Having finished his oblation.
At the right hand of the Majesty — Of God.
Verse 2
[2] A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord
pitched, and not man.
A minister —
Who represents his own sacrifice, as the high priest did the blood of those
sacrifices once a year.
Of the sanctuary —
Heaven, typified by the holy of holies.
And of the true tabernacle — Perhaps his human nature, of which the old tabernacle was a type.
Which the Lord hath fixed — Forever.
Not man — As
Moses fixed the tabernacle.
Verse 4
[4] For
if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests
that offer gifts according to the law:
But if he were on earth — If his priesthood terminated here.
He could not be a priest — At all, consistently with the Jewish institutions.
There being other priests — To whom alone this office is allotted.
Verse 5
[5] Who
serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished
of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou
make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
Who serve —
The temple, which was not yet destroyed.
After the pattern and shadow of heavenly
things — Of spiritual, evangelical worship, and of
everlasting glory.
The pattern —
Somewhat like the strokes pencilled out upon a piece of fine linen, which
exhibit the figures of leaves and flowers, but have not yet received their
splendid colours and curious shades.
And shadow — Or
shadowy representation, which gives you some dim and imperfect idea of the
body, but not the fine features, not the distinguishing air; none of those
living graces which adorn the real person. Yet both the pattern and shadow lead
our minds to something nobler than themselves: the pattern, to that holiness
and glory which complete it; the shadow, to that which occasions it. Exodus 25:40.
Verse 6
[6] But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is
the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
And now he hath obtained a more excellent
ministry — His priesthood as much excels theirs, as
the promises of the gospel (whereof he is a surety) excels those of the law.
These better promises are specified, Hebrews 8:10,11: those in the law were mostly
temporal promises.
Verse 7
[7] For
if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been
sought for the second.
For if the first had been faultless — If that dispensation had answered all God's designs and man's wants, if
it had not been weak and unprofitable unable to make anything perfect, no place
would have been for a second.
Verse 8
[8] For
finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when
I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of
Judah:
But there is; for finding fault with them -
Who were under the old covenant he saith, I make a new covenant with the house
of Israel - With all the Israel of God, in all ages and nations. It is new in
many respects, though not as to the substance of it: 1. Being ratified by the
death of Christ. 2. Freed from those burdensome rites and ceremonies. 3.
Containing a more full and clear account of spiritual religion. 4. Attended with
larger influences of the Spirit 5. Extended to all men. And, 6. Never to be
abolished. Jeremiah 31:31, etc.
Verse 9
[9] Not
according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took
them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued
not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
When I took them by the hand — With the care and tenderness of a parent. And just while this was fresh
in their memory, they obeyed; but presently after they shook off the yoke.
They continued not in my covenant, and I
regarded them not — So that covenant was soon broken in
pieces.
Verse 10
[10] For
this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those
days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in
their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
This is the covenant I will make after those
days — After the Mosaic dispensation is
abolished.
I will put my laws in their minds — I will open their eyes, and enlighten their understanding, to see the
true, full, spiritual meaning thereof.
And write them on their hearts — So that they shall inwardly experience whatever I have commanded.
And I will be to them a God — Their all-sufficient portion, and exceeding great reward.
And they shall be to me a people — My treasure, my beloved, loving, and obedient children.
Verse 11
[11] And
they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother,
saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
And they who are under this covenant (though
in other respects they will have need to teach each other to their lives' end,
yet) shall not need to teach every one his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for
they shall all know me - All real Christians.
From the least to the greatest — In this order the saving knowledge of God ever did and ever will
proceed; not first to the greatest, and then to the least. But "the Lord
shall save the tents," the poorest, "of Judah first, that the glory
of the house of David," the royal seed, "and the glory of the
inhabitants of Jerusalem," the nobles and the rich citizens, "do not
magnify themselves," Zechariah 12:7.
Verse 12
[12] For
I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their
iniquities will I remember no more.
For I will justify them, which is the root of
all true knowledge of God. This, therefore, is God's method. First, a sinner is
pardoned: then he knows God, as gracious and merciful then God's laws are
written on his heart: he is God's, and God is his.
Verse 13
[13] In
that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which
decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
In saying, A new covenant, he hath antiquated
the first — Hath shown that it is disannulled, and out
of date.
Now that which is antiquated is ready to
vanish away — As it did quickly after, when the temple
was destroyed.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Hebrews》
Chapter 8. The Better New Covenant
Put in Their
Minds
Write on Their Hearts
I. Serve in the
True Tabernacle
II. Mediator of
a Better Covenant
III. Promise to
Be with Men
── Chih-Hsin
Chang《An Outline of
The New Testament》
Our Glorious High Priest (8:1-6)
INTRODUCTION
1. With the beginning of chapter eight, we come to the close of the first major section of "The Epistle To The Hebrews"... a. In which the key thought is "The Superiority of Christ" b. In which Jesus is shown to be superior to: 1) To the prophets - He 1:1-3 2) To angels - He 1:4-2:18 3) To Moses - He 3:1-5 4) To Aaron and his Levitical priesthood - He 5:1-10; 7:1-28 2. The next major section really begins in earnest with verse 7... a. In which the key thought will be "The Superiority of the New Covenant"
b. In which this covenant is shown to be based upon: 1) Better promises - He 8:7-13 2) A better sanctuary - He 9:1-28 3) A better sacrifice - He 10:1-18 3. In He 8:1-6, we find a transition... a. In which the main point of the first section is summarized b. In which the main points of the next section are introduced -- Indeed, these six verses truly summarize what the author seeks to establish in the first ten chapters of this epistle! 4. It can all be summarized in these words: "We have such a High Priest..."
a. In Jesus, we have a High Priest b. Not just any High Priest, but "such" a High Priest; i.e., a glorious High Priest! [In what ways is Jesus "Our Glorious High Priest"? First, He is...] I. SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD (1)
A. THE PHRASE "THE MAJESTY IN THE HEAVENS"... 1. A Jewish circumlocution meaning "God" (Believers' Study Bible) 2. I.e., a roundabout way of referring to God - cf. He 1:3 B. MANY PASSAGES REFER TO JESUS AT GOD'S RIGHT HAND... 1. David prophesied that the Messiah would sit at God's right hand - Psa 110:1 2. Jesus said that He would sit at the right hand of God - Mk 14:60-62
3. When He ascended to heaven, He then sat down at God's right hand - Mk 16:19; He 12:2 4. At God's right hand, He poured forth the Holy Spirit - Ac 2:33 5. Peter preached Jesus as being exalted to be at God's right hand as our Prince and Savior - Ac 5:30-31 6. Paul taught that Jesus is at God's right hand, interceding for us - Ro 8:34 7. He is at God's right hand, "waiting till His enemies are made His footstool" - He 10:12-13 8. Yet while He sits and waits, He rules! - Psa 110:1-2,5; cf. 1 Co 15:24-26 9. For at God's right hand, He is above all other authority - Ep 1:20-22; 1 Pe 3:22 -- In one place, we read of Jesus "standing at the right hand of God" (Ac 7:55-56); was Jesus showing His respect for Stephen, the first Christian martyr? [Exalted to such a place of honor and authority, we truly have a "glorious" High Priest, one who is "the ruler over the kings of the earth" (Re 1:5)! As we look at the next verse in our text, we see
that He is also...] II. A MINISTER OF THE TRUE TABERNACLE (2-5)
A. ERECTED BY GOD, NOT MAN. 1. We are now introduced to a contrast between two "tabernacles" a. There had been the earthly sanctuary or tabernacle 1) As ordained under the first covenant (i.e., the Law) - cf. He 9:1ff 2) It was built by man b. But now we read of one "which the Lord erected"; i.e., a heavenly tabernacle 2. The heavenly tabernacle is none other than heaven itself! - cf. He 9:11-12; 23-24 B. IN WHICH HE OFFERS "SERVICE"... 1. As a High Priest, it is necessary for Him to have something to offer - He 8:3 a. Every high priest is appointed for this purpose - He 5:1 b. What Jesus has to offer is not mention here, but will be later - cf. He 9:12 2. This service He renders in heaven, not on the earth - He 8:4 a. If He were on earth, He couldn't be a priest! b. For the Law required priests from the tribe of Levi, and Jesus was from Judah 3. As for priests on the earth... a. They serve only the copy and shadow of the heavenly things - He 8:5 b. For Moses had been told by God to build the earthly tabernacle according to pattern shown to him on the mountain - cf. Exo 25:40 [As "Our Glorious High Priest", then, Jesus renders service in the true tabernacle, which is heaven itself. This thought will be expandedupon in chapters nine and ten. But consider also how He is...] III. THE MEDIATOR OF A BETTER COVENANT (6)
A. HE HAS OBTAINED A MORE EXCELLENT MINISTRY... 1. In contrast with the ministry of the Levitical priests 2. Their ministry was simply a shadow and copy of His ministry - cf. Co 2:16-17 B. AS MEDIATOR OF A BETTER COVENANT... 1. The word "mediator"... a. The Greek is "mesites" {mes-ee'-tace} b. It means "one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant" 2. By His death on the cross, Jesus has become the Mediator of the new covenant - cf. He 9:15; 12:24 3. This new covenant is here referred to as "a better covenant" a. Better than what? Better than the "first covenant" - cf. He 8:7 b. I.e., what had been established through Moses C. ESTABLISHED ON BETTER PROMISES... 1. What makes the new covenant better than the old are its promises 2. Some of those promises are explained later - cf. He 8:10-12 3. But Peter describes the promises we receive as "exceedingly great and precious promises" - cf. 2 Pe 1:3-4 CONCLUSION
1. With this transition passage, then, we are introduced to things that will be expounded upon as we proceed through the epistle... a. The better covenant we have in Christ, based upon its better promises b. The better ministry Christ renders as our High Priest in heaven, seated at God's right hand 2. When such things are properly understood, we can see how Jesus is truly "Our Glorious High Priest"! a. One who stands ready to minister in our behalf b. He is "able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him" - He 7:25 c. He is "able to aid those who are tempted" - He 2:18 Have you accepted Jesus as your High Priest by obeying His gospel? Heis truly... "...the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." (He 5:9) For those who have not obeyed His gospel, we find this awesome warning: "...and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those WHO DO NOT OBEY THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of theLord and from the glory of His power..." (2 Th 1:7-9)
Please render obedience to the gospel today if you have not yet done so! - cf. Ac 2:36-39
The Promises Of God's New Covenant (8:7-13)
INTRODUCTION
1. Up to this point, the focus of "The Epistle To The Hebrews" has been on Christ... a. His superiority to prophets, angels, Moses b. The superiority of His priesthood to the Levitical priesthood 2. With the transition in He 8:1-6, the focus shifts to the New Covenant...
a. A new covenant in which Jesus has already been described as: 1) The "surety" (guarantor) - He 7:22 2) The "Mediator" (one who intervenes) - He 8:6 b. In both passages, this covenant was described as a "better" covenant 3. Better than what? Better in what way? In Hebrews 8, we learn the answer... a. Better than the "first covenant" - cf. He 8:7 b. Better because of the "promises" contained in it - cf. He 8:6 [In this study, "The Promises Of God's New Covenant", we shall examineour text (He 8:7-13) to ascertain how the New Covenant is better, especially with regard to its promises. Let's begin by noticing...] I. GOD'S PROMISE OF A NEW COVENANT (7-9,13)
A. THE FIRST COVENANT WAS NOT FAULTLESS... (7) 1. Otherwise, there would have been no need for a second covenant 2. We have already seen concerning the first covenant that... a. The Levitical priesthood could not bring perfection - He 7:11
b. The Law made nothing perfect, and was therefore annulled due to its weakness and unprofitableness - He 7:18-19 3. This inadequacy has special reference to the sacrifices of the first covenant... a. They could not make those who approach perfect - He 10:1-3 b. The blood of animals offered by the priests could not take away sins - He 10:4,11 B. THE PEOPLE OF THE FIRST COVENANT WERE ALSO AT FAULT... (8-9) 1. God found fault because they did not continue in His covenant - cf. Jer 11:7-10 2. For this reason He disregarded them, allowing them to be taken away by their enemies - cf. Jer 11:11-14 -- Even so, He did not leave them without some hope, for through the prophet Jeremiah He made a promise... C. GOD PROMISED A NEW COVENANT... (8-9) 1. Promised in Jer 31:31-34 2. In which God would make a "new covenant" with Israel and Judah 2. A covenant different than the one made at Mt. Sinai shall see in a moment) D. THE NEW COVENANT HAS MADE THE FIRST "OBSOLETE"... (13) 1. By even calling the promised covenant "new", God made the first covenant obsolete a. The old covenant actually continued on for about 500 years after Jeremiah b. But with the promise of the new, attention would be taken away from the old covenant and directed toward the new one that was coming! 2. Its obsolescence was especially seen in the days of the Hebrew writer... a. It was "becoming obsolete and growing old" 1) The death of Jesus rendered the sacrifices of the first covenant unnecessary 2) Before long, the temple itself would be destroyed, and along with it, the last vestiges of the Levitical priesthood b. Truly, it was "ready to vanish away" [So God promised a "new covenant" to replace the "old covenant"; and Jesus is the "Mediator" of this covenant, which is "a better covenant".Better in what way? Better because it "was established on better promises". Let's now consider some of...] II. GOD'S PROMISES INVOLVING THE NEW COVENANT (10-12)
A. IT WILL BE INWARD AND SPIRITUAL... (10) 1. "I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts"
2. The first covenant had its laws written on tablets of stone; the new covenant is one that requires God's laws be written in our hearts 3. It is not enough to have God's Word in our hands, on our coffee tables, etc. a. We must plant God's Word into our hearts - cf. Ja 1:21 b. For only then can we truly be born again by the incorruptible seed, the word of God - 1 Pe 1:22-23 -- Are you living up to intent of the New Covenant, or are you little different than those under the first covenant, who had the Word, but not on their hearts? B. IT WILL PROVIDE A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD... (10) 1. "I will be their God, and they shall be My people" 2. The actual terms of this promise is really nothing new - cf. Exo 6:7; Lev 26:12 3. But in each successive "age", its promise is filled with fresh meaning; for example... a. In "this age", we enjoy a closer relationship with God - cf. 2 Co 6:16-18; 1 Pe 2:9-10 b. But even more so, in the "age to come", which is in eternity - cf. Re 21:1-7 -- Are you utilizing the blessings whereby you can have a closer relationship with God? C. IT WILL BE WITH PEOPLE WHO KNOW THE LORD... (11) 1. "None of them shall teach...saying, 'Know the Lord', for allshall know Me..."
2. The New Covenant will be with people who have already come to know the Lord a. Unlike the first covenant, in which people entered it at birth; as they grew up, they needed to be taught about the Lord b. In the new covenant, one must come to know the Lord before they can enter the covenant 3. So it is that one must believe in Jesus before they can enter into a covenant relationship with their Lord through baptism - cf. Ac 8:36-38 -- Does not this feature of the New Covenant preclude the practice of infant baptism? D. IT WILL PROVIDE TRUE FORGIVENESS FOR SIN... (12) 1. "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and theirsins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more"
2. Here is the ultimate basis of the blessing previously described; by virtue of the forgiveness of sins can we truly be God's people, and He our God! 3. Thus the New Covenant provides what the first covenant could not: true forgiveness of sins! - cf. He 10:1-4,11 CONCLUSION
1. Such are "The Promises Of God's New Covenant"... a. As foretold through the prophet Jeremiah b. Now fulfilled through the coming of Jesus and His death on the cross -- By virtue of "better promises", Christ is truly the Mediator of a "better covenant"! 3. But there is more to be said about why the New Covenant is a better covenant... a. It also has a better sanctuary b. It also has a better sacrifice -- But consideration of these things will be saved for later At this point it might be appropriate to ask: Have you truly entered into a covenant relationship with the Lord? The entrance terms of this New Covenant are simple: They involve faithin Christ and a confession of that faith (Ro 10:9,10), along with repentance of sins and baptism into Christ (Ac 2:36-39). The promised blessings of the New Covenant await any and all who are willing to so respond to the gospel of Christ!
－－《Executable
Outlines》
The better
new covenant
Put in their minds
Write on their hearts
I.
Serve in the true tabernacle
1.
Set up the tabernacle
2.
Sit in heaven
3.
Pattern shown on the mountain
II.Mediator of a better covenant
1.
A superior ministry
2.
Wrong with the Old Testament
3.
Promise of a new covenant
III.
Promise to be with men
1.
Know the Lord better
2.
The power of removing sins
3.
Substitute the old by the new
－－ Chih-Hsin
Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》