\id HEB - The English New Testament According to Family 35 
\h Hebrews 
\toc3 Heb. 
\toc2 Hebrews 
\toc1 The Epistle [of Paul] to the Hebrews 
\mt2 The Epistle [of Paul] to the  
\mt1 HEBREWS  
\c 1  
\ms1 The supremacy of the Son  
\m
\v 1 \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w spoken|strong="G2980"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w fathers|strong="G3962"\w* \w through|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w prophets|strong="G4396"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w many|strong="G1722"\w* parts \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* various \w ways|strong="G4187"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w past|strong="G3819"\w*,  
\v 2 \w has|strong="G3739"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w end|strong="G2078"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w these|strong="G3956"\w* \w days|strong="G2250"\w* \w spoken|strong="G2980"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w us|strong="G4160"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \bd \+w Son|strong="G5207"\+w*\bd*,\f + \fr 1:2 \ft I take it that ‘Son’ is being used like a proper name (there is no definite article with it). The Son is the ultimate revelation to us of who God is and what He is like.\f* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w appointed|strong="G5087"\w* \w heir|strong="G2818"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w*, \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w made|strong="G4160"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* ages;\f + \fr 1:2 \ft That is what the Text says, although most versions render ‘worlds’, which seems to make better sense, at least at first glance. But let us stop and think a minute—since God is eternal, the concept of ‘time’ may be part and parcel of this Creation, limited to it and perhaps be a defining characteristic, along with space. But ‘ages’ is plural, and how does one distinguish one age from another? Presumably by the events of history—in other words, the Son controls the history of this planet.\f*  
\v 3 \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* projection \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w His|strong="G1438"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w very|strong="G2532"\w* \w image|strong="G5481"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w His|strong="G1438"\w* \w essence|strong="G5287"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* sustaining \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* expression \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w His|strong="G1438"\w*[S]\f + \fr 1:3 \ft Here the pronoun refers to the Son; the previous occurrences refer to the Father. Below, whenever the referent changes I will indicate this by [F] or [S], which will be good until the next change.\f* \w own|strong="G1438"\w* \w power|strong="G1411"\w*,\f + \fr 1:3 \ft Why do not molecules, with their opposing electrical charges, burst apart? The Creator holds them together—the Son was not only the primary agent in the Creation, He is also the maintainer and redeemer.\f* \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w Himself|strong="G1438"\w*\f + \fr 1:3 \ft Perhaps 6% of the Greek manuscripts omit “by Himself” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* provided \w purification|strong="G2512"\w* \w for|strong="G1223"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w*\f + \fr 1:3 \ft Perhaps 3% of the Greek manuscripts omit “our” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* sins\f + \fr 1:3 \ft Just as the Son paid the price for our salvation “by Himself”, for those who reject or make light of that terrible price He will Himself tread ‘the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God’ (Revelation 19:15). It is not wise to presume upon God's grace.\f* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w sat|strong="G2523"\w* \w down|strong="G2523"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* highest \w Majesty|strong="G3172"\w*'s \w right|strong="G1188"\w*,\f + \fr 1:3 \ft “He sat down”—evidently He had the right to do this, and no one challenged Him.\f*  
\v 4 having \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w so|strong="G5118"\w* \w much|strong="G5118"\w* \w superior|strong="G1313"\w* \w to|strong="G1096"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* angels \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G1096"\w* \w inherited|strong="G2816"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w more|strong="G3745"\w* \w excellent|strong="G1313"\w* \w name|strong="G3686"\w* \w than|strong="G3844"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G3745"\w*.   
\s1 He is superior to the angels  
\p
\v 5 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w which|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* angels \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w*[F] \w ever|strong="G4218"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*,  
\q1 “\w You|strong="G4771"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w my|strong="G1473"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w*,  
\q2 \w today|strong="G4594"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* begot \w you|strong="G4771"\w*,”\f + \fr 1:5 \ft See Psalm 2:7.\f*  
\m \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w*,  
\q1 “\w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G5101"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* ‘\w Father|strong="G3962"\w*’ \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*,  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G5101"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* ‘\w Son|strong="G5207"\w*’ \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*?”\f + \fr 1:5 \ft See 2 Samuel 7:14.\f*   
\m
\v 6 \w Again|strong="G3825"\w*, \w when|strong="G3752"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* introduces \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Firstborn|strong="G4416"\w*\f + \fr 1:6 \ft In Hebrew culture the firstborn son usually inherited the lion's share of the father's estate (so as not to splinter the estate) and was thus the boss, so the expression ‘firstborn’ took on the extended meaning of ‘preeminent’, which I take to be the intended meaning here. But as the God-man Christ was both only-begotten and firstborn.\f* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w inhabited|strong="G3625"\w* \w earth|strong="G3625"\w*\f + \fr 1:6 \ft I assume that this must have happened at the incarnation of the Son.\f* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w*,  
\q1 “\w Let|strong="G1161"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s angels \w worship|strong="G4352"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*[S].”\f + \fr 1:6 \ft See Psalm 97:7.\f*   
\m
\v 7 Further, \w about|strong="G4314"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* angels \w He|strong="G2532"\w*[F] \w says|strong="G3004"\w*,  
\q1 “\w Who|strong="G3588"\w* \w makes|strong="G4160"\w* \w His|strong="G4160"\w* angels \w winds|strong="G4151"\w*,\f + \fr 1:7 \ft The Greek word here also means ‘spirits’, but ‘winds’ fits the Hebrew parallelism better.\f*  
\q2 \w His|strong="G4160"\w* \w servants|strong="G3011"\w* flames \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w fire|strong="G4442"\w*”;\f + \fr 1:7 \ft See Psalm 104:4.\f*   
\m
\v 8 \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* says:  
\q1 “\w Your|strong="G2532"\w* \w throne|strong="G2362"\w*, O \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w forever|strong="G1519"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w ever|strong="G1519"\w*;\f + \fr 1:8 \ft The author is saying that the Father declares this to the Son. If the Father declares something, that is the way it is.\f*  
\q2 ‘\w Scepter|strong="G4464"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* Uprightness’\f + \fr 1:8 \ft I take ‘Scepter of Uprightness’ to be a proper name (like the sword ‘Excalibur’).\f* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w scepter|strong="G4464"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w Your|strong="G2532"\w* kingdom.   
\q1
\v 9 \w You|strong="G4771"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* loved \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w hated|strong="G3404"\w* lawlessness,  
\q1 \w therefore|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w Your|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w anointed|strong="G5548"\w* \w You|strong="G4771"\w*  
\q2 \w with|strong="G3844"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w oil|strong="G1637"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* exultation \w beyond|strong="G3844"\w* \w Your|strong="G1223"\w* \w companions|strong="G3588"\w*.”\f + \fr 1:9 \ft See Psalm 45:6-7.\f*   
\m
\v 10 \w Also|strong="G2532"\w*:  
\q1 “\w You|strong="G4771"\w*, \sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc*,\f + \fr 1:10 \ft The quote is from Psalm 102:25-27, and in that context it is Jehovah who is being addressed, Jehovah the Son. This is one of several passages in the New Testament that contradict the heresy of the ‘Jehovah's Witnesses’ and Mormons that denies that Jesus Christ is Jehovah. From this passage, and a few others, we may understand that the Son was the primary agent in the creation of our planet.\f* \w in|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* beginning, \w laid|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w foundation|strong="G2311"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w earth|strong="G1093"\w*,  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w heavens|strong="G3772"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w Your|strong="G2962"\w* \w hands|strong="G5495"\w*;   
\q1
\v 11 \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* perish \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w You|strong="G4771"\w* \w continue|strong="G1265"\w* \w on|strong="G1161"\w*  
\q2 —\w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* grow \w old|strong="G3822"\w* \w like|strong="G5613"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w garment|strong="G2440"\w*;   
\q1
\v 12 \w You|strong="G4771"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w roll|strong="G1667"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w up|strong="G1667"\w* \w like|strong="G5613"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w cloak|strong="G2440"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* changed,  
\q2 \w while|strong="G5613"\w* \w You|strong="G4771"\w* stay \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w same|strong="G2532"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Your|strong="G2532"\w* \w years|strong="G2094"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w never|strong="G3756"\w* \w end|strong="G1587"\w*.”   
\p
\v 13 \w On|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w other|strong="G1161"\w* \w hand|strong="G1188"\w*, \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w which|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* angels \w did|strong="G5101"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w ever|strong="G4218"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*,  
\q1 “\w Sit|strong="G2521"\w* \w on|strong="G1537"\w* \w my|strong="G5087"\w* \w right|strong="G1188"\w* \w until|strong="G2193"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w place|strong="G5087"\w* \w your|strong="G5087"\w* \w enemies|strong="G2190"\w*  
\q2 \w as|strong="G1161"\w* \w a|strong="G1161"\w* \w stool|strong="G5286"\w* \w under|strong="G1537"\w* \w your|strong="G5087"\w* \w feet|strong="G4228"\w*”?\f + \fr 1:13 \ft See Psalm 110:1. In Matthew 22:44 Jesus Himself makes use of this verse.\f*   
\m
\v 14 \w Are|strong="G1510"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3780"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w ministering|strong="G3010"\w* \w spirits|strong="G4151"\w* \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w sent|strong="G4151"\w*\f + \fr 1:14 \ft This participle being in the present tense, I take it that this is an ongoing activity. So who will ‘inherit salvation’? True believers, and if we are among them, then we have angels serving us. I submit that we probably have a lot to learn about how to best take advantage of that service.\f* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w serve|strong="G1248"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w going|strong="G3195"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w inherit|strong="G2816"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w*?   
\c 2  
\s1 Do not neglect the great salvation  
\m
\v 1 \w So|strong="G3379"\w* \w then|strong="G1223"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* really \w must|strong="G1163"\w* \w pay|strong="G4337"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* utmost \w attention|strong="G4337"\w* \w to|strong="G1163"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* heard, \w so|strong="G3379"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w not|strong="G3379"\w* \w drift|strong="G3901"\w* \w away|strong="G3901"\w*.\f + \fr 2:1 \ft Drifting is gradual, easy to do.\f*  
\v 2 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w* \w spoken|strong="G2980"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* angels \w became|strong="G1096"\w* binding, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w violation|strong="G3847"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w disobedience|strong="G3876"\w* \w received|strong="G2983"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* deserved \w penalty|strong="G3405"\w*,\f + \fr 2:2 \ft Verse 2 is reminiscent of the closing charge in Stephen's defense: “You who received the Law as ‘ordinances of angels’ and have not kept it!” (Acts 8:53). I confess that I do not understand where the angels come in to the giving of the Law.\f*  
\v 3 \w how|strong="G4459"\w* \w shall|strong="G2962"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w escape|strong="G1628"\w* \w if|strong="G3748"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* careless \w about|strong="G1519"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* tremendous \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w*?—\w it|strong="G1223"\w* \w received|strong="G2983"\w* \w its|strong="G5259"\w* beginning \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*'\w s|strong="G2962"\w* declaration \w and|strong="G2962"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* confirmed \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* heard \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*[\w S|strong="G2962"\w*],\f + \fr 2:3 \ft By expressing himself in this way the author lets us know that he was not one of the Twelve.\f*  
\v 4 \w God|strong="G2316"\w* adding \w His|strong="G2532"\w*[F] attestation \w by|strong="G2596"\w* \w signs|strong="G4592"\w*, \w wonders|strong="G5059"\w*, \w various|strong="G4164"\w* \w miracles|strong="G1411"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* distributions \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Holy|strong="G4151"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w His|strong="G2532"\w* own \w will|strong="G2316"\w*.\f + \fr 2:4 \ft Verses 3 and 4 overtly refer to all three persons of the Godhead. For more on the “distributions” see 1 Corinthians 12:11.\f*   
\s1 Temporarily lower than the angels  
\p
\v 5 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w to|strong="G3195"\w* angels \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G3739"\w* \w has|strong="G3739"\w* \w subjected|strong="G5293"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w coming|strong="G3195"\w* \w inhabited|strong="G3625"\w* \w earth|strong="G3625"\w*,\f + \fr 2:5 \ft The new earth that follows this one will not be administered by angels, so who will do the administering? I agree with those who hold that this life is a classroom wherein the redeemed are being prepared for their functions in the new earth, and some of those functions will be administrative. That future is part of our “tremendous salvation”!\f* \w about|strong="G4012"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w speaking|strong="G2980"\w*;  
\v 6 \w rather|strong="G2228"\w*, \w there|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G1510"\w* \w place|strong="G4225"\w* \w where|strong="G4225"\w* \w someone|strong="G5100"\w* \w testified|strong="G1263"\w*\f + \fr 2:6 \ft I find this turn of phrase to be curious; the author knew his Old Testament well, and presumably knew he was citing a Psalm (8:4-6)—why such a roundabout reference?\f* \w saying|strong="G3004"\w*:  
\q1 “\w What|strong="G5101"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w man|strong="G5100"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w You|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w mindful|strong="G3403"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w him|strong="G3403"\w*,  
\q2 \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w son|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w man|strong="G5100"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w* care \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w him|strong="G3403"\w*?   
\q1
\v 7 \w You|strong="G2532"\w* \w made|strong="G1642"\w* \w him|strong="G2532"\w* \w lower|strong="G1642"\w* \w than|strong="G3844"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* angels, \w for|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w little|strong="G1024"\w* \w while|strong="G1024"\w*;\f + \fr 2:7 \ft The human being is superior to the angelic being in essence; we bear God's image and they do not, and once glorified that superiority will be obvious, but only for the redeemed. Those who serve Satan subordinate themselves to him, and thus can never rise above him. If Lucifer's rebellion was provoked, as I suppose, by the creation of a being superior to him, he is doing very well at getting his ‘revenge’, by depriving the vast majority of humanity of that superiority (and so the next verse does not apply to them).\f*  
\q2 \w You|strong="G2532"\w* \w crowned|strong="G4737"\w* \w him|strong="G2532"\w* \w with|strong="G3844"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w honor|strong="G5092"\w*,\f + \fr 2:7 \ft Some 25% of the Greek manuscripts add, “and set him over the works of your hands”, as in TR, AV, NKJV.\f*   
\q1
\v 8 \w You|strong="G1722"\w* \w subjected|strong="G5293"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w under|strong="G5270"\w* \w his|strong="G3956"\w* \w feet|strong="G4228"\w*.”  
\m \w It|strong="G1161"\w* follows \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w subjecting|strong="G5293"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*, \w He|strong="G1161"\w* left \w nothing|strong="G3762"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3762"\w* \w so|strong="G1161"\w* \w subjected|strong="G5293"\w*. \w However|strong="G1161"\w*, \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w do|strong="G3708"\w* \w not|strong="G3762"\w* \w yet|strong="G1161"\w* \w see|strong="G3708"\w* \w everything|strong="G3956"\w* \w subjected|strong="G5293"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*, \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w present|strong="G3568"\w*.   
\p
\v 9 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w see|strong="G5092"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* ‘\w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w made|strong="G1642"\w* \w lower|strong="G1642"\w* \w than|strong="G3844"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* angels, \w for|strong="G5228"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w little|strong="G1024"\w* \w while|strong="G1161"\w*’\f + \fr 2:9 \ft Instead of “lower than the angels, for a little while”, AV, NKJV and some other versions have ‘a little lower than the angels’, both here and in Psalm 8. The Greek adjective here is ambiguous, it can refer either to duration or to quantity (and so for the Hebrew adjective in Psalm 8). In this context the duration is clearly better, or so I deem.\f* (\w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w order|strong="G3704"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w suffer|strong="G2532"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*), ‘\w crowned|strong="G4737"\w* \w with|strong="G3844"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w honor|strong="G5092"\w*’—\w this|strong="G3588"\w*, \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w*[S] \w might|strong="G2532"\w* \w taste|strong="G1089"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w* \w on|strong="G5228"\w* \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w everyone|strong="G3956"\w*.\f + \fr 2:9 \ft “Everyone” is not a synonym for ‘the elect’. The death of Christ is adequate, sufficient to provide salvation for all human beings, and is there for them; of course not all actually avail themselves of it (most never even heard about it)—in fact, Sovereign Jesus referred to them as ‘few’ in His day (Matthew 7:14).\f*   
\s1 “Bringing many sons into glory”  
\p
\v 10 \w Because|strong="G1223"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* appropriate \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*[F], \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w*, \w in|strong="G1519"\w* bringing \w many|strong="G4183"\w* \w sons|strong="G5207"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w*,\f + \fr 2:10 \ft This contrasts with the many more who will never see the glory.\f* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w complete|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* Author \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w sufferings|strong="G3804"\w*.\f + \fr 2:10 \ft As it says in 5:8 below, “He learned obedience by the things that He suffered.” As God, what could He know about suffering and obedience, except in theory? While in human form Jesus literally learned obedience. To be a compassionate High Priest He had to feel it like we feel it.\f*  
\v 11 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w both|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w*[S] \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* sanctifying \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w being|strong="G2532"\w* \w sanctified|strong="G3956"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w One|strong="G1520"\w*, \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w reason|strong="G1223"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w ashamed|strong="G1870"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w call|strong="G2564"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* ‘brothers’,  
\v 12 \w saying|strong="G3004"\w*,  
\q1 “\w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G1473"\w* declare \w Your|strong="G1722"\w* \w name|strong="G3686"\w* \w to|strong="G3004"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* brothers;  
\q2 \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w midst|strong="G3319"\w* \w of|strong="G3686"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w congregation|strong="G1577"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G1473"\w* \w sing|strong="G5214"\w* \w praise|strong="G5214"\w* \w to|strong="G3004"\w* \w You|strong="G4771"\w*.”   
\m
\v 13 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w*,  
\q1 “\w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w put|strong="G1325"\w* \w my|strong="G3708"\w* \w trust|strong="G3982"\w* \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*[F]”;  
\m \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w*,  
\q1 “\w Here|strong="G2400"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w children|strong="G3813"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w given|strong="G1325"\w* \w me|strong="G1325"\w*.”\f + \fr 2:13 \ft See Psalms 22:22, 2 Samuel 22:3, Isaiah 8:17-18—the author knew his Old Testament.\f*   
\p
\v 14 \w Since|strong="G1893"\w*, \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w children|strong="G3813"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* blood \w as|strong="G2532"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w share|strong="G2841"\w*, \w He|strong="G2532"\w*[\w S|strong="G2192"\w*] Himself \w likewise|strong="G2532"\w* \w partook|strong="G3348"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w same|strong="G3778"\w*, \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w order|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w might|strong="G2532"\w* abolish \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w had|strong="G2192"\w*\f + \fr 2:14 \ft “\+nd Had\+nd*”, not ‘has’ (as in NIV, etc.)—in Revelation 1:18 the glorified Christ affirms that He now holds the ‘keys’. Although the participle of the verb ‘to have’ is in the present tense, that indicates that it is simultaneous with the time of the finite verb to which it is subordinate, which in this case is ‘to partake’, which is in the past tense. Here we have one of a few overt statements giving the purpose of the Incarnation—to abolish Satan. See also Romans 14:9, 2 Corinthians 5:15 and Philippians 2:8-11.\f* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w power|strong="G2904"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*—\w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w devil|strong="G1228"\w*—  
\v 15 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w set|strong="G2532"\w* \w free|strong="G3956"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* [\w the|strong="G2532"\w* children] \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w during|strong="G1223"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w whole|strong="G3956"\w* \w lifetime|strong="G2198"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w subject|strong="G1777"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w slavery|strong="G1397"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w fear|strong="G5401"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*.\f + \fr 2:15 \ft The fear of death is a bad master; it drives people to do incredibly stupid things.\f*  
\v 16 (\w Now|strong="G3756"\w* \w surely|strong="G1222"\w* \w He|strong="G1063"\w* does \w not|strong="G3756"\w* assist angels,\f + \fr 2:16 \ft Angels are simply God's servants, so the term ‘assist’ is not appropriate for them.\f* \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w He|strong="G1063"\w* does assist Abraham's \w seed|strong="G4690"\w*.)  
\v 17 \w That|strong="G2443"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w why|strong="G1519"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G1096"\w* obliged \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w like|strong="G3666"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* ‘brothers’ \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w respects|strong="G3956"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w could|strong="G1096"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w merciful|strong="G1655"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w faithful|strong="G4103"\w* \w high|strong="G3956"\w* priest, \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* concerns \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w with|strong="G4314"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w view|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w making|strong="G2532"\w* \w propitiation|strong="G2433"\w*\f + \fr 2:17 \ft ‘Propitiation’ is a theological term; God's righteous character has been outraged by human sin, and something must be done to ‘satisfy’/‘pacify’ that outraged character. Christ's sacrifice propitiated God, satisfied/pacified His outraged character. The resurrection is the proof that the Father accepted the sacrifice, that He declared Himself to be satisfied.\f* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* sins \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w*.  
\v 18 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G3739"\w* Himself \w endured|strong="G3958"\w* \w suffering|strong="G3958"\w*, having \w been|strong="G1410"\w* \w tested|strong="G3985"\w*,\f + \fr 2:18 \ft The Greek word here covers both ‘to test’ and ‘to tempt’ (to tempt is to test one's moral fiber), the choice in English being guided by the context. Jesus was not tested only in the area of morals; He was tested physically as well. We too are tested in a variety of ways.\f* \w He|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w able|strong="G1410"\w* \w to|strong="G1410"\w* assist \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w being|strong="G1722"\w* \w tested|strong="G3985"\w*.   
\c 3  
\s1 The Apostle and High Priest of our confession  
\m
\v 1 \w So|strong="G2532"\w* \w then|strong="G2532"\w*, holy brothers, \w you|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* share \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w celestial|strong="G2032"\w* \w calling|strong="G2821"\w*, \w do|strong="G2532"\w* contemplate \w the|strong="G2532"\w* Apostle \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w High|strong="G2532"\w* Priest \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2424"\w* \w confession|strong="G3671"\w*,\f + \fr 3:1 \ft To ‘confess’ is much more than to ‘profess’, it involves commitment.\f* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* Christ!\f + \fr 3:1 \ft Here we have the first indication as to the addressees; the missive is addressed to Christians. Perhaps 3% of the Greek manuscripts omit “Christ” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f*  
\v 2 \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w faithful|strong="G4103"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w One|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w appointed|strong="G4160"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w Moses|strong="G3475"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3650"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w*[F] \w house|strong="G3624"\w*.  
\v 3 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w One|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w been|strong="G2192"\w* \w counted|strong="G2192"\w* worthy \w of|strong="G3844"\w* \w more|strong="G4119"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w than|strong="G3844"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w Moses|strong="G3475"\w*, \w just|strong="G2596"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* \w builder|strong="G2680"\w* \w of|strong="G3844"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w house|strong="G3624"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w more|strong="G4119"\w* \w honor|strong="G5092"\w* \w than|strong="G3844"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* \w house|strong="G3624"\w* \w itself|strong="G3624"\w*  
\v 4 —\w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w house|strong="G3624"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w built|strong="G2680"\w* \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w someone|strong="G5100"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w built|strong="G2680"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*—  
\v 5 \w also|strong="G2532"\w*, \w Moses|strong="G3475"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w faithful|strong="G4103"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w servant|strong="G2324"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3650"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w house|strong="G3624"\w*, providing evidence \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w would|strong="G2532"\w* later \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w spoken|strong="G2980"\w*,\f + \fr 3:5 \ft A curious statement—he provided evidence before it was called for, as it were. Of course Moses is referred to many times in the Scriptures written after his day.\f*  
\v 6 \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* faithful \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w over|strong="G1909"\w* \w His|strong="G1909"\w* \w house|strong="G3624"\w*, \w whose|strong="G3739"\w* \w house|strong="G3624"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w*, \w if|strong="G1437"\w*, \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w hold|strong="G2722"\w* \w fast|strong="G2722"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w confidence|strong="G3954"\w*, \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w boast|strong="G2745"\w*,\f + \fr 3:6 \ft I suppose that a sincere boasting is an exaggerated form of confidence.\f* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Hope|strong="G1680"\w*\f + \fr 3:6 \ft I take it that the Hope has to do with eternal life. To still be part of the “house” at the end, one must never give up “the confidence”.\f* firm \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w end|strong="G5056"\w*.\f + \fr 3:6 \ft Less than 1% of the Greek manuscripts, of objectively inferior quality, omit “firm to the end” (as in NIV, LB, TEV, etc.).\f*   
\s1 The Holy Spirit's warning  
\p
\v 7 \w Therefore|strong="G1352"\w*—\w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Holy|strong="G4151"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w*:\f + \fr 3:7 \ft The author is affirming that Psalm 95 was inspired by the Holy Spirit.\f*  
\q1 “\w Today|strong="G4594"\w*, \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w you|strong="G1437"\w* \w would|strong="G1437"\w* \w hear|strong="G5456"\w* \w His|strong="G3588"\w* \w voice|strong="G5456"\w*,   
\q2
\v 8 \w do|strong="G3361"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w harden|strong="G4645"\w* \w your|strong="G1722"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* rebellion,  
\q2 \w during|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w time|strong="G2250"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w testing|strong="G3986"\w*\f + \fr 3:8 \ft In the context the people were testing God, not vice versa.\f* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w desert|strong="G2048"\w*,   
\q1
\v 9 \w where|strong="G3757"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w fathers|strong="G3962"\w* \w tested|strong="G3985"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*,  
\q2 proved \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w saw|strong="G3708"\w* \w my|strong="G3708"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w for|strong="G1722"\w* \w forty|strong="G5062"\w* \w years|strong="G2094"\w*.   
\q1
\v 10 \w In|strong="G2532"\w* consequence \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w became|strong="G3588"\w* \w very|strong="G2532"\w* \w angry|strong="G4360"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w generation|strong="G1074"\w*  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w said|strong="G3004"\w*, ‘\w Their|strong="G2532"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w* always \w leads|strong="G4105"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w astray|strong="G4105"\w*;  
\q2 \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w known|strong="G1097"\w* \w my|strong="G1473"\w* \w ways|strong="G3598"\w*.’   
\q1
\v 11 \w So|strong="G1519"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* took \w an|strong="G1519"\w* \w oath|strong="G3660"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w wrath|strong="G3709"\w*,  
\q2 ‘\w As|strong="G5613"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w will|strong="G1473"\w* \w ever|strong="G1519"\w* \w enter|strong="G1525"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w rest|strong="G2663"\w*!’ ”\f + \fr 3:11 \ft See Psalm 95:7-11.\f*   
\m
\v 12 —\w take|strong="G2316"\w* care, brothers, \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w there|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G1510"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* \w malignant|strong="G4190"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* unbelief \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w any|strong="G5100"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w so|strong="G3379"\w* \w as|strong="G1722"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* go away \w from|strong="G3588"\w*\f + \fr 3:12 \ft Notice the direction. The term ‘malignant’ implies Satanic influence.\f* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w living|strong="G2198"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*;  
\v 13 rather, \w exhort|strong="G3870"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G1438"\w*\f + \fr 3:13 \ft The pronoun here is reflexive, not reciprocal, but being plural probably includes both ideas—each one should exhort himself, but we should also exhort each other.\f* \w every|strong="G2596"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w*, \w while|strong="G2250"\w* \w it|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w called|strong="G2564"\w* ‘\w today|strong="G4594"\w*’, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w none|strong="G3361"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w be|strong="G3361"\w* \w hardened|strong="G4645"\w* \w through|strong="G2596"\w* sin's deceitfulness.  
\v 14 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w have|strong="G1096"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* associates \w of|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w if|strong="G1437"\w*, \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w*, \w we|strong="G1437"\w* \w hold|strong="G2722"\w* \w fast|strong="G2722"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* beginning \w of|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* Endeavor\f + \fr 3:14 \ft I take it that the Christian life or walk with God is called “the Endeavor” (much like ‘the Way’); people usually start with confidence and enthusiasm, but frequently slow down as the going gets rough.\f* firm \w to|strong="G1096"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w end|strong="G5056"\w*,  
\v 15 \w while|strong="G1722"\w* \w it|strong="G1437"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \it still\it* \w being|strong="G1722"\w* \w said|strong="G3004"\w*, “\w Today|strong="G4594"\w*,\f + \fr 3:15 \ft There comes a time when the window of opportunity is closed, and there are no more ‘todays’.\f* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w would|strong="G1722"\w* \w hear|strong="G5456"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w voice|strong="G5456"\w*, \w do|strong="G3004"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w harden|strong="G4645"\w* \w your|strong="G1437"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* rebellion.”  
\v 16 \w So|strong="G1223"\w* \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G5101"\w*, \w upon|strong="G3588"\w* hearing, \w rebelled|strong="G3893"\w*? Really \w now|strong="G3756"\w*, \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w came|strong="G1831"\w* \w out|strong="G1831"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* Egypt \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w Moses|strong="G3475"\w*?\f + \fr 3:16 \ft Strictly speaking, since the Original Text did not use question marks, this verse could be translated as a statement: ‘For some, having heard, did rebel, but not all who came out of Egypt by Moses.’ However, since those who did not rebel were very few, a minuscule fraction of the people, most versions treat the verse as a question, as I have done.\f*  
\v 17 \w And|strong="G1161"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w*[F] \w angry|strong="G4360"\w* \w for|strong="G1161"\w* \w forty|strong="G5062"\w* \w years|strong="G2094"\w*? \w Was|strong="G3588"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w not|strong="G3780"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* sinned, \w whose|strong="G3739"\w* corpses \w fell|strong="G4098"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w desert|strong="G2048"\w*?  
\v 18 \w Or|strong="G1161"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w whom|strong="G5101"\w* \w did|strong="G5101"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w swear|strong="G3660"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w they|strong="G1161"\w* \w would|strong="G5101"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w enter|strong="G1525"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w rest|strong="G2663"\w*, \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G5101"\w* disobeyed?  
\v 19 \w So|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G3754"\w* see \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w were|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w able|strong="G1410"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w enter|strong="G1525"\w* \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* unbelief.\f + \fr 3:19 \ft The implication is clear; if we disobey it is because we do not really believe—see 4:6 below.\f*   
\c 4  
\m
\v 1 \w Therefore|strong="G3767"\w* \w we|strong="G3767"\w* \nd \+w should|strong="G5100"\+w*\nd* \w fear|strong="G5399"\w*, \w since|strong="G1537"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w entering|strong="G1525"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w rest|strong="G2663"\w* still stands, \w lest|strong="G3379"\w* \w any|strong="G5100"\w* \w one|strong="G5100"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w should|strong="G5100"\w* \w expect|strong="G1380"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w have|strong="G5210"\w* \w come|strong="G1525"\w* \w short|strong="G5302"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w it|strong="G1525"\w*.\f + \fr 4:1 \ft This verse is a continuation of the whole preceding paragraph that emphasizes the need to persevere in faith, so as to enter the rest. If someone decides he has already fallen short, he will likely give up, stop trying.\f*   
\s1 There is still a promised rest  
\p
\v 2 Really, \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* continually hearing \w Good|strong="G2097"\w* \w News|strong="G2097"\w*\f + \fr 4:2 \ft Strictly speaking it should be “we are continually being good-newsed/evangelized”, but to try to make a verb out of ‘good news’ is awkward; on the other hand ‘evangelize’ has the connotation of preaching the Gospel to an unbeliever, which is not the point here. I take the “Good News” here to be God's Truth, on any and all topics.\f* \w just|strong="G2509"\w* \w like|strong="G2509"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* heard \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w profit|strong="G5623"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*, \w since|strong="G1063"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* intimately \w united|strong="G4786"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* obeyed.  
\v 3 \w Now|strong="G1096"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* \w believed|strong="G4100"\w* \w do|strong="G1096"\w* \w enter|strong="G1525"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w rest|strong="G2663"\w*, \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G1096"\w* \w said|strong="G3004"\w*, “\w So|strong="G1519"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w took|strong="G1096"\w* \w an|strong="G1519"\w* \w oath|strong="G3660"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w wrath|strong="G3709"\w*, ‘\w As|strong="G5613"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w will|strong="G1473"\w* \w ever|strong="G1519"\w* \w enter|strong="G1525"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w rest|strong="G2663"\w*!’ ”—\w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w certainly|strong="G1063"\w* \w finished|strong="G1096"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w foundation|strong="G2602"\w* \w of|strong="G2041"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*,  
\v 4 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w somewhere|strong="G4225"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w spoken|strong="G3004"\w* \w about|strong="G4012"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w seventh|strong="G1442"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w* \w like|strong="G3779"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w*, “\w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w seventh|strong="G1442"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w rested|strong="G2664"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w His|strong="G3956"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w*,”\f + \fr 4:4 \ft See Genesis 2:2.\f*  
\v 5 \w while|strong="G1722"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w place|strong="G1722"\w*, “\w As|strong="G1519"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w ever|strong="G1519"\w* \w enter|strong="G1525"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w rest|strong="G2663"\w*!”\f + \fr 4:5 \ft Dear me, this is the third citation of the oath! When He took it, God was “very angry” (3:10 above); is the author implying that 1,500 years later God is similarly angry with those who insist on disobeying? Then it will still be true in our day (another 2,000 years later). [The syntax of these verses is rather convoluted—reminds one of Paul.]\f*  
\v 6 \w Therefore|strong="G3767"\w* \w since|strong="G1893"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* remains \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w some|strong="G5100"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w enter|strong="G1525"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w formerly|strong="G4387"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Good|strong="G2097"\w* \w News|strong="G2097"\w* \w proclaimed|strong="G2097"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w enter|strong="G1525"\w* \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* disobedience,  
\v 7 \w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w* designates \w a|strong="G1722"\w* \w certain|strong="G5100"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w*, \w after|strong="G3326"\w* \w such|strong="G5118"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* \w long|strong="G5550"\w* \w time|strong="G5550"\w*,\f + \fr 4:7 \ft About 500 years.\f* \w saying|strong="G3004"\w* \w through|strong="G1722"\w* \w David|strong="G1138"\w*: “\w Today|strong="G4594"\w*” (\w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w stated|strong="G3004"\w* above), “\w Today|strong="G4594"\w*, \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w would|strong="G5100"\w* \w hear|strong="G5456"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w voice|strong="G5456"\w*, \w do|strong="G3004"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w harden|strong="G4645"\w* \w your|strong="G1437"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w*.”  
\v 8 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*\f + \fr 4:8 \ft Beyond question, the Greek Text has ‘Jesus’, as in the AV, but most modern versions put ‘Joshua’. I suppose that ‘Jesus’ was judged to be an anachronism, and so ‘Joshua’ was elected to relieve the situation. To be sure, the Septuagint we know (based on inferior Alexandrian manuscripts) uniformly spells ‘Joshua’ as Ιησους (Jesus) [as a linguist I wonder why the translators transliterated ‘\ft \+it Iehoshua\+it*’ as ‘\+it Iesus\+it*’], and perhaps in consequence, in Acts 7:45 Luke refers to Joshua as ‘Iesus’ [it was not his purpose to correct the LXX]. However, looking carefully at the context in Psalm 95:7-11, Joshua just does not fit. Consider: it is presumably Jehovah the Son who is speaking (“Jehovah our Maker”, verse 6), and since the reference is to those who fell in the wilderness during the forty years, Joshua cannot be in view. It was precisely Jesus, Jehovah the Son, who did not allow that generation to enter the ‘rest’. For further discussion please see the Appendix: “ ‘Jesus’ or ‘Joshua’?”.\f* \w had|strong="G2424"\w* \w given|strong="G2664"\w* \w them|strong="G1438"\w* \w rest|strong="G2664"\w*, \w He|strong="G3778"\w* \w would|strong="G2250"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w have|strong="G3778"\w* \w spoken|strong="G2980"\w* \w afterward|strong="G3326"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w another|strong="G1438"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w*.  
\v 9 So then, there remains \w a|strong="G2316"\w* \w Sabbath|strong="G4520"\w* \w rest|strong="G4520"\w* \w for|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.  
\v 10 Further, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w entered|strong="G1525"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w rest|strong="G2663"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w himself|strong="G2398"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w rested|strong="G2664"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w his|strong="G1519"\w* \w own|strong="G2398"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w*,\f + \fr 4:10 \ft We enter God's rest through faith in Christ's Work, not through our own works.\f* \w just|strong="G5618"\w* \w as|strong="G5618"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w*.   
\s1 We must give an account  
\p
\v 11 \w Therefore|strong="G3767"\w*, \w let|strong="G3767"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w take|strong="G2443"\w* pains \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w enter|strong="G1525"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w rest|strong="G2663"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w no|strong="G3361"\w* \w one|strong="G5100"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w fall|strong="G4098"\w* \w through|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w same|strong="G1565"\w* pattern \w of|strong="G5100"\w* disobedience.  
\v 12 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Word|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w living|strong="G2198"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* efficient, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w sharper|strong="G5114"\w* \w than|strong="G5228"\w* \w any|strong="G3956"\w* \w two-edged|strong="G1366"\w* \w sword|strong="G3162"\w*, \w actually|strong="G2532"\w* penetrating \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* point \w of|strong="G3056"\w* separating \w soul|strong="G5590"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w*,\f + \fr 4:12 \ft If soul and spirit can be separated, they obviously cannot be the same thing, just as joints and marrow are not the same thing.\f* joints \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w marrow|strong="G3452"\w*; \w in|strong="G2532"\w* fact, \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w able|strong="G2924"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* evaluate \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w*'s reflections \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w intentions|strong="G1771"\w*.\f + \fr 4:12 \ft Meditating on God's Word can be uncomfortable; it is a ‘mirror’ that tells us the truth about ourselves.\f*  
\v 13 \w Nothing|strong="G3756"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w creation|strong="G2937"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* hidden \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w His|strong="G3956"\w* \w sight|strong="G1799"\w*; \w rather|strong="G3756"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w naked|strong="G1131"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w open|strong="G1131"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w eyes|strong="G3788"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w must|strong="G3588"\w* \w give|strong="G1473"\w* \w account|strong="G3056"\w*.\f + \fr 4:13 \ft We must give an account to a Judge who knows ALL the facts. This knowledge really ought to turn us into serious people, diligent seekers of God, but…\f*   
\ms1 We have a Great High Priest  
\p
\v 14 \w Therefore|strong="G3767"\w*, \w since|strong="G2192"\w* \w we|strong="G2192"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w Great|strong="G3173"\w* \w High|strong="G3173"\w* Priest \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w passed|strong="G1330"\w* \w through|strong="G1330"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w heavens|strong="G3772"\w*,\f + \fr 4:14 \ft “Heavens” is plural, so He passed through at least two of them, so God's throne must be in the third heaven (unless there are still more in between).\f* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w let|strong="G3767"\w* \w us|strong="G1330"\w* \w hold|strong="G2902"\w* \w fast|strong="G2902"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Confession|strong="G3671"\w*.  
\v 15 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w do|strong="G2192"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w High|strong="G3956"\w* Priest \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w unable|strong="G3756"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w sympathize|strong="G4834"\w* \w with|strong="G2596"\w* \w our|strong="G3956"\w* weaknesses, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w tested|strong="G3985"\w* \w in|strong="G2596"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w points|strong="G3956"\w*, \w in|strong="G2596"\w* similar ways, \w without|strong="G5565"\w* sin.  
\v 16 \w So|strong="G2443"\w* \w let|strong="G3767"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w approach|strong="G4334"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w throne|strong="G2362"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w*\f + \fr 4:16 \ft Now precisely which, or whose, throne might “the throne of grace” be? I imagine it would be the throne that Jesus is presently occupying at the Father's right. Notice that it is up to us to “approach” and ask.\f* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w confidence|strong="G3954"\w*, \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w receive|strong="G2983"\w* \w mercy|strong="G1656"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w find|strong="G2147"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w*, \w for|strong="G1519"\w* timely help.   
\c 5  
\s1 Qualifications for high priesthood  
\m
\v 1 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w high|strong="G3956"\w* \w priest|strong="G4374"\w* \w taken|strong="G2983"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w among|strong="G1537"\w* \w men|strong="G3956"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w appointed|strong="G2525"\w* \it to act\it* \w on|strong="G1537"\w* \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w men|strong="G3956"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w pertaining|strong="G4314"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w offer|strong="G4374"\w* \w both|strong="G2532"\w* \w gifts|strong="G1435"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="G2378"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* sins,  
\v 2 \w being|strong="G2532"\w* \w able|strong="G1410"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w deal|strong="G3356"\w* \w gently|strong="G3356"\w*\f + \fr 5:2 \ft A gentle priest is a comfort.\f* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* sin \w in|strong="G2532"\w* ignorance \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w go|strong="G4105"\w* \w astray|strong="G4105"\w*, \w since|strong="G1893"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* himself \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* subject \w to|strong="G2532"\w* weakness.  
\v 3 \w Because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w must|strong="G3784"\w* \w offer|strong="G4374"\w* sacrifices \w for|strong="G1223"\w* \w his|strong="G1438"\w* \w own|strong="G1438"\w* sins \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w well|strong="G2532"\w*, \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* does \w for|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w*'s.  
\v 4 \w Also|strong="G2532"\w*, \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w one|strong="G5100"\w* \w receives|strong="G2983"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w honor|strong="G5092"\w* \w on|strong="G3756"\w* \w his|strong="G1438"\w* \w own|strong="G1438"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w upon|strong="G3588"\w* \w being|strong="G2532"\w* \w called|strong="G2564"\w* \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w like|strong="G2531"\w* Aaron.\f + \fr 5:4 \ft Aaron's descendants receive the honor by virtue of birth, not choice.\f*   
\s1 Christ meets the qualifications  
\p
\v 5 \w So|strong="G3779"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* exalt \w Himself|strong="G1438"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w High|strong="G2532"\w* Priest, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w*[F] \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w said|strong="G2980"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*[S],  
\q1 “\w You|strong="G4771"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w my|strong="G1473"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w*;  
\q2 \w today|strong="G4594"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w begotten|strong="G1080"\w* \w You|strong="G4771"\w*.”\f + \fr 5:5 \ft See Psalm 2:7.\f*   
\m
\v 6 \w Just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w*[F] \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w another|strong="G2087"\w* \w place|strong="G1722"\w*,  
\q1 “\w You|strong="G4771"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w priest|strong="G2409"\w* \w forever|strong="G1519"\w*  
\q2 \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w order|strong="G5010"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w Melchizedek|strong="G3198"\w*.”\f + \fr 5:6 \ft See Psalm 110:4.\f*   
\m
\v 7 \w He|strong="G2532"\w*[S], \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w days|strong="G2250"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*, \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w offered|strong="G4374"\w* \w up|strong="G4374"\w* \w both|strong="G2532"\w* \w prayers|strong="G1162"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w supplications|strong="G2428"\w*, \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w loud|strong="G2478"\w* \w cry|strong="G2906"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w tears|strong="G1144"\w*, \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w One|strong="G3739"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w able|strong="G1410"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w save|strong="G4982"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* answered \w because|strong="G1537"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w godly|strong="G2532"\w* \w fear|strong="G2124"\w*,\f + \fr 5:7 \ft I believe the reference is to Gethsemane. Note that there was a single loud (desperate?) cry (that should have roused the drowsy disciples). His anguish was so severe that Jesus literally passed blood through the pores in His skin—normally fatal (Luke 22:44). I suspect that the fear mentioned here was the fear that He would die prematurely, there in the garden. He came to die, certainly, but it had to be on the cross. So the Father sent angels to strengthen Him, to keep Him from dying prematurely.\f*  
\v 8 \w although|strong="G2539"\w* \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w SON|strong="G5207"\w*, \w He|strong="G3739"\w* \w learned|strong="G3129"\w* \w obedience|strong="G5218"\w* \w by|strong="G3739"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G3739"\w* \w suffered|strong="G3958"\w*.  
\v 9 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G1096"\w* completed\f + \fr 5:9 \ft His qualifications to become High Priest were completed. As God, what could He know about suffering and obedience, except in theory? While in human form Jesus literally \ft \+bd learned\+bd* obedience—He had to feel it like we feel it.\f* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w became|strong="G1096"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* Source \w of|strong="G2532"\w* eternal \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w* \w for|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* obeying \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*,\f + \fr 5:9 \ft That is what the Text says; we must \+nd obey\+nd* Him.\f*  
\v 10 \w having|strong="G2316"\w* been \w designated|strong="G4316"\w* \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w as|strong="G2596"\w* \w High|strong="G2316"\w* Priest ‘\w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* \w order|strong="G5010"\w* \w of|strong="G5259"\w* \w Melchizedek|strong="G3198"\w*’;  
\v 11 \w concerning|strong="G4012"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w much|strong="G4183"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w hard|strong="G4183"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w explain|strong="G1421"\w*, \w since|strong="G1893"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w sluggish|strong="G3576"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* hearing.\f + \fr 5:11 \ft The ‘difficulty’ is not so much in the subject matter, but in the spiritual condition of the hearers. This would seem to indicate that the author has a specific audience in view.\f*   
\s1 “Let's move on toward perfection”  
\p
\v 12 Really, \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w although|strong="G5210"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w time|strong="G5550"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w ought|strong="G3784"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w teachers|strong="G1320"\w*, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w need|strong="G5532"\w* \w someone|strong="G5100"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w teach|strong="G1321"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w elementary|strong="G4747"\w* \w principles|strong="G4747"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'\w s|strong="G2192"\w* \w oracles|strong="G3051"\w* \w all|strong="G2532"\w* \w over|strong="G1223"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w*; \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w come|strong="G1096"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* point\f + \fr 5:12 \ft The implication is that they are going backwards.\f* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* needing \w milk|strong="G1051"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w solid|strong="G4731"\w* \w food|strong="G5160"\w*!  
\v 13 Surely; \w whoever|strong="G3588"\w* lives \w on|strong="G1510"\w* \w milk|strong="G1051"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w an|strong="G1510"\w* \w infant|strong="G3516"\w*, \w and|strong="G3056"\w* \w therefore|strong="G1063"\w* unskilled \w in|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w Word|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*.  
\v 14 \w On|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w other|strong="G1161"\w* \w hand|strong="G1161"\w*, \w solid|strong="G4731"\w* \w food|strong="G5160"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w for|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w mature|strong="G5046"\w*, \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* habitual \w use|strong="G1838"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w trained|strong="G1128"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* senses \w to|strong="G4314"\w* distinguish \w good|strong="G2570"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w bad|strong="G2556"\w*.\f + \fr 5:14 \ft Expressions like “habitual use” and “trained their senses” indicate directed, conscious effort on our part.\f*   
\c 6  
\m
\v 1 \w Therefore|strong="G1352"\w*, \w leaving|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* elementary \w teaching|strong="G3056"\w* \w about|strong="G1909"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w let|strong="G2532"\w* \w us|strong="G1909"\w* \w move|strong="G3056"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w toward|strong="G1909"\w* \w perfection|strong="G5047"\w*, \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w laying|strong="G2598"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w foundation|strong="G2310"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w repentance|strong="G3341"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* trust \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*,  
\v 2 \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w teaching|strong="G1322"\w* \w about|strong="G1322"\w* baptisms, \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w laying|strong="G1936"\w* \w on|strong="G5495"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w hands|strong="G5495"\w*, \w of|strong="G2532"\w* resurrection \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* eternal \w judgment|strong="G2917"\w*.\f + \fr 6:2 \ft Note that the topics mentioned are stated to be “elementary”. Note also that “baptisms” is plural.\f*  
\v 3 \w We|strong="G1437"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w*, \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w*, \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w should|strong="G2316"\w* \w permit|strong="G2010"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w*.\f + \fr 6:3 \ft The author is not at all sure that God will, indeed, permit it!\f*   
\s2 No one kills Jesus twice  
\p
\v 4 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w*, \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* impossible \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w bring|strong="G5461"\w* back \w into|strong="G1096"\w* repentance \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* once \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w all|strong="G2532"\w* \w enlightened|strong="G5461"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* partaken\f + \fr 6:4 \ft The verb here—whether ‘to taste’, ‘to partake’, ‘to obtain’ or ‘to come to know’—has to do with \+nd experience\+nd*.\f* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w heavenly|strong="G2032"\w* \w gift|strong="G1431"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w made|strong="G1096"\w* sharers \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Holy|strong="G4151"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*,\f + \fr 6:4 \ft It seems clear enough that the reference is to people who have the Holy Spirit.\f*  
\v 5 \w who|strong="G2316"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* experienced \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w good|strong="G2570"\w* event\f + \fr 6:5 \ft I take it that “God's good event” refers to regeneration.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* capabilities \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w coming|strong="G3195"\w* age,\f + \fr 6:5 \ft Eternal life is a quality of life; it begins down here for those who have been regenerated.\f*  
\v 6 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w yet|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w fallen|strong="G3895"\w* \w away|strong="G3895"\w*—\w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w would|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* crucifying \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w all|strong="G2532"\w* \w over|strong="G1519"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w*, \w just|strong="G2532"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w themselves|strong="G1438"\w*, \w holding|strong="G3856"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w up|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* contempt.\f + \fr 6:6 \ft No amount of theological shifting and squirming can nullify the plain meaning of this verse. The only way to crucify Jesus \ft \+bd again\+bd* is if you have already done so once before. No one is going to kill Jesus twice; if the first time was not good enough for you, you have had it! Anyone who holds Jesus “up to contempt” can expect wrath.\f*   
\p
\v 7 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w ground|strong="G1093"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w drinks|strong="G4095"\w* \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w rain|strong="G5205"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* frequently \w falls|strong="G2064"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* produces \w a|strong="G2532"\w* crop \w useful|strong="G2111"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* really cultivated \w receives|strong="G3335"\w* \w blessing|strong="G2129"\w* \w from|strong="G2064"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*;  
\v 8 \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w should|strong="G3588"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w bear|strong="G2532"\w* thorns \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w thistles|strong="G5146"\w*, \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* disqualified, almost \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w curse|strong="G2671"\w*, \w whose|strong="G3739"\w* destiny \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* burning.\f + \fr 6:8 \ft This ground was cultivated, not an unplowed weed patch, and planted with good seed; if it \+nd still\+nd* produces thorns and thistles there is something wrong with it. Thistle seeds need to be burned, not plowed under.\f*   
\s2 A word of encouragement  
\p
\v 9 \w For|strong="G4012"\w* \w all|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w*, dear ones, \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w confident|strong="G3982"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w better|strong="G2909"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w concerning|strong="G4012"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*—\w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w accompany|strong="G2192"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w*—\w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w though|strong="G1487"\w* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w speak|strong="G2980"\w* \w like|strong="G3779"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 10 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* unjust \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* ignore \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w work|strong="G2041"\w*, \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w labor|strong="G2041"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* love \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* invested \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w name|strong="G3686"\w*, \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w ministered|strong="G1247"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* saints \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w continue|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w so|strong="G2532"\w*.  
\v 11 \w You|strong="G5210"\w* see, \w we|strong="G1161"\w* really \w do|strong="G1937"\w* want \w each|strong="G1538"\w* \w of|strong="G1680"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w show|strong="G1731"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* same \w diligence|strong="G4710"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w very|strong="G3588"\w* \w end|strong="G5056"\w*, \w so|strong="G1161"\w* \w as|strong="G1161"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* fulfill \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w*;  
\v 12 \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* lazy, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w rather|strong="G1161"\w* \w imitators|strong="G3402"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w patience|strong="G3115"\w* \w inherit|strong="G2816"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w promises|strong="G1860"\w*.\f + \fr 6:12 \ft We inherit the promises through faith \+nd and\+nd* perseverance—the author keeps insisting: we have to persevere, hang on, stay with it, whatever, until the end of our earthly life.\f*   
\s1 Our secure anchor  
\p
\v 13 Now \w when|strong="G2192"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w made|strong="G1861"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w promise|strong="G1861"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* Abraham, \w since|strong="G1893"\w* \w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w had|strong="G2192"\w* \w no|strong="G3762"\w* \w one|strong="G3762"\w* \w greater|strong="G3173"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w swear|strong="G3660"\w* \w by|strong="G2596"\w*, \w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w swore|strong="G3660"\w* \w by|strong="G2596"\w* \w Himself|strong="G1438"\w*  
\v 14 \w saying|strong="G3004"\w*, “\w Indeed|strong="G2532"\w*, \w blessing|strong="G2127"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w bless|strong="G2127"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w multiplying|strong="G4129"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w multiply|strong="G4129"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w*.”\f + \fr 6:14 \ft I did not want to lose the Hebrew idiom; a freer rendering would be, ‘Indeed, I will bless you greatly, and I will multiply you greatly’—the “multiply” refers to descendants. See Genesis 22:17.\f*  
\v 15 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w so|strong="G3779"\w*, \w after|strong="G2532"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* \w patient|strong="G3114"\w*,\f + \fr 6:15 \ft Well, his ‘patience’ was an up and down thing (Ishmael, and all that), but he never gave up altogether.\f* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w obtained|strong="G2013"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w*.   
\p
\v 16 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w since|strong="G1063"\w* \w men|strong="G3956"\w* \w swear|strong="G3660"\w* \w by|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w greater|strong="G3173"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* confirming \w oath|strong="G3727"\w* puts \w an|strong="G2532"\w* \w end|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* dispute,  
\v 17 similarly \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w being|strong="G1722"\w* \w determined|strong="G1012"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w show|strong="G1925"\w* \w even|strong="G3739"\w* \w more|strong="G2316"\w* clearly \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w heirs|strong="G2818"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* unchanging nature \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w purpose|strong="G1012"\w*, guaranteed \w it|strong="G3739"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w an|strong="G1722"\w* \w oath|strong="G3727"\w*,  
\v 18 \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w two|strong="G1417"\w* unalterable \w things|strong="G3588"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w it|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* impossible \w for|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w lie|strong="G5574"\w*, \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w should|strong="G2316"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w strong|strong="G2478"\w* \w encouragement|strong="G3874"\w*, \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w taken|strong="G2703"\w* \w refuge|strong="G2703"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* grasping \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w* \w set|strong="G4295"\w* \w before|strong="G1722"\w* \w us|strong="G1722"\w*;  
\v 19 \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w hope|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w an|strong="G2192"\w* anchor \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w soul|strong="G5590"\w*, \w both|strong="G2532"\w* \w certain|strong="G2532"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* secure,\f + \fr 6:19 \ft Oh, praise God! With an “anchor” like that we have every reason to persevere.\f* \w actually|strong="G2532"\w* \w entering|strong="G1525"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w inner|strong="G2082"\w* \it sanctuary\it* behind \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w curtain|strong="G2665"\w*,  
\v 20 \w where|strong="G3699"\w* \w Forerunner|strong="G4274"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w has|strong="G1096"\w* \w entered|strong="G1525"\w* \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w our|strong="G2424"\w* \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w*, having \w become|strong="G1096"\w* High Priest \w forever|strong="G1519"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w order|strong="G5010"\w* \w of|strong="G2596"\w* \w Melchizedek|strong="G3198"\w*.   
\c 7  
\ms1 Melchizedek, priest and king  
\m
\v 1 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w Melchizedek|strong="G3198"\w*—\w king|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w Salem|strong="G4532"\w*, \w priest|strong="G2409"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w Most|strong="G5310"\w* \w High|strong="G5310"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w met|strong="G4876"\w* Abraham \w returning|strong="G5290"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w slaughter|strong="G2871"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w kings|strong="G3588"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w blessed|strong="G2127"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*,  
\v 2 \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* Abraham \w gave|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w tenth|strong="G1181"\w* \w part|strong="G1181"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* (\w first|strong="G4413"\w*, \w his|strong="G3956"\w* \w name|strong="G3739"\w* \w means|strong="G1510"\w* ‘king \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*’, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w then|strong="G2532"\w* \w again|strong="G2532"\w* ‘king \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w Salem|strong="G4532"\w*’, \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w means|strong="G1510"\w* ‘king \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w*’),  
\v 3 \w without|strong="G2316"\w* father, \w without|strong="G2316"\w* mother, \w without|strong="G2316"\w* genealogy; \w having|strong="G2192"\w* \w neither|strong="G3383"\w* beginning \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w days|strong="G2250"\w* \w nor|strong="G3383"\w* \w end|strong="G5056"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w having|strong="G2192"\w* \w been|strong="G2192"\w* \w made|strong="G2316"\w* \w like|strong="G5207"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*\f + \fr 7:3 \ft One wonders if Melchizedek was not some sort of theophany, perhaps Jehovah the Son, Himself.\f*—\w remains|strong="G3306"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w priest|strong="G2409"\w* \w continually|strong="G1336"\w*.   
\s1 Melchizedek greater than Abraham  
\p
\v 4 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w consider|strong="G2334"\w* \w how|strong="G1161"\w* \w great|strong="G2532"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* personage \w was|strong="G3588"\w*, \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w patriarch|strong="G3966"\w* Abraham \w gave|strong="G1325"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w tenth|strong="G1181"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* spoils:\f + \fr 7:4 \ft Why would Abraham give a tenth of the spoils to a stranger? Something about Melchizedek was very impressive. When Jehovah the Son appeared to Abraham to announce the destruction of Sodom, he knew who He was.\f*  
\v 5 \w You|strong="G1510"\w* see, \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w sons|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w Levi|strong="G3017"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w receive|strong="G2983"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w priesthood|strong="G2405"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w command|strong="G1785"\w*, \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w collect|strong="G2983"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* tithe \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w*—\w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w*, \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* brothers—\w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w though|strong="G2532"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \it too\it* \w came|strong="G1831"\w* \w out|strong="G1831"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* Abraham'\w s|strong="G2192"\w* body;  
\v 6 \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w whose|strong="G3588"\w* descent \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w counted|strong="G2192"\w* \w among|strong="G1537"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w collected|strong="G1183"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* tithe \w from|strong="G1537"\w* Abraham \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w blessed|strong="G2127"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w had|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w promises|strong="G1860"\w*.  
\v 7 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w without|strong="G5565"\w* dispute \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w lesser|strong="G1640"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w blessed|strong="G2127"\w* \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w greater|strong="G2909"\w*.  
\v 8 \w Also|strong="G2532"\w*, \w here|strong="G5602"\w* men \w who|strong="G3748"\w* die \w receive|strong="G2983"\w* \w tithes|strong="G1181"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w there|strong="G1563"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w whom|strong="G1161"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3748"\w* \w testified|strong="G3140"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w lives|strong="G2198"\w*  
\v 9 —\w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w word|strong="G3588"\w*, \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w Levi|strong="G3018"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w receives|strong="G2983"\w* \w tithes|strong="G1181"\w*, \w paid|strong="G1183"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* tithe \w through|strong="G1223"\w* Abraham,  
\v 10 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w he|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w still|strong="G2089"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* reproductive system \w of|strong="G3962"\w* \w his|strong="G1722"\w* \w forefather|strong="G3962"\w* \w when|strong="G3753"\w* \w Melchizedek|strong="G3198"\w* \w met|strong="G4876"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*.\f + \fr 7:10 \ft This is instructive. The inspired author affirms that Levi was in Abraham and also paid the tithe to Melchizedek, but when Abraham met Melchizedek not even Isaac had been born yet, much less Jacob and Levi. So the human spirit, the ‘image’ of the Creator, is transmitted by the male sperm. This agrees with Romans 5:12-21, where we are informed that Adam's sin contaminated all his descendants. When Eve sinned, she sinned alone. When Adam sinned, we did too.\f*   
\s1 Melchizedek greater than Aaron  
\p
\v 11 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w could|strong="G3588"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w perfection|strong="G5050"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Levitical|strong="G3020"\w* \w priesthood|strong="G2420"\w* (\w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w basis|strong="G1909"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w received|strong="G3549"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Law|strong="G3549"\w*), \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w further|strong="G2089"\w* \w need|strong="G5532"\w* \w would|strong="G2532"\w* \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w different|strong="G2087"\w* kind \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w priest|strong="G2409"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* arise \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w order|strong="G5010"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w Melchizedek|strong="G3198"\w*, \w rather|strong="G3756"\w* \w than|strong="G2532"\w* \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w called|strong="G3004"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w order|strong="G5010"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* Aaron?  
\v 12 (\w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w priesthood|strong="G2420"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w changed|strong="G3346"\w* \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w change|strong="G3331"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w of|strong="G1537"\w* necessity.)  
\v 13 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w He|strong="G3739"\w* \w of|strong="G1909"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w said|strong="G3004"\w* \w belongs|strong="G3348"\w* \w to|strong="G1909"\w* \w a|strong="G1909"\w* \w different|strong="G2087"\w* \w tribe|strong="G5443"\w*, \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w no|strong="G3762"\w* \w one|strong="G3762"\w* \w has|strong="G3739"\w* \w officiated|strong="G4337"\w* \w at|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G1909"\w* \w altar|strong="G2379"\w*.  
\v 14 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w evident|strong="G4271"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w our|strong="G2962"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* arose \w out|strong="G1537"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w Judah|strong="G2455"\w*, \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w tribe|strong="G5443"\w* \w Moses|strong="G3475"\w* \w spoke|strong="G2980"\w* \w nothing|strong="G3762"\w* \w concerning|strong="G4012"\w* priesthood.  
\v 15 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G2532"\w* becomes \w clearer|strong="G2612"\w* \w still|strong="G2089"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w different|strong="G2087"\w* kind \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w priest|strong="G2409"\w*, \w in|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w likeness|strong="G3665"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w Melchizedek|strong="G3198"\w*, appears,  
\v 16 \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w has|strong="G3739"\w* \w come|strong="G1096"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w on|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* \w basis|strong="G2596"\w* \w of|strong="G3551"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w about|strong="G2596"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w physical|strong="G4560"\w* rule \w but|strong="G3551"\w* \w on|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* \w basis|strong="G2596"\w* \w of|strong="G3551"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* \w power|strong="G1411"\w* \w of|strong="G3551"\w* \w an|strong="G1096"\w* indestructible \w life|strong="G2222"\w*.\f + \fr 7:16 \ft “An indestructible life”—that is how come He can be “a priest forever”.\f*  
\v 17 \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w He|strong="G3754"\w* \w testifies|strong="G3140"\w*:  
\q1 “\w You|strong="G4771"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w priest|strong="G2409"\w* \w forever|strong="G1519"\w*  
\q2 \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w order|strong="G5010"\w* \w of|strong="G2596"\w* \w Melchizedek|strong="G3198"\w*.”   
\p
\v 18 \w You|strong="G2532"\w* see, \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* annulling \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w former|strong="G3588"\w* rule \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w its|strong="G1223"\w* weakness \w and|strong="G2532"\w* uselessness  
\v 19 (\w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w* \w made|strong="G5048"\w* \w nothing|strong="G3762"\w* \w perfect|strong="G5048"\w*), \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w a|strong="G1161"\w* \w bringing|strong="G1898"\w* \w in|strong="G2316"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w a|strong="G1161"\w* \w better|strong="G2909"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w*, \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w draw|strong="G1448"\w* \w near|strong="G1448"\w* \w to|strong="G1161"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.   
\s1 Our eternal High Priest represents us eternally  
\p
\v 20 Further, \w inasmuch|strong="G2596"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w without|strong="G5565"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w taking|strong="G1096"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* \w oath|strong="G3728"\w*  
\v 21 —\w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w become|strong="G1161"\w* \w priests|strong="G2409"\w* \w without|strong="G2532"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* oath-taking, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w*[\w S|strong="G2962"\w*] \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* \w oath|strong="G3728"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*[F] \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w said|strong="G3004"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*[\w S|strong="G2962"\w*]:  
\q1 “\w The|strong="G2532"\w* \sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc* \w has|strong="G2962"\w* \w sworn|strong="G3660"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w change|strong="G3338"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w*[F] \w mind|strong="G2532"\w*;  
\q2 \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w priest|strong="G2409"\w* \w forever|strong="G1519"\w*  
\q2 \w according|strong="G3756"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w order|strong="G4314"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* Melchizedek”\f + \fr 7:21 \ft Some 2% of the Greek manuscripts, of objectively inferior quality, omit “according to the order of Melchizedek” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f*   
\m
\v 22 —\w by|strong="G2596"\w* \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w much|strong="G5118"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w has|strong="G1096"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w guarantee|strong="G1450"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w better|strong="G2909"\w* \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w*.  
\v 23 \w Also|strong="G2532"\w*, \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* \w priests|strong="G2409"\w* \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w* \w prevented|strong="G2967"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w continuing|strong="G3887"\w* \it in office\it*;  
\v 24 \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w*[\w S|strong="G2192"\w*], \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w continues|strong="G3306"\w* \w forever|strong="G1519"\w*, \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w an|strong="G2192"\w* unchangeable \w priesthood|strong="G2420"\w*.  
\v 25 \w Therefore|strong="G1223"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w able|strong="G1410"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w save|strong="G4982"\w* absolutely\f + \fr 7:25 \ft Wonderful! He is always ‘there’ for us.\f* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w come|strong="G4334"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*, \w since|strong="G1223"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w always|strong="G3842"\w* \w lives|strong="G2198"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w can|strong="G1410"\w* \w intercede|strong="G1793"\w* \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w*.   
\p
\v 26 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w such|strong="G5108"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w High|strong="G5308"\w* Priest \w was|strong="G1096"\w* \w fitting|strong="G4241"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w us|strong="G1096"\w*—\w holy|strong="G3741"\w*, innocent, undefiled, \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G1096"\w* \w set|strong="G1096"\w* apart \w from|strong="G2532"\w* sinners, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w higher|strong="G5308"\w* \w than|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w heavens|strong="G3772"\w*—  
\v 27 \w who|strong="G3739"\w*, unlike \w those|strong="G3588"\w* high priests, \w does|strong="G4160"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w need|strong="G2192"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w offer|strong="G4374"\w* \w up|strong="G4374"\w* \w daily|strong="G2250"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="G2378"\w*, \w first|strong="G4386"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w His|strong="G1438"\w* \w own|strong="G2398"\w* sins \w and|strong="G2250"\w* \w then|strong="G1899"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* sins \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w*; \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w He|strong="G3739"\w* \w did|strong="G4160"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w once|strong="G2178"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w all|strong="G2596"\w* \w when|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G3739"\w* \w offered|strong="G4374"\w* \w up|strong="G4374"\w* \w Himself|strong="G1438"\w*.  
\v 28 \w The|strong="G1519"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w* \w appoints|strong="G2525"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* high priest \w men|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* weakness, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w oath|strong="G3728"\w*, \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w came|strong="G3588"\w* \w after|strong="G3326"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w appointed|strong="G2525"\w* \bd \+w Son|strong="G5207"\+w*\bd*, \w forever|strong="G1519"\w* \w perfect|strong="G5048"\w*.\f + \fr 7:28 \ft The Text has, literally, ‘having been perfected’ (or ‘completed’, or ‘consecrated’); the result of ‘having been perfected’ is to be perfect, and it is the result that is eternal, not the process.\f*   
\c 8  
\s2 Priest and Mediator of a better covenant  
\m
\v 1 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w main|strong="G2774"\w* \w point|strong="G1909"\w* \w of|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w saying|strong="G3004"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w*: \w We|strong="G3739"\w* \w do|strong="G2192"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w such|strong="G5108"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* High Priest, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w sat|strong="G2523"\w* \w down|strong="G2523"\w*\f + \fr 8:1 \ft He took His seat; it was His prerogative.\f* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w right|strong="G1188"\w* \w of|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Majesty|strong="G3172"\w*'\w s|strong="G2192"\w* \w throne|strong="G2362"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w heavens|strong="G3772"\w*,  
\v 2 \w Minister|strong="G3011"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* Holy Places, \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w*, \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w true|strong="G3588"\w* \w Tabernacle|strong="G4633"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w set|strong="G2532"\w* \w up|strong="G2532"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w man|strong="G3739"\w*.  
\v 3 \w Every|strong="G3956"\w* \w high|strong="G3956"\w* \w priest|strong="G4374"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w appointed|strong="G2525"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w offer|strong="G4374"\w* \w both|strong="G2532"\w* \w gifts|strong="G1435"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="G2378"\w* (\w it|strong="G2532"\w* follows \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* necessary \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w One|strong="G5100"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w something|strong="G5100"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w might|strong="G2532"\w* \w offer|strong="G4374"\w*)  
\v 4 —\w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w earth|strong="G1093"\w* \w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w would|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3761"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G1510"\w* \w priest|strong="G2409"\w*, \w there|strong="G1510"\w* already \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w priests|strong="G2409"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w offer|strong="G4374"\w* \w the|strong="G1909"\w* \w gifts|strong="G1435"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G1909"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w*;\f + \fr 8:4 \ft This presumably indicates that this missive was written before the destruction of the temple in 70 AD, when the sacrifices ceased.\f*  
\v 5 \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w serve|strong="G3000"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w copy|strong="G5262"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w shadow|strong="G4639"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w heavenly|strong="G2032"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w*\f + \fr 8:5 \ft The Tabernacle assembled by Moses was but a ‘shadow’ of the real thing; which probably means that the spiritual realm is more ‘real’ than the physical one—which is difficult for us to believe, so very few live on that basis.\f* (\w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w why|strong="G1063"\w* \w Moses|strong="G3475"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w warned|strong="G5537"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G5537"\w* \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w ready|strong="G3195"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* assemble \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Tabernacle|strong="G4633"\w*: “\w See|strong="G3708"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w*,” \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w says|strong="G5346"\w*, “\w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w make|strong="G4160"\w* \w everything|strong="G3956"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w pattern|strong="G5179"\w* \w shown|strong="G1166"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w mountain|strong="G3735"\w*”)—  
\v 6 \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \nd \+w now|strong="G1161"\+w*\nd* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w has|strong="G3748"\w* \w obtained|strong="G5177"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w more|strong="G3745"\w* \w excellent|strong="G1313"\w* \w ministry|strong="G3009"\w*, \w just|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w Mediator|strong="G3316"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w better|strong="G2909"\w* \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w*, \w which|strong="G3748"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w enacted|strong="G3549"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w law|strong="G3549"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w basis|strong="G1909"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w better|strong="G2909"\w* \w promises|strong="G1860"\w*.\f + \fr 8:6 \ft Wow! How is that for convoluted syntax—verses 3-6 form a single sentence. It almost feels ‘Pauline’!\f*   
\s1 A new covenant  
\p
\v 7 \w Now|strong="G1510"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w there|strong="G1063"\w* \w had|strong="G1510"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w nothing|strong="G3756"\w* wrong \w with|strong="G3756"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w first|strong="G4413"\w* covenant, \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w place|strong="G5117"\w* \w would|strong="G1510"\w* \w have|strong="G1510"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w sought|strong="G2212"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w a|strong="G1510"\w* \w second|strong="G1208"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w*;  
\v 8 \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w finding|strong="G3201"\w* \w fault|strong="G3201"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*\f + \fr 8:8 \ft That is right, the people, since they did not live up to the covenant. The following quote is from Jeremiah 31:31-34.\f* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w*:  
\q1 “\w Listen|strong="G2400"\w*! \w Days|strong="G2250"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w coming|strong="G2064"\w*,” \w says|strong="G3004"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc*,  
\q2 “\w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* establish \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w new|strong="G2537"\w* \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w*  
\q2 \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w house|strong="G3624"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w Israel|strong="G2474"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w house|strong="G3624"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w Judah|strong="G2455"\w*\f + \fr 8:8 \ft The author equates the second covenant, inaugurated by Christ, with Jeremiah's new covenant, so the reference to ‘the house of Israel’ and ‘the house of Judah’ means that there are no ‘lost’ tribes—God knows who they are and where they are (see Revelation 7:4-8).\f*   
\q1
\v 9 —\w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w made|strong="G4160"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* \w fathers|strong="G3962"\w*  
\q2 \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w* \w when|strong="G1722"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w took|strong="G1949"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w hand|strong="G5495"\w*  
\q2 \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w lead|strong="G1806"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w out|strong="G1537"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w land|strong="G1093"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* Egypt,\f + \fr 8:9 \ft “I took them by the hand”—recall that they were led by the column of cloud/fire from the very first.\f*  
\q1 \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w did|strong="G4160"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w abide|strong="G1696"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w*  
\q2 \w and|strong="G3962"\w* \w so|strong="G2504"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* disregarded \w them|strong="G3588"\w*,” \w says|strong="G3004"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc*.   
\q1
\v 10 “\w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w make|strong="G1303"\w*  
\q2 \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w house|strong="G3624"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w Israel|strong="G2474"\w* \w after|strong="G3326"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w days|strong="G2250"\w*,” \w says|strong="G3004"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc*,\f + \fr 8:10 \ft “The house of Israel” is not the Church! I would say that verses 10 and 11 here will be fulfilled during the Messianic Millennial Kingdom. Notice “they will be my people”.\f*  
\q1 “\w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w put|strong="G1325"\w* \w my|strong="G1325"\w* \w laws|strong="G3551"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* \w mind|strong="G1271"\w*  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w write|strong="G1924"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w*;  
\q1 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w my|strong="G1325"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w*.   
\q1
\v 11 Further, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w one|strong="G1538"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w teach|strong="G1321"\w* \w his|strong="G3956"\w* neighbor  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w one|strong="G1538"\w* \w his|strong="G3956"\w* brother \w saying|strong="G3004"\w*, ‘\w Get|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc*!’  
\q1 \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*,  
\q2 \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w least|strong="G3398"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w greatest|strong="G3173"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*.   
\q1
\v 12 \w For|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w merciful|strong="G2436"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* wrongdoings;  
\q2 \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w at|strong="G2089"\w* \w all|strong="G2532"\w* \w remember|strong="G3403"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* sins \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* lawless deeds.”\f + \fr 8:12 \ft Some 3.5% of the Greek manuscripts omit “and their lawless deeds” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f*   
\p
\v 13 \w By|strong="G1722"\w* \w saying|strong="G3004"\w* ‘\w new|strong="G2537"\w*’ \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w has|strong="G2532"\w* \w made|strong="G3822"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w first|strong="G4413"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* ‘\w old|strong="G3822"\w*’; \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w obsolete|strong="G3822"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w aging|strong="G1095"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w near|strong="G1451"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* end.   
\c 9  
\s1 The earthly sanctuary  
\m
\v 1 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w first|strong="G4413"\w* covenant \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w regulations|strong="G1345"\w* \w for|strong="G2532"\w* \w divine|strong="G2999"\w* \w service|strong="G2999"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w earthly|strong="G2886"\w* sanctuary.  
\v 2 \w Yes|strong="G1063"\w*, \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w tabernacle|strong="G4633"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w set|strong="G2532"\w* \w up|strong="G1722"\w*: \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w first|strong="G4413"\w* \w part|strong="G2532"\w*, \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w called|strong="G3004"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* Holy \w Place|strong="G1722"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* lamp stand, \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w table|strong="G5132"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* showbread;  
\v 3 \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w behind|strong="G3326"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w second|strong="G1208"\w* \w curtain|strong="G2665"\w* \w an|strong="G3326"\w* area \w called|strong="G3004"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* Holy \w of|strong="G3588"\w* Holies,  
\v 4 \w having|strong="G2192"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w golden|strong="G5552"\w* \w censer|strong="G2369"\w*\f + \fr 9:4 \ft The normal meaning of the Greek word here is precisely ‘censer’, but unfortunately modern versions like NIV, TEV, LB, NASB render ‘altar of incense’, thus setting up a contradiction with the Old Testament. According to Exodus 30:6 the altar of incense was placed in front of the curtain leading into the Holy of Holies, and so it was in the Holy Place, not the Holy of Holies. The only reference to this particular censer appears to be in Leviticus 16:12, where it was to be used behind the second curtain to hide the Ark with smoke. Since that censer would only be used once a year (on the day of atonement), it may well have been stored just behind a corner of the second curtain (where the high priest could retrieve it without looking in) and thus the author of Hebrews would be correct in saying that the \+nd censer\+nd* was behind the second curtain, whereas the altar was in front of it. In any event, evidently that censer was only used within the Holy of Holies, and so it would be appropriate to say that the area ‘had’ a golden censer.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w ark|strong="G2787"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w* \w overlaid|strong="G4028"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G2532"\w* \w sides|strong="G3840"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w gold|strong="G5553"\w*—\w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w golden|strong="G5552"\w* \w jar|strong="G4713"\w* \w holding|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w manna|strong="G3131"\w*, Aaron'\w s|strong="G2192"\w* \w rod|strong="G4464"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* budded, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* stone \w tablets|strong="G4109"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w*;  
\v 5 \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w above|strong="G5231"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w cherubim|strong="G5502"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w overshadowing|strong="G2683"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w mercy|strong="G2435"\w* \w seat|strong="G2435"\w* (\w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w place|strong="G3313"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w go|strong="G3739"\w* \w into|strong="G2596"\w* \w detail|strong="G3313"\w* \w about|strong="G4012"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*).\f + \fr 9:5 \ft Oh, but I wish he had!\f*   
\s2 The service of the sanctuary  
\p
\v 6 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w when|strong="G1161"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w had|strong="G3588"\w* been \w thus|strong="G3779"\w* \w prepared|strong="G2680"\w*, \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w priests|strong="G2409"\w* \w continually|strong="G1223"\w* \w went|strong="G1524"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w first|strong="G4413"\w* \w part|strong="G1161"\w*, \w performing|strong="G2005"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w divine|strong="G2999"\w* services,  
\v 7 \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w second|strong="G1208"\w* \w one|strong="G3739"\w* \w only|strong="G3441"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w high|strong="G2532"\w* \w priest|strong="G4374"\w* \w could|strong="G3588"\w* \w go|strong="G3739"\w*, \w once|strong="G3739"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w year|strong="G1763"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w only|strong="G3441"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* blood, \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w offered|strong="G4374"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w himself|strong="G1438"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w*'s sins \w of|strong="G2532"\w* ignorance;\f + \fr 9:7 \ft There was no sacrifice for deliberate sin.\f*  
\v 8 \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Holy|strong="G4151"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* making \w clear|strong="G1213"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w way|strong="G3598"\w* into \w the|strong="G3588"\w* Most \w Holy|strong="G4151"\w* Place \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G5319"\w* \w yet|strong="G2089"\w* open \w to|strong="G3778"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* public \w while|strong="G3778"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w first|strong="G4413"\w* \w tabernacle|strong="G4633"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w still|strong="G2089"\w* \w in|strong="G2192"\w* existence.  
\v 9 \w It|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w figure|strong="G3850"\w* \w during|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w time|strong="G2540"\w* \w then|strong="G2532"\w* \w present|strong="G1764"\w*, \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w time|strong="G2540"\w* \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w both|strong="G2532"\w* \w gifts|strong="G1435"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="G2378"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w being|strong="G2532"\w* \w offered|strong="G4374"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w incapable|strong="G3361"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* clearing \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w conscience|strong="G4893"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w worshiper|strong="G3000"\w*—  
\v 10 \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w were|strong="G2532"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w about|strong="G1909"\w* \w foods|strong="G1033"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w drinks|strong="G4188"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w various|strong="G1313"\w* ceremonial washings \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w physical|strong="G4561"\w* \w regulations|strong="G1345"\w*, things \w imposed|strong="G1945"\w* \w until|strong="G3360"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w time|strong="G2540"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* restructuring.\f + \fr 9:10 \ft Or, ‘the time of getting it right’.\f*   
\s1 Christ serves in the heavenly sanctuary  
\p
\v 11 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* entered once \w for|strong="G1223"\w* \w all|strong="G2532"\w* \w into|strong="G1096"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* real Holy Places, \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w obtained|strong="G3756"\w* eternal redemption—\w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w come|strong="G1096"\w* \w as|strong="G1161"\w* \w High|strong="G3173"\w* Priest \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w good|strong="G1223"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w about|strong="G3195"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w*, \w with|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w greater|strong="G3173"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w more|strong="G3173"\w* \w perfect|strong="G5046"\w* \w tabernacle|strong="G4633"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w made|strong="G1096"\w* \w with|strong="G1223"\w* \w hands|strong="G5499"\w*, \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w say|strong="G1223"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w creation|strong="G2937"\w*,  
\v 12 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w with|strong="G1223"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w* \w own|strong="G2398"\w* blood, \w not|strong="G3761"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w goats|strong="G5131"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w calves|strong="G3448"\w*.  
\v 13 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* blood \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w bulls|strong="G5022"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w goats|strong="G5131"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w ashes|strong="G4700"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w heifer|strong="G1151"\w* \w sprinkling|strong="G4472"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* ceremonially \w defiled|strong="G2840"\w*, restored ceremonial \w purity|strong="G2514"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w body|strong="G4561"\w*,  
\v 14 \w how|strong="G4214"\w* \w much|strong="G4214"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* blood \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w Holy|strong="G4151"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*\f + \fr 9:14 \ft We are accustomed to ‘the Eternal Spirit’, an attractive reading; I have followed the best line of transmission, albeit supported by only some 30% of the Greek manuscripts, plus the Latin tradition.\f* \w offered|strong="G4374"\w* \w Himself|strong="G1438"\w*\f + \fr 9:14 \ft If Christ “offered Himself”, He was both High Priest and Lamb. The Holy Spirit was with Him all the time. Verse 14 overtly mentions all three persons of the Trinity.\f* unblemished \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w cleanse|strong="G2511"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w conscience|strong="G4893"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w serve|strong="G3000"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w living|strong="G2198"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*?  
\v 15 \w For|strong="G1519"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w reason|strong="G1223"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w mediator|strong="G3316"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w new|strong="G2537"\w* \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w*, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w called|strong="G2564"\w*\f + \fr 9:15 \ft “Who have been called”—the author alludes to God's sovereignty.\f* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w receive|strong="G2983"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w promised|strong="G1860"\w* eternal \w inheritance|strong="G2817"\w*—\w since|strong="G1223"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w* \w has|strong="G1096"\w* \w occurred|strong="G1096"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* redemption \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w transgressions|strong="G3847"\w* \w under|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w first|strong="G4413"\w* \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w*.\f + \fr 9:15 \ft All the animals sacrificed under the first covenant could not redeem; their effect was temporary. The salvation of all Old Testament saints depends upon the shed blood of God's Lamb.\f*   
\s1 The earthly sanctuary inaugurated with blood  
\p
\v 16 Now \w where|strong="G3699"\w* \w there|strong="G1063"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G1063"\w* will, \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w* \w of|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w made|strong="G1303"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w must|strong="G3588"\w* \w be|strong="G3588"\w* established;  
\v 17 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w a|strong="G1909"\w* \w will|strong="G3498"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w force|strong="G2480"\w* \w after|strong="G3753"\w* \w men|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w*, \w since|strong="G1893"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w never|strong="G3379"\w* takes effect \w while|strong="G3753"\w* \w the|strong="G1909"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w made|strong="G1303"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w lives|strong="G2198"\w*.  
\v 18 \w Therefore|strong="G3606"\w*, \w not|strong="G3761"\w* \w even|strong="G3761"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w first|strong="G4413"\w* covenant \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w inaugurated|strong="G1457"\w* \w without|strong="G5565"\w* blood;  
\v 19 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w commandment|strong="G1785"\w* \w of|strong="G5259"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* proclaimed \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w Moses|strong="G3475"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w*, \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w took|strong="G2983"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* blood \w of|strong="G5259"\w* \w calves|strong="G3448"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w goats|strong="G5131"\w*, \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w water|strong="G5204"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w scarlet|strong="G2847"\w* \w wool|strong="G2053"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w hyssop|strong="G5301"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w sprinkled|strong="G4472"\w* \w both|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* scroll itself\f + \fr 9:19 \ft Some of the Law had already been written down.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w*,  
\v 20 \w saying|strong="G3004"\w*, “\w This|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G4314"\w* blood \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G4314"\w* \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* decreed \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.”\f + \fr 9:20 \ft See Exodus 24:8.\f*  
\v 21 \w Then|strong="G2532"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w sprinkled|strong="G4472"\w* \w both|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w tabernacle|strong="G4633"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w vessels|strong="G4632"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* divine \w service|strong="G3009"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* blood \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w same|strong="G3668"\w* \w way|strong="G3668"\w*.  
\v 22 \w In|strong="G1722"\w* fact, \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w* \w nearly|strong="G4975"\w* \w everything|strong="G3956"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w cleansed|strong="G2511"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* blood, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w without|strong="G5565"\w* shedding \w of|strong="G2532"\w* blood \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* remission.\f + \fr 9:22 \ft “Without shedding of blood there is no remission”—an important statement.\f*   
\s1 The heavenly sanctuary inaugurated with Christ's blood  
\p
\v 23 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w necessary|strong="G3767"\w* \w for|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w copies|strong="G5262"\w* \w of|strong="G3844"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w heavens|strong="G3772"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w be|strong="G3588"\w* \w cleansed|strong="G2511"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w such|strong="G3778"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w heavenly|strong="G2032"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w* \w themselves|strong="G3778"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w better|strong="G2909"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="G2378"\w* \w than|strong="G3844"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w*.\f + \fr 9:23 \ft Dear me, how could anything in Heaven be in need of cleansing? Well, Satan (Lucifer) had been there, and probably did some contaminating before his open rebellion. In fact, he still appears before God's throne.\f*  
\v 24 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w did|strong="G1525"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w enter|strong="G1525"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* Holy Places \w made|strong="G5499"\w* \w by|strong="G1519"\w* \w hands|strong="G5499"\w*, mere copies \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w true|strong="G3588"\w* ones,\f + \fr 9:24 \ft The ‘real’ world is the spirit world, not the physical.\f* \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w Heaven|strong="G3772"\w* itself, \w now|strong="G3568"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w appear|strong="G1718"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w presence|strong="G4383"\w* \w on|strong="G1519"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w*;  
\v 25 \w but|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3761"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w order|strong="G2443"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w offer|strong="G4374"\w* \w Himself|strong="G1438"\w* repeatedly, \w like|strong="G5618"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* high \w priest|strong="G4374"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w entered|strong="G1525"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* Most Holy \w Place|strong="G1722"\w* \w year|strong="G1763"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w year|strong="G1763"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w another|strong="G1438"\w*'s blood  
\v 26 —\w otherwise|strong="G1893"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w would|strong="G2889"\w* \w have|strong="G1163"\w* \w had|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w suffer|strong="G3958"\w* \w many|strong="G3958"\w* \w times|strong="G4178"\w* \w since|strong="G1893"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* creation \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*; \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w now|strong="G1161"\w*, once \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G3588"\w* \w at|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w end|strong="G4930"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* ages, \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w has|strong="G2889"\w* \w been|strong="G4178"\w* \w revealed|strong="G5319"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* nullify sin \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="G2378"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w Himself|strong="G1519"\w*.  
\v 27 \w Also|strong="G2532"\w*, \w inasmuch|strong="G2596"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w men|strong="G3778"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* destined \w to|strong="G2532"\w* die \w but|strong="G1161"\w* once, \w after|strong="G3326"\w* \w which|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w judgment|strong="G2920"\w*,\f + \fr 9:27 \ft This verse contradicts any notion of ‘reincarnation’. We only die once, physically.\f*  
\v 28 \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w*, \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* \w offered|strong="G4374"\w* once \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w bear|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* sins \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w*—\w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w appear|strong="G3708"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w second|strong="G1208"\w* \w time|strong="G1208"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* eagerly waiting \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*, \w apart|strong="G5565"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* sin, \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w*.\f + \fr 9:28 \ft I suppose this is a reference to the Rapture, but however we receive our glorified bodies, at that point we receive our definitive transferal “into salvation”.\f*   
\c 10  
\s1 Animal blood is insufficient  
\m
\v 1 \w You|strong="G3739"\w* see, \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w shadow|strong="G4639"\w* \w of|strong="G3551"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w come|strong="G3195"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* actual \w matter|strong="G4229"\w*, \w so|strong="G1519"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w can|strong="G1410"\w* \w never|strong="G3756"\w* \w perfect|strong="G5048"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w approach|strong="G4334"\w* \w with|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w same|strong="G3739"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="G2378"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w offer|strong="G4374"\w* endlessly, \w year|strong="G1763"\w* \w after|strong="G2596"\w* \w year|strong="G1763"\w*.  
\v 2 \w Otherwise|strong="G1893"\w* \w would|strong="G1893"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w ceased|strong="G3973"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G3756"\w* \w offered|strong="G4374"\w*, \w since|strong="G1893"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* \w worshipers|strong="G3000"\w* \w would|strong="G1893"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w had|strong="G2192"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w more|strong="G2089"\w* \w consciousness|strong="G4893"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* sins, \w having|strong="G2192"\w* \w been|strong="G2192"\w* \w cleansed|strong="G2511"\w* once \w for|strong="G1223"\w* \w all|strong="G3588"\w*?  
\v 3 However, \w those|strong="G1722"\w* sacrifices \w are|strong="G1722"\w* \w an|strong="G1722"\w* annual reminder \w of|strong="G1722"\w* sins,  
\v 4 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G2532"\w* impossible \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* blood \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w bulls|strong="G5022"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w goats|strong="G5131"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w take|strong="G2532"\w* away sins.\f + \fr 10:4 \ft The author's reasoning here is both interesting and important; they could never stop, because they never felt clean.\f*   
\s1 “I have come to do Your will, O God”  
\p
\v 5 \w Therefore|strong="G1352"\w*, \w upon|strong="G1519"\w* \w coming|strong="G1525"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w*[S] \w says|strong="G3004"\w*:  
\q1 “\w Sacrifice|strong="G2378"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w offering|strong="G4376"\w* \w You|strong="G3004"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w desire|strong="G2309"\w*,  
\q2 \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w You|strong="G3004"\w* \w prepared|strong="G2675"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*;\f + \fr 10:5 \ft When Jehovah the Son accepted the ‘prepared body’ He accepted the whole Plan—the humiliation of being limited to a human body, being born as a helpless baby, living on this sin-cursed planet for 33 years, being rejected, the death on the cross—the works. Would not the humiliation of being confined to a human body be worse than the humiliation on the cross? When I participate in the ‘Lord's Supper’, since the bread represents His body, I thank Him for accepting that body. As a personal application, I am challenged to accept the ‘body’ prepared for me—God's plan for my life in its daily outworking, complete with the unpleasant circumstances. Every day I renew my own commitment: “I am here to do Your will, O God”.\f*   
\q1
\v 6 \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w burnt|strong="G3646"\w* \w offerings|strong="G3646"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* sin \w offerings|strong="G3646"\w* \w You|strong="G2532"\w* \w were|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w pleased|strong="G2106"\w*.   
\q1
\v 7 \w Then|strong="G5119"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w said|strong="G3004"\w*, ‘Yes \w indeed|strong="G2400"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* \w come|strong="G2240"\w* \w to|strong="G3004"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w Your|strong="G3708"\w* \w will|strong="G2307"\w*, O \w God|strong="G2316"\w*  
\q2 —thus \w it|strong="G4160"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w* \w about|strong="G4012"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w scroll|strong="G2777"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w book|strong="G3588"\w*.’ ”\f + \fr 10:7 \ft See Psalm 40:6-8. Instead of “body”, the Hebrew Text has ‘ears’. You cannot have ears without a body, and the purpose of the body was to work out the commands heard by the ears. The Holy Spirit was at perfect liberty to make the point clearer in this quote.\f*   
\m
\v 8 First \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w*, “\w Sacrifices|strong="G2378"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w offerings|strong="G3646"\w*, \w burnt|strong="G3646"\w* \w offerings|strong="G3646"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* sin \w offerings|strong="G3646"\w* \w You|strong="G3754"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w desire|strong="G2309"\w*, \w nor|strong="G3761"\w* \w were|strong="G2532"\w* \w You|strong="G3754"\w* \w pleased|strong="G2106"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w them|strong="G3004"\w*” (\w which|strong="G3748"\w* \w are|strong="G2532"\w* \w offered|strong="G4374"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w*),  
\v 9 \w then|strong="G5119"\w* \w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w says|strong="G3004"\w*, “Yes \w indeed|strong="G2400"\w*, \w I|strong="G2443"\w* \w have|strong="G4160"\w* \w come|strong="G2240"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w Your|strong="G3708"\w* \w will|strong="G2307"\w*, O \w God|strong="G3004"\w*.”\f + \fr 10:9 \ft Some 15% of the Greek manuscripts omit “O God” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, etc.).\f* \w He|strong="G3588"\w* removes \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w first|strong="G4413"\w* \w in|strong="G3004"\w* \w order|strong="G2443"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w establish|strong="G2476"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w second|strong="G1208"\w*.  
\v 10 \w By|strong="G1223"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w will|strong="G2307"\w*\f + \fr 10:10 \ft God's sovereignty, again.\f* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G1510"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* sanctified \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w offering|strong="G4376"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w once|strong="G2178"\w* \w for|strong="G1223"\w* \w all|strong="G1722"\w*.\f + \fr 10:10 \ft You cannot have blood without a body.\f*   
\s1 Christ perfects forever  
\p
\v 11 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w priest|strong="G2409"\w* \w has|strong="G3748"\w* \w stood|strong="G2476"\w* \w ministering|strong="G3008"\w* \w daily|strong="G2250"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w offering|strong="G4374"\w* repeatedly \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w same|strong="G2532"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="G2378"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w can|strong="G1410"\w* \w never|strong="G3763"\w* \w take|strong="G4014"\w* \w away|strong="G4014"\w* sins;  
\v 12 \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w Himself|strong="G1519"\w*, \w having|strong="G2316"\w* \w offered|strong="G4374"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w all|strong="G1722"\w* \w time|strong="G1336"\w* \nd \+w one|strong="G1520"\+w*\nd* \w sacrifice|strong="G2378"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* sins, \w sat|strong="G2523"\w* \w down|strong="G2523"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w right|strong="G1188"\w*.  
\v 13 \w Since|strong="G2193"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* time \w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w waiting|strong="G1551"\w* \w until|strong="G2193"\w* \w His|strong="G5087"\w* \w enemies|strong="G2190"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w placed|strong="G5087"\w* \w as|strong="G2193"\w* \w a|strong="G5087"\w* \w footstool|strong="G5286"\w* \w for|strong="G1551"\w* \w His|strong="G5087"\w* \w feet|strong="G4228"\w*,  
\v 14 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w by|strong="G1519"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w offering|strong="G4376"\w* \w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G1519"\w* \w perfected|strong="G5048"\w* \w forever|strong="G1519"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* being sanctified.\f + \fr 10:14 \ft Our sanctification is a process, but it is based on, and made possible by, Christ's ‘once for all’ sacrifice.\f*   
\p
\v 15 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Holy|strong="G4151"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w testifies|strong="G3140"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w us|strong="G3004"\w* \it about this\it*, \w after|strong="G3326"\w* \w having|strong="G2532"\w* foreseen \w it|strong="G2532"\w*:   
\q1
\v 16 “ ‘\w This|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w make|strong="G1303"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*  
\q2 \w after|strong="G3326"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w days|strong="G2250"\w*,’ \w says|strong="G3004"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc*,  
\q1 ‘\w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w put|strong="G1325"\w* \w my|strong="G1325"\w* \w laws|strong="G3551"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w*  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w write|strong="G1924"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* \w minds|strong="G1271"\w*,   
\q1
\v 17 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w at|strong="G2089"\w* \w all|strong="G2532"\w* \w remember|strong="G3403"\w*  
\q2 \w their|strong="G2532"\w* sins \w and|strong="G2532"\w* lawless deeds.’ ”\f + \fr 10:17 \ft See Jeremiah 31:33-34.\f*   
\m
\v 18 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w where|strong="G3699"\w* \w there|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G3778"\w* remission \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w*, \w there|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G3778"\w* \w no|strong="G3765"\w* \w longer|strong="G3765"\w* \w an|strong="G1161"\w* \w offering|strong="G4376"\w* \w for|strong="G4012"\w* sin.\f + \fr 10:18 \ft Once all sins have been paid for, there is no further need for an offering.\f*   
\s1 Hold fast the confession of the Hope  
\p
\v 19 \w Therefore|strong="G3767"\w*, brothers, \w having|strong="G2192"\w* \w courage|strong="G3954"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w enter|strong="G1529"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* Most Holy \w Place|strong="G1722"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* blood \w of|strong="G1722"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*,  
\v 20 \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w new|strong="G4372"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w living|strong="G2198"\w* \w way|strong="G3598"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w inaugurated|strong="G1457"\w* \w for|strong="G1223"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*, \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w curtain|strong="G2665"\w*, \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w say|strong="G1223"\w*, \w His|strong="G1223"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*,  
\v 21 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w Great|strong="G3173"\w* \w Priest|strong="G2409"\w* \w over|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w house|strong="G3624"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*,  
\v 22 \w let|strong="G2532"\w* \w us|strong="G1722"\w* \w approach|strong="G4334"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w true|strong="G3588"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w full|strong="G4136"\w* \w assurance|strong="G4136"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*, \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w* \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* \w sprinkled|strong="G4472"\w*\f + \fr 10:22 \ft Sprinkling indicates cleansing.\f* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* \w evil|strong="G4190"\w* \w conscience|strong="G4893"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w* \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* \w washed|strong="G3068"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w clean|strong="G2513"\w* water.\f + \fr 10:22 \ft I suppose most people take a bath before going to church, but how about in our daily devotions?\f*  
\v 23 \w Let|strong="G1063"\w* us \w hold|strong="G2722"\w* \w fast|strong="G2722"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w confession|strong="G3671"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Hope|strong="G1680"\w* \w without|strong="G2532"\w* wavering, \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w promised|strong="G1861"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w faithful|strong="G4103"\w*.  
\v 24 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w let|strong="G2532"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* contemplate \w one|strong="G2532"\w* another, \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* stirring \w up|strong="G1519"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* love \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w good|strong="G2570"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w*,  
\v 25 \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w forsaking|strong="G1459"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w assembling|strong="G1997"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1438"\w* (\w like|strong="G2531"\w* \w some|strong="G5100"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* doing), \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w exhorting|strong="G3870"\w* \w one|strong="G5100"\w* \w another|strong="G1438"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3745"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w you|strong="G1438"\w* see \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Day|strong="G2250"\w* \w approaching|strong="G1448"\w*.   
\s1 A severe warning  
\p
\v 26 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w*, if \w we|strong="G2249"\w* deliberately keep \w on|strong="G4012"\w* sinning \w after|strong="G3326"\w* having \w received|strong="G2983"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w real|strong="G1922"\w* \w knowledge|strong="G1922"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* Truth, \w there|strong="G1063"\w* \w no|strong="G3765"\w* \w longer|strong="G3765"\w* remains \w a|strong="G2983"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="G2378"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* sins,  
\v 27 \w just|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w certain|strong="G5100"\w* \w fearful|strong="G5398"\w* anticipation \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w judgment|strong="G2920"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* fierce \w fire|strong="G4442"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w ready|strong="G3195"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w consume|strong="G2068"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* hostiles.  
\v 28 \w Anyone|strong="G5100"\w* \w who|strong="G5100"\w* rejected \w Moses|strong="G3475"\w*' \w law|strong="G3551"\w* died \w without|strong="G5565"\w* \w mercy|strong="G3628"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G1909"\w* testimony \w of|strong="G3551"\w* \w two|strong="G1417"\w* \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w three|strong="G5140"\w* \w witnesses|strong="G3144"\w*.  
\v 29 \w Of|strong="G5207"\w* \w how|strong="G4214"\w* \w much|strong="G4214"\w* \w worse|strong="G5501"\w* \w punishment|strong="G5098"\w*, \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w suppose|strong="G1380"\w*, \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* deemed worthy \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w trampled|strong="G2662"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w under|strong="G1722"\w* \w foot|strong="G2662"\w*, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w regarded|strong="G1380"\w* \w as|strong="G1722"\w* \w unholy|strong="G2839"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* blood \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* sanctified,\f + \fr 10:29 \ft “By which he was sanctified”, that is what the Text says. “His people” presumably refers to people who belong to Him. Verse 31 is not talking about the ordinary consequences of ordinary sin—the clear implication is that God is especially unhappy! To “trample the Son of God under foot” refers to a public repudiation in insulting terms; the reference is to a former Christian who is in open rebellion against God.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w insulted|strong="G1796"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w*?  
\v 30 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w said|strong="G3004"\w*, “ ‘\w Vengeance|strong="G1557"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w up|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*,’ \w says|strong="G3004"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*,\f + \fr 10:30 \ft Some 4% of the Greek manuscripts omit “says the Lord” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* ‘\w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* repay.’ ” \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w*, “\w The|strong="G2532"\w* \sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w judge|strong="G2919"\w* \w His|strong="G2532"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w*.”\f + \fr 10:30 \ft See Deuteronomy 32:35-36.\f*  
\v 31 \w It|strong="G1519"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* dreadful \w thing|strong="G5398"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w fall|strong="G1706"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w hands|strong="G5495"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w Living|strong="G2198"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*!   
\s1 A word of encouragement  
\p
\v 32 \w However|strong="G1161"\w*, remember \w those|strong="G3588"\w* earlier \w days|strong="G2250"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w*, having \w been|strong="G4183"\w* \w enlightened|strong="G5461"\w*, \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w endured|strong="G5278"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* \w great|strong="G4183"\w* struggle \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w sufferings|strong="G3804"\w*:  
\v 33 \w partly|strong="G3778"\w* \w being|strong="G1096"\w* publicly exposed \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w both|strong="G2532"\w* insults \w and|strong="G2532"\w* oppression, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w partly|strong="G3778"\w* siding \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w so|strong="G3779"\w* treated.  
\v 34 \w Indeed|strong="G2532"\w*, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* shared \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* suffering \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w my|strong="G1097"\w* chains;\f + \fr 10:34 \ft I wonder if Paul is referring to the two years he was a prisoner in Caesarea, since he is evidently writing from Rome (13:24 below). The chief priests doubtless had spies there to make a note of anyone who helped him.\f* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w accepted|strong="G4327"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* plundering \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2192"\w* \w possessions|strong="G5225"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w joy|strong="G5479"\w*, \w knowing|strong="G1097"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G1438"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w better|strong="G2909"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w enduring|strong="G3306"\w* \w possession|strong="G5223"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* heavens.   
\p
\v 35 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w do|strong="G2192"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* throw away \w your|strong="G2192"\w* \w confidence|strong="G3954"\w*, \w which|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w great|strong="G3173"\w* recompense.  
\v 36 \w You|strong="G4160"\w* \w need|strong="G5532"\w* \w perseverance|strong="G5281"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w*, \w having|strong="G2192"\w* \w done|strong="G4160"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w will|strong="G2307"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w you|strong="G4160"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w receive|strong="G2865"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w*.  
\v 37 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w very|strong="G2532"\w* \w little|strong="G3398"\w* \w while|strong="G3398"\w*:  
\q1 “\w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w coming|strong="G2064"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w delay|strong="G5549"\w*.   
\q1
\v 38 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*,  
\q2 \w yet|strong="G2532"\w* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* backs away, \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w soul|strong="G5590"\w* \w has|strong="G4102"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w pleasure|strong="G2106"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*.”\f + \fr 10:38 \ft See Habakkuk 2:3-4.\f*   
\m
\v 39 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w of|strong="G4102"\w* \w those|strong="G1161"\w* \w who|strong="G3756"\w* \w back|strong="G1519"\w* away \w into|strong="G1519"\w* ruin,\f + \fr 10:39 \ft The emphasis here is on human responsibility. To “back away” from one's commitment to Christ and His Kingdom is to return into the ruin from which he had been delivered.\f* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w of|strong="G4102"\w* \w those|strong="G1161"\w* \w who|strong="G3756"\w* \w believe|strong="G4102"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w saving|strong="G4047"\w* \w of|strong="G4102"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w soul|strong="G5590"\w*.   
\c 11  
\ms1 About faith  
\m
\v 1 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G1510"\w* realization \w of|strong="G4102"\w* \w things|strong="G4229"\w* \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w hoped|strong="G1679"\w* \w for|strong="G1161"\w*, \w an|strong="G1510"\w* \w evidence|strong="G1650"\w* \w of|strong="G4102"\w* \w things|strong="G4229"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* seen.\f + \fr 11:1 \ft Such faith is a great deal more than mere wishful thinking; it makes things happen.\f*  
\v 2 \w By|strong="G1722"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* ancients \w were|strong="G3588"\w* approved.  
\v 3 \w By|strong="G1537"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w we|strong="G3588"\w* \w understand|strong="G3539"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* ages\f + \fr 11:3 \ft That is what the Text says, “ages”; see the note at 1:2 above.\f* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* created \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w word|strong="G4487"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w so|strong="G1519"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w seen|strong="G5316"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w made|strong="G1096"\w* \w out|strong="G1537"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* invisible.   
\s1 Abel, Enoch, Noah  
\p
\v 4 \w By|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* Abel \w offered|strong="G4374"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w better|strong="G2980"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="G2378"\w* \w than|strong="G3844"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w Cain|strong="G2535"\w*, \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w obtained|strong="G3140"\w* \w witness|strong="G3140"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w*,\f + \fr 11:4 \ft Although Genesis does not mention it, I assume that God had given instruction to Adam about the necessity of blood sacrifice.\f* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w testifying|strong="G3140"\w* \w concerning|strong="G1909"\w* \w his|strong="G1223"\w* \w gifts|strong="G1435"\w*; \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w means|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w still|strong="G2089"\w* \w speaks|strong="G2980"\w*, \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w though|strong="G2532"\w* \w being|strong="G1510"\w* dead.  
\v 5 \w By|strong="G2532"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w Enoch|strong="G1802"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* transferred \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w see|strong="G3708"\w* \w death|strong="G2288"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w could|strong="G2147"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w found|strong="G2147"\w* \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w translated|strong="G3346"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*; \w before|strong="G4253"\w* \w his|strong="G3708"\w* \w translation|strong="G3331"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w obtained|strong="G2147"\w* \w witness|strong="G3140"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w pleasing|strong="G2100"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.\f + \fr 11:5 \ft His contemporaries probably looked down on Enoch as being a little ‘odd’, altogether too ‘religious’ or ‘spiritual’.\f*   
\p
\v 6 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w without|strong="G5565"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* impossible \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w please|strong="G2100"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w approaching|strong="G4334"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w must|strong="G1163"\w* \w believe|strong="G4100"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* exists \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w becomes|strong="G1096"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w rewarder|strong="G3406"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w earnestly|strong="G2532"\w* \w seek|strong="G1567"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*.\f + \fr 11:6 \ft When we get serious with God, He answers.\f*  
\v 7 \w By|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w Noah|strong="G3575"\w*, \w being|strong="G1096"\w* divinely \w warned|strong="G5537"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3739"\w* \w yet|strong="G2532"\w* seen,\f + \fr 11:7 \ft It had never rained during the 1600 years since the creation of the world. Noah believed God's word against all human experience up to that time. Don't you know that Noah was the laughingstock of the surrounding society for the 100+ years it took him to build the Ark. (But he got the last laugh.)\f* moved \w with|strong="G1223"\w* \w godly|strong="G2596"\w* \w fear|strong="G2125"\w*, \w prepared|strong="G2680"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* \w ark|strong="G2787"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w his|strong="G1223"\w* \w household|strong="G3624"\w*, \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w condemned|strong="G2632"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w became|strong="G1096"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* \w heir|strong="G2818"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*.\f + \fr 11:7 \ft Note that this was centuries before Abraham.\f*   
\s1 Abraham and Sarah  
\p
\v 8 \w By|strong="G2532"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* Abraham, \w upon|strong="G1519"\w* \w being|strong="G2532"\w* \w called|strong="G2564"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w go|strong="G1831"\w* \w forth|strong="G1831"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w place|strong="G5117"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w would|strong="G3195"\w* \w receive|strong="G2983"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* \w inheritance|strong="G2817"\w*, \w obeyed|strong="G5219"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w went|strong="G1831"\w*, \w though|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w being|strong="G2532"\w* \w acquainted|strong="G1987"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w where|strong="G4226"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3739"\w* \w going|strong="G3195"\w*.\f + \fr 11:8 \ft But his obedience was not complete; he took his father, and that cost him 15 years in Haran; and from there he took Lot, the bad consequences of which lasted for centuries (indeed, for as long as there were Moabites and Ammonites).\f*  
\v 9 \w By|strong="G1722"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* migrated \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w land|strong="G1093"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* foreign \w country|strong="G1093"\w*, \w dwelling|strong="G2730"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w tents|strong="G4633"\w*, \w along|strong="G2532"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w Isaac|strong="G2464"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Jacob|strong="G2384"\w*, \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w fellow|strong="G4789"\w* \w heirs|strong="G4789"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w same|strong="G2532"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w*;  
\v 10 \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w waiting|strong="G1551"\w* expectantly \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w city|strong="G4172"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* real \w foundations|strong="G2310"\w*, \w whose|strong="G3739"\w* designer \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w builder|strong="G1217"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.   
\p
\v 11 \w By|strong="G3844"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w Sarah|strong="G4564"\w* herself \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w received|strong="G2983"\w* \w power|strong="G1411"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w conceive|strong="G2602"\w* \w seed|strong="G4690"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w she|strong="G2532"\w* bore \w a|strong="G2532"\w* child\f + \fr 11:11 \ft Perhaps 3% of the Greek manuscripts omit “she bore a child” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w she|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w past|strong="G3844"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* normal \w age|strong="G2244"\w*, \w since|strong="G1893"\w* \w she|strong="G2532"\w* \w judged|strong="G2233"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w faithful|strong="G4103"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w promised|strong="G1861"\w*.  
\v 12 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w from|strong="G3844"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w man|strong="G3778"\w*, \w actually|strong="G2532"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* impotent,\f + \fr 11:12 \ft This statement helps us understand why Sarah urged Abraham to sleep with Hagar; she knew his virility was declining and was desperate for him to produce an heir. For Isaac to be born, God had to work a miracle in Abraham's body, as well as in Sarah's.\f* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w begotten|strong="G1080"\w* descendants \w as|strong="G5613"\w* numerous \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* stars \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w sky|strong="G3772"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* countless \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* sand \w on|strong="G1520"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w seashore|strong="G2281"\w*.   
\s1 Seeking a heavenly homeland  
\p
\v 13 \w These|strong="G3778"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w died|strong="G3588"\w* \w believing|strong="G4102"\w*—\w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w received|strong="G2983"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w promises|strong="G1860"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w seen|strong="G3708"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* welcomed \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w distance|strong="G4207"\w*, \w thus|strong="G2532"\w* \w confessing|strong="G3670"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w aliens|strong="G3927"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* sojourners \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w earth|strong="G1093"\w*.  
\v 14 Now \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w such|strong="G5108"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w make|strong="G1718"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w clear|strong="G1718"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w seeking|strong="G1934"\w* \w a|strong="G5108"\w* homeland.  
\v 15 \w If|strong="G1487"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w were|strong="G2532"\w* \w actually|strong="G2532"\w* \w remembering|strong="G3421"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* land \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w had|strong="G2192"\w* departed, \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w would|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w had|strong="G2192"\w* \w opportunity|strong="G2540"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* return.  
\v 16 \w Instead|strong="G1161"\w* \w they|strong="G1161"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* aspiring \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w a|strong="G1510"\w* \w better|strong="G2909"\w* \w home|strong="G1438"\w*—\w a|strong="G1510"\w* \w heavenly|strong="G2032"\w* \w one|strong="G1438"\w*.\f + \fr 11:16 \ft I think we are obliged to understand that Abraham received a great deal more information from God than is recorded in Genesis—information that was duly passed on to Isaac and Jacob.\f* \w Therefore|strong="G1352"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w ashamed|strong="G1870"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w called|strong="G1941"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*; \w in|strong="G2316"\w* \w fact|strong="G3778"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w prepared|strong="G2090"\w* \w a|strong="G1510"\w* \w city|strong="G4172"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*.   
\s1 Patriarchs  
\p
\v 17 \w By|strong="G2532"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* Abraham, \w upon|strong="G3588"\w* \w being|strong="G2532"\w* \w tested|strong="G3985"\w*, \w offered|strong="G4374"\w* \w up|strong="G4374"\w* \w Isaac|strong="G2464"\w*; yes, \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* received \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w promises|strong="G1860"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w about|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* sacrifice \w his|strong="G2532"\w* \w only|strong="G3439"\w* \w begotten|strong="G3439"\w*,\f + \fr 11:17 \ft That is what the Text says, “only begotten”. In terms of the promise, that included Sarah, Isaac was his only begotten, although he also had children with Hagar and Keturah.\f*  
\v 18 \w of|strong="G1722"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w had|strong="G3739"\w* been \w said|strong="G2980"\w*, “\w Through|strong="G1722"\w* \w Isaac|strong="G2464"\w* \w will|strong="G3739"\w* \w your|strong="G1722"\w* \w seed|strong="G4690"\w* \w be|strong="G4690"\w* reckoned,”\f + \fr 11:18 \ft See Genesis 21:12.\f*  
\v 19 calculating \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w able|strong="G1415"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w raise|strong="G1453"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w*; \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w whence|strong="G3606"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w fact|strong="G3754"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w receive|strong="G2865"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*, figuratively speaking.   
\p
\v 20 \w By|strong="G2532"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w Isaac|strong="G2464"\w* \w blessed|strong="G2127"\w* \w Jacob|strong="G2384"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Esau|strong="G2269"\w* \w concerning|strong="G4012"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w come|strong="G3195"\w*.  
\v 21 \w By|strong="G1909"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w Jacob|strong="G2384"\w*, \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* dying, \w blessed|strong="G2127"\w* \w each|strong="G1538"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w Joseph|strong="G2501"\w*'s \w sons|strong="G5207"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w worshiped|strong="G4352"\w*, leaning \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* top \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w his|strong="G1909"\w* \w staff|strong="G4464"\w*.\f + \fr 11:21 \ft It has been alleged that this statement disagrees with Genesis 47:31, that has Jacob leaning on the head of the bed (following the Massoretic Text), rather than the top of his staff. However, Hebrews 11:21 and Genesis 47:31 refer to different occasions, so there is no need to imagine a discrepancy. That said, it may be of interest to note the following. The Hebrew words for ‘bed’ and ‘staff’ are spelled with the same three consonants, the difference being in the vowels, that were not written. Thus the Original Hebrew Text was ambiguous here. When the Massoretes added vowel pointing to the Hebrew Text, many centuries after Christ, they chose ‘bed’. Long before, the Septuagint had chosen ‘staff’.\f*  
\v 22 \w By|strong="G2532"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w Joseph|strong="G2501"\w*, near \w the|strong="G2532"\w* end, thought \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w exodus|strong="G1841"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w sons|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w Israel|strong="G2474"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w gave|strong="G2532"\w* \w orders|strong="G1781"\w* \w concerning|strong="G4012"\w* \w his|strong="G4012"\w* \w bones|strong="G3747"\w*.\f + \fr 11:22 \ft He was doubtless well aware of the content of Jehovah's conversations with Abraham.\f*   
\s1 Moses  
\p
\v 23 \w By|strong="G5259"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w Moses|strong="G3475"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w hidden|strong="G2928"\w* \w for|strong="G2532"\w* \w three|strong="G5150"\w* \w months|strong="G5150"\w* \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w his|strong="G3708"\w* \w parents|strong="G3962"\w*, \w after|strong="G2532"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w born|strong="G1080"\w*, \w because|strong="G1360"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w saw|strong="G3708"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w fine|strong="G2532"\w* \w child|strong="G3813"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w afraid|strong="G5399"\w* \w of|strong="G5259"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w king|strong="G3588"\w*'s \w edict|strong="G1297"\w*.  
\v 24 \w By|strong="G3004"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w Moses|strong="G3475"\w*, \w when|strong="G1096"\w* \w he|strong="G3004"\w* \w had|strong="G1096"\w* \w grown|strong="G3173"\w* up, refused \w to|strong="G3004"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w called|strong="G3004"\w* \w the|strong="G3004"\w* \w son|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w Pharaoh|strong="G5328"\w*'s \w daughter|strong="G2364"\w*,\f + \fr 11:24 \ft This may explain Exodus 2:15. If Moses had publicly rejected an offer by Pharaoh, based on his adoption, then Pharaoh would be disgruntled and would welcome an excuse to kill Moses.\f*  
\v 25 choosing \w rather|strong="G3123"\w* \w to|strong="G2228"\w* \w be|strong="G2316"\w* maltreated along \w with|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'\w s|strong="G2192"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w* \w than|strong="G2228"\w* \w to|strong="G2228"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w temporary|strong="G4340"\w* pleasure \w of|strong="G2316"\w* sin,  
\v 26 \w considering|strong="G2233"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w reproach|strong="G3680"\w* \w of|strong="G3588"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*\f + \fr 11:26 \ft This statement intrigues me. What did Moses know about the Christ (when he left Egypt), and from whom did he learn it? And how did he know about the reward? I suppose it is possible that he had made a point of finding out who his parents were, and had conversed with them about their history.\f* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G1519"\w* \w greater|strong="G3173"\w* \w riches|strong="G4149"\w* \w than|strong="G3173"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w treasures|strong="G2344"\w* \w of|strong="G3588"\w* Egypt; \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w he|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* looking \w ahead|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w reward|strong="G3405"\w*.  
\v 27 \w By|strong="G1063"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w he|strong="G3588"\w* \w left|strong="G2641"\w* Egypt \w behind|strong="G2641"\w*, \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w fearing|strong="G5399"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w king|strong="G3588"\w*'s \w rage|strong="G2372"\w*,\f + \fr 11:27 \ft This refers to the Exodus, not his flight 40 years earlier.\f* \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w he|strong="G3588"\w* persevered \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w though|strong="G5613"\w* \w seeing|strong="G3708"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* invisible.  
\v 28 \w By|strong="G2532"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w kept|strong="G4160"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Passover|strong="G3957"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w sprinkling|strong="G4378"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* blood, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* destroyer \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w firstborn|strong="G4416"\w* \w would|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w touch|strong="G2345"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 29 \w By|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w passed|strong="G3588"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* \w Red|strong="G2063"\w* \w Sea|strong="G2281"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w on|strong="G3739"\w* \w dry|strong="G3584"\w* \w ground|strong="G1093"\w*, whereas \w the|strong="G1223"\w* Egyptians, attempting \w to|strong="G1093"\w* \w do|strong="G2983"\w* \w so|strong="G1223"\w*, \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w swallowed|strong="G2666"\w* \w up|strong="G2666"\w*.\f + \fr 11:29 \ft For a discussion of where this happened, please see the Appendix: “Where is Mt. Sinai?”\f*   
\p
\v 30 \w By|strong="G1909"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w the|strong="G1909"\w* \w walls|strong="G5038"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w Jericho|strong="G2410"\w* \w fell|strong="G4098"\w* \w down|strong="G4098"\w*, having been \w encircled|strong="G2944"\w* \w for|strong="G1909"\w* \w seven|strong="G2033"\w* \w days|strong="G2250"\w*.\f + \fr 11:30 \ft Those walls were so thick that they contained houses. To get several million Jews to march in silence was also quite a trick!\f*  
\v 31 \w By|strong="G3756"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w prostitute|strong="G4204"\w* \w Rahab|strong="G4460"\w*, having \w received|strong="G1209"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w spies|strong="G2685"\w* \w in|strong="G4102"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w*, \w did|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w perish|strong="G4881"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* disobedient.\f + \fr 11:31 \ft And she entered the line that produced the Messiah—Matthew 1:5. Amazing!\f*   
\s1 Exploits achieved through faith  
\p
\v 32 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w more|strong="G2089"\w* \w shall|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*? \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w time|strong="G5550"\w* \w would|strong="G2532"\w* \w fail|strong="G1952"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w tell|strong="G3004"\w* \w about|strong="G4012"\w* \w Gideon|strong="G1066"\w*, \w about|strong="G4012"\w* Barak \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Samson|strong="G4546"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* Jephtha, \w about|strong="G4012"\w* \w David|strong="G1138"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Samuel|strong="G4545"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w prophets|strong="G4396"\w*,  
\v 33 \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w subdued|strong="G2610"\w* kingdoms, \w administered|strong="G2038"\w* \w justice|strong="G1343"\w*, \w obtained|strong="G2013"\w* \w promises|strong="G1860"\w*, \w closed|strong="G5420"\w* \w lions|strong="G3023"\w*' \w mouths|strong="G4750"\w*,  
\v 34 \w quenched|strong="G4570"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w power|strong="G1411"\w* \w of|strong="G1411"\w* \w fire|strong="G4442"\w*, \w escaped|strong="G5343"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w edge|strong="G4750"\w* \w of|strong="G1411"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w sword|strong="G3162"\w*, \w out|strong="G1096"\w* \w of|strong="G1411"\w* weakness \w were|strong="G1096"\w* \w made|strong="G1096"\w* \w strong|strong="G2478"\w*, \w became|strong="G1096"\w* \w mighty|strong="G2478"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w battle|strong="G4171"\w*, \w put|strong="G1096"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w flight|strong="G2827"\w* foreign \w armies|strong="G3925"\w*.  
\v 35 \w Women|strong="G1135"\w* \w received|strong="G2983"\w* \w their|strong="G3588"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w* \w back|strong="G2983"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* resurrection; \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w others|strong="G3588"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w tortured|strong="G5178"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w accepting|strong="G4327"\w* \w their|strong="G3588"\w* deliverance, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w they|strong="G1161"\w* might \w obtain|strong="G5177"\w* \w a|strong="G2983"\w* \w better|strong="G2909"\w* resurrection.\f + \fr 11:35 \ft I assume that by “better resurrection” is meant more rewards and honor once resurrected.\f*  
\v 36 \w Still|strong="G2089"\w* \w others|strong="G2087"\w* \w were|strong="G2532"\w* \w tried|strong="G3984"\w* \w by|strong="G2532"\w* \w mockings|strong="G1701"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w scourgings|strong="G3148"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w by|strong="G2532"\w* \w chains|strong="G1199"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w imprisonment|strong="G1199"\w*.  
\v 37 \w They|strong="G1722"\w* were \w stoned|strong="G3034"\w*, \w they|strong="G1722"\w* were sawed \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w two|strong="G4249"\w*, \w they|strong="G1722"\w* were \w tempted|strong="G3985"\w*, \w they|strong="G1722"\w* were murdered \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w sword|strong="G3162"\w*. \w They|strong="G1722"\w* \w went|strong="G4022"\w* \w about|strong="G1722"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w sheepskins|strong="G3374"\w* \w and|strong="G3162"\w* goatskins; \w being|strong="G1722"\w* \w destitute|strong="G5302"\w*, \w afflicted|strong="G2346"\w*, mistreated  
\v 38 —\w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* worthy—\w wandering|strong="G4105"\w* \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w deserts|strong="G2047"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w mountains|strong="G3735"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w caves|strong="G4693"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w holes|strong="G3692"\w* \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w ground|strong="G1093"\w*.\f + \fr 11:38 \ft We have had it pretty easy, wouldn't you say?\f*   
\p
\v 39 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w receive|strong="G2865"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w*, \w though|strong="G2532"\w* \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* approved \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*,  
\v 40 \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w having|strong="G5100"\w* planned \w something|strong="G5100"\w* \w better|strong="G2909"\w* \w for|strong="G4012"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*,\f + \fr 11:40 \ft What do we have that is “better”? Well, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit, and we have the complete Bible, for starters.\f* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w should|strong="G5100"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w be|strong="G3361"\w* \w perfected|strong="G5048"\w* \w without|strong="G5565"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*.   
\c 12  
\s1 “Let us run with endurance”  
\m
\v 1 \w So|strong="G2532"\w* \w then|strong="G2532"\w*, \w since|strong="G1223"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* surrounded \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w such|strong="G5118"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w great|strong="G5118"\w* \w cloud|strong="G3509"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w witnesses|strong="G3144"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w too|strong="G2532"\w* \w must|strong="G2192"\w* \w run|strong="G5143"\w* \w with|strong="G1223"\w* \w endurance|strong="G5281"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* race \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w set|strong="G4295"\w* \w before|strong="G4295"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*, \w laying|strong="G1223"\w* aside \w every|strong="G3956"\w* impediment \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* sin\f + \fr 12:1 \ft I suppose that each of us has his own ‘besetting sin’—what gives me trouble will not necessarily be the same thing that gives you trouble.\f* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w easily|strong="G2139"\w* ensnares,  
\v 2 \w looking|strong="G2424"\w* \w unto|strong="G1519"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*, \w the|strong="G1722"\w* Founder \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Perfecter|strong="G5051"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Faith|strong="G4102"\w*, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w joy|strong="G5479"\w*\f + \fr 12:2 \ft I imagine that that “joy” has something to do with His Bride.\f* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w set|strong="G2523"\w* \w before|strong="G1722"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w endured|strong="G5278"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \nd \+w cross|strong="G4716"\+w*\nd*, scorning its ignominy, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w took|strong="G2523"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w seat|strong="G2523"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w right|strong="G1188"\w* \w hand|strong="G1188"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w throne|strong="G2362"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.   
\s1 All legitimate children receive discipline  
\p
\v 3 \w Do|strong="G3361"\w* consider \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w endured|strong="G5278"\w* \w such|strong="G5108"\w* hostility \w from|strong="G5259"\w* sinners \w against|strong="G1519"\w* \w Himself|strong="G1438"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w grow|strong="G2577"\w* \w weary|strong="G1590"\w*, losing courage \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w your|strong="G5259"\w* \w souls|strong="G5590"\w*.  
\v 4 \w In|strong="G4314"\w* \w your|strong="G3588"\w* struggle \w against|strong="G4314"\w* sin\f + \fr 12:4 \ft In the context this presumably refers to sin in the world, not within.\f* you \w have|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3768"\w* \w yet|strong="G3768"\w* resisted \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w the|strong="G4314"\w* \w point|strong="G3360"\w* \w of|strong="G3588"\w* bloodshed.\f + \fr 12:4 \ft The Text does not say whose blood.\f*  
\v 5 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w forgotten|strong="G1585"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w exhortation|strong="G3874"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* instructs \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w sons|strong="G5207"\w*:  
\q1 “\w My|strong="G1473"\w* \w son|strong="G5207"\w*, \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w make|strong="G2532"\w* light \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc*'\w s|strong="G2962"\w* \w discipline|strong="G3809"\w*,  
\q2 \w nor|strong="G3366"\w* \w lose|strong="G1590"\w* heart \w when|strong="G5613"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w reproved|strong="G1651"\w* \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*;   
\q1
\v 6 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc* loves \w He|strong="G1161"\w* chastens,  
\q2 \w yes|strong="G1063"\w* \w scourges|strong="G3146"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w son|strong="G5207"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w* accepts.”\f + \fr 12:6 \ft See Proverbs 3:11-12. When I was a boy my father had a horse, a gentle creature, and a proper horsewhip to go with it. I found myself on the business end of that whip more than once (more often than did the horse), and I can assure the reader that it was not a pleasant experience. So God's scourgings tend not to be very pleasant; but if we end up partaking of His holiness (verse 10 below), it will be worth it.\f*   
\p
\v 7 \w If|strong="G5613"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* enduring \w discipline|strong="G3809"\w*, \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* dealing \w with|strong="G2316"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w with|strong="G2316"\w* \w sons|strong="G5207"\w*; \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w son|strong="G5207"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w there|strong="G1063"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w father|strong="G3962"\w* \w does|strong="G5101"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w discipline|strong="G3809"\w*?  
\v 8 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w without|strong="G5565"\w* \w discipline|strong="G3809"\w* (\w something|strong="G1510"\w* \w everyone|strong="G3956"\w* undergoes),\f + \fr 12:8 \ft At that time there was probably no culture dominated by relativistic humanism.\f* \w then|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w illegitimate|strong="G3541"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w sons|strong="G5207"\w*.  
\v 9 \w Furthermore|strong="G1534"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w had|strong="G2192"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w human|strong="G4561"\w* \w fathers|strong="G3962"\w* \w as|strong="G2532"\w* correctors \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w respected|strong="G1788"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*. \w Shall|strong="G2532"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w much|strong="G4183"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w* readily \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w subjection|strong="G5293"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w spirits|strong="G4151"\w*\f + \fr 12:9 \ft “The Father of spirits”—an interesting concept. All created spirits owe their existence to Him.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w*?  
\v 10 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w they|strong="G1161"\w* \w indeed|strong="G3303"\w* \w disciplined|strong="G3811"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w during|strong="G2596"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w short|strong="G3641"\w* period \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w seemed|strong="G1380"\w* \w best|strong="G1380"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w our|strong="G2596"\w* \w profit|strong="G4851"\w*, \w so|strong="G1161"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w may|strong="G1161"\w* partake \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* holiness.  
\v 11 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w discipline|strong="G3809"\w* \w seems|strong="G1380"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* pleasant \w at|strong="G4314"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* time, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w painful|strong="G3077"\w*; \w yet|strong="G1161"\w* \w afterward|strong="G5305"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w* yields \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w peaceable|strong="G1516"\w* \w fruit|strong="G2590"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G1510"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w exercised|strong="G1128"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w*.\f + \fr 12:11 \ft That is the secret—we must be “exercised” by it; that is, we must learn whatever lesson the Lord is trying to teach us.\f*   
\s1 Watch your step!  
\p
\v 12 \w Therefore|strong="G1352"\w* strengthen \w the|strong="G2532"\w* listless \w hands|strong="G5495"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* weakened \w knees|strong="G1119"\w*,  
\v 13 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w make|strong="G4160"\w* \w straight|strong="G3717"\w* \w paths|strong="G5163"\w* \w for|strong="G1161"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w feet|strong="G4228"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w lame|strong="G5560"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w turned|strong="G1624"\w* \w aside|strong="G1624"\w* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w rather|strong="G3123"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w healed|strong="G2390"\w*.\f + \fr 12:13 \ft I take the point to be that we should not turn our Christian walk into a bunch of complicated rules—keep it simple.\f*   
\p
\v 14 \w Pursue|strong="G1377"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* holiness \w without|strong="G5565"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w no|strong="G3762"\w* \w one|strong="G3762"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w see|strong="G3708"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*;\f + \fr 12:14 \ft If we need to “pursue” this holiness, then it is experiential, not positional. God rewards those who “earnestly seek Him” (11:6 above).\f*  
\v 15 taking care \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w no|strong="G3361"\w* \w one|strong="G5100"\w* \w come|strong="G2532"\w* \w short|strong="G5302"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w no|strong="G3361"\w* \w root|strong="G4491"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w bitterness|strong="G4088"\w* \w springing|strong="G5453"\w* \w up|strong="G5453"\w* \w cause|strong="G1223"\w* \w trouble|strong="G1776"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w thereby|strong="G1223"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w defiled|strong="G3392"\w*,  
\v 16 \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w no|strong="G3361"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w be|strong="G3361"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w fornicator|strong="G4205"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* worldly \w like|strong="G5613"\w* \w Esau|strong="G2269"\w*, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w in|strong="G1438"\w* exchange \w for|strong="G1520"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w meal|strong="G1035"\w* \w gave|strong="G3588"\w* \w up|strong="G3361"\w* \w his|strong="G1438"\w* \w birthright|strong="G4415"\w*.  
\v 17 \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w do|strong="G1492"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w afterward|strong="G3326"\w*, \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w wanted|strong="G2309"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w inherit|strong="G2816"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w blessing|strong="G2129"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* rejected; \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w found|strong="G2147"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w place|strong="G5117"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* change \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w mind|strong="G2532"\w*,\f + \fr 12:17 \ft Neither Isaac nor God changed his mind; Jacob was in and Esau was out.\f* \w though|strong="G2532"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w sought|strong="G1567"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* diligently \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w tears|strong="G1144"\w*.   
\s1 Sinai X Zion  
\p
\v 18 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w come|strong="G4334"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* touchable mountain \w burning|strong="G2545"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w fire|strong="G4442"\w*, \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w blackness|strong="G1105"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w darkness|strong="G2217"\w*, \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w tempest|strong="G2366"\w*;  
\v 19 \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w trumpet|strong="G4536"\w* \w blast|strong="G2279"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w spoken|strong="G4369"\w* \w words|strong="G3056"\w* \w such|strong="G3588"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* heard \w begged|strong="G3868"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w no|strong="G3361"\w* \w further|strong="G4369"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w spoken|strong="G4369"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*  
\v 20 (\w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w could|strong="G5342"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w bear|strong="G5342"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w commanded|strong="G1291"\w*: “\w If|strong="G2579"\w* \w even|strong="G2579"\w* \w an|strong="G3735"\w* animal \w touches|strong="G2345"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w mountain|strong="G3735"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w must|strong="G3588"\w* \w be|strong="G3756"\w* \w stoned|strong="G3036"\w*!”\f + \fr 12:20 \ft Perhaps 4% of the Greek manuscripts add ‘or shot with an arrow’ (as in AV and NKJV).\f*  
\v 21 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w sight|strong="G5324"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w terrifying|strong="G5398"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w Moses|strong="G3475"\w* \w said|strong="G3004"\w*, “\w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* \w terrified|strong="G1630"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w trembling|strong="G1790"\w*!”);  
\v 22 \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w come|strong="G4334"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w Mount|strong="G3735"\w* \w Zion|strong="G4622"\w*, \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w City|strong="G4172"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Living|strong="G2198"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w Heavenly|strong="G2032"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="G2419"\w*; \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w myriads|strong="G3461"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* angels \w in|strong="G2532"\w* festal gathering,  
\v 23 \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* \w assembly|strong="G1577"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w firstborn|strong="G4416"\w* ones\f + \fr 12:23 \ft I wonder who these “firstborn ones” are.\f* \w who|strong="G3956"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* enrolled \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w heaven|strong="G3772"\w*; \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w Judge|strong="G2923"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*; \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w spirits|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w perfected|strong="G5048"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w*;  
\v 24 \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*, \w Mediator|strong="G3316"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w new|strong="G3501"\w* \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* blood \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w sprinkling|strong="G4473"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w speaks|strong="G2980"\w* \w better|strong="G2909"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w than|strong="G3844"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* Abel.\f + \fr 12:24 \ft Let me try to list the ‘reception committee’: 1) the City; 2) angels; 3) firstborn ones (different from angels?); 4) God the Father; 5) the perfected righteous; 6) Jesus; 7) the Blood. An impressive list! What did Abel's blood say?—murder and punishment! What does Jesus' blood say?—redemption and forgiveness! Oh praise God!\f*   
\s1 Warning: “Our God is a consuming fire”  
\p
\v 25 See \w to|strong="G1909"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G1487"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w refuse|strong="G3868"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w speaks|strong="G2980"\w*. \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w did|strong="G3361"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w escape|strong="G1628"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w refused|strong="G3756"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w gave|strong="G3588"\w* divine warning \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w earth|strong="G1093"\w*, how \w much|strong="G4183"\w* \w less|strong="G3756"\w* \w will|strong="G1473"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w*, \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* turn away \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* warns \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w Heaven|strong="G3772"\w*!  
\v 26 \nd \+w Then|strong="G2532"\+w*\nd* \w His|strong="G2532"\w* \w voice|strong="G5456"\w* \w shook|strong="G4579"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w earth|strong="G1093"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \nd \+w now|strong="G1161"\+w*\nd* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w has|strong="G3739"\w* \w promised|strong="G1861"\w*, \w saying|strong="G3004"\w*, “\w Yet|strong="G2089"\w* \w once|strong="G3739"\w* \w more|strong="G2089"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w shake|strong="G4579"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w earth|strong="G1093"\w* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w heaven|strong="G3772"\w*.”\f + \fr 12:26 \ft See Haggai 2:6.\f*  
\v 27 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* ‘\w yet|strong="G2089"\w* once \w more|strong="G2089"\w*’ clearly \w indicates|strong="G1213"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* removal \w of|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w being|strong="G2443"\w* \w shaken|strong="G4531"\w* (\w created|strong="G4160"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w*), \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* unshakables \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w remain|strong="G3306"\w*.   
\p
\v 28 \w Therefore|strong="G1352"\w*, \w since|strong="G1223"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w receiving|strong="G3880"\w* \w an|strong="G2192"\w* unshakable kingdom, \w let|strong="G2532"\w* us \w hold|strong="G2192"\w* \w on|strong="G3326"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w serve|strong="G3000"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w acceptably|strong="G2102"\w*, \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w reverence|strong="G2124"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w godly|strong="G2316"\w* \w fear|strong="G2124"\w*;  
\v 29 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w consuming|strong="G2654"\w* \w fire|strong="G4442"\w*.\f + \fr 12:29 \ft One gets the impression that taking God, and our life in Christ, for granted is definitely not a good idea.\f*   
\c 13  
\ms1 Practical instructions  
\m
\v 1 \w Let|strong="G3306"\w* \w brotherly|strong="G5360"\w* \w love|strong="G5360"\w* \w continue|strong="G3306"\w*.  
\v 2 \w Do|strong="G3361"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w forget|strong="G1950"\w* \w hospitality|strong="G5381"\w* \w to|strong="G5100"\w* \w strangers|strong="G5381"\w*, \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w in|strong="G1223"\w* doing \w so|strong="G1223"\w* \w some|strong="G5100"\w* \w have|strong="G5100"\w* \w entertained|strong="G3579"\w* angels \w without|strong="G3361"\w* \w knowing|strong="G2990"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w*.  
\v 3 \w Remember|strong="G3403"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w prisoners|strong="G1198"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w if|strong="G5613"\w* chained \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*, \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w being|strong="G1510"\w* mistreated \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w if|strong="G5613"\w* \w you|strong="G1722"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G1722"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w physically|strong="G4983"\w* \w there|strong="G2532"\w*.  
\v 4 \w Marriage|strong="G1062"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* honorable \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w marriage|strong="G1062"\w* \w bed|strong="G2845"\w* undefiled,\f + \fr 13:4 \ft The rendering of the King James Version—“marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled”—has been seriously misused, here and there. While in Seminary, a ‘Christian’ psychologist used this text to tell our class that it was ok for a man to have anal sex with his wife: “marriage is honorable in \+nd all\+nd*”! It should be obvious that it is \+nd not\+nd* ok to murder in bed, to tell lies in bed, to steal in bed, to commit adultery in bed, to fornicate in bed. Since the Creator decrees the death penalty to those who engage in anal sex (Leviticus 20:13), doing it in the marriage bed cannot make it right!\f* \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w judge|strong="G2919"\w* \w fornicators|strong="G4205"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w adulterers|strong="G3432"\w*.\f + \fr 13:4 \ft This is one of several texts that show that ‘fornication’ and ‘adultery’ are distinct concepts. ‘Fornication’ includes premarital sex, prostitution, anal sex and animal sex, but not adultery.\f*  
\v 5 \w Your|strong="G3588"\w* \w way|strong="G5158"\w* \w of|strong="G3588"\w* life \w should|strong="G3588"\w* \w be|strong="G3756"\w* free \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* love \w of|strong="G3588"\w* money, \w being|strong="G3361"\w* content \w with|strong="G3756"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* \w have|strong="G3588"\w*, \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w He|strong="G3588"\w* Himself \w has|strong="G3761"\w* \w said|strong="G3004"\w*:  
\q1 “\w I|strong="G1063"\w* absolutely \w will|strong="G3761"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* desert \w you|strong="G4771"\w*;  
\q2 \w I|strong="G1063"\w* most \w certainly|strong="G1063"\w* \w will|strong="G3761"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w abandon|strong="G1459"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w*.”\f + \fr 13:5 \ft What a marvelous assurance! See Deuteronomy 31:8.\f*   
\m
\v 6 \w So|strong="G5620"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w can|strong="G3004"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w with|strong="G2962"\w* \w confidence|strong="G2292"\w*:  
\q1 “\w The|strong="G3004"\w* \sc \+w Lord|strong="G2962"\+w*\sc* \w is|strong="G5101"\w* \w my|strong="G1473"\w* helper; \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G5101"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w fear|strong="G5399"\w*.  
\q2 \w What|strong="G5101"\w* \w can|strong="G3004"\w* \w man|strong="G4160"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w to|strong="G3004"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*?”\f + \fr 13:6 \ft See Psalm 118:6.\f*   
\p
\v 7 \w Remember|strong="G3421"\w* \w your|strong="G3588"\w* \w leaders|strong="G2233"\w*, \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w spoke|strong="G2980"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Word|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w to|strong="G2980"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w whose|strong="G3739"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w imitate|strong="G3401"\w*, \w considering|strong="G2233"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* outcome \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w their|strong="G3588"\w* conduct.  
\v 8 \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w Himself|strong="G1519"\w*,\f + \fr 13:8 \ft The basic meaning of the emphatic pronoun here is ‘self’, but it can also mean ‘same’, especially in a comparison. If Jesus is always Himself, then He is always the same.\f* \w yesterday|strong="G5504"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w today|strong="G4594"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* ages.  
\v 9 \w Do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w carried|strong="G2532"\w* \w away|strong="G3911"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w various|strong="G4164"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w strange|strong="G3581"\w* \w teachings|strong="G1322"\w*, \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w good|strong="G2570"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* established \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w foods|strong="G1033"\w*, \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w occupied|strong="G4043"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w benefited|strong="G5623"\w*.   
\s1 Join Jesus outside the camp  
\p
\v 10 \w We|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w an|strong="G2192"\w* \w altar|strong="G2379"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w serve|strong="G3000"\w* \w in|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w Tabernacle|strong="G4633"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w right|strong="G1849"\w* \w to|strong="G1849"\w* \w eat|strong="G2068"\w*.\f + \fr 13:10 \ft I do not understand this. The Tabernacle set up by Moses had been gone for over 1000 years when Paul wrote. Perhaps ‘tabernacle’ is a metaphor for ‘temple’.\f*   
\p
\v 11 \w Because|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w bodies|strong="G4983"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w animals|strong="G2226"\w*—\w whose|strong="G3739"\w* blood, \w concerning|strong="G4012"\w* sin, \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w brought|strong="G1533"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* Holies \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* high priest—\w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w burned|strong="G2618"\w* \w up|strong="G1519"\w* \w outside|strong="G1854"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w camp|strong="G3925"\w*,  
\v 12 \w therefore|strong="G1352"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w might|strong="G2532"\w* sanctify \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w* \w own|strong="G2398"\w* blood, \w suffered|strong="G3958"\w* \w outside|strong="G1854"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* city \w gate|strong="G4439"\w*.  
\v 13 \w So|strong="G4314"\w* \w then|strong="G5106"\w*, let us \w go|strong="G1831"\w* \w out|strong="G1831"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*, \w outside|strong="G1854"\w* \w the|strong="G4314"\w* \w camp|strong="G3925"\w*, \w bearing|strong="G5342"\w* \w His|strong="G4314"\w* \w disgrace|strong="G3680"\w*;\f + \fr 13:13 \ft Persecuted Christians in China and elsewhere know all about this, but many in North America have had such an easy time of it that they have ‘forgotten’ this aspect of the Gospel. But their turn is coming—in Canada, if you speak out against homosexuality you go to jail, for instance.\f*  
\v 14 \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \nd \+w here|strong="G5602"\+w*\nd* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w do|strong="G2192"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* permanent \w city|strong="G4172"\w*, \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w seek|strong="G1934"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w coming|strong="G3195"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w*.   
\p
\v 15 \w Through|strong="G1223"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w therefore|strong="G3767"\w*, \w at|strong="G3588"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* times, \w let|strong="G3767"\w* us offer up \w a|strong="G1510"\w* \w sacrifice|strong="G2378"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* praise \w to|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*\f + \fr 13:15 \ft To praise God when everything is fine is no “sacrifice”, so I suppose that the reference is to doing so when we are hurting, perplexed, not understanding.\f*—\w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w fruit|strong="G2590"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w lips|strong="G5491"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* identify \w with|strong="G1223"\w* \w His|strong="G3956"\w* \w name|strong="G3686"\w*.  
\v 16 (\w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w forget|strong="G1950"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w good|strong="G2140"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w share|strong="G2842"\w*, \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w such|strong="G5108"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="G2378"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w pleased|strong="G2100"\w*.)   
\s1 Concluding remarks  
\p
\v 17 \w Obey|strong="G3982"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w leaders|strong="G2233"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w submit|strong="G5226"\w*, \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w keep|strong="G4160"\w* watch \w over|strong="G5228"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w souls|strong="G5590"\w*, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w must|strong="G4160"\w* \w give|strong="G4160"\w* \w account|strong="G3056"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w joy|strong="G5479"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* sighing (\w which|strong="G3588"\w* \w would|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* unprofitable \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*).   
\p
\v 18 \w Pray|strong="G4336"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*; \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w are|strong="G3956"\w* \w confident|strong="G3982"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w good|strong="G2570"\w* \w conscience|strong="G4893"\w*, \w desiring|strong="G2309"\w* \w to|strong="G2309"\w* \w live|strong="G2192"\w* \w commendably|strong="G2573"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w*;  
\v 19 \w I|strong="G1161"\w* \w especially|strong="G4056"\w* \w urge|strong="G3870"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w I|strong="G1161"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w be|strong="G2443"\w* restored \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w more|strong="G4056"\w* \w quickly|strong="G5032"\w*.\f + \fr 13:19 \ft This suggests that the author is in jail, in Italy (verse 24 below), so Paul is a possible candidate.\f*   
\s1 Benediction  
\p
\v 20 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w may|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w*—\w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w through|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* blood \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* eternal \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w*\f + \fr 13:20 \ft “The blood of the eternal covenant” can only refer to the blood of God's Lamb, that was ‘foreknown before the foundation of the world’ (1 Peter 1:19-20). From our point of view, anything that existed before our planet was created, and that will continue to exist after it is destroyed, may properly be called ‘eternal’.\f* \w brought|strong="G1161"\w* back \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*, \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w great|strong="G3173"\w* \w Shepherd|strong="G4166"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w sheep|strong="G4263"\w*—  
\v 21 \w equip|strong="G2675"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w good|strong="G1223"\w* \w work|strong="G3956"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w His|strong="G3956"\w* \w will|strong="G2307"\w*,\f + \fr 13:21 \ft In John 5:19 the Lord Jesus said that He only did what He saw the Father doing. All the power, enabling, equipping that the Text says is available to us is there for us to do the Father's will, not our own.\f* \w working|strong="G4160"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w well|strong="G2101"\w* \w pleasing|strong="G2101"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w His|strong="G3956"\w* \w sight|strong="G1799"\w*, \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w be|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w forever|strong="G1519"\w* \w and|strong="G1391"\w* \w ever|strong="G1519"\w*. Amen.   
\s1 Sign-off  
\p
\v 22 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w appeal|strong="G3870"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, brothers, \w bear|strong="G2532"\w* \w with|strong="G1223"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w exhortation|strong="G3874"\w*, \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w written|strong="G1989"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w few|strong="G1223"\w* \w words|strong="G3056"\w*.\f + \fr 13:22 \ft As the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul's letters to them are liberally sprinkled with commands—he could be quite ‘heavy’ at times. There he was on his own ‘turf’. But the Jews were Peter's turf (Galatians 2:7-8), so in writing to them Paul (as I assume) does not come on as an apostle, and here ‘appeals’ rather than commands. The reference to Timothy in the next verse also suggests Paul as the author.\f*  
\v 23 \w Know|strong="G1097"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* brother \w Timothy|strong="G5095"\w* \w has|strong="G3739"\w* been released, \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w will|strong="G3739"\w* \w see|strong="G3708"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w he|strong="G3739"\w* \w comes|strong="G2064"\w* \w quickly|strong="G5032"\w*.   
\p
\v 24 Greet \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w leaders|strong="G2233"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* saints. \w Those|strong="G3588"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w Italy|strong="G2482"\w* greet \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.   
\p
\v 25 \w The|strong="G3956"\w* \w Grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w be|strong="G3956"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*. Amen.