Hebrews 8:1-6 ESV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:2

A minister of the sanctuary - Των ἁγιων λειτουργος· A public minister of the holy things or places. The word λειτουργος , from λειτος , public, and εργον , a work or office, means a person who officiated for the public, a public officer; in whom, and his work, all the people had a common right: hence our word liturgy, the public work of prayer and praise, designed for the people at large; all having a right to attend it, and each having an equal interest in it. Properly speaking,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:3

Every high priest is ordained - Καθισταται , Is set apart, for this especial work. Gifts and sacrifices - Δωρα τε και θυσιας· Eucharistic offerings, and sacrifices for sin. By the former, God's government of the universe, and his benevolence to his creatures in providing for their support, were acknowledged. By the latter, the destructive and ruinous nature of sin, and the necessity of an atonement, were confessed. Wherefore - of necessity - If Christ be a high priest, and it be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:4

For if he were on earth - As the Jewish temple was standing when this epistle was written, the whole temple service continued to be performed by the legal priests, descendants of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi; therefore if Christ had been then on earth, he could not have performed the office of a priest, being of the tribe of Judah, to which tribe the office of the priesthood did not appertain. There are priests that offer gifts - This is an additional proof that this epistle was written... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:5

Who serve - Οἱτινες λατρευουσι· Who perform Divine worship. Unto the example and shadow - Υποδειγματι και σκιᾳ , With the representation and shadow; this is Dr. Macknight's translation, and probably the true one. The whole Levitical service was a representation and shadow of heavenly things; it appears, therefore, absurd to say that the priests served Unto an example or representation of heavenly things; they served rather unto the substance of those things, With appropriate... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:6

Now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry - His office of priesthood is more excellent than the Levitical, because the covenant is better, and established on better promises: the old covenant referred to earthly things; the new covenant, to heavenly. The old covenant had promises of secular good; the new covenant, of spiritual and eternal blessings. As far as Christianity is preferable to Judaism, as far as Christ is preferable to Moses, as far as spiritual blessings are preferable to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:1

Verse 1 1.Now of the things, etc. That readers might know the subject he handles, he reminds them that his object is to prove that Christ’s priesthood, by which that of the law had been abolished, is spiritual. He, indeed, proceeds with the same argument; but as he contends with various reasonings, he introduced this admonition, that he might keep his readers attentive to what he had in view. He has already shown that Christ is a high priest; he now contends that his priesthood is celestial.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:2

Verse 2 2.Of the sanctuary, or, literally, of holy things, etc. The word is to be taken, as being in the neuter gender; and the Apostle explains himself by saying, of the true tabernacle. (128) But it may be asked, whether the tabernacle built by Moses was a false one, and presumptuously constructed, for there is an implied contrast in the words? To this I answer, that to us mentioned here is not set in opposition to what is false, but only to what is typical; as we find in John 1:17, “The law... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:3

Verse 3 3.For every high priest, etc. The Apostle intends to show, that Christ’s priesthood cannot coexist with the Levitical priesthood. He proves it in this way, — “The Law appointed priests to offer sacrifices to God; it hence appears that the priesthood is an empty name without a sacrifice. But Christ had no sacrifice, such as was offered under the Law; it hence follows, that his priesthood is not earthly or carnal, but one of a more excellent character.” Let us now examine every clause.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:4

Verse 4 4.For if he were on earth, etc. It is now beyond dispute that Christ is a high priest; but as the office of a judge does not exist without laws and statutes, so the office of sacrificing must be connected with Christ as a priest: yet he has no earthly or visible sacrifice; he cannot then be a priest on earth. We must always hold this truth that when the Apostle speaks of the death of Christ, he regards not the external action, but the spiritual benefit. He suffered death as men do, but... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:5

Verse 5 5.Who serve unto the example, etc. The verb λατρεύειν to serve, I take here to mean the performing of sacred rites; and so ἐν or ἐπὶ is to be understood. This is certainly more appropriate than the rendering given by some, “Who serve the shadow and example of heavenly things; and the construction in Greek will admit naturally of the meaning I have proposed. In short, he teaches us that the true worship of God consists not in the ceremonies of the Law, and that hence the Levitical... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:5

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