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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:7

Verse 7 7.For if that first, etc. He confirms what he had said of the excellency of the covenant which God has made with us through Christ; and he confirms it on this ground, because the covenant of the Law was neither valid nor permanent; for if nothing was wanting in it, why was another substituted for it? But another has been substituted; and from this it is evident that the old covenant was not in every respect perfect. To prove this he adduces the testimony of Jeremiah, which we shall... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 8 8.Behold, the days come, etc. (Jeremiah 31:31.) The Prophet speaks of future time; he arraigns the people of perfidy, because they continued not faithful after having received the Law. The Law, then, was the covenant which was broken, as God complains, by the people. To remedy this evil, he promised a new and a different covenant, the fulfillment of which prophecy was the abrogation of the old covenant. But it may be said, the Apostle seems unreasonably to turn this prophecy to suit... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:9

Verse 9 9.Not according to the covenant, etc. Here is expressed the difference between the covenant which then existed and the new one which he caused them to expect. The Prophet might have otherwise said only: “I will renew the covenant which through your fault has come to nothing;” but he now expressly declares that it would be one unlike the former. By saying that the covenant was made in the day when he laid holds on their hand to rescue them from bondage, he enhanced the sin of defection... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:10

Verse 10 10For this is the covenant that I will make, etc. There are two main parts in this covenant; the first regards the gratuitous remission of sins; and the other, the inward renovation of the heart; there is a third which depends on the second, and that is the illumination of the mind as to the knowledge of God. There are here many things most deserving of notice. The first is, that God calls us to himself without effect as long as he speaks to us in no other way than by the voice of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:11

Verse 11 11.And they shall not teach, etc. We have said that the third point is as it were a part of the second, included in these words, I will put my laws in their mind; for it is the work of the Spirit of God to illuminate our minds, so that we may know what the will of God is, and also to bend our hearts to obedience. For the right knowledge of God is a wisdom which far surpasses the comprehension of man’s understanding; therefore, to attain it no one is able except through the secret... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:13

Verse 13 13.In that he saith, A new, etc. From the fact of one covenant being established, he infers the subversion of the other; and by calling it the old covenant, he assumes that it was to be abrogated; for what is old tends to a decay. (137) Besides, as the new is substituted, it must be that the former has come to an end; for the second, as it has been said, is of another character. But if the whole dispensation of Moses, as far as it was opposed to the dispensation of Christ, has passed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 8:1-6

The chief point. This passage does not present a recapitulation of the topics already considered; it emphasizes, as the crowning topic in connection with our Lord's priesthood, the fact that he has been "made higher than the heavens." I. THE HEAVENLY MAJESTY OF OUR HIGH PRIEST . ( Hebrews 8:1 ) He dwells now in heaven, his native home. He occupies there the loftiest place; for he shares the sore-reign authority and the universal dominion of the absolute God. Aaron... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 8:6

But now ( νυνὶ in its usual logical, not temporal, sense; cf. Hebrews 11:16 ; also Hebrews 2:8 ; Hebrews 9:26 ; Hebrews 12:26 ) hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the Mediator of a better covenant, which ( ἥτις , equivalent to quippequae, as usual) hath been established upon better promises. Here the idea of the new διαθήκη , introduced first in the way of anticipation at Hebrews 7:22 , is brought to the front, to be carried out in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 8:6

Three better things. "But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry's etc. In these words the writer states in brief what he at once proceeds to illustrate and establish at considerable length, from this point on to Hebrews 10:18 . We may perhaps with advantage take a general glance at these three better things, leaving their particular examination until summoned to it by the development of the Epistle. I. THE BETTER MINISTRY . "But now hath he obtained a more excellent... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 8:6

A verse of comparisons. A more excellent ministry—a better covenant—better promises. How all this illustrates the way of God! Whatever he appoints and plans is good, and good just because it is exactly proportioned to good ends. But these ends have to be measured by the power of men to fall in with them. Man, with his limited prospect, reckons to be an end what God reckons as only the means to a greater end. God made to Israel promises of a land of inheritance on earth, just that they... read more

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