Hebrews 8:7 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 8:6-13

In this part of the chapter, the apostle illustrates and confirms the superior excellency of the priesthood of Christ above that of Aaron, from the excellency of that covenant, or that dispensation of the covenant of grace, of which Christ was the Mediator (Heb. 8:6): his ministry is more excellent, by how much he is the Mediator of a better covenant. The body and soul too of all divinity (as some observe) consist very much in rightly distinguishing between the two covenants?the covenant of... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 8:7-13

8:7-13 For, if the first covenant, which is so well known to you, had been faultless there would have been no need to seek any place for a second one. It is to censure them that he says: "Look you the days are coming, says the Lord. when I will consummate a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be the same as the covenant which I made with their fathers, when I laid my hand on them to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; this must be so because they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 8:7

For if that first covenant had been faultless ,.... Not the covenant of works; that was made in paradise, this on Mount Sinai; that was made with Adam and his posterity, this with the Jews only; that had no mediator, this had one, Moses; that was not dedicated with blood, this was; that had no forgiveness of sin in it, this had; under that saints are not, but they were under this; to be under that was no privilege, but to be under this it was, as to the Israelites, who on this account were... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:7

If that first had been faultless - This is nearly the same argument with that in Hebrews 7:11 . The simple meaning is: If the first covenant had made a provision for and actually conferred pardon and purity, and given a title to eternal life, then there could have been no need for a second; but the first covenant did not give these things, therefore a second was necessary; and the covenant that gives these things is the Christian covenant. read more

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 8:6-13

The new covenant. Here we have another of the broad contrasts which everywhere meet us in this treatise. In those Epistles which are undoubtedly Paul's, the process of reasoning resembles the movement of a file of soldiers; but in this to the Hebrews, the movement resembles rather that of soldiers in rank. The writer introduces his contrast between the covenants with the remark ( Hebrews 8:6 ) that our Lord's heavenly ministry as greatly excels that of Aaron as the new covenant which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 8:6-13

Christ in heaven, the Mediator of the new covenant. The argument of Hebrews 7:1-28 . has a further object than the mere proving our Lord's superiority to Aaron. The priesthood being altered and centered in him, most important facts bearing on the spiritual position of the Hebrews grow out of it. The priesthood was the center of the dispensation; they stood and fell together. A new priesthood means a new and better dispensation. That is the purport of Hebrews 8:10 -18, where this idea... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 8:6-13

The reasons assigned for the introduction of the new covenant. These consist of the suitability of the Lord Jesus to be engaged in the administration of a higher and nobler covenant than that which was established with Israel at Sinai. The more excellent ministry and the more excellent covenant go together. There were promises attached to the observance of the Mosaic which related to temporal blessings, such as harvests, vintages, and the peace and quiet of the land. The better covenant is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 8:7

For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for a second . "For" introduces this sentence as a reason for what has been already said; i.e. for a better covenant having been spoken of. The expression might be objected to by Hebrew readers as implying imperfection in the original Divine covenant. "Nay," says the writer, "it was imperfect, it was not faultless; for prophecy itself declares this." Should it be further objected that in the prophecy... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 8:7

For if that first covenant had been faultless - see the note on Hebrews 7:11. It is implied here that God had said that that covenant was not perfect or faultless. The meaning is not that that first covenant made under Moses had any real faults - or inculcated what was wrong, but that it did not contain the ample provision for the pardon of sin and the salvation of the soul which was desirable. It was merely “preparatory” to the gospel.Then should no place have been sought for the second -... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 8:6-13

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 8:7-13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 8:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 8:7

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 8:6-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 8:6-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 8:6-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 8:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 8:7

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