For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. And inasmuch as it was not without an oath (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, “THE LORD HAS SWORN AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND, ‘YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER’”); so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
a former commandment - the Mosaic Law had to be set aside
the Law made nothing perfect - "Galatians 2:16 agrees that by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. And as far as religious people are concerned, God might just as well have talked to the trees than to haven written His words in our Bibles. Religion, by definition, is that performance required by God whereby mankind assuages God's wrath or garners God's favor. Christianity is not a religion, it is a faith, believing that Jesus Christ has done everything necessary to assuage God's wrath and to garner God's favor on our behalf. The only religion God ever accepted was given to Israel under the provisions of the Old Testament. Israel, with the New Testament change in the law and the better priesthood after the order of Melchisedec, has God's provision in place for its salvation into the Kingdom by His Spirit, not by religion. Separate and apart from that, we as the Body of Christ have our salvation by grace through faith in Christ's payment for our sins. Two programs, each made possible and perfect by Christ; and in neither program is eternal life a product of keeping the law." (McLean)
a better hope - for effecting full and final removal of sin has been introduced, along with a new way of access to God
draw near to God - "The purpose of redemption is to bring man near to God." (Williams)
"The 'we' of this verse is the same 'we' of this book, which has been identified clearly as the Hebrew people...Knowing that allows us to understand the significance of their drawing nigh to God. As God's first son (Ex 4:22) and God's chosen people (Jn 15:16), they had been nigh unto God for centuries while the Gentile was far off (Eph 2:12). During our dispensation of grace according to the revelation of the mystery, Gentiles are made nigh and unbelieving Israel is far off. This verse restores Israel to its 'nigh unto God' position upon the institution of the New Testament with the re-institution of the prophetic program." (McLean)
v 21 - "The appointment of Melchizedek was accompanied by an oath; not so in the case of Levitical priests." (Ryrie)
"Christ's superiority to Aaron is further evidenced by His appointment as Priest having being made with an oath (v 20). This shews the meaning and sanctity and value of an oath. This is the third oath of the Epistle — the Oath of Imprecation (Heb 3:11) the Oath of Consolation (Heb 6:18) and the Oath of Consecration (Heb 7:20). These oaths establish immutability." (Williams)
"...according to these verses, the Old Testament priests were installed by inheritance without an oath; but Christ, after the order of Melchisedec operates with the sworn oath of almighty God and His promise that He will not change His mind." (McLean)
a better covenant - The new covenant.
a former commandment - the Mosaic Law had to be set aside
the Law made nothing perfect - "Galatians 2:16 agrees that by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. And as far as religious people are concerned, God might just as well have talked to the trees than to haven written His words in our Bibles. Religion, by definition, is that performance required by God whereby mankind assuages God's wrath or garners God's favor. Christianity is not a religion, it is a faith, believing that Jesus Christ has done everything necessary to assuage God's wrath and to garner God's favor on our behalf. The only religion God ever accepted was given to Israel under the provisions of the Old Testament. Israel, with the New Testament change in the law and the better priesthood after the order of Melchisedec, has God's provision in place for its salvation into the Kingdom by His Spirit, not by religion. Separate and apart from that, we as the Body of Christ have our salvation by grace through faith in Christ's payment for our sins. Two programs, each made possible and perfect by Christ; and in neither program is eternal life a product of keeping the law." (McLean)
a better hope - for effecting full and final removal of sin has been introduced, along with a new way of access to God
draw near to God - "The purpose of redemption is to bring man near to God." (Williams)
"The 'we' of this verse is the same 'we' of this book, which has been identified clearly as the Hebrew people...Knowing that allows us to understand the significance of their drawing nigh to God. As God's first son (Ex 4:22) and God's chosen people (Jn 15:16), they had been nigh unto God for centuries while the Gentile was far off (Eph 2:12). During our dispensation of grace according to the revelation of the mystery, Gentiles are made nigh and unbelieving Israel is far off. This verse restores Israel to its 'nigh unto God' position upon the institution of the New Testament with the re-institution of the prophetic program." (McLean)
v 21 - "The appointment of Melchizedek was accompanied by an oath; not so in the case of Levitical priests." (Ryrie)
"Christ's superiority to Aaron is further evidenced by His appointment as Priest having being made with an oath (v 20). This shews the meaning and sanctity and value of an oath. This is the third oath of the Epistle — the Oath of Imprecation (Heb 3:11) the Oath of Consolation (Heb 6:18) and the Oath of Consecration (Heb 7:20). These oaths establish immutability." (Williams)
"...according to these verses, the Old Testament priests were installed by inheritance without an oath; but Christ, after the order of Melchisedec operates with the sworn oath of almighty God and His promise that He will not change His mind." (McLean)
a better covenant - The new covenant.
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