Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Hebrews Ch.3 / 13 Ch.s
HEB:3
* The superior worth and dignity of Christ above Moses is shown.
(1-6) The Hebrews are warned of the sin and danger of unbelief.
(7-13) And of necessity of faith in Christ, and of stedfastly
following him. (14-19)
#1-6 Christ is to be considered as the Apostle of our
profession, the Messenger sent by God to men, the great Revealer
of that faith which we profess to hold, and of that hope which
we profess to have. As Christ, the Messiah, anointed for the
office both of Apostle and High Priest. As Jesus, our Saviour,
our Healer, the great Physician of souls. Consider him thus.
Consider what he is in himself, what he is to us, and what he
will be to us hereafter and for ever. Close and serious thoughts
of Christ bring us to know more of him. The Jews had a high
opinion of the faithfulness of Moses, yet his faithfulness was
but a type of Christ's. Christ was the Master of this house, of
his church, his people, as well as their Maker. Moses was a
faithful servant; Christ, as the eternal Son of God, is rightful
Owner and Sovereign Ruler of the Church. There must not only be
setting out well in the ways of Christ, but stedfastness and
perseverance therein to the end. Every meditation on his person
and his salvation, will suggest more wisdom, new motives to
love, confidence, and obedience.
#7-13 Days of temptation are often days of provocation. But to
provoke God, when he is letting us see that we entirely depend
and live upon him, is a provocation indeed. The hardening of the
heart is the spring of all other sins. The sins of others,
especially of our relations, should be warnings to us. All sin,
especially sin committed by God's professing, privileged people,
not only provokes God, but it grieves him. God is loth to
destroy any in, or for their sin; he waits long to be gracious
to them. But sin, long persisted in, will make God's wrath
discover itself in destroying the impenitent; there is no
resting under the wrath of God. "Take heed:" all who would get
safe to heaven must look about them; if once we allow ourselves
to distrust God, we may soon desert him. Let those that think
they stand, take heed lest they fall. Since to-morrow is not
ours, we must make the best improvement of this day. And there
are none, even the strongest of the flock, who do not need help
of other Christians. Neither are there any so low and despised,
but the care of their standing in the faith, and of their
safety, belongs to all. Sin has so many ways and colours, that
we need more eyes than ours own. Sin appears fair, but is vile;
it appears pleasant, but is destructive; it promises much, but
performs nothing. The deceitfulness of sin hardens the soul; one
sin allowed makes way for another; and every act of sin confirms
the habit. Let every one beware of sin.
#14-19 The saints' privilege is, they are made partakers of
Christ, that is, of the Spirit, the nature, graces,
righteousness, and life of Christ; they are interested in all
Christ is, in all he has done, or will do. The same spirit with
which Christians set out in the ways of God, they should
maintain unto the end. Perseverance in faith is the best
evidence of the sincerity of our faith. Hearing the word often
is a means of salvation, yet, if not hearkened to, it will
expose more to the Divine wrath. The happiness of being
partakers of Christ and his complete salvation, and the fear of
God's wrath and eternal misery, should stir us up to persevere
in the life of obedient faith. Let us beware of trusting to
outward privileges or professions, and pray to be numbered with
the true believers who enter heaven, when all others fail
because of unbelief. As our obedience follows according to the
power of our faith, so our sins and want of care are according
to the prevailing of unbelief in us.