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§. 14. Of the meaning of Heb. 5. 3.
And by reason hereof he ought as for the people, so also for himself to offer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sinnes.
IN this verse is set down a consequence following upon the legal Priests 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which is, that he offered for his own sins, as well as for others.
This phrase, And by reason hereof, is in the Greek thus expressed, a 1.1 And for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 The particle [This] hath reference to the b 1.2 last word of the former verse; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 being repeated, may thus make up the sense, And for this infirmity. Or else 〈◊〉〈◊〉 word which signifieth c 1.3 cause, may be added, thus, And for this cause. Our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath to the full expressed the sense of the phrase.
This Verb, he * 1.4 ought, implieth a necessity of the consequence.
The necessity is double,
- 1. In regard * 1.5 of Gods command, Lev. 4 3.
- 2. In regard * 1.6 of the means sanctified to obtain pardon. For by offering Sacri∣fice, faith in the bloud of Christ was testified, which was the only means of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 king away sin.* 1.7
The word of necessity here used, sheweth, That we ought to use the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which make for our own good.
This is to be done as we tender Gods honour, and our own •…•…∣nesse.
Gods honour is set out, in subjecting our selves to his Ordinance.
Our happinesse may be promoted, by using the means which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thereto.
This clause, As for the people, takes it for grant, That the Priest was to 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.8 for the peoples sinnes. For he had said before, that the High-priest was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for men; namely, for other men then himself: and that he offered for si•…•…s, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the sins of others. See v. 1. §. 4, 8.
By people are here meant such as professed the Lord to be their God. See 〈◊〉〈◊〉 4. v. 9. §. 57.
This particle [AS] is premised to shew, that he who is a means of 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.9 good, must also take care of his own. Therefore this reddition or application is •…•…∣ded, So also for himself.
This is again thus testified, He offered for himself, and for the errours of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Heb. 9. 7.
- 1. He hath need of the same means for himself, as for others.
- 2. He may reap good thereby, as well as others.
- 3. There was no other to offer for the High-priest but himself. For there was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one High priest at a time.
This may be a good Direction for us Ministers to preach to our selves, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for our selves, to apply to our selves what we deliver to others. It was Pauls •…•…∣rection to the Ministers at Ephesus, To take heed unto themselves, and to all the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (Act. 20. 28.) So also to Timothy, To take heed unto himself, &c. and he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this reason, Thou shalt both save thy self, and them that hear thee. He well 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this direction in himself. For thus he saith, I keep under my body, and bring it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 subjection, l•…•…st that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 castaway, 1 Cor. 9 27.
The Verb offer compriseth Sacrifice under it. See v. 1. §. 6.
This last phrase, to offer for sinnes, hath reference to the Priest, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.10 as to the people: and it declareth, That the High priest was subject to sin. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 comprised under the word infirmity, v. 2. §. 12.
〈◊〉〈◊〉 having reference to the High-priest under the Law implieth two things 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which Christ the true High-priest was exempt.
One was, that he was without sin. Hereof see Ch. 4. v. 15. §. 91.
The other is, that Christ offered not for himself, as the High-priest under 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.11 Law did, He needed not daily as those High-priests to offer up Sacrifice, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 himself, &c. Heb. 7. 27. What Christ did in offering Sacrifice, he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉