the procreation of children to "be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD;" honourable as having been consecrated by CHRIST to an excellent mystery to represent His union with His Church. and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. 5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. See Josh. i. 5. The words were indeed first spoken to Joshua, but, as we here see, in him, to all the faithful. 6 So that we may boldly say, The LORD is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. 7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: Remember them, the Apostle seems to mean, in your prayers, remember them with reverence, and with kindly offices: "LORD, there are those, sent by Thee in Thy holy Church, to watch for my soul, to teach me Thy Truth, to feed me with the living Bread, be Thou with them evermore to guide, to counsel, and to comfort them; yea, help me evermore so to live for Thee under their rule, that when they are called to 'give account,' they may do it with joy, and find acceptance with Thee, through Him, the great Shepherd of the sheep." The words may also refer to those rulers of the Church, who have died in the faith. whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation: 8 JESUS CHRIST the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever. 9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. The eighth verse may be considered to belong either to what said just before it, or to the words which follow it. In the case, our LORD is described as "the end," the one sole f all the ministrations of His Priests, that they may pre sent every man perfect in Him. In the latter case the Apostle's meaning is, "As He never changes, so neither does His truth; stand fast therefore in the faith: new doctrines are untrue." For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. The Apostle seems here to be contrasting the many Jewish sacrifices with the one Christian sacrifice. The former did not profit those who failed to look through, and beyond, them to Him, of Whom they were types; to such persons they were but "meats." Not so the Christian sacrifice; that will profit, for He is therein by Whom " grace and truth came:" that is not mere "meat," mere common bread and common wine, but the very Body and Blood of JESUS. Word made Flesh, true bread He maketh Wine, His Blood, which whoso taketh, Therefore we, before Him bending, Faith our outward sense befriending, 10 We have an altar, By partaking whereof our hearts may be established by grace: for there is to be found the "Wine which maketh glad the heart of man," and the "Bread which strengthens man's heart." whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. That is, who remain in Judaism, who go not out to JESUS. 11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. See Exod. xxix. 14; Lev. iv. 12. 12 Wherefore That is, that He might fulfil the type He had given of Himself; He, the true sin-offering, the one propitiation for the sins of the whole world, JESUS also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate. He bearing His Cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, where they crucified Him.1 13 Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach. That is, out of Judaism, even as S. Paul had done, content to bear for His sake whatever reproaches may be cast upon us; ready to share with Him the rebukes of foolish men. Happy are we, when the reproaches of them that reproached Thee are fallen upon us, and we through Thy grace endure with meekness and give back good, committing ourselves "to Him That judgeth righteously." 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 15 By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices GOD is well pleased.' "Communicate" here means to give to others who are in need, of such things as we have. 17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you. 18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conin all things willing to live honestly. John xix. 17, 18. 2 Phil. iv. 18. 19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. "Restored to you," that is, restored to liberty. This Epistle was written when S. Paul was a prisoner of JESUS CHRIST." 66 20 Now the GOD of peace, That brought again from the dead our LORD JESUS, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through JESUS CHRIST; to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. 23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you: 24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. 25 Grace be with you all. Amen. Grant us, O LORD, spotless purity of life, and ardent zeal for the salvation of souls, that in all good works and steadfast faith we may preach Thee, and through Thy mercy at length come unto Thee, Who art the Author and Giver of everlasting blessedness, through JESUS CHRIST Our LORD. Amen. |