1Proto, svatí bratři, účastníci nebeského povolání,1 uvažujte o apoštolovi2 a veleknězi, jehož vyznáváme3 - o Ježíšovi. (1Ř 8:30 1K 1:9 Fp 3:14 1Te 2:12 2Tm 1:9 2P 1:10 2J 3:17 J 7:29 3Žd 8:1 Žd 9:15) 2Byl věrný1 Tomu, který ho učinil takovým, jako byl v celém Jeho domě i Mojžíš2.3 (1J 8:29 Zj 3:14 2Dt 34:10 3Nu 12:7) 3Ten druhý je proto uznán za hodna větší slávy1 než Mojžíš, jelikož větší čest než dům2 má ten3, kdo jej staví. (1Mt 17:2 2K 3:9 21K 3:9 1P 2:5 3Za 6:12 Mt 16:18) 4Každý dům je ovšem někým postaven, ale ten, kdo postavil všechno, je Bůh.1 (1Gn 2:3 Ef 3:9) 5A Mojžíš byl jako sloužící1 věrný v celém Jeho domě, na svědectví o věcech, o nichž se mělo mluvit později,2 (1Dt 3:24 2Dt 18:18) 6ale Kristus byl věrný nad Jeho domem jako Syn1. My jsme Jeho domem,2 jestliže se pevně přidržíme své volnosti řeči a své chlouby z naděje, pevné až do konce.3 (1Mt 17:5 22K 6:16 Ef 2:19 3Ř 5:2 1Tm 3:13 Žd 6:11) 7Proto, právě jak říká svatý duch1: Jestliže dnes budete naslouchat jeho vlastnímu hlasu,2 (12S 23:2 Sk 1:16 2Ž 95:7) 8nezatvrzujte své srdce jako tehdy, když byl způsoben rozhořčený hněv,1 jako v den, kdy byla učiněna zkouška2 v pustině3, (1Ex 15:23 2Ex 17:7 3Ž 95:8) 9kdy mě vaši praotcové zkoušeli pokusem, přestože viděli mé skutky1 po čtyřicet let.2 (1Ž 105:40 2Ex 16:35 Nu 32:13 Dt 8:2 Ž 95:9) 10Proto se mi znechutila tato generace a řekl jsem: Stále ve svém srdci bloudí,1 a sami nepoznali mé cesty.2 (1Nu 14:11 Ž 78:8 2Dt 8:3 Ž 95:10) 11Proto jsem přísahal ve svém hněvu: Jistě nevstoupí do mého odpočinku.1 (1Nu 14:23 Ž 95:11) 12Dejte si pozor, bratři, aby se v někom z vás někdy nevyvinulo ničemné srdce bez víry tím, že by se odtahovalo od živého Boha;1 (1Žd 2:1 Žd 12:15) 13ale dále každý den jeden druhého vybízejte,1 dokud lze říkat dnes,2 aby se někdo z vás nezatvrdil podvodnou3 mocí hříchu. (11Te 5:11 2Ž 95:7 3Mk 4:19 2Te 2:10) 14Vždyť se skutečně staneme účastníky Krista1 jedině tehdy, jestliže se pevně až do konce přidržíme důvěry, kterou jsme měli na počátku,2 (1Ef 3:6 Žd 6:4 Žd 12:8 2Ř 11:22 2K 3:4 1J 3:14 Zj 2:10) 15zatímco se říká: Jestliže dnes budete naslouchat jeho vlastnímu hlasu,1 nezatvrzujte své srdce jako tehdy, když byl způsoben rozhořčený hněv.2 (1Ž 95:7 J 6:45 2Ž 95:8) 16Kdo totiž byli ti, kteří slyšeli, a přece provokovali k rozhořčenému hněvu?1 Neudělali to vlastně všichni, kteří vyšli z Egypta pod Mojžíšem?2 (1Ex 17:2 2Nu 14:2 Nu 14:4) 17A navíc, kým byl Bůh znechucen po čtyřicet let?1 Nebylo to těmi, kteří hřešili a jejichž mrtvoly padly v pustině?2 (1Nu 14:11 Dt 32:21 2Nu 14:22 Nu 14:29 1K 10:5 1K 10:10 Ju 1:5) 18Ale komu přísahal1, že nevstoupí do jeho odpočinku, než těm, kteří jednali neposlušně?2 (1Dt 1:34 Ž 106:26 2Nu 14:30 Dt 1:35) 19Vidíme tedy, že nemohli vstoupit kvůli nedostatku víry.1 (1Žd 4:6)
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 THE SON OF GOD GREATER THAN MOSES, WHEREFORE UNBELIEF TOWARDS HIM WILL INCUR A HEAVIER PUNISHMENT THAN BEFELL UNBELIEVING ISRAEL IN THE WILDERNESS. (Heb. 3:1-19)
Wherefore--Greek, "Whence," that is, seeing we have such a sympathizing Helper you ought to "consider attentively," "contemplate"; fix your eyes and mind on Him with a view to profiting by the contemplation (
Heb 12:2). The Greek word is often used by Luke, Paul's companion (
Luke 12:24,
Luke 12:27).
brethren--in Christ, the common bond of union.
partakers--"of the Holy Ghost."
heavenly calling--coming to us from heaven, and leading us to heaven whence it comes.
Phil 3:14, "the high calling"; Greek "the calling above," that is, heavenly.
the Apostle and High Priest of our profession--There is but one Greek article to both nouns, "Him who is at once Apostle and High Priest"--Apostle, as Ambassador (a higher designation than "angel"-messenger) sent by the Father (
John 20:21), pleading the cause of God with us; High Priest, as pleading our cause with God. Both His Apostleship and High Priesthood are comprehended in the one title, Mediator [BENGEL]. Though the title "Apostle" is nowhere else applied to Christ, it is appropriate here in addressing Hebrews, who used the term of the delegates sent by the high priest to collect the temple tribute from Jews resident in foreign countries, even as Christ was Delegate of the Father to this world far off from Him (
Matt 21:37). Hence as what applies to Him, applies also to His people, the Twelve are designated His apostles, even as He is the Father's (
John 20:21). It was desirable to avoid designating Him here "angel," in order to distinguish His nature from that of angels mentioned before, though he is "the Angel of the Covenant." The "legate of the Church" (Sheliach Tsibbur) offered up the prayers in the synagogue in the name of all, and for all. So Jesus, "the Apostle of our profession," is delegated to intercede for the Church before the Father. The words "of our profession," mark that it is not of the legal ritual, but of our Christian faith, that He is the High Priest. Paul compares Him as an Apostle to Moses; as High Priest to Aaron. He alone holds both offices combined, and in a more eminent degree than either, which those two brothers held apart.
profession--"confession," corresponds to God having spoken to us by His Son, sent as Apostle and High Priest. What God proclaims we confess.
2 He first notes the feature of resemblance between Moses and Christ, in order to conciliate the Hebrew Christians whom He addressed, and who still entertained a very high opinion of Moses; he afterwards brings forward Christ's superiority to Moses.
Who was faithful--The Greek implies also that He still is faithful, namely, as our mediating High Priest, faithful to the trust God has assigned Him (
Heb 2:17). So Moses in God's house (
Num 12:7).
appointed him--"made Him" HIGH PRIEST; to be supplied from the preceding context. Greek, "made"; so in
Heb 5:5;
1Sam 12:6, Margin;
Acts 2:36; so the Greek fathers. Not as ALFORD, with AMBROSE and the Latins, "created Him," that is, as man, in His incarnation. The likeness of Moses to Messiah was foretold by Moses himself (
Deut 18:15). Other prophets only explained Moses, who was in this respect superior to them; but Christ was like Moses, yet superior.
3 For--assigning the reason why they should "consider" attentively "Christ" (
Heb 3:1), highly as they regard Moses who resembled Him in faithfulness (
Heb 3:2).
was--Greek, "has been."
counted worthy of more glory--by God, when He exalted Him to His own right hand. The Hebrew Christians admitted the fact (
Heb 1:13).
builded the house--Greek, "inasmuch as He hath more honor than the house, who prepared it," or "established it" [ALFORD]. The Greek verb is used purposely instead of "builded," in order to mark that the building meant is not a literal, but a spiritual house: the Church both of the Old Testament and New Testament; and that the building of such a house includes all the preparations of providence and grace needed to furnish it with "living stones" and fitting "servants." Thus, as Christ the Founder and Establisher (in Old Testament as well as the New Testament) is greater than the house so established, including the servants, He is greater also than Moses, who was but a "servant." Moses, as a servant, is a portion of the house, and less than the house; Christ, as the Instrumental Creator of all things, must be God, and so greater than the house of which Moses was but a part. Glory is the result of honor.
4 Someone must be the establisher of every house; Moses was not the establisher of the house, but a portion of it (but He who established all things, and therefore the spiritual house in question, is God). Christ, as being instrumentally the Establisher of all things, must be the Establisher of the house, and so greater than Moses.
5 faithful in all his house--that is in all GOD'S house (
Heb 3:4).
servant--not here the Greek for "slave," but "a ministering attendant"; marking the high office of Moses towards God, though inferior to Christ, a kind of steward.
for a testimony of, &c.--in order that he might in his typical institutions give "testimony" to Israel "of the things" of the Gospel "which were to be spoken afterwards" by Christ (
Heb 8:5;
Heb 9:8,
Heb 9:23;
Heb 10:1).
6 But Christ--was and is faithful (
Heb 3:2).
as a son over his own house--rather, "over His (GOD'S,
Heb 3:4) house"; and therefore, as the inference from His being one with God, over His own house. So
Heb 10:21, "having an High Priest over the house of God." Christ enters His Father's house as the Master [OVER it], but Moses as a servant [IN it,
Heb 3:2,
Heb 3:5] [CHRYSOSTOM]. An ambassador in the absence of the king is very distinguished--in the presence of the king he falls back into the multitude [BENGEL].
whose house are we--Paul and his Hebrew readers. One old manuscript, with Vulgate and LUCIFER, reads, "which house"; but the weightiest manuscripts support English Version reading.
the rejoicing--rather, "the matter of rejoicing."
of the hope--"of our hope." Since all our good things lie in hopes, we ought so to hold fast our hopes as already to rejoice, as though our hopes were realized [CHRYSOSTOM].
firm unto the end--omitted in LUCIFER and AMBROSE, and in one oldest manuscript, but supported by most oldest manuscripts.
7 Exhortation from
Ps 95:7-
Ps 95:11, not through unbelief to lose participation in the spiritual house. Seeing that we are the house of God if we hold fast our confidence . . . (
Heb 3:6). Jesus is "faithful," be not ye unfaithful (
Heb 3:2,
Heb 3:12). The sentence beginning with "wherefore," interrupted by the parenthesis confirming the argument from
Ps 95:7-
Ps 95:11, is completed at
Heb 3:12, "Take heed," &c.
Holy Ghost saith--by the inspired Psalmist; so that the words of the latter are the words of God Himself.
To-day--at length; in David's day, as contrasted with the days of Moses in the wilderness, and the whole time since then, during which they had been rebellious against God's voice; as for instance, in the wilderness (
Heb 3:8). The Psalm, each fresh time when used in public worship, by "to-day," will mean the particular day when it was, or is, used.
hear--obediently.
his voice--of grace.
8 Harden not your hearts--This phrase here only is used of man's own act; usually of God's act (
Rom 9:18). When man is spoken of as the agent in hardening, the phrase usually is, "harden his neck," or "back" (
Neh 9:17).
provocation . . . temptation--"Massah-meribah," translated in Margin "tentation . . . chiding," or "strife" (
Exod 17:1-
Exod 17:7). Both names seem to refer to that one event, the murmuring of the people against the Lord at Rephidim for want of water. The first offense especially ought to be guarded against, and is the most severely reproved, as it is apt to produce many more.
Num 20:1-
Num 20:13 and
Deut 33:8 mention a second similar occasion in the wilderness of Sin, near Kadesh, also called Meribah.
in the day--Greek, "according to the day of."
9 When--rather, "Where," namely, in the wilderness.
your fathers--The authority of the ancients is not conclusive [BENGEL].
tempted me, proved me--The oldest manuscripts read, "tempted (Me) in the way of testing," that is, putting (Me) to the proof whether I was able and willing to relieve them, not believing that I am so.
saw my works forty years--They saw, without being led thereby to repentance, My works of power partly in affording miraculous help, partly in executing vengeance, forty years. The "forty years" joined in the Hebrew and Septuagint, and below,
Heb 3:17, with "I was grieved," is here joined with "they saw." Both are true; for, during the same forty years that they were tempting God by unbelief, notwithstanding their seeing God's miraculous works, God was being grieved. The lesson intended to be hinted to the Hebrew Christians is, their "to-day" is to last only between the first preaching of the Gospel and Jerusalem's impending overthrow, namely, FORTY YEARS; exactly the number of years of Israel's sojourn in the wilderness, until the full measure of their guilt having been filled up all the rebels were overthrown.
10 grieved--displeased. Compare "walk contrary,"
Lev 26:24,
Lev 26:28.
that generation--"that" implies alienation and estrangement. But the oldest manuscripts read, "this."
said--"grieved," or "displeased," at their first offense. Subsequently when they hardened their heart in unbelief still more, He sware in His wrath (
Heb 3:11); an ascending gradation (compare
Heb 3:17-
Heb 3:18).
and they have not known--Greek, "But these very persons," &c. They perceived I was displeased with them, yet they, the same persons, did not a whit the more wish to know my ways [BENGEL]; compare "but they,"
Ps 106:43.
not known my ways--not known practically and believingly the ways in which I would have had them go, so as to reach My rest (
Exod 18:20).
11 So--literally, "as."
I sware--BENGEL remarks the oath of God preceded the forty years.
not--literally, "If they shall enter . . . (God do so to me and more also),"
2Sam 3:35. The Greek is the same,
Mark 8:12.
my rest--Canaan, primarily, their rest after wandering in the wilderness: still, even when in it, they never fully enjoyed rest; whence it followed that the threat extended farther than the exclusion of the unbelieving from the literal land of rest, and that the rest promised to the believing in its full blessedness was, and is, yet future:
Ps 25:13;
Ps 37:9,
Ps 37:11,
Ps 37:22,
Ps 37:29, and Christ's own beatitude (
Matt 5:5) all accord with this,
Heb 3:9.
12 Take heed--to be joined with "wherefore,"
Heb 3:7.
lest there be--Greek (indicative), "lest there shall be"; lest there be, as I fear there is; implying that it is not merely a possible contingency, but that there is ground for thinking it will be so.
in any--"in any one of you." Not merely ought all in general be on their guard, but they ought to be so concerned for the safety of each one member, as not to suffer any one to perish through their negligence [CALVIN].
heart--The heart is not to be trusted. Compare
Heb 3:10, "They do always err in their heart."
unbelief--faithlessness. Christ is faithful; therefore, saith Paul to the Hebrews, we ought not to be faithless as our fathers were under Moses.
departing--apostatizing. The opposite of "come unto" Him (
Heb 4:16). God punishes such apostates in kind. He departs from them--the worst of woes.
the living God--real: the distinctive characteristic of the God of Israel, not like the lifeless gods of the heathen; therefore One whose threats are awful realities. To apostatize from Christ is to apostatize from the living God (
Heb 2:3).
13 one another--Greek, "yourselves"; let each exhort himself and his neighbor.
daily--Greek, "on each day," or "day by day."
while it is called To-day--while the "to-day" lasts (the day of grace,
Luke 4:21, before the coming of the day of glory and judgment at Christ's coming,
Heb 10:25,
Heb 10:37). To-morrow is the day when idle men work, and fools repent. To-morrow is Satan's to-day; he cares not what good resolutions you form, if only you fix them for to-morrow.
lest . . . of you--The "you" is emphatic, as distinguished from "your fathers" (
Heb 3:9). "That from among you no one (so the Greek order is in some of the oldest manuscripts) be hardened" (
Heb 3:8).
deceitfulness--causing you to "err in your heart."
sin--unbelief.
14 For, &c.--enforcing the warning,
Heb 3:12.
partakers of Christ--(Compare
Heb 3:1,
Heb 3:6). So "partakers of the Holy Ghost" (
Heb 6:4).
hold--Greek, "hold fast."
the beginning of our confidence--that is, the confidence (literally, substantial, solid confidence) of faith which we have begun (
Heb 6:11;
Heb 12:2). A Christian so long as he is not made perfect, considers himself as a beginner [BENGEL].
unto the end--unto the coming of Christ (
Heb 12:2).
15 While it is said--connected with
Heb 3:13, "exhort one another . . . while it is said, To-day":
Heb 3:14, "for we are made partakers," &c., being a parenthesis. "It entirely depends on yourselves that the invitation of the ninety-fifth Psalm be not a mere invitation, but also an actual enjoyment." ALFORD translates, "Since (that is, 'for') it is said," &c., regarding
Heb 3:15 as a proof that we must "hold . . . confidence . . . unto the end," in order to be "partakers of Christ."
16 For some--rather interrogatively, "For WHO was it that, when they had heard (referring to 'if ye will hear,'
Heb 3:15), did provoke (God)?" The "For" implies, Ye need to take heed against unbelief: for, was it not because of unbelief that all our fathers were excluded (
Ezek 2:3)? "Some," and "not all," would be a faint way of putting his argument, when his object is to show the universality of the evil. Not merely some, but all the Israelites, for the solitary exceptions, Joshua and Caleb, are hardly to be taken into account in so general a statement. So
Heb 3:17-
Heb 3:18, are interrogative: (1) the beginning of the provocation, soon after the departure from Egypt, is marked in
Heb 3:16; (2) the forty years of it in the wilderness,
Heb 3:17; (3) the denial of entrance into the land of rest,
Heb 3:18. Compare Note, see on
1Cor 10:5, "with the majority of them God was displeased."
howbeit--"Nay (why need I put the question?), was it not all that came out of Egypt?" (
Exod 17:1-
Exod 17:2).
by Moses--by the instrumentality of Moses as their leader.
17 But--Translate, "Moreover," as it is not in contrast to
Heb 3:16, but carrying out the same thought.
corpses--literally, "limbs," implying that their bodies fell limb from limb.
18 to them that believed not--rather as Greek, "to them that disobeyed." Practical unbelief (
Deut 1:26).
19 they could not enter--though desiring it.