Heb 1:2, 1Pe 1:19-20 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 2. Last days ] The Gospel dispensation, called the last days and the last time , because not to be followed by any other dispensation; or the conclusion of the Jewish Church and state now at their termination. By his Son ] It is very remarkable that the pronoun αυτου, his , is not found in the text; nor is it found in any MS. or version. We should not therefore supply the pronoun as our translators have done; but simply read ενυιω, BY A SON, or IN A SON, whom he hath appointed heir of all things . God has many sons and daughters, for he is the Father of the spirits of all flesh ; and he has many heirs , for if sons, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ ; but he has no Son who is heir of all things , none by whom he made the worlds , none in whom he speaks , and by whom he has delivered a complete revelation to mankind, but Jesus the Christ. The apostle begins with the lowest state in which Christ has appeared: 1. His being a SON, born of a woman, and made under the law. He then ascends, 2. So his being an Heir , and an Heir of all things . 3. He then describes him as the Creator of all worlds. 4. As the Brightness of the Divine glory . 5. As the express Image of his person, or character of the Divine substance . 6. As sustaining the immense fabric of the universe; and this by the word of his power. 7. As having made an atonement for the sin of the world, which was the most stupendous of all his works. "'Twas great to speak a world from nought;. Twas greater to redeem." 8. As being on the right hand of God, infinitely exalted above all created beings; and the object of adoration to all the angelic host. 9. As having an eternal throne , neither his person nor his dignity ever changing or decaying. 10. As continuing to exercise dominion , when the earth and the heavens are no more! It is only in God manifested in the flesh that all these excellences can possibly appear, therefore the apostle begins this astonishing climax with the simple Sonship of Christ, or his incarnation ; for, on this , all that he is to man, and all that he has done for man, is built.

‏ Hebrews 1:2

Verse 2. Last days] The Gospel dispensation, called the last days and the last time, because not to be followed by any other dispensation; or the conclusion of the Jewish Church and state now at their termination.

By his Son] It is very remarkable that the pronoun αυτου, his, is not found in the text; nor is it found in any MS. or version. We should not therefore supply the pronoun as our translators have done; but simply read ενυιω, BY A SON, or IN A SON, whom he hath appointed heir of all things. God has many sons and daughters, for he is the Father of the spirits of all flesh; and he has many heirs, for if sons, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ; but he has no Son who is heir of all things, none by whom he made the worlds, none in whom he speaks, and by whom he has delivered a complete revelation to mankind, but Jesus the Christ.

The apostle begins with the lowest state in which Christ has appeared: 1. His being a SON, born of a woman, and made under the law. He then ascends, 2. So his being an Heir, and an Heir of all things. 3. He then describes him as the Creator of all worlds. 4. As the Brightness of the Divine glory. 5. As the express Image of his person, or character of the Divine substance. 6. As sustaining the immense fabric of the universe; and this by the word of his power. 7. As having made an atonement for the sin of the world, which was the most stupendous of all his works.

"'Twas great to speak a world from nought;.

Twas greater to redeem."

8. As being on the right hand of God, infinitely exalted above all created beings; and the object of adoration to all the angelic host. 9. As having an eternal throne, neither his person nor his dignity ever changing or decaying. 10. As continuing to exercise dominion, when the earth and the heavens are no more! It is only in God manifested in the flesh that all these excellences can possibly appear, therefore the apostle begins this astonishing climax with the simple Sonship of Christ, or his incarnation; for, on this, all that he is to man, and all that he has done for man, is built.

‏ 1 Peter 1:19-20

Verse 19. The precious blood of Christ] τιμιωαιματι. The valuable blood; how valuable neither is nor could be stated.

As of a lamb] Such as was required for a sin-offering to God; and THE Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.

Without blemish] In himself, and without spot from the world; being perfectly pure in his soul, and righteous in his life.

Verse 20. Who verily was foreordained] προεγνωσμενου. Foreknown; appointed in the Divine purpose to be sent into the world, because infinitely approved by the Divine justice.

Before the foundation of the world] Before the law was given, or any sacrifice prescribed by it. Its whole sacrificial system was appointed in reference to this foreappointed Lamb, and consequently from him derived all its significance and virtue. The phrase καταβοληκοσμου, foundation of the world, occurs often in the New Testament, and is supposed by some learned men and good critics to signify the commencement of the Jewish state. Perhaps it may have this meaning in Mt 13:35; Lu 11:50; Eph 1:4; Heb 4:3; 9:26. But if we take it here in its common signification, the creation of universal nature, then it shows that God, foreseeing the fall and ruin of man, appointed the remedy that was to cure the disease. It may here have a reference to the opinion of the Jewish doctors, who maintain that seven things existed before the creation of the world, one of which was the Messiah.

Last times] The Gospel dispensation, called the last times, as we have often seen, because never to be succeeded by any other.