Hebrews 1:4-14 Being made so much better than the angels, as he has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.… 1. It domonstrateth Christ to be true God (Malachi 3:6). 2. It distinguisheth Him from all creatures, from idols especially (Isaiah 41:4; Isaiah 44:6). 3. It strengtheneth our faith in all His Divine properties, promises, and former works (Psalm 44:1, 2; Psalm 90:1, 2; Genesis 32:10-12; Hebrews 13:5, 6). 4. It instructeth us in an especial use of God's former dealings with men; which is in like good courses to expect like blessings, and in like evil courses to expect like judgments: for the Lord is ever the same, and ever of the same mind; what in former times was right in His eyes and acceptable unto Him, is so still (Romans 4:23, 24). What formerly offended Him and provoked His wrath, still so doth (1 Corinthians 10:5, 6, &c.). 5. It assureth us of His continual and perpetual care of His Church (Matthew 28:20), yea, and of the Church's perpetual continuance (Matthew 16:18). 6. It encourageth us against all attempts of enemies present and to come (Psalm 110:1; Revelation 2:10). 7. It teacheth us to do what in us lieth for perpetuating His praise; and for this end both to set forth His praise ourselves all our days (Psalm 104:33), and also to teach our posterity so to do (Psalm 78:5, 6). 8. It directeth us bow to be like to Christ, namely, in constancy and unchangeableness in our lawful promises, oaths, vows, and covenants (Nehemiah 5:12, 13; Psalm 15:4; Ecclesiastes 5:4; Jeremiah 34:10, 18), and in our warrantable enterprises (1 Corinthians 15:58). 9. It admonisheth us to submit ourselves to the Lord's ordering providence; all our strivings against the same cannot after this purpose (1 Samuel 3:18). 10. It establisheth such as have evidence of their election and calling against all Satan's assaults and fears arising from our weak flesh (2 Peter 1:10). (W. Gouge.) Parallel Verses KJV: Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. |