Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Hebrews 13:8 - 13:8
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Heb 13:8. Ἰησοῦς χριστὸς, Jesus Christ) A solemn appellation: The sum of the Gospel, which is to be held by faith. Not only the doctrine concerning Christ is intended, but Jesus Christ Himself, of whom the doctrine of faith treats. Those who have gone before us in the path of salvation died in that faith, which is supported by the word of GOD.-χθὲς καὶ σήμερον, yesterday and to-day) χθὲς καὶ σήμερον, yesterday and to-day, occur in their proper (strict) signification, without a figure, in 1Sa 20:27 : but the apostle speaks in a larger (nobler) sense. Jesus Christ, who was yesterday, is the same to-day; yesterday, before His sufferings and death; to-day, in glory; comp. ch. Heb 1:3; Rev 1:18. As night comes between yesterday and to-day, and yet night itself is swallowed up by yesterday and to-day, so the suffering did not so interrupt the glory of Jesus Christ which was of yesterday, so to speak, and that glory which is of to-day, that it did not continue to be the same. These expressions have the force of a proverb, yesterday, yesterday and the day before, yesterday and to-day, yesterday and to-morrow: Isa 30:33; Deu 4:42; 2Sa 15:20; Sir 38:23; and in this general sense of the apostle, yesterday and to-day resemble a proverb, so as to denote any past and present time, which was denoted especially in the discussion brought to this point. Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday-before He came into the world, before His passion, before His ascension-and to-day, in heaven; yesterday and to-day in the former and latter (second) part of this exhortation: yesterday in the time of our earlier and later predecessors, and to-day in our own age. In whatever way it may be understood, Artemonius, p. 347, cannot join together a short yesterday and long ages (αἰῶνας).-ὁ αὐτὸς) Some place a comma before it, but improperly. This is the sentiment of the apostle: Jesus Christ is always the same; He who was yesterday, is the SAME TO-DAY, nay, for ever (to all AGES): [Always the same Saviour and the same Teacher.-V. g.] Also, the true doctrine, delivered to you by your teachers, is always the same, not variable, Heb 13:7; Heb 13:9. He Himself is always the same: ch. Heb 1:12, Thou art the same: The same in the Old and New Testament; ch. Heb 12:2, note. See also 1Co 3:11; Php 3:16. He is unchangeable, and never dies, although teachers die.-καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας) and for ever, Heb 13:20, ch. Heb 7:3; Heb 7:16; Heb 7:24-25.