John Bengel Commentary - Hebrews 8:11 - 8:11

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John Bengel Commentary - Hebrews 8:11 - 8:11


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Heb 8:11. Οὐ μὴ διδάξωσιν, they shall not teach) A Metonymy of the consequent for the antecedent: i.e. All will be taught by GOD Himself especially the love, which is the sum of the law. The exertions of brethren in teaching are not absolutely denied; for men must first be taught, whilst the covenant itself is being promulgated to them; Act 3:25; Isa 2:3 : then the instruction of brethren is plainly no longer necessary, at least to those who attain to the very power of the covenant in the remission of sins, and in the knowledge of the Lord. We have no need to write, nor you to he written to, says Paul, 1Th 4:9; 1Th 5:1. There will be a very full accomplishment of these promises when that which is perfect has come, even eternal life. But on the way to it every man should certainly teach and exhort himself and his brother; Heb 13:22, Jud 1:3. In short, even the doctrine, which is either solid meat or milk for the strong and for the weak, both alike being godly, delights the godly; Heb 5:12-13; Heb 13:7 : nay, these very persons now at last, and not till now, fully comprehend doctrine (‘teaching’); 1Co 2:6; 1Co 3:1; and the apostle himself, both here and in the whole of his office, teaches. That precept of highest importance, Know the Lord, is learned from the Lord. One proclaims to another every doctrine (every kind of teaching) that is agreeable to this one, which stands highest: and admonition has the principal place; 2Pe 1:12. In the mean time the doctrine is not difficult and forced, because grace renders all very teachable; for it is no longer the ministry of the letter, but of the spirit; 2Co 3:6, note. Nor does the firmness of believers depend on the authority of human teachers. This is also the reason why the scripture of the New Testament is shorter, and why some things are not so clearly decided. GOD Himself teaches His people.-τὸν ἀδελφὸν, his brother) This implies a closer relation than a neighbour or fellow-citizen.[45]-[46] ἀπὸ μικροῦ, from a little one [the least]) He that is feeble among them shall be as David, Zec 12:8.

[45] A citizen, he says: for the reading πολίτην is preferred to that of πλησίον on the margin of both Ed., and is translated in the Germ. Vers. by the word Mitbürger.-E. B.

[46] Εἰδήσουσί με, they shall know Me) from the utmost experience of My grace; Jer 9:24.-V. g.

ABD(Δ), and almost all the oldest authorities, read πολίτην. But Vulg. reads, as Rec. Text, πλησίον.-ED.