Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadWilliam Burkitt Notes and Observations - Hebrews 12:25 - 12:25
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Our apostle having, in the foregoing verses, given a summary account of the two states of the law and gospel with the incomparable excellency of the latter above the former, he gives them and exhortation and cautionary direction to take heed that they did not turn a deaf ear to so excellent a person as Christ was, preaching to them by his doctrine: see that ye refuse not him that speaketh.
Here note in general, That to refuse any who speak unto us in the name and authority of Christ, is to refuse Christ himself. This may be applied to all the faithful preachers of the gospel, however they may be despised in and by the world. But it is here the person of Christ that is particularly intended. To refuse him here, is either to reject his doctrine, and not to receive it, or having received it, to renounce it; so that this refusal includes both unbelief and apostasy, either of which are fatal and dangerous to the sons of men.
Observe next, The reason drawn from the heinousness of the sin, and the grievousness of the punishment; if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth; that is, Moses, who delivered his message here below; much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven; that is, Jesus Christ his Son, sent down from heaven personally to deliver his holy doctrine; and now speaking to us from heaven by his Holy Spirit, in his ministers and apostles.
Note here, 1. That Christ did in former times speak unto his church by Moses and the propheets.
2. That in theses latter times he vouchsafed to speak unto his church personally himself.
3. That after he personally disappeared and left the world, he vouchsafed still to speak unto his Spirit in the ministry of the world.
4. That though to refuse Christ, when speaking here on earth, was a grievous sin, and deserved a fearful punishment; yet to refuse him now, speaking from heaven, is a more grievous sin, and deserves a greater punishment, considering who speaks, what he speaks, and from whence he speaks; the gospel was a mystery brought to us from the bosom of the Father, the clearest revelation of God's will, and fullest manifestation of his love, and yet few regard it, most reject it, to their unutterable and inevitable condemnation.