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However, now [Jesus] has acquired a very different priestly office in behalf of the people,1 as he is a mediator of a much better covenant,2 which is also lawfully based on superior promises.3
| 1 | Now [Jesus] has acquired a very different priestly office in behalf of the people: [BER, GDS] Or, KJV: now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry; RHM: a more distinguished public ministry; MOF: divine service he has obtained is superior; CON: a higher ministry; WEY: all the nobler a ministry; TCN: a ministry as far excelling theirs. |
| 2 | As he is a mediator of a much better covenant: Or, KJV: by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant; RHM: by as much as of a better covenant also he is mediator; TCN: intermediary; WEY: negotiator of a sublimer covenant; MOF: owing to the fact that he mediates a superior covenant; KNX: nobler covenant; PME: higher agreement. See notes on Hebrews 12:24. [1 Timothy 2:4] Why a “better covenant” is to be explained. Compare notes on Hebrews 7:22 and Hebrews 9:15. |
| 3 | Lawfully based on superior promises: Or, KJV: established upon better promises; RHM: upon better promises hath been legislated; PME: rests upon higher promises; WEY: based upon sublimer promises; KNX: with nobler promises for its sanctions; BER: more excellent promises. Paul has already discussed God’s oath and a better promise in Psalm 110:4. Compare notes on Hebrews 6:13-20 and Hebrews 7:18-25. The “better promises” may also include heavenly glory as children of God. [See notes on Romans 8:17 in Nazarene Commentary 2000.] |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose Hebrews 8:6 as the theme verse of chapter eight – Superior Promises. Paul plunges deeper and deeper into those “things hard to interpret.” The main point Paul makes is that Christians have such a High Priest and Mediator. [1-6] He references Psalm 110:1 again. Paul now introduces a “True Tent” patterned after the shadow of the Tabernacle of Moses. He draws attention to the word “type” in the Greek version of Exodus 25:40. So there is a much better covenant with a very different priestly office based on superior promises.
This is all the result of a “new covenant.” [7-12] A New Covenant would not be sought if the first Law of Covenant was without fault. Paul quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34 and stresses that the word “new” means the Law covenant is “old.” He writes that the old covenant with the Jews is “about to disappear.” Something that manifestly happened in 70 AD when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and her Temple. [NOTES: KJV: now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away; RHM: becoming obsolete and aged; CON: old and stricken in years; WEY: decaying and showing signs of old age; ABU: wearing out with age; PME: grows weak and out of date; TCN: becomes obsolete and loses its force; RHM: disappearing; BER: vanishing point; NEB: will shortly disappear; PME: going to be dispensed with altogether.]
Abba our Father bless those who have approached the True Tent.
[19 August 2002]
