Hebrews 1:4-14 Being made so much better than the angels, as he has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.… This Hebraism here intendeth two things — 1. The excellency of this gladness. No external joy is to be compared to it. 2. The quantity of that joy. It far surpasseth all the joy that ever was or can be, which is manifested in this phrase following — "above Thy fellows." This epithet " gladness" is attributed to this oil in relation to Christ the head, and to all believers His members. It hath relation to Christ in two respects. (1) As it quickened Him up and made Him joyful in all His undertakings for our redemption, Christ, being by His Father deputed to His function, most willingly and joyfully undertook and managed it. "As a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, He rejoiced as a strong man to run His race" (Psalm 19:5). When He cometh into the world, He saith, "I delight to do Thy will, O My God" (Psalm 40:8). When He was in the world, He said, "My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34). (2) Gladness hath relation to Christ by reason of the fruit that sprouted out from thence. His coming into the world, and doing and enduring what He did, was matter of rejoicing to others, in which respect the prophet exhorteth the daughter of Zion to shout, and to be glad and rejoice with all the heart (Zephaniah 3:14; Zechariah 9:9). And the angels that brought the first news of Christ's birth do thus proclaim it: "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people" (Luke 2:10).This epithet "gladness" hath relation to the members of Christ in two respects. (1) As the things whereof in Christ they are made partakers are matters of great joy; for so many and so great are the benefits which believers receive from Christ by virtue of that anointing, as they very much rejoice their hearts. Many of these benefits are expressly set down (Isaiah 61:1-3). Other benefits are in other places distinctly noted — as redemption from sin, reconciliation with God, justification in His sight, adoption, regeneration, sanctification, and the end of all, eternal salvation. If any things in the world cause true joy and gladness, surely these effects which flow from the anointing of Christ will do it. (2) As the members of Christ are quickened up by that Spirit which cometh from Him, do and endure readily, willingly, cheerfully, joyfully what the Lord calls them unto (Psalm 122:1; 1 Chronicles 29:9, 17). It is said of those on whom the Spirit rested, that "they received the Word gladly," and mutually communicated together " with gladness." On a like ground the eunuch whom Philip baptized, and Paul's jailor, are said to rejoice (Acts 8:39; Acts 16:34). This fruit of joy gives evidence of a believer's union with Christ, and of the abode of Christ's Spirit in him; for the Spirit is as oil, of a diffusing nature. Hereby we may gain assurance to our own souls, and give evidence to others of the Spirit that is in us. So did the Jews of old (1 Chronicles 29:9), and Christ's disciples (Luke 10:17), and Christians in the primitive Church (Hebrews 10:34; Philippians 2:17, 18). (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. |
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