Hebrews 7:11-13 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood… It is modified in these circumstances: 1. In regard of justification (Acts 12:39). The law was first given to justify the observers thereof; but now in regard of man's corruption that is impossible (Romans 8:3; Galatians 3:11). God therefore now hath appointed another means for that end, which is Christ and faith in Him (Acts 13:39; Romans 3:28). 2. In regard of the rigour thereof. The law accepteth no duty but that which is every way perfect. This much is implied (Romans 10:5). This, there, fore, is the doom of the law (Galatians 3:10). Yet there is a righteousness (though not framed according to this exact rule) which is accepted of God. This is the righteousness of faith, whereby laying hold on Christ's righteousness to be justified (Acts 24:16). 3. In regard of an accidental power which the law, through man's corruption, hath to increase sin, and to make it out of measure sinful (Romans 7:13). For the very forbidding of a sin by the law maketh the corrupt heart of man more eagerly pursue it: as a stubborn child will do a thing the more, because it is forbidden. There is a secret antipathy in our corrupt nature to God's pure law. But by the Spirit of Christ that antipathy is taken away, and another disposition wrought in true believers: namely, a true desire and faithful endeavour to avoid what the law forbiddeth; and to do that which it requireth. In this respect, saith the apostle, "I delight in the law of God concerning the inward man" (Romans 7.27). 4. In regard of the curse of the law. Yet the law peremptorily denounceth a curse against every transgressor and transgression (Deuteronomy 27:26; Galatians 3:10). The law admits no sure y, nor accepts any repentance. Thus, "all men having sinned, come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Yet this curse doth not light on all (Galatians 2:13). In this respect, "there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). Though the moral law be altered in the forementioned respects, yet still it remains to be of use for instruction and direction. 1. For instruction, it demonstrateth these points following: (1) What God Himself is (Exodus 20:2). (2) Want His holy will is (Psalm 40:8). (3) What our duty is to God and man (Matthew 22:37-39). (4) What sin is (1 John 3:4; Romans 3:20). (5) What are the kinds of sin (James 2:11; Romans 7:7). (6) What the pravity of our nature is (Romans 7:14). (7) What the sinfulness of our lives is (Romans 7:19). (8) God's approbation of obedience (Exodus 20:6, 12). (9) God's detestation of transgressors (Exodus 20:5, 7). (10) The fearful doom of sinners (Galatians 3:10). (11) Man's disability to keep the law (Romans 8:3). (12) The necessity of another means of salvation (Romans 3:20, 21). 2. For direction. The law is of use to these points following: (1) To convince men of sin. (2) To humble them for the same. (3) To work an hatred of sin. (4) To restrain them from it. (5) To work self-denial. (6) To drive men to Christ. (7) To put them on to endeavour after as near a conformity to the law as they can. (8) To make them fearful of pulling upon their souls a more fearful doom than the curse of the law: which is by despising the gospel. (9) To make impenitents the more inexcusable. (10) To make believers more thankful for Christ's active and passive obedience; whereby as a surety He hath done for them what they could not, and endured that curse which they deserved, to free them from the same. (W. Gouge.) Parallel Verses KJV: If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? |
    |