Joh 1:17, Heb 3:5-6 | JFB | STEP | 17. For, &c.-- The Law elicits the consciousness of sin and the need of redemption; it only typifies the reality. The Gospel, on the contrary, actually communicates reality and power from above (compare ). Hence Paul terms the Old Testament "shadow," while he calls the New Testament "substance" ( ) [Olshausen].

‏ John 1:17

17. For, &c.--The Law elicits the consciousness of sin and the need of redemption; it only typifies the reality. The Gospel, on the contrary, actually communicates reality and power from above (compare Ro 6:14). Hence Paul terms the Old Testament "shadow," while he calls the New Testament "substance" (Col 2:17) [Olshausen].

‏ Hebrews 3:5-6

5. faithful in all his house--that is in all God's house (He 3:4).

servant--not here the Greek for "slave," but "a ministering attendant"; marking the high office of Moses towards God, though inferior to Christ, a kind of steward.

for a testimony of, &c.--in order that he might in his typical institutions give "testimony" to Israel "of the things" of the Gospel "which were to be spoken afterwards" by Christ (He 8:5; 9:8, 23; 10:1).

6. But Christ--was and is faithful (He 3:2).

as a son over his own house--rather, "over His (God's, He 3:4) house"; and therefore, as the inference from His being one with God, over His own house. So He 10:21, "having an High Priest over the house of God." Christ enters His Father's house as the Master [OVER it], but Moses as a servant [IN it, He 3:2, 5] [Chrysostom]. An ambassador in the absence of the king is very distinguished--in the presence of the king he falls back into the multitude [Bengel].

whose house are we--Paul and his Hebrew readers. One old manuscript, with Vulgate and Lucifer, reads, "which house"; but the weightiest manuscripts support English Version reading.

the rejoicing--rather, "the matter of rejoicing."

of the hope--"of our hope." Since all our good things lie in hopes, we ought so to hold fast our hopes as already to rejoice, as though our hopes were realized [Chrysostom].

firm unto the end--omitted in Lucifer and Ambrose, and in one oldest manuscript, but supported by most oldest manuscripts.