Heb 8:1
8:1 Now {1} of the things which we have spoken [this is] the
    sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right
    hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

 (1) He briefly repeats that to which all these things are to be
     referred, that is, that we have another High Priest than
     those Levitical high priests, even such a one as sits at
     the right hand of the Most High God in heaven.

Heb 8:2
8:2 {2} A minister of the {a} sanctuary, {3} and of the {b} true
    tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

 (2) They of Levi were high priests in an earthly sanctuary, but
     Christ is in the heavenly.
    (a) Of heaven.
 (3) They of Levi exercised their priesthood in a frail
     tabernacle, but Christ bears about with him another
     tabernacle, that is, his body, which God himself made
     everlasting, as shall later be declared in @Heb 9:11.
    (b) Of his body.

Heb 8:3
8:3 {4} For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and
    sacrifices: wherefore [it is] of necessity that this man
    have somewhat also to offer.

 (4) He brings a reason why it must be that Christ should have a
     body (which he calls a tabernacle which the Lord built, and
     not man) that is, that he might have that to offer: for
     otherwise he could not be an High Priest. The body is both
     the tabernacle and the sacrifice.

Heb 8:4
8:4 {5} For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest,
    seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to
    the law:

 (5) He gives a reason why he said that our High Priest is in
     the heavenly sanctuary, and not in the earthly: because,
     says he, if he were now on the earth, he could not minister
     in the earthly sanctuary, seeing there are still Levitical
     priests who are appointed for him, that is to say, to be
     patterns of that perfect example. To what purpose should
     the patterns serve, when the true and original example is
     present?

Heb 8:6
8:6 {6} But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by
    how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which
    was established upon better promises.

 (6) He enters into the comparison of the old and transitory
     Testament or covenant, being but for a time, of which the
     Levitical priests were mediators, with the new, the
     everlasting Mediator of which is Christ, to show that this
     is not only better than that in all respects, but also that
     that was made void by this.

Heb 8:7
8:7 {7} For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then
    should no place have been sought for the second.

 (7) He proves by the testimony of Jeremiah that there is a
     second Testament or covenant, and therefore that the first
     was not perfect.

Heb 8:8
8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days
    come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with
    the {c} house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

    (c) He calls it a house, as it were one family of the whole
        kingdom: for while the kingdom of David was divided into
        two sections, the Prophet would have us understand that
        through the new Testament they shall be joined together
        again in one.

Heb 8:13
8:13 {8} In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the
     first old.  Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is]
     ready to vanish away.

 (8) The conclusion: Therefore by the later and the new, the
     first and old is taken away, for it could not be called
     new, if it did not differ from the old. Again, that same is
     at length taken away, which is subject to corruption, and
     therefore imperfect.



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