is no finer view of the relation of the world to its Maker possible apart from the Incarnation.
h{ti"
...
nenomoqevthtai
] The superiority of the New Covenant is shewn by the superiority of the promises on which its conditions are founded (
h{ti"
, such that it is, seeing that it is, Heb. 8:5 note). A Covenant necessarily imposes conditions. And a Covenant (
diaqhvkh
) made by God is enacted. Thus the Gospel itself, though in one sense opposed to the Law, was not only the fulfilment of the Law; but in itself the perfect Law (James 1:25). Freedom is the absolute consummation of Law.
ejpi; kreivtt. ejpagg.
]
upon better promises
, such as are contained in the divine description which follows of the spirituality and efficacy of the new relation of man to God, based upon complete forgiveness. For the use of
ejpiv
with
dat.
to express the conditions (accompaniments) see 2 Cor. 9:6; 1 Thess. 4:7; Phil. 3:9; (Luke 24:47).
(2) The new Covenant (Hebrews 8:7-13)
The Levitical system corresponded with a Covenant which was recognised by the prophets as imperfect and transitory, for they spoke of the divine purpose to establish a new Covenant. The section consists of a brief introduction (8:7, 8a), the prophetic word (8:8 b-12), a general conclusion (8:13).
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, a place would not have been sought for a second. 8 For finding fault with them he saith
Behold the days come, saith the Lord , That I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah;
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers , In the day that I took them by the hand to lead them forth out of the land of Egypt;
10 Because they continued not in my covenant , And I regarded them not, saith the Lord. Because this is the covenant that I will covenant with the house of Israel After those days, saith the Lord , Even putting my laws into their mind , And upon their heart will I write them: And I will be to them a God , And they shall be to me a people;
11 And they shall not teach every man his fellow-citizen , And every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: Because all shall know me , From the least to the greatest of them.
12 Because I will be merciful to their iniquities , And their sins will I remember no more.
13 In that he saith A new covenant, he hath made the first old. But that which becometh old and waxeth aged is nigh unto vanishing away.
Heb. 8:7. The teaching of the prophets bears witness to the superiority of the New order over the Old which has been affirmed in the last verse, for if the first Covenant had completely fulfilled the purpose to which a Covenant