Hebrews 3:1

1. Wherefore In view of the development of Christ as sent from the bosom of the Eternal, (see note Hebrews 1:3,) and emerging on earth as our Apostle and propitiator, thus far portrayed.

Holy brethren Nowhere else is the epithet holy thus applied to brethren, although brethren is several times used in this epistle without the epithet. Probably holy is here used slightly in the Old Testament sense of the word, (see note on 1 Corinthians 7:14,) because the writer is about to parallel their position under Christ with their old position as Hebrews under Moses.

They are the holy under the new dispensation, as Israel was under the old.

Calling See notes on 1Co 1:1 ; 1 Corinthians 7:20. The calling, here, is used very much in the sense of 1 Corinthians 7:20, to denote the permanent state resulting from permanent obedience to the call, and which has solidified into the correlative profession soon named.

Heavenly As coming directly from heaven through our divine Apostle. Hebrews 12:25.

Consider Steadily contemplate and study. You have had him introductorily presented in his twofold offices in the first two chapters. Let us now fully and steadily analyze his nature in each office.

Apostle One sent, a legate. So John 20:21, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” The twelve were the human apostles of Christ; Christ was the divine Apostle of God. He alone, as sent Son, speaks to us as antithesis to the whole body of prophets, (Hebrews 1:1-2;) nay, he is an outbeaming radiation sent from the divine Essence, (Hebrews 1:3;) he thence took part of our flesh, (Hebrews 1:14.) And

High Priest Briefly unfolded in Hebrews 1:14, (as Apostle is in Hebrews 1:1-13,) and fully developed in Hebrews 4:14 to Hebrews 10:18. As God’s Apostle or Legate, Christ is super-angelic representative of God on earth; he is ruling administrator over the incoming dispensation, Hebrews 2:5-8; he is the glorious Messiah. And as humanized Sufferer (Hebrews 2:9-18) he is our High Priest. Our “Hebrews” here addressed rejoiced in the grandeur of the divine Apostle, the glorious Messiah, but were shrinking almost to apostasy from the degradation of the High Priest, the suffering Messiah. Our St. Paul will now so unfold both as to confirm their view of the grandeur of the exaltation, and reconstruct their view of the equal grandeur and pathos of the humiliation.

Of our profession Or, rather, confession. Not simply as one we confess; for the word embraces all the truths and beings we confess as Christians; our whole confession of faith; Jesus Christ being the central figure and object in that confession and faith.

Christ Jesus Words signify anointed or Messiah Saviour.