Hebrews 13:24

24. Them that have the rule over you Same word as in Hebrews 13:7; Hebrews 13:15, and signifying leaders. The antithesis here between leaders and all the saints implies a distinct and authorized drawn line between ministry and laity. The doctrine that such distinction is post-apostolical is inadmissible. And the duty of the latter to the former is expressed in Hebrews 13:17 (where see notes) in terms rarely used by modern Congregationalism.

They of Italy That is, (as the best criticism now interprets the Greek,) the Italian Christians. The Greek phrase is, οι απο της ‘ Ιταλιας , they from Italy. The German critic Bleek, in reviewing Stuart on Hebrews, maintained that the Greek απο signified that the they were away from Italy, and so the epistle could not have been written in Italy. But Stuart triumphantly quoted instances where the phrase simply implied origin, or birthplace, or residence. Thus John 11:1: Lazarus, of ( απο ) Bethany; Lazarus being both a resident of the place, and at that time in Bethany. A salutation to the Hebrews at Jerusalem from so wide-spread a body as “Italian Christians” generally, might seem strange. But, 1. Paul says to the Corinthians, (1 Corinthians 16:19,) “The Churches of Asia salute you.” And St. Peter (1 Peter 1:1) addresses the Churches in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. 2. The leading body of Christians in Italy were doubtless known to Paul; his writing this epistle was doubtless known to them; he was authorized in spirit to salute the Jerusalem Church in their name. 3. What Church was more suitable or more likely to be saluted from Rome than the mother Church of all, in whose streets Jesus had preached, and without whose gates he was crucified Jerusalem? And in this we have a strong confirmation of the judgment of Christian antiquity, unwisely impugned by modern “criticism,” that this epistle was written to the Church of that city.