Hebrews by Donald Guthrie

Author:Donald Guthrie [Guthrie, Donald]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Published: 2015-09-14T16:00:00+00:00

(v) The minister of the new covenant (8:1–13)

1. As the writer has already discoursed at some length about Christ as high priest, it might be wondered what is still left to be expounded. But so far he has not explained how our high priest carries out his duties. This really forms the theme of the next two and a half chapters (to 10:18), but another important matter, the new covenant, is introduced in the course of the discussion. In the present chapter the ministry of Jesus and the need for a new covenant are linked together. The opening sentence draws out the main point of the preceding discussion (Now the point [kephalaion] in what we are saying is this). The word could mean ‘summary’, but the context shows that ‘point’ is better, because the focus falls on what the high priest has to offer and where he performs his ministry.

First, however, a brief statement is given of the particular characteristics of our high priest. (i) He is seated at the right hand on the throne of the Majesty in heaven. This point has already been made in 1:3 of the Son, but is now repeated with direct application to the high-priest theme. This shows how carefully the writer has worked out his thesis, constantly throwing out hints which are gems in themselves but which sparkle with new meaning when seen again against a different background. Indeed this idea of the seated Christ occurs again in 10:12 and 12:2. It signifies a work well and truly done. The idea is based on Psalm 110:1. Apart from the present statement and the parallel wording in 1:3, the only other place in the New Testament where the term Majesty is used is in Jude 25, where it occurs as an ascription to God, but not as a title. The fact that our high priest sits at God’s right hand enhances his status compared with that of Aaron’s line, whose priests could only stand in God’s presence, their task never finally completed.

2. The second characteristic is that (ii) he is a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent. This seems strange at first, following as it does the sitting down. It draws attention, however, to the continuing work of Christ. The word for ‘minister’ (leitourgos) has occurred once before in this epistle in 1:7, referring to the angels in a quotation from Psalm 104:4. Paul uses the word of his own Christian ministry (Rom. 15:16) and of Epaphroditus’ service (Phil. 2:25). He even uses it of the secular authorities in Romans 13:6. In the present context, however, the ministry in view is especially in holy things, as the context shows. The sanctuary (tōn hagiōn) might be particularly understood of the holy of holies, as in 9:3. The linking of this with the idea of the tent (tabernacle) is significant, for it shows that the basis of the writer’s imagery is not the temple but the tabernacle. The adjective true is intended to contrast with the earthly symbol.

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