(25) Grace be with you all.--This brief closing benediction is also found in Titus 3:15, and, with the omission of "all," in Colossians 4:18; 1Timothy 6:21; 2Timothy 4:22. [As in the other Epistles the subscription is destitute of authority, not being found (in the form given above) in any MS. of the Epistle earlier than the ninth century. No ancient MS. contains more than the simple notice, "To the Hebrews," except the Alexandrian, which adds "written from Rome." The mention of Rome or Italy is, no doubt, due to Hebrews 13:24. It is possible also that Hebrews 13:23 is the only authority for the reference to Timothy as the bearer of the Epistle: for an ancient interpretation understands that verse to speak, not of the release of Timothy from captivity, but of his departure on some official mission.] [The works chiefly used have been the commentaries on the Epistle by Bleek, Dolitzsch, Hofmann, Lnemann, Kurtz, Bengel, Ewald, Alford, Wordsworth, McCaul, and Biesenthal; Westcott On the Canon; Lightfoot's Clement; Bleek's Einleitung in das N. T. (by Mangold); Ewald's Geschichte; Davidson's two Introductions to the New Testament; Reuss's History of Christian Theology; Riehm's special work on the Doctrinal System of this Epistle; Stanley's Sermons and Essays; the Commentaries on the Psalms by Delitzsch, Perowne, Jennings and Lowe; and Carpzov's Sacrae Exercitationes.] Verse 25. - Grace be with you all. Amen.13:22-25 So bad are men, and even believers, through the remainders of their corruption, that when the most important, comfortable doctrine is delivered to them for their own good, and that with the most convincing evidence, there is need of earnest entreaty and exhortation that they would bear it, and not fall out with it, neglect it, or reject it. It is good to have the law of holy love and kindness written in the hearts of Christians, one towards another. Religion teaches men true civility and good breeding. It is not ill-tempered or uncourteous. Let the favour of God be toward you, and his grace continually working in you, and with you, bringing forth the fruits of holiness, as the first-fruits of glory.Grace be with you all, Amen. Which is the apostle's usual salutation in all his epistles, 2 Thessalonians 3:17 in which he wishes renewed discoveries of the love and favour of God; fresh communications of grace from Christ; an abundant supply of the spirit of grace; an increase of internal grace and external gifts; and a continuance of the Gospel of the grace of God. Of "Amen"; see Gill on Hebrews 13:21. The subscription of this epistle is, written to the Hebrews from Italy by Timothy; in the Alexandrian copy it is, "written to the Hebrews from Rome"; which is very probable, since the Italian brethren send their salutations in it; and the words, "by Timothy", are left out; nor is it likely that it should, since it is clear, from Heb_13:23 that he was absent from the apostle; and if he had sent it by him, what need was there to inform them that he was set at liberty? |