A commentary on the whole Epistle to the Hebrews. By M. John Calvin. Translated…A commentarie on the vvhole Epistle to the Hebrevves. By M. Iohn Caluin. Translated…

And being consecrate was made, &c.] Vers 9 This is the last or furthest end (as they say) wherefore it behooved Christ to suffer: to wit, that by this means he might be established, and consecrated into his office of Priesthood. ¹As if the Apostle should have said, the suffering of the cross and death, was unto Christ the solemn manner of his consecration. By which word he signifies, that all his passions tended to our salvation. And thus it appeareth, that they were so far off from diminishing any thing from his dignity and excellency, that rather they were crowns of glory upon his head. Now if our salvation be of any precious account with us, oh in what honour & estimation then ought we to have the cause thereof. For he deals not here only with the doctrine of example, but mounts up higher: to wit, that Christ by his obedience hath wiped out all our transgressions. Thus he was made the cause or author of our salvation, because he obtained righteousness for us with God: & by a contrary remedy blotted out the disobedience of Adam, with his own blood. This word sanctified, or consecrate, agrees much better to the rest of the text, than if it were translated, to perfect, or to fulfil. True it is, that the Greek word signifies both; but because he here speaks of the Priesthood, he mentioneth this word consecrate, or sanctify, to very good purpose. And Christ also himself so speaks in Joh. 17.19. For their sakes sanctify I my self. Whence it appears, that this consecration ought properly to be referred to his humane nature, in which he performed the office of a Priest; as also in which he suffered.

And beeing consecrate was made, &c.] Vers 9 This is the last or furthest ende (as they say) wherefore it behooued Christ to suffer: to wit, that by this meanes he might be established, and consecrated into his office of Priesthood. ¹As if the Apostle should haue said, the suffering of the crosse and death, was vnto Christ the solemne manner of his consecration. By which word he signifies, that all his passions tended to our saluation. And thus it appeareth, that they were so farre off from diminishing any thing from his dignitie and excellencie, that rather they were crownes of glorie vpon his head. Now if our saluation be of any pretions account with vs, oh in what honor & estimation thē ought we to haue the cause thereof. For hee deales not here onely with the doctrine of example, but mounts vp higher: to wit, that Christ by his obedience hath wiped out all our transgressions. Thus he was made the cause or author of our saluation, because he obtained righteousnes for vs with God: & by a contrarie remedie blotted out the disobedience of Adam, with his own blood. This word sanctified, or consecrate, agrees much better to the rest of the text, than if it were translated, to perfect, or to fulfill. True it is, that the Greeke word signifies both; but because he here speakes of the Priesthood, he mentioneth this word consecrate, or sanctifie, to very good purpose. And Christ also himselfe so speakes in