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…

Who serve unto the pattern, &c.] I take this word to serve, in this place, Ver. 5 for the performance of the divine service: and therefore this word unto, must be understood in the Greek text, or else some other word like unto it which also we have put, to wit, in the. Truly this sense agrees better; than as others turn it, Which serve to the pattern, and shadow of heavenly things: and the construction of the Greek text doth easily bear this sense. To be short, he teacheth that the true service of God consists not in the legal ceremonies: and therefore when as the Levitical Priests executed their office, they had only a shadow, and an inferior portraiture, which is far beneath the true and natural pattern. For indeed the Greek word which we translate pattern, or sampler, signifies so much. So that he prevents an objection which might be made to the contrary. For he shows that the service of God after the custom of the fathers, was not unprofitable; because it had an higher signification, to wit, heavenly.

Who serue vnto the paterne, &c.] I take this word to serue, in this place, Ver. 5 for the performance of the diuine seruice: and therefore this word vnto, must be vnderstood in the Greeke text, or els some other word like vnto it which also we haue put, to wit, in the. Truly this sense agrees better; than as others turne it, Which serue to the paterne, and shadow of heauenly things: and the construction of the Greeke text doth easily beare this sense. To be short, he teacheth that the true seruice of God consists not in the legall ceremonies: and therefore when as the Leuiticall Priests executed their office, they had onely a shadow, and an inferiour pourtraiture, which is farre beneath the true and naturall paterne. For indeede the Greeke word which we translate paterne, or samplar, signifies so much. So that he preuents an obiection which might be made to the contrarie. For he shewes yt the seruice of God after the custom of ye fathers, was not vnprofitable; because it had an higher significatiō, to wit, heauenly.

As it was answered to Moses when he was to finish the Tabernacle.] This place is in Exod. 20.40. And the Apostle allegeth it to prove that the service of the law was but as a picture, to shadow forth that which was spiritual in Christ. God commands that all the parts of the Tabernacle should be answerable to the chief pattern, which was showed unto Moses in the mountain. But if so be the form of the Tabernacle had a further end than that which was seen with the eye; as much then is to be said of the ceremonies, and of all the Priesthood. From whence it follows, that there was no stability in any of all these things, but that we must still come unto that which was shadowed out by them. Behold an excellent place, because it contains in it three sentences worthy to be noted.