An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

The word Apostle is sometimes used more largely for one that is sent; and ¹so in an eminent manner is applied to Christ himself, Heb. 3. 1. Yea, some say, it's used generally for any Messenger; and they instance in Phil. 2. 25. where Epaphreditus is said to be the Philippians messenger, [Greek or Hebrew]; and so it seemeth by the Translation, our Translators understood it; but Salmasius doth vehemently contend, pleading also the consent of the Ancients, that it's to be understood of an Apostle, and that Paul never useth the word, but of eminent and chief Officers in the Church, so that he is called the Philippians Apostle, because he was a special fellow-labourer with Paul, in planting of that Church. ²Therefore he distinguisheth of Apostles, making two kinds of them: and indeed the Scripture plainly insinuateth it. The primary-Apostles, those who were immediately called by Christ, being twelve in number. Or secondary, and these were sent by the Apostles: They were the Apostles Apostles. For seeing that many came in at the Apostles preaching, insomuch that they were not able to manage all things themselves, they therefore assumed as assistants others, whom they called Apostles. Therefore 2 Cor. 11. 5. and Chap. 13. 11. we read of some that are called [Greek or Hebrew], the chiefest Apostles. So that the name was given to others besides the eminent twelve. And of these Salmasius and Illyricus understand that place, Ephes. 4. 11. where the Apostle saith, God had set in his Church some Apostles, &c. that is (say they) some choice and eminent Teachers. But Salmasius by these secondary Apostles seemeth to mean the Evangelists, whereas those are distinguished in that enumeration. It's enough, that others were called Apostles besides the twelve, and that they were Coadjutors with them in the planting and propagating of the Gospel.

The word Apostle is sometimes used more largely for one that is sent; and ¹