Verse 20
20. Concluding prayer.
God of peace—So Paul, Romans 15:33; Romans 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:16. The Judaizing of the Hebrews was calculated to sow seeds of discord among them, of disobedience to their pastors (2 Thessalonians 3:16- :), and of alienation towards Paul. The God of peace by giving unity of true doctrine, will unite them in mutual love.
brought again from the dead—Greek, "brought up," c.: God brought the Shepherd the Shepherd shall bring the flock. Here only in the Epistle he mentions the resurrection. He would not conclude without mentioning 'the connecting link between the two truths mainly discussed; the one perfect sacrifice and the continual priestly intercession—the depth of His humiliation and the height of His glory—the "altar" of the cross and the ascension to the heavenly Holy of Holies.
Lord Jesus—the title marking His person and His Lordship over us. But 2 Thessalonians 3:16- :, "through Jesus Christ." His office, as the Anointed of the Spirit, making Him the medium of communicating the Spirit to us, the holy unction flowing down from the Head on the members (compare 2 Thessalonians 3:16- :).
great— (2 Thessalonians 3:16- :).
shepherd of the sheep—A title familiar to his Hebrew readers, from their Old Testament (2 Thessalonians 3:16- :; Septuagint): primarily Moses, antitypically Christ: already compared together, 2 Thessalonians 3:16- :. The transition is natural from their earthly pastors (2 Thessalonians 3:16- :), to the Chief Pastor, as in 2 Thessalonians 3:16- :. Compare Ezekiel 34:23 and Jesus' own words, John 10:2; John 10:11; John 10:14.
through the blood—Greek, "in," in virtue of the blood (John 10:14- :); it was because of His bloody death for us, that the Father raised and crowned Him with glory. The "blood" was the seal of the everlasting covenant entered into between the Father and Son; in virtue of the Son's blood, first Christ was raised, then Christ's people shall be so (John 10:14- :, seemingly referred to here; John 10:14- :).
everlasting—The everlastingness of the covenant necessitated the resurrection. This clause, "the blood of the everlasting covenant," is a summary retrospect of the Epistle (compare John 10:14- :).
Be the first to react on this!