SEV Biblia, Chapter 12:23
y a la Congregacin de la Iglesia de los Primognitos que estn tomados por lista en los cielos, y a Dios el Juez de todos, y a los espíritus de los justos ya perfectos,
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Hebrew 12:23
Verse 23. To the general assembly] panhgurei. This word is joined to the preceding by some of the best MSS., and is quoted in connection by several of the fathers: Ye are come- to the general assembly of innumerable angels; and this is probably the true connection. The word panhguriv is compounded of pan, all, and aguriv, an assembly; and means, particularly, an assembly collected on festive occasions. It is applied to the assembly of the Grecian states at their national games, Olympic, Isthmian, &c.; and hence a speech pronounced in favour of any person at such festive assemblies was called panhgurikov logov, a panegyrical discourse; and hence our word panegyric.
The first-born] Those who first received the Gospel of Christ, and who are elsewhere termed the first fruits: this is spoken in allusion to the first-born among the Israelites, who were all considered as the Lord's property, and were dedicated to him. The Jews gave the title rwkb bechor, first- born, to those who were very eminent or excellent; what we would term the head or top of his kin. The Church of the first-born is the assembly of the most excellent.
Which are written in heaven] Who are enrolled as citizens of the New Jerusalem, and are entitled to all the rights, privileges, and immunities of the Church here, and of heaven above. This is spoken in allusion to the custom of enrolling or writing on tables, &c., the names of all the citizens of a particular city; and all those thus registered were considered as having a right to live there, and to enjoy all its privileges. All genuine believers are denizens of heaven. That is their country, and there they have their rights, &c. And every member of Christ has a right to, and can demand, every ordinance in the Church of his Redeemer; and wo to him who attempts to prevent them! God the Judge of all.] The supreme God is ever present in this general assembly: to him they are all gathered; by him they are admitted to all those rights, &c.; under his inspection they continue to act; and it is he alone who erases from the register those who act unworthily of their citizenship. Judge here is to be taken in the Jewish use of the term, i.e. one who exercises sovereign rule and authority.
The spirits of just men made perfect] We cannot understand these terms without the assistance of Jewish phraseology. The Jews divide mankind into three classes:- 1. The JUST PERFECT, yrwmg yqydx tsaddikim gemurim. 2. The wicked perfect, yrwmg y[r reshaim gemurim. 3. Those between both, yynwnyb beinoniyim.
1. The just perfect are those, 1. Who have conquered all brutal appetites and gross passions. 2. Who have stood in the time of strong temptation. 3.
Who give alms with a sincere heart. 4. Who worship the true God only. 5.
Who are not invidious. 6. Those from whom God has taken [rh rxy yetser hara, evil concupiscence, and given bwf rxy yetser tob, the good principle.
2. The wicked perfect are those, 1. Who never repent. 2. They receive their portion in this life, because they can have none in the life to come, and are under the influence of [rh rxy yetser hara, the evil principle.
3. The intermediate are those who are influenced partly by the evil principle, and partly by the good. - See Schoettgen.
In several parts of this epistle teleiov, the just man, signifies one who has a full knowledge of the Christian system, who is justified and saved by Christ Jesus; and the teteleiwnemoi are the adult Christians, who are opposed to the nhpioi or babes in knowledge and grace. See chap. v. 12- 14; viii. 11; and Gal. i5: 1-3. The spirits of the just men made perfect, or the righteous perfect, are the full grown Christians; those who are justified by the blood and sanctified by the Spirit of Christ. Being come to such, implies that spiritual union which the disciples of Christ have with each other, and which they possess how far soever separate; for they are all joined in one spirit, Eph. ii. 18; they are in the unity of the spirit, Eph. iv. 3, 4; and of one soul, Acts iv. 32. This is a unity which was never possessed even by the Jews themselves in their best state; it is peculiar to real Christianity: as to nominal Christianity, wars and desolations between man and his fellows are quite consistent with its spirit. See at the end of the chapter.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 18-29 - Mount Sinai, on which the Jewish church state was formed, was a moun such as might be touched, though forbidden to be so, a place that coul be felt; so the Mosaic dispensation was much in outward and earthl things. The gospel state is kind and condescending, suited to our wea frame. Under the gospel all may come with boldness to God's presence But the most holy must despair, if judged by the holy law given from Sinai, without a Saviour. The gospel church is called Mount Zion; ther believers have clearer views of heaven, and more heavenly tempers of soul. All the children of God are heirs, and every one has the privileges of the first-born. Let a soul be supposed to join tha glorious assembly and church above, that is yet unacquainted with God still carnally-minded, loving this present world and state of things looking back to it with a lingering eye, full of pride and guile filled with lusts; such a soul would seem to have mistaken its way place, state, and company. It would be uneasy to itself and all abou it. Christ is the Mediator of this new covenant, between God and man to bring them together in this covenant; to keep them together; to plead with God for us, and to plead with us for God; and at length to bring God and his people together in heaven. This covenant is made fir by the blood of Christ sprinkled upon our consciences, as the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled upon the altar and the victim. This bloo of Christ speaks in behalf of sinners; it pleads not for vengeance, but for mercy. See then that you refuse not his gracious call and offere salvation. See that you do not refuse Him who speaketh from heaven with infinite tenderness and love; for how can those escape, who tur from God in unbelief or apostacy, while he so graciously beseeches the to be reconciled, and to receive his everlasting favour! God's dealin with men under the gospel, in a way of grace, assures us, that he wil deal with the despisers of the gospel, in a way of judgment. We cannot worship God acceptably, unless we worship him with reverence and godl fear. Only the grace of God enables us to worship God aright. God is the same just and righteous God under the gospel as under the law. The inheritance of believers is secured to them; and all things pertainin to salvation are freely given in answer to prayer. Let us seek for grace, that we may serve God with reverence and godly fear __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ διαθηκης 1242 N-GSF νεας 3501 A-GSF μεσιτη 3316 N-DSM ιησου 2424 N-DSM και 2532 CONJ αιματι 129 N-DSN ραντισμου 4473 N-GSM κρειττονα 2909 A-APN λαλουντι 2980 5723 V-PAP-DSM παρα 3844 PREP {VAR1: τον 3588 T-ASM } {VAR2: το 3588 T-ASN } αβελ 6 N-PRI
