An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews (7 vols.)

Owen’s massive exposition is demanding, prolix, and inevitably dated in historical and textual matters, but its extraordinary theological and exegetical depth still makes it one of the most significant commentaries ever written on Hebrews. Owen repeatedly sees connections that later scholarship has rediscovered, particularly the deliberate interweaving of doctrine and exhortation, the typological relationship of covenant, sanctuary, priesthood, and sacrifice, and the pastoral function of Hebrews’ warnings. His exposition of Christ’s priesthood and the transition from the old covenant to the new is remarkably rich, and even highly distinctive interpretations—such as his identification of the true tabernacle with Christ’s human nature—are argued with a seriousness that makes them worth considering even when one ultimately disagrees. His treatment of the warning passages reflects his Reformed doctrine of perseverance and sometimes allows dogmatic commitments to control the exegesis, while the seven-volume scale severely limits convenience. Nevertheless, few commentaries offer anything approaching Owen’s combination of sustained textual engagement, biblical theology, doctrinal reflection, and pastoral application. Best used alongside a modern critical commentary, but still indispensable for serious theological study of Hebrews.