The Epistle to the Hebrews

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“It follows therefore that ‘Repentance from dead works’ expresses that complete change of mind—of spiritual attitude—which leads the believer to abandon these works and seek some other support for life.” (Page 146)

“The competitor in a race seeks by training to reduce all superfluity of flesh, and in the contest lays aside all undue confidence and every encumbrance of dress.” (Pages 394–395)

“The last interpretation is in every way the most appropriate. The writer seems to have in his mind the manifold encumbrances of society and business which would be likely to hinder a Christian convert. The duty of the convert would be to free himself from associations and engagements which, however innocent in themselves, hindered the freedom of his action.” (Page 395)

“At the same time it is impossible to exclude the thought of the spectators in the amphitheatre. The passage would not lose in vividness though it would lose in power if θεατῶν were substituted for μαρτύρων. These champions of old time occupy the place of spectators, but they are more than spectators. They are spectators who interpret to us the meaning of our struggle, and who bear testimony to the certainty of our success if we strive lawfully (2 Tim. 2:5).” (Page 393)

“‘Repentance from dead works’ gives the negative, ‘faith towards God’ gives the positive side of the Christian mind. The old must be abandoned, the new must be grasped.” (Page 146)