Hebrews 12:18 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

For ye are not come, &c.— What here follows is assigned as a reason to confirm the preceding advice; namely, that they should follow peace with all men, and continue in the grace of God, Hebrews 12:14-15. The motive hereto is briefly this: "Because you are not come to Sinai, but to Sion. You must maintain peace with, and receive to your communion, not only your brother Jews, but also the uncircumcised believers; because you are not come, as your ancestors once came, to mount Sinai, where the law was given to none but the Jews; but you are come to mount Sion, to which all believers pertain." When the apostle exhorted them not to fall from the grace or favour of God, Hebrews 12:15 he thereby represented the gospel, as the dispensation of the grace of God. He now sets himself to prove this, by observing, that the law spoke nothing but terror, Hebrews 12:18-21 whereas the gospel discovers abundant grace, particularly a Mediator,—his atoning blood,—the happiness of heaven, and the eternal glories of the New Jerusalem: (Hebrews 12:22-24.) and every thing the apostle says concerning these two different states, will be found to answer one or other, and often both of his purposes; namely, to excite the Hebrews to follow peacewith all men, and to continue in the grace of God. Instead of the mount that might be touched, Dr. Heylin reads very properly, to a palpable mountain: For the apostle does not mean that it was lawful or allowed that the Israelites should touch this mountain, while the law was giving; (for he observes this was forbidden, Hebrews 12:20.) but that it was a real, material, earthly mountain, whichwas in itself capable of being touched or felt; while mount Sion is a spiritual thing which cannot be touched.