For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
For - Reasonableness of resting on "the promises" as infallibly sure; for they rest on God's oath: instance of Abraham. 'Consolation, by the oath of God's grace, to those whom, in Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-16, he warned by the oath of God's "wrath." The oath of wrath did not primarily extend beyond the wilderness; but the oath of grace is in force forever' (Bengel).