V. 2.— For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward. The word spoken by angels.— The law spoken by angels, is the law delivered at Mount Sinai. Stephen speaks of the Jews having received the law by the disposition of angels, Acts 7:53, and the Apostle describes the law as being ordained of angels. Galatians 3:19. We are, however, expressly taught that God spake the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:1. This may be explained by the 11th verse of Psalms 68 :, " The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” Angels were employed in publishing the law given by God. But, perhaps, the difficulty may be solved by the consideration that He who was afterwards manifested in the flesh ruled over the Mosaic dispensation in the character of an angel. He is called the Messenger of the Covenant,— the Lord whom they sought, who was to come suddenly to his temple. Malachi 3:1. This is evidently descriptive of Christ. Again, it is said my name is in Him, Exodus 23:21, and under the guidance of this angel Moses had no scruple to proceed. But when the Lord said he would send an angel to drive out the nations, and to give them the land, but that He would not go in the midst of them, Moses objected. He was not satisfied with being under the protection of a created angel, and requested, that if God’ s presence went not with them, he would not command them to pursue their journey. Exodus 33:15. The angel who had hitherto conducted Israel is frequently called Jehovah; He is the angel of God’ s presence. Isaiah 63:9. Thus, He who was afterwards manifest in the flesh ruled that dispensation in the character of an angel; but this was only for a season, and to this the prophet refers,— "O the hope of Israel, the Savior thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?” Jeremiah 14:8. The Apostle had previously established the infinite superiority of the Son of God to angels, and hence he argues the inferiority of the Law to the Gospel,— the Law having been promulgated by God in the temporary character of an angel, implying the temporary nature of the dispensation; the Gospel by the Son of God who abideth for ever, and who has said, “ Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my Word shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35. Was steadfast.— Many prophets were raised up in Israel, but no alteration of the law was permitted. Malachi, the last of the prophets, concludes his testimony by enjoining upon Israel to remember the Law of Moses, with the statutes and judgments. Malachi 4:4. Every transgression and disobedience.— The words are nearly synonymous when used together, transgression implies the doing of what is forbidden, and disobedience the omission of what is required. This exactly corresponds with the injunction neither to add to, nor diminish, what Moses had commanded. Deuteronomy 12:32.Just recompense of reward.— The punishment justly awarded according to the offence. It would be unjust not to visit transgression with merited punishment.