Hebrews Chapter 5

From The Open Bible Project

5:1 For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.

• (1) The first part of the first comparison of Christ’s high priesthood with Aaron’s: Other high priests are taken from among men, and are called after the order of men.
• (2) The first part of the second comparison: Others though weak, are made high priests, to the end that feeling the same infirmity in themselves which is in all the rest of the people, they should in their own and the peoples name offer gifts and sacrifices, which are witnesses of common faith and repentance.
• (a) Offering of things without life.
• (b) Beasts which were killed, but especially in the sacrifices for sins and offences.

5:2 The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness.

• (c) Fit and meet.
• (d) On them that are sinful: for in the Hebrew tongue, under ignorance and error is every sin meant, even that sin that is voluntary.
• (e) He carries with him a nature subject to the same inconveniences and vices.

5:3 Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself.

5:4 Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was.

• (3) The third comparison which is complete: The others are called by God and so was Christ, but in another order than Aaron. For Christ is called the Son, begotten by God and a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

5:5 So also Christ didn't glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him, "You are my Son. Today I have become your father."[19]

5:6 As he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek."[20]

• (f) After the likeness or manner as it is later declared.

5:7 He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear,

• (4) The other part of the second comparison: Christ being exceedingly afflicted and exceedingly merciful did not pray because of his sins, for he had none, but for his fear, and obtained his request, and offered himself for all who are his.
• (h) To deliver him from death.

5:8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered.

• (i) He learned in deed what it is to have a Father, whom a man must obey.

5:9 Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation,

• (5) The other part of the first comparison: Christ was consecrated by God the Father as the author of our salvation, and an High Priest for ever, and therefore he is a man, though nonetheless he is far above all men.
• (k) See (Hebrews 2:10).

5:10 named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

5:11 About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing.

• (6) A digression until he comes to the beginning of the seventh chapter; (Hebrews 5:11-6:20): in which he partly holds the Hebrews in the diligent consideration of those things which he has said, and partly prepares them for the understanding of those things of which he will speak.

5:12 For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food.

• (7) An example of an apostolic exhortation.

5:13 For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby.

• (l) In the word that teaches righteousness.

5:14 But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.

• (m) All their power by which they understand and judge.