IN THINGS PERTAINING TO GOD (τα προς τον θεον). Accusative of general reference as in Hebrews 2:17 (Romans 15:17). The two essential points about any high priest are human sympathy (Hebrews 5:1-3) and divine appointment (Hebrews 5:4). He is taken from men and appointed in behalf of men.THAT HE MA... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO CAN BEAR GENTLY (μετριοπαθειν δυναμενος). Present active infinitive of the late verb μετριοπαθεω (μετριος, moderate, πατεω, to feel or suffer). It is a philosophical term used by Aristotle to oppose the απαθεια (lack of feeling) of the Stoics. Philo ranks it below απαθεια. Josephus (_Ant_. XI... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HIMSELF (περ εαυτου). Note περ three times here (περ του λαου, περ εαυτου, περ αμαρτιων), but in verse Hebrews 5:1 υπερ ανθρωπων, υπερ αμαρτιων. In the _Koine_ this interchange of περ (around) and υπερ (over) is common (Matthew 26:28).... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKETH THE HONOUR UNTO HIMSELF (εαυτω λαμβανε την τιμην). Dative case of personal interest (εαυτω). The priest was called of God. This is the ideal and was true of Aaron. The modern minister is not a priest, but he also should be a God-called man and not one who pushes himself into the ministry o... [ Continue Reading ]
SO CHRIST ALSO (ουτως κα ο Χριστος). Just as with Aaron. Jesus had divine appointment as high priest also.TO BE MADE (γενηθηνα). First aorist passive infinitive of γινομα.HIGH PRIEST (αρχιερεα). Predicate accusative agreeing with εαυτον (himself) object of εδοξασεν.BUT HE THAT SPAKE UNTO HIM... [ Continue Reading ]
IN ANOTHER PLACE (εν ετερω). That is Psalms 110:4. It is this crucial passage by which the author will prove the superiority of Jesus to Aaron as high priest. Only the word priest (ιερευς) occurs here which the author uses as synonymous with high priest (αρχιερευς). The point lies in the meaning... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE DAYS OF HIS FLESH (εν ταις ημεραις της σαρκος αυτου). Here (verses Hebrews 5:7-9) the author turns to the other requirement of a high priest (human sympathy). Since Jesus was "without sin" (Hebrews 4:15) he did not have to offer sacrifices "for himself," yet in all other points he felt the... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGH HE WAS A SON (καιπερ ων υιος). Concessive participle with καιπερ, regular Greek idiom as in Hebrews 7:5; Hebrews 12:17.YET LEARNED OBEDIENCE (εμαθεν υπακοην). Second aorist active indicative of μανθανω. Succinct and crisp statement of the humanity of Jesus in full harmony with Luke 2:40;... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING BEEN MADE PERFECT (τελειωθεις). First aorist passive participle of τελειοω, the completion of the process of training mentioned by this same verb in Hebrews 2:10 "by means of sufferings" (δια παθηματων) as stated again here in verse Hebrews 5:8.THE AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION (αιτιος σωτη... [ Continue Reading ]
NAMED OF GOD (προσαγορευθεις). First aorist passive participle of προσαγορευω, old verb to salute, to address, only here in N.T. Common in Plutarch.... [ Continue Reading ]
OF WHOM (περ ου). Or "concerning which," for ου can be either masculine or neuter (genitive). It is the likeness of Jesus as high priest to Melchizedek that the author has in mind. He is ready to discuss that but for the fear that the reader may fail to grasp his meaning, for he will run counter... [ Continue Reading ]
TEACHERS (διδασκαλο). Predicate nominative after εινα.BY REASON OF THE TIME (δια τον χρονον). Alas, what a commentary on modern Christians.THAT SOME ONE TEACH YOU THE RUDIMENTS (του διδασκειν υμας τινα τα στοιχεια). Neat Greek idiom, genitive case of the articular infinitive (need of the teac... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT EXPERIENCE (απειρος). Old adjective (alpha privative and πειρα, trial). Inexperienced. The babe (νηπιος, old word, negative νη and επος, word like Latin _infans_, infant, not able to talk), not able to chew if one uses only milk and is without teeth. Perhaps moral truth is meant by "word... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR FULL-GROWN MEN (τελειων). Predicate genitive. The word is for adults, relative perfection (τελειο) in contrast with babes as in 1 Corinthians 2:6; 1 Corinthians 3:1; 1 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 3:15; Ephesians 4:4, not absolute perfection (Matthew 5:48).THEIR SENSES (τα αισθητηρια). The... [ Continue Reading ]