V. With this chapter begins the longest and most important division of the Epistle, extending (with one break, Hebrews 5:11 to Hebrews 6:20) as far as Hebrews 10:18. The general subject is the nature of the High Priesthood of our Lord. Hebrews 5:1 link themselves with the last words of the fourth c... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKEN. — Rather, _being taken, since he is taken,_ from among men. GIFTS AND SACRIFICES. — The former is in itself perfectly general; but when thus contrasted with “sacrifices” it denotes the “unbloody offerings” of the Law. On the Day of Atonement (which, as we shall see, is almost always in the w... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO CAN HAVE COMPASSION. — Rather, _as one who can deal gently with_ (or, more strictly, _feel gently towards_)_ the ignorant and erring, because_... Either apathy or undue severity in regard to transgression would disqualify this representative of men to God. It cannot be said that sin is mildly de... [ Continue Reading ]
To be closely joined with Hebrews 5:2 : “Is compassed with infirmity, and by reason thereof is bound...” The law of the Day of Atonement required a sin-offering of a bullock and a burnt-offering of a ram for the high priest himself, and for the congregation a sin-offering of two he-goats and a burnt... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT HE THAT IS CALLED. — The true reading requires, _when he is called._ “Not unto himself doth any man take the honour, but when...”... [ Continue Reading ]
CHRIST. — Better, _the Christ_ (See Hebrews 3:14.) It is important to note that in passages of the Pentateuch where the high priest receives a special designation (usually “the priest” is sufficiently distinctive) his title is almost always “the anointed priest.” Hence in the one designation, “the C... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU ART A PRIEST FOR EVER... — On Psalms 110 see the Note on Hebrews 1:13. The fourth verse, here quoted, is the kernel of the Psalm, and supplies the theme for a large portion of this Epistle, especially Hebrews 7. As the promise of 2 Samuel 7 was the prelude to the revelation of the second Psalm,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IN THE DAYS OF HIS FLESH... — It will be observed that, of the two essential conditions mentioned in Hebrews 5:2 and Hebrews 5:4, the latter is first taken up in its application to Christ (Hebrews 5:5). This verse and the next correspond to the general thought of Hebrews 5:1, so far as it is app... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGH HE WERE A SON. — These words may be connected with what precedes (implying that He was heard for His reverent fear, not because, in the preeminent sense, He was God’s Son); but they are still more closely joined with the following sentence, “Though He was a Son, He _learnt_ His obedience by t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BEING... — Rather, _and having been made perfect._ This was the mode in which He who “glorified Him to be made High Priest” (Hebrews 5:5) led Him into the possession of this office. The thought of this verse and the last is closely analogous to Hebrews 2:9 (see Notes), and to Philippians 2:6. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
CALLED. — Rather, _addressed._ The divine words are, “Thou art a priest for ever.” In the quotation from the Psalm, “priest” is now altered into “High Priest.” The purport remains the same; or, rather, it is by this change of word that the meaning of the Psalm is fully expressed. This repetition of... [ Continue Reading ]
OF WHOM. — Or, _of which_ (subject), “Christ made High Priest after the order of Melchizedek.” HARD TO BE UTTERED. — Rather, _hard of interpretation, seeing ye have become sluggish in hearing._ Their faculty of “hearing” had once been acute, and then few words and little explanation, even on such a... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE TIME. — Taking into account the time that had elapsed since they became Christians. YE HAVE NEED. — Literally, _ye have need that some one teach you again the rudiments of the beginning of the oracles of God_ (Acts 7:38; Romans 3:2; 1 Peter 4:11). These first rudiments, which they need to le... [ Continue Reading ]
The change of expression from _having need of milk_ to _partaking of milk_ (that is, making it the _solo_ food) is significant. Those who are addressed had lost interest in the deeper truths of Christianity, those truths which alone expressed and explained its proper nature. Their temptation apparen... [ Continue Reading ]
STRONG MEAT. — “Solid food belongs to full-grown men.” If they occupied themselves with the rudiments alone, their spiritual senses could not be trained by use (or, _habit_) in distinguishing between good and evil, truth and falsehood, in the various systems of teaching which men offered as the doct... [ Continue Reading ]