CHAPTER V. _The nature of the high priesthood of Christ; his pre-eminence_, _qualifications, and order_, 1-10. _Imperfect state of the believing Hebrews, and the necessity of_ _spiritual improvement_, 11-14. NOTES ON CHAP. V. Verse Hebrews 5:1. _FOR EVERY HIGH PRIEST TAKEN FROM AMONG MEN_] Thi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 5:2. _WHO CAN HAVE COMPASSION ON THE IGNORANT_] The word μετριοπαθειν, signifies, not merely to have compassion, but to _act_ _with moderation_, and to bear with each in _proportion_ to his ignorance, weakness, and untoward circumstances, all taken into consideration with the offences... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 5:3. _AND BY REASON HEREOF_] As he is also a transgressor of the commands of God, and unable to observe the law in its spirituality, he must offer sacrifices for sin, not only for the people, but for himself also: this must teach him to have a fellow feeling for others.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 5:4. _THIS HONOUR_] τηντιμην undoubtedly signifies here _the_ _office_, which is one meaning of the word in the best Greek writers. It is here an _honourable office_, because the man is the high priest of God, and is appointed by God himself to that office. _BUT HE THAT IS CALLED OF G... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 5:5. _CHRIST GLORIFIED NOT HIMSELF_] The man Jesus Christ, was also appointed by God to this most awful yet glorious office, of being the High Priest of the whole human race. The Jewish high priest represented this by the sacrifices of beasts which he offered; the Christian High Priest... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 5:6. _HE SAITH ALSO IN ANOTHER PLACE_] That is, in Psalms 110:4, a psalm of extraordinary importance, containing a very striking prediction of the birth, preaching, suffering, death, and conquests of the Messiah. See the notes there. For the mode of quotation here, _See the note on "_H... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 5:7. _WHO IN THE DAYS OF HIS FLESH_] The time of his incarnation, during which he took all the infirmities of human nature upon him, and was afflicted in his body and human soul just as other men are, irregular and sinful passions excepted. _OFFERED UP PRAYERS AND SUPPLICATIONS_] This... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 5:8. _THOUGH HE WERE A SON_] See the whole of the preceding note.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 5:9. _AND BEING MADE PERFECT_] και τελειωθεις. And having _finished_ all-having _died_ and _risen again_. τελειωθηναι signifies to have _obtained the goal_; to _have ended one's labour_, and enjoyed the fruits of it. Hebrews 12:23: _The spirits of just men made perfect_, πνευμασι δικαι... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 5:10. _CALLED OF GOD A HIGH PRIEST_] προσαγορευθεις. Being _constituted, hailed_, and _acknowledged_ to be a high priest. In _Hesychius_ we find προσαγορευει, which he translates ασπαζεται. hence we learn that one meaning of this word is _to salute_; as when a man was constituted or a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 5:11. _OF WHOM WE HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY_] The words περι ου, which we translate _of whom_, are variously applied: 1. To _Melchisedec_; 2. To _Christ_; 3. To the _endless priesthood_. Those who understand the place of _Melchisedec_, suppose that it is in reference to this that the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 5:12. _FOR WHEN FOR THE TIME_] They had heard the Gospel for _many years_, and had professed to be Christians for a _long time_; on these accounts they might reasonably have been expected to be well instructed in Divine things, so as to be able to instruct others. _WHICH_ BE _THE FIR... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 5:13. _FOR EVERY ONE THAT USETH MILK_] It is very likely that the apostle, by using this term, refers to the _doctrines of_ _the law_, which were only the _rudiments_ of religion, and were intended to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. _THE WORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS_]... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hebrews 5:14. _BUT STRONG MEAT_] The high and sublime doctrines of Christianity; the atonement, justification by faith, the gift of the Holy Ghost, the fulness of Christ dwelling in the souls of men, triumph in and over death, the resurrection of the body, the glorification of both body and so... [ Continue Reading ]