For this (1) Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and (a) blessed him; (1) Declaring those words, "According to the order of Melchizedek" upon which the comparison of the priesthood of Christ with the Levitical priesthoo... [ Continue Reading ]
(2) Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. (2) Another type: Melchizedek is set before us to be considered as one without beginning and without ending, for neither his fathe... [ Continue Reading ]
(3) Now consider how great this man [was], unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. (3) Another figure: Melchizedek in his priesthood was above Abraham for he took tithes from him, and blessed him as a priest. Such a one indeed is Christ, on whom depends even Abraham's san... [ Continue Reading ]
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they (b) come out of the loins of Abraham: (b) Were begotten by Abraham.... [ Continue Reading ]
And (c) without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. (c) He speaks of the public blessing which the priests used.... [ Continue Reading ]
(4) And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. (4) A twofold amplification: The first, that Melchizedek took the tithes as one immortal (that is, in respect that he is the figure of Christ, for his death is not mentioned, and David sets him forth as an everlastin... [ Continue Reading ]
(5) If therefore (d) perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law), what further need [was there] that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? (5) The third treatise of this Epistle, in which af... [ Continue Reading ]
(6) For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the (e) law. (6) He shows how by the institution of the new priesthood, not only the imperfection of the priesthood of Levi was declared, but also that it was changed for this: for these two cannot stand together, bec... [ Continue Reading ]
For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man (f) gave attendance at the altar. (f) Had anything to do with the altar.... [ Continue Reading ]
(7) And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, (7) Lest any man object, the priesthood was indeed translated from Levi to Judah. Nonetheless the same still remains, he both considers and explains those words of David "for ever, accordi... [ Continue Reading ]
(8) Who is made, not after the (g) law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. (8) He proves the diversity and excellency of the institution of Melchizedek's priesthood, by this that the priesthood of the law rested on an outward and bodily anointing: but the sacrifice of M... [ Continue Reading ]
(9) For there is verily a disannulling of the (h) commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. (9) Again, that no man object that the last priesthood was added to make a perfect one by joining them both together, he proves that the first was made void by the later as unpr... [ Continue Reading ]
(10) And inasmuch as not without an oath [he was made priest]: (10) Another argument, by which he proves that the priesthood of Christ is better than the priesthood of Levi, because his was established with an oath, but theirs was not so.... [ Continue Reading ]
(11) And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: (11) Another argument for the same purpose. The Levitical priests (as mortal men) could not be everlasting, but Christ, as he is everlasting, so has he also an everlasting priesthood, making most e... [ Continue Reading ]
But this [man], because he continueth ever, hath an (i) unchangeable priesthood. (i) Which cannot pass away.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore he is (k) able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (k) He is fit and sufficient.... [ Continue Reading ]
(12) For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (12) Another argument: There are required in an high priest innocency and perfect pureness, which may separate him from sinners, for whom he offers. The Levitical hig... [ Continue Reading ]
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: (13) for (l) this he did (m) once, when he offered up himself. (13) Another argument, which nonetheless he handles afterward: The Levitical priests offered sacrifice after sacrifi... [ Continue Reading ]
For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the (n) word of the oath, (14) which (o) was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. (n) The commandment of God which was bound with an oath. (14) Another argument taken by the time: Former things are taken awa... [ Continue Reading ]