Hebrews Chapter 5 (WEB)

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Hebrews 5 is part of “Christ's Superior High Priesthood” (4:14–7:28) in the outline of Hebrews.

Hebrews 5 summary

In this chapter the apostle continues his discourse upon the priesthood of Christ, a sweet subject, which he would not too soon dismiss. And here, I. He explains the nature of the priestly office in general (Heb 5:1-3). II. The proper and regular call there must be to this office (Heb 5:4-6). III. The requisite qualifications for the work (Heb 5:7-9). IV. The peculiar order of the priesthood of Christ; it was not after the order of Aaron, but of Melchisedec (Heb 5:6, Heb 5:7, Heb 5:10). V. He reproves the Hebrews, that they had not made those improvements in knowledge which might have made them capable of looking into the more abstruse and mysterious parts of scripture (Heb 5:11-14).

Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

1. 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.
2. 2 The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness.
3. 3 Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself.
4. 4 Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was.
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.”
6. 6 As he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
7. 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,
8. 8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered.
9. 9 Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation,
10. 10 named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
11. 11 About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing.
12. 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 revelations of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food.
13. 13 For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby.
14. 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.