Atlanta Bible Students

The Book of Hebrews

Chapter 5

Verses 1-6

[1] For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: [2] Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. [3] And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. [4] And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. [5] So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. [6] As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Verse 1

For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
QuestionAnswer
From where are "High Priest's" taken from? From among men.
For whom are they "ordained?" For men.
According to Paul, what is the purpose of a High Priest? To "offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins."

Verse 2

Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
QuestionAnswer
Name one characteristic of the High Priest. Compassion.
Towards whom does he exercise this characteristic? "The ignorant, and on them that are out of the way."
What is it that makes the High Priest able to exercise this characteristic? "He himself also is compassed with infirmity." Of our Lord it was said "He took our infirmities."

Verse 3

And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
QuestionAnswer
What does the High Priest do for the people? Makes offering for sin.
What does the High Priest do for himself? Makes offering for sin.
Why does the High Priest do this for himself? Because the High Priest (other the our Lord) is an imperfect man and needs to have his sins atoned for. In the case of our Aaron, he offered the bullock for himself and his house. In the antitype, our Lord offers himself (the bullock) for his house, i.e., for the church, His body. - Lev. 16:11
Of which High Priest is Paul here referring to? Aaron.

Verse 4

And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
QuestionAnswer
Of what honor is Paul speaking? The honor of being the High Priest.
How does one obtain this honor? Only by invitation from God.

Verse 5

So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
QuestionAnswer
Did Christ make himself to be the High Priest? Absolutely not!
From where is Paul quoting? Psa. 2:7
Who makes Jesus to be High Priest? God.
Based on this verse, when does Christ become High Priest? This is potentially a "loaded" question.
1. Christ Jesus (the Head) became High Priest when He was begotten of the Holy Spirit at Jordan.
2. Based on the scripture being quoted (Psa. 2:7), Christ Jesus (the Head) became fully the High Priest in 1878.
3. The body of Christ (the church) became part of the High Priest when the Psa. 2:6,7 text was fulfilled, i.e., they were raised in 1878.

Verse 6

As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
QuestionAnswer
Where is this quotation taken from? Psa. 110:4
For how long is Jesus a priest? Forever. Literally "to the Age" (Strong's 1519 + 165.)
Who was Melchisedec? King of Salem as well as Priest of the Most High God.
How does His priesthood differ from that of Aaron? It is everlasting. It includes being not only a priest but also a King.
--It is interesting that the context in both of the texts quoted by the Apostle Paul (Psa. 2:7; 110:4) refer to the Second Advent of our Lord.

Verses 7-10

[7] Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; [8] Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; [9] And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; [10] Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Verse 7

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.
QuestionAnswer
Of whom is Paul here speaking? Jesus.
When were �the days of his flesh?� During the 3½ years of His ministry.
What is the difference between prayer and supplication? Prayer includes not only requests of God but also expressions of thanksgiving.
Supplication
  • To ask for humbly or earnestly, as by praying.
  • To make a humble entreaty to; beseech.
  • A humble request for help from someone in authority.

Verse 8

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.
QuestionAnswer
What was the relation of Jesus to God? Son to Father.
If Jesus was a perfect man, how could Paul here say that he learned obedience? "Our Lord, already fully obedient to the Father under favorable conditions, learned what it meant to be obedient under most adverse conditions." - EBC
By what means did He learn obedience? By the things He suffered.

Verse 9

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.
QuestionAnswer
If Jesus was a perfect man, why does Paul here say he was �made perfect?� He was made complete as a new creature. See R1807:5.
When did He become �the author of eternal salvation?� When, after He proved Himself worthy by completing His sacrifice at Calvary, the Father raised Him up to the "majesty on high." (Heb. 1:3; 8:1)
To whom did He become �the author of eternal salvation?� To "all them that obey Him." - Now or later when the New Covenant is in effect.

Verse 10

Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
QuestionAnswer
Of what priestly order is Christ? Melchisedec.
How did Christ gain this honor? He was "called of God." He also proved himself worthy by faithfully completing His sacrifice.

Verses 11-14

[11] Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. [12] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. [13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. [14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Verse 11

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
QuestionAnswer
Who is it that Paul had �many things to say?� Melchisedec.
Why did Paul hold back on telling the Hebrews all about him? Because the Hebrew brethren were not as spiritualy developed as they should have been. They were "dull of hearing."

Verse 12

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
QuestionAnswer
How advanced should the Hebrews have been? Because they had "the oracles of God" they should have been much more advanced. But they had not made good use of their privileges.
What did they need? Milk.
What should they have been ready for? Strong meat.

Verse 13

For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
QuestionAnswer
What is the spiritual development level of those who use only the milk of the Word? Babes in Christ.

Verse 14

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
QuestionAnswer
Who uses �strong meat?� Those who are mature in Christ.
What are these able to discern? Both good and evil.
How do they obtain this condition? They have exercised their senses "By reason of use."
What is the lesson for us? Exercise! Study the Word and put it into practice - daily!

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