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Expanded Comments |
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| 1 This for the Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the God of the most high, (the one having met Abraham returning from the smiting of the kings and having blessed him, |
Melchisedec – A priest upon his throne. R4553:3, 1063:2*
King of Salem and priest of the Most High God. (Gen. 14:18-20) R5549:1; Q484:5
Representing The Christ glorified and reigning. R3951:6; CR485:2; Q485:T; SM142:T; 600:1
"We shall be kings and priests unto God, and shall reign on the earth." (Rev. 5:10) SM600:1; R195:4
Type of Jesus who combines the office of Priest and King in blessing the world. R5549:1, 4545:3, 195:4; CR485:2; Q484:5
Melchizedek is supposed to have been one of the shepherd kings who invaded Egypt and built the great Pyramid, about 2170 BC. PD25/36
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| 2 to whom also a tenth from of all divided Abraham,) first indeed being translated a king of righteousness, then and also a king of Salem, (which is, a king of peace,) |
Of righteousness – To this end, to be a king and reign in righteousness, was Jesus born. R238:1*; NS463:6
Salem – Before Jerusalem became a residence, its sacred hill was called "Moriah" (2 Chron. 3:1). Its most ancient name was "Salem." R1296:3*
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| 3 without a father, without a mother, without a genealogy, neither a beginning of days nor of life an end having, having been made like but to the son of the God, remains a priest for the continuance. |
Without father, without mother – In the priesthood. R5967:2; Q721:6; SM142:1
The priestly office of the new nature does not trace its lineage to any human source. In the priesthood of Melchizedek, the lineage and death is not recorded. R3951:6
Melchizedek did not inherit the office from his father or mother--thus typifying Christ's priesthood, which came not of the lineage of the flesh, as did the Aaronic priesthood. R3951:6
Without descent – "Without genealogy." (Diaglott) R195:1, 3951:6
In the priesthood. SM142:1; Q485:T
His priesthood did not come to him from his parents; and he had no children in this Melchizedek priesthood. Q485:T
Melchizedek did not inherit his priesthood and no record was made when it began, nor any provision made for a successor. PD25/36; Q485:T
A picture of Christ, whose priesthood was not inherited, and has no successors. R3951:6; SM142:1; Q485:T
Under the Law every priest of the Aaronic order was obliged to show that he had a right to serve because of his genealogy. SM142:T
Neither beginning of day – His priesthood was without any beginning of time and without any ending of time. Q485:T
Nor end of life – Term of office is not limited by years, but is everlasting. SM142:1
Not that he never died, but as a priest, was typical. Q485:T
He typified Christ whose office as a priest of the new order of the Millennial Kingdom is not a limited one. Q485:T
Made like – "Having been made like." (Diaglott) R195:1, 3951:6
Abideth – "Remains." , D3951:6
Continually – "Perpetually." (Diaglott) R195:3, 3951:6; SM141:1
Typifying the continuity of Christ's priesthood. R3951:6
He continued a priest to the conclusion of the type in its antitype. R5967:2, 195:4; Q721:6
An unchangeable priest--one that will be maintained in perpetuity until it shall have served its full purpose. SM143:T
The Melchizedek priesthood had no beginning and no ending; the order of his priesthood was to be perpetuated; consequently his priesthood did not pass away until the antitypical priesthood came. R5967:2; Q721:6
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| 4 Consider you but, how great this, to whom even a tenth Abraham gave out of the choice spoils, the patriarch. |
How great – The divine Christ will be greater, and therefore able to bless every "friend of God" on the human plane. R3951:6, 713:6
Melchizedek's greatness was shown in that Abraham did him homage and paid tithes to him. R4511:2
The argument is a masterly one, and shows that as Melchizedek was higher than Aaron, much more would the antitypical Melchizedek be higher, more glorious, more powerful, more able to bless and forgive sins. SM142:T
Tenth – The Aaronic priesthood acknowledged this higher priesthood of Melchizedek and gave tithes. SM142:T; Q486:T
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| 5 And those indeed from the sons of Levi the priesthood receiving, a commandment have to tithe the people according to the law, this is, the brethren of them, though having come out of the loins of Abraham; |
Loins of Abraham – Since Levi, the father of the priestly tribe, was in Abraham's loins at the time that the tithes were paid, he and his sons inferentially paid tithes to Melchizedek; thus recognizing the Melchizedek order as higher. R4511:2; Q486:T; SM142:T
Life is from the father, and by the mother. R776:5
Children were counted to their fathers, not their mothers. R776:5
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| 6 he but not deriving an origin from them, has tithed the Abraham, and the one having the promises he has blessed. |
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| 7 Without but all contradiction, the less by the greater is blessed. |
Of the better – In order to bless others, they must of necessity be the more highly exalted. R1422:2
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| 8 And here indeed tithes dying men receives; there but, being testified that he lives. |
Men – The Levitical priesthood. R195:1
But there he – Melchizedek received tithes. R195:1
He liveth – This is a positive statement that Melchizedek did not die. We must suppose that he was translated. R195:1
So when our priesthood reaches the plane typified by Melchizedek, we will never die, but abide a "Royal Priesthood" forever. R195:5
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| 9 And so a word to speak, through Abraham even Levi the tithes receiving has been tithed; |
Tithes – Abraham, who was the father of Aaron, according to the flesh, paid tithes to this Melchizedek priest. Q486:T; B47
Showing that from God's standpoint, the Melchizedek order is a higher order than the Aaronic priesthood. Q486:T
In Abraham – The case is not altered whether we say that the tithes were paid by Abraham or in Abraham. R1516:1*
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| 10 yet for in the loins of the father he was, when met him the Melchizedek. |
Yet in the loins – Life is from the father, as illustrated in the divine begettal of Jesus in a human mother. E100; R776:5
As the souls of Adam's posterity yet in his loins, unborn shared in him the penalty. R1510:2, 1516:1*, 776:5
St. Paul was one of those included in this promise. R4961:1
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| 11 If indeed then perfection through the Levitical priesthood was; (the people for with her law had received;) what yet need, according to the order of Melchizedek another to arise a priest, and not according to the order of Aaron to be named? |
Order of Melchisedec – A priest upon his throne. R4553:3, 5776:6
That one priest represented all our Lord's members. R4619:6
The Great Priest will do his great work during the Millennial Age--what is done in the present time is only preparatory. R4620:1
Order of Aaron – The Aaronic priesthood pictures the sufferings of Christ. R4759:3
Jesus, not being of the tribe of Levi, could not have served as a Priest under the Mosaic Law, which gave this office to Aaron and his sons forever; typifying the sacrificial preparation of Messiah's priesthood. R4759:6
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| 12 Being changed for the priesthood, from necessity also of law a change occurs. |
Being changed – The Aaronic priesthood is supplanted by the Melchizedek order. R3725:5*, 4511:2
Aaron's family lost the priesthood 1800 years ago. HG582:3
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| 13 Concerning whom for is spoken these things, of a tribe another has been a partaker, from which no one has attended to the altar; |
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| 14 evident for, that from Juda has sprung the Lord of us, respecting which tribe nothing concerning priesthood Moses spoke. |
Out of Judah – According to the flesh. R3951:5
Concerning priesthood – As a man, Jesus was not a priest. R3951:5
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| 15 And more yet evident it is, if according to the likeness of Melchizedek arises a priest another, |
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| 16 who not according to a law of a commandment fleshly has become, but according to a power of life enduring. |
Not after – Down towards. R196:5
Carnal – Fleshly. R196:5
Power of an endless life – In addition to the power over death R74:3*
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| 17 It testifies for: That thou a priest for the age according to the order of Melchizedek. |
Thou art a priest – In the sense of a mediator, who, having redeemed, is the advocate of the people and the dispenser of divine favor. D637
Order of Melchisedec – A priest upon the throne--the Church triumphant--The Christ. CR80:5; R4553:3; D637; F72; T30; OV189:4, 402:1
A type of the new priesthood. R4511:1
The Melchizedek priest represents merely the future of The Christ, after the sacrificing is finished. R4759:3, 4511:1
Represented by the golden crown worn by Aaron. T30, T50
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| 18 An abrogation indeed for takes places of a preceding commandment, on account of the her weakness and unprofitableness; |
A disannulling – It evidently was not God's intention to allow the Law Covenant to stand perpetually, nor to allow its priestly arrangements to continue forever. R4511:2
Commandment – Law Covenant. R4321:2, 4511:2
For – On account of. R812:2*
Unprofitableness – It passed away; a failure. R4321:2
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| 19 (nothing for perfected the law;) after introduction but of a better hope, through which we draw near to the God. |
For the law – Law Covenant. Could not refer to the Law alone, for laws never make anything perfect; they merely show the perfect requirements. It remained for the covenant to try to make the people perfect. R1724:4
Because no imperfect man could keep it because they were weak and depraved. R2611:4, 892:3, 812:2*
Made nothing perfect – Accomplished only typical justification. A225, A229; R273:6
Because its mediator, as well as the people, were imperfect. R5300:2
It accomplished no real reformation or restitution. R4451:5
The blessings were only partial and typical. NS570:4, 533:4
In the fullest sense, no one ever kept the Law but the perfect man, Christ Jesus (Rom. 3:23); for it is the full measure of a perfect man's ability. R1724:6
The Law Covenant justified none--conducted none to everlasting life. NS18:3
A better hope – Jesus, the perfect one, in whom was no sin. R196:5
It evidently was not God's intention to allow the Law Covenant to stand perpetually. R4511:2, 4545:3
All that the house of Israel had and did was typical and was to be superseded by others. R518:3*
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| 20 And in as much as not without swearing; (they indeed for without swearing are priests having become; |
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| 21 he but with swearing through the one saying to him: Swore a Lord, and not will change; Thou a priest for the age according to the order of Melchizedek;) |
Those priests – God indicated a change of priesthood from Aaron to Melchizedek. SM141:4; R4511:2
Paul brings forward Aaron, only to set him aside in the presence of Jesus. R174:2*
With an oath – Implying a greater and more important priesthood (Aaron was appointed without divine oath.) SM141:1; R4511:2
The fact that God by his oath had recognized this higher order of priesthood, particularly implied that in due time a New Covenant would supplant the Law Covenant, which the Hebrews felt must be perpetual. R4511:2
Said unto him – In Psalm 110:4. R3952:1, 713:6
The Lord – The oath of Jehovah. R713:6
Thou art a priest – Prophetically Jesus was made a priest by divine appointment long before he came into the world. R4511:2
For ever – For the age. R4511:2; Q551:1, 721:6
This office will end with the Millennial age. There will be no need of a Priest of any kind, sacrificing or reigning. Q551:1
A perpetual priesthood, which should not be transferred to another. SM141:1; R195:1
After – Like. R1101:1
Order – Manner. R714:1
Melchisedec – A priest upon his throne. R4553:3, 4759:5
The Christ, after the sacrificing shall have been finished. R4759:3
Not after the order of Aaron. R4759:5, 4511:2
Would come after and supersede the Aaronic priesthood, inasmuch as the prophecy respecting it came after the Aaronic priesthood had been long established. SM141:1
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| 22 by so much better a covenant has become a surety Jesus. |
A surety – Guarantee for its later fulfillment. R4498:1, 4560:3*; PT370:2*
From the first advent, the New Covenant may be considered as assured, legislated, or guaranteed, but not put into force. R4498:1
A New Covenant is assured by God's promise, which implied the doing away with the Law Covenant and its priesthood. R4511:3
Our Redeemer's death is the surety for us, his members, and for the New Law Covenant. R4438:4, 789:4, 772:2; E28; OV253:1; NS769:2
The Lord Jesus is not the surety for the blessings enjoyed by the Church today. PT370:2*
We are doing a preparatory work in the interest of the New Covenant, of which our Lord Jesus became a surety or guarantor, and which is soon to be sealed. R4494:5
The New Covenant is not yet sealed. A sealed Covenant needs no surety, but an unsealed Covenant does need a surety. R4477:2
The whole plan of reconciliation was of God, and is wrought out in Christ. R1829:5
A better testament – Covenant. R4511:2
New Covenant. R4560:3*, 4511:3
Entirely separate and distinct from the high calling of this age. PT370:2*
Better than the Law Covenant. PT370:T*
Made efficacious by the blood of Christ. E358
Sealed with his own blood; "This is my blood." (Matt. 26:28) E28
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| 23 And they indeed, many are having become priests, on account of the death to be hindered to continue; |
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| 24 he but, on account of the to continue him for the age, unchangeable he has the priesthood; |
Priesthood – A higher priesthood; combining the priestly function of forgiveness of sin and instruction of the people, with the kingly function of dominion and power. SM141:1
Israel and the world needed a higher order of priesthood than the Aaronic to inaugurate the reign of righteousness under the New Covenant. R4511:3
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| 25 hence and to save for the completely is able those drawing near through him to the God, always living, in order to the interpose in behalf of them. |
Wherefore – St. Paul is here contrasting the great Priesthood of our Lord with that of the Aaronic Law; for the Jews had difficulty in understanding how there could be a change of priesthood. R5776:3; Q486:T
He – Christ. R3951:6, 713:6, 605:4*
Able – And willing. R3282:1, 4783:3, 3279:6
To save them – And only them. R1601:2
Deliver. R3115:2
One who is mighty to save. E96; R3912:3; NS340:5, 411:4
His death was a propitiation for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2) R3115:2, 3279:5
"He gave himself a ransom for all." (1 Tim. 2:5) R2051:1
To the uttermost – By an everlasting release from sin, divine disfavor and death. R3279:6, 4783:3
Fully, completely, eternally. It will not leave out even one human being. R5777:2, 3952:1
Because of the presentation of our Lord's merit on their behalf, the whole world will be in Christ's hands to be dealt with to a completion, to leave nothing undone that can be done. R5777:5
Able to deliver not only from sin, but from death; not only from the tomb, but from all the weaknesses of heredity, all the sin, the blemishes, which rest upon our race. NS639:2
The life-giver came to provide life everlasting for the dying race. PD55/67; R5126:2
Not merely a restoring to each individual of the things which he once possessed, but a restitution of all that was his by right under the original divine arrangement, if Adam had not sinned. NS613:3
He is not only able to take away sin, but is able to sympathize fully with those for whom his "better sacrifices" have been made. R5777:2, 3912:3; E128
The Lord not only saves us from the sins that are past, but throughout our course he also covers with the robe of his merit those blemishes and weaknesses which result from the imperfection of our human body. R5777:2
Christ will yet save us in the fullest sense in the "first resurrection." The saving of the world will then begin. R4634:5, 605:4*
God will save all men, but will not specially save any except those who come unto him through Christ. A106
"Having obtained eternal redemption for us." (Heb. 9:12) F159
That come – Will come. R4634:5
Consecrates. R374:1
All who have the appreciative ear. R5126:2, 3952:1
Unto God – Faithful believers. R1601:2
By him – Through him. R4634:5; NS411:4, 551:4
Through his mediation. F162
By faith, and reformation from bad works and dead works, through Jesus. E229; F162
An attempt to come to God by any other means, as, for example, the sacrifice of the Mass, is an abomination in the sight of God. C103; R3146:2
Ever liveth – As our great Advocate because of the work done for us when atonement was made in the presence of God. (Heb. 9:24) R5777:4, 4546:2
The priests of the Aaronic order were not suffered to continue in their office, by reason of their death. But the great antitypical Priest is to continue always. He will never have a successor. R5777:1
Make intercession – Throughout the Gospel age, the Lord's people, by the eye of faith, behold the great high Priest as their Advocate. R2823:4
It is because we recognize Jesus as our Advocate, that we may come to the throne of grace. R4597:4
Jesus does not intercede for his people every day; there are two general intercessions--the first applied at the beginning of the Gospel age for the Church class, and the final and complete one for the whole world. R5777:4
During the Millennium our Lord Jesus will not be making intercession for the world; for he will do this at its beginning when he applies his merit for "all the people," when the New Covenant is sealed. R5777:5
To deal, or to show cause. He ever liveth to deal or negotiate for them. R791:5
For them – As New Creatures, his members. R4476:1
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| 26 Such for to us was proper a high-priest, holy, free from sin, unstained, having been separated from the sinners, and more exalted of the heavens having become; |
Such high priest – "A merciful and faithful high priest." (Heb. 2:17) E128; F162
He was not wealthy, and was considered a fanatic. R3776:6
When Jesus became the anti-typical High Priest the type must have ceased in God's estimation. R310:2
Became us – Suited us, was necessary for us. R964:6
He is justifying and sanctifying the antitypical priests and Levites. R4528:2
Who is holy – In order to be the Redeemer of Adam, and his race, Jesus had to be a perfect human being. R5830:1, 4587:6, 4546:1, 4049:4, 2772:3; E95; SM646:1; OV383:4, 150:2
Jesus possessed a refinement and nobility of soul which made his death as a blasphemer even more terrible to him. R551:4, 4964:4, 4804:1
"That holy thing that shall be born of thee." (Luke 1:35) E105
The "clean thing" (Job 14:4) came not out of the unclean race, but "proceeded forth and came from God" and was merely developed and nourished in Mary. (John 8:42; Gal. 4:4) E105
Unblemished, undefiled, spotless. E97
Harmless – Guileless. R5767:6
Innocent. R5053:3
Undefiled – Without any contamination from Father Adam. R5870:6, 5223:6
By virtue of his special birth. R5768:5; OV330:2, 149:1
As a man, transferred from a heavenly to an earthly condition. R5003:2; NS194:6
Although a member of our race according to the flesh, Jesus has an unimpaired life, transferred from the spirit plane to his virgin mother's womb. Thus he did not inherit sin or its condemnation. R5946:6, 5748:1, 4964:1; E106; Q226:4; NS460:1
He did not have any of the defilements common to humanity. CR453:3
His was not a condemned life, like the rest of the world. R5621:1
His will was to do good only, to honor God and to bless men. SM646:1
If the virgin birth is denied, this statement would not be true. R4763:1
Separate from sinners – Not a sinner. R5003:2, 5352:2, 3265:3, 1917:1; CR247:4; HG460:1; 622:4; SM492:3
"He knew no sin." (2 Cor. 5:21) R1585:5, 776:1; HG261:5
Jesus was always perfect. R5078:2, 5064:2, 5172:1, 5748:1; CR291:1
Absolutely without imperfection. R5836:6, 4968:2
Perfect mentally, morally, and physically. OV149:1
Jesus was not tempted because of sin or weakness, for he had neither. R5702:4, 5472:5
He could not have a sinful wish or desire. SM646:1
There was no reason why he should suffer. Every painful experience which our Lord had was suffering for righteousness' sake. R5117:3
Not personally worthy of death. NS346:5
Our Lord was not a member of the Adamic race in a direct sense. R5621:1
Entirely distinct and separate from humanity, so far as sinful features were concerned. R4964:1, 5064:3, 5352:2; CR195:4
Leaving the perfection of the heavenly nature and coming down to perfect human nature. R4587:6
Nevertheless, he was neither a giant in stature nor in physical strength. R2787:2
If Jesus was the son of Joseph, he was not separate from sinners. R5767:6; OV329:1
He alone kept the Law--thus he had the right to perfect human life, that he might be the Redeemer and Messiah. R5286:5, 5165:4; CR43:4; 48:6
His life was from God, and merely nourished by Mary. E105; R3938:6
Contrary to Higher Criticism. CR491:1; NS559:5
Made higher – Exalted higher. E128
Than the heavens – Powers of spiritual control. A318
Lifted higher than the highest--to the divine nature. R3952:1, 713:6
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| 27 who not has every day necessity, as the high-priests, first on behalf of the own sins sacrifices to offer, then for those of the people; this for he did at once, himself offered. |
Who needeth not – Paul was combating the prevalent thought that the Law Covenant and its priestly arrangements were divinely intended to be perpetual. R4545:3
He was discussing the change of dispensation and that everything pertaining to the Tabernacle and the "Most Holy" passed away to give place to the "better sacrifices" of the Gospel age. R4780:3
The divine intention of a New Covenant with a new High Priest and new underpriests and better sacrifices for its institution. R4545:3
A repetition daily and yearly of the sacrifices of the Law on a higher plane is not to be expected. R4397:3
Daily – Continually. R4545:5
The typical High Priest needed once every year, repeatedly (not daily), to offer up sacrifices. R4965:2, 4546:5; Q67:1
As those high priests – A type of the Royal Priesthood of the Gospel age. R5162:3, 4397:3
The Jewish nation, priesthood, sacrifices and legal code must pass away. R4545:3
Christ the new creature is the High Priest of a new order and we, "his members," are the underpriests, as spirit-begotten new creatures. R4545:3, 4511:1
First for his own sins, then for the people's-- Specifying two offerings. R4546:4
The offering of the bullock and the Lord's goat--separate sprinklings of blood--both parts of the one atonement day service. (Lev. 16) R4397:6, 4965:5, 4780:6, 4546:6, 4545:6; Q67:1
The one antitypical Atonement Day accomplishes the entire work which will usher in full forgiveness and reconciliation to all the people. R4397:3
Both sacrifices were made by the Priest, not by the bullock, not by the goat; and when our Lord shall present the blood of his secondary sacrifice, he will be presenting "his own blood"--not yours, not mine. R4546:6
One fulfillment of the one type. Our Lord offered himself at Jordan and he offered up all the members of his Body, the Church, at Pentecost. The presentation was at Pentecost, to be completed during the Gospel age. Q67:3; R4965:5, 4780:6, 4546:3, 4511:3, 4397:3
The antitypical atonement day sacrifices for sin have been in progress for 1800 years. R4965:3, 4546:4; Q67:2
The two sacrifices of Lev. 16. Our Lord will fulfil that Day of Atonement type by two offerings; first for the sins of those accepted during the Gospel age, and later for the world in general. R4511:3
The great High Priest will apply the blood of the antitypical goat on behalf of all the world of mankind under the terms of the New Covenant. R4546:6
This cannot mean the contrary to what Paul had just stated--that our Lord had no sins. The "Head" was perfect but the "Body" was imperfect. R4546:4
He – The High Priest. R4780:5
Did once – The sacrifice of Jesus needs not to be repeated. R4703:4
This he did already. When the Apostle wrote these words the High Priest had already made both sacrifices, and had sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High. R4546:5
The once doing of this sacrificial work in the beginning of this antitypical "Atonement Day" is sufficient for all time. R4546:5
The one sacrifice of two parts. R4780:5, 4397:3
In the type these things were done year by year; but in the antitype the Great High Priest first offered the antitypical bullock on behalf of his Body, and then the antitypical goat on behalf of the world of mankind. R4780:6, 4965:3, 4546:5
This entire work of sacrificing may have been said to have been accomplished at the time when St. Paul wrote the book of Hebrews. R4511:4
The ground of original protest was respecting the sacrifice of Christ. Papacy held that Christ's sacrifice at Calvary was for past sins. Protestants held that there could be but one sacrifice for sins forever. R1775:6
Offered up himself – Himself at Jordan--the members of his Body, the Church, at Pentecost. R4965:5, 4546:3
His personal sacrifice was finished at Calvary. R4546:2
The spirit-begotten Jesus, as the Priest, put to death Jesus in the flesh and made him a sin-sacrifice. R4545:3
His offering of himself at Jordan was accepted of the Father; the remainder was merely the fulfilling of the terms of the sacrifice. R4965:5
The Father's acceptance of his sacrifice was indicated by the descent of the holy Spirit upon Jesus in the water. R4546:3
The body which God prepared for sacrifice may properly be viewed from two standpoints--the human body of Jesus, and the Church which is his body. R4965:2
Paul referred to the High Priest as a whole--Head and Body. "He (the Father) hath chosen us in him (Christ) before the foundation of the world." (Eph. 1:4) R4780:3, 5392:1
The members of the Body present themselves; but the offering must be done by the Priest, Jesus. R4965:3, 4546:6
One fulfillment of the one type--in the type there were two sacrifices offered, here called his sacrifice. R4965:3
The Leviticus account shows that the first offering was not for himself only, but also "for his house"--in the type the tribe of Levi; in the antitype the "household of faith"--the great company. R4546:2,6
His offering continues these 1900 years. Since Pentecost he has been accepting and offering as his members such as present their bodies living sacrifices. PD47/59
As the High Priest, typified by Aaron. T50
The great atonement for sin made by our Redeemer's sacrifice of himself. R4781:5, 4546:6
"Without spot to God." (Heb. 9:14); to whom the price was paid. E449, E450; F122; R387:3
A ransom for all. R789:3, 387:3
Jesus came typically to the Jews in the end of their age as a Priest. R79:1; T50
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| 28 The law for men appoints high-priests, having weakness; the word but of the swearing of that after the law, a son for to the age having been perfected. |
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