Hebrews 5

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:1-3

The character and office of the Aaronic high priest foreshadows the higher glory of Jesus Christ. As there had been given some counsels to pray for Divine help because our Lord is the Divine High Priest, the thought advances to show the true idea of a high priest under the Mosaic Law, that over against him may appear in his glory the character of him who was one after the order of Melchizedek. The ancient priest was taken from among men to minister in spiritual things, as others are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:1-6

Christ's Divine appointment to the high priesthood the fulfillment of one essential qualification for that position. This begins the third great section of the Epistle. Section 1. ( Hebrews 1:1-14 . and 2) sets forth the Deity and humanity of the Lord Jesus; Christ's superiority to the angels through whose ministration the old dispensation was said to be established. Section it. ( Hebrews 3:1-19 . and 4) sets forth the surpassing greatness of our Lord as compared with Moses, the great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:1-6

The qualifications and functions of the true priest. I. HE IS TAKES FROM AMONG MEN . It is not an angelic ministry. The true humanity of Jesus must ever be emphasized. A perfect man is needed to be the true priest, but he must be a man. And the reason of this is found in the kind of work he has to do. Especially in that part of it which concerns the sin offering. He has to act for those who, begirt with infirmity, are continually showing their ignorance, and continually... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:1-10

Style high priesthood of Christ. In these verses the author proceeds with his discussion of the priestly character and work of the Lord Jesus, as typified by the Aaronical priesthood. I. WHAT A HIGH PRIEST IS . The office is a most honorable one; it is referred to in Hebrews 5:4 as "the honor." This will appear from a consideration of the high priest's functions and qualifications. 1. His functions. The most important of these are indicated in Hebrews 5:1 . 2. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:2

Who can have compassion on the ignorant and erring; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity . It is not easy to find a satisfactory English equivalent for μετριοπαθεῖν , translated as above in the A.V by Alford, "be compassionate towards;" in the margin of the A.V., "reasonably bear with;" by the recent Revisers, "bear gently with;" by Bengel, "moderate affici." The compound had its origin, doubtless, in the peripatetic school, denoting the right mean between passionateness... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:2

An essential qualification for successful ministry. "Who can have compassion on the ignorant," etc. According to our reading of the New Testament, the Christian ministry is not a priesthood except in the sense that, being Christians, ministers belong to that "holy priesthood," that "royal priesthood," of which every true Christian is g member. Yet there were certain qualifications of the Aaronic priesthood which are indispensable to the usefulness of the Christian ministry. One of these is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:3

And by reason hereof he ought (or, is bound, ὀφείλει ), as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. This obligation is evident in the ease of the high priests of the Law. Consequently, their sin offering for themselves, in the first place, was a prominent part of the ceremonial of the Day of Atonement, which the writer may be supposed to have especially in view ( Leviticus 16:1-34 ). But can we suppose any corresponding necessity in the case of Christ? The argument... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:4

And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but being called of God (the ὁ of Textus Receptus before καλούμενος — "he that is called," as in A.V.—has very slight authority), even as was Aaron. This verse expresses the second essential of a high priest, Divine appointment, for assurance of the efficacy of his mediation. Of course Aaron's successors derived their Divine commission from his original one (cf. Numbers 21:26 ; Numbers 26:10-14 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:4-6

These verses show us the honor of the priesthood. Aaron was divinely called ( Exodus 28:1 ), and was endowed with gifts and qualifications for the office. It was an honor to approach unto God in the sacred uses of his ministry; "for blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to approach unto thee." He transacted the most important affairs for the people, and made reconciliation for them on the Day of Atonement. He revealed and interpreted the Divine will by Urim and Thummim, and his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:5-6

So also Christ glorified not himself to be made a High Priest . Here begins the proof that Christ fulfils the two requirements, that mentioned second in the previous statement being taken first in the proof— chiastically, as is usual in this Epistle. The expression, ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασε , rather than τὴν τιμὴν ἔλαβε , may have reference to the glory wherewith Christ is crowned in his exalted position as Priest-King (cf. Hebrews 2:9 ). But he that said unto him, Thou art my... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:4-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 5:5-6

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands