Hebrews 5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:4

And no man taketh this honor to himself - No one has a right to enter on this office unless he has the qualifications which God has prescribed. There were fixed and definite laws in regard to the succession in the office of the high priest, and to the qualifications of him who should hold the office.But he that is called of God as was Aaron - Aaron was designated by name. It was necessary that his successors should have as clear evidence that they were called of God to the office, as though... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:5

So also Christ glorified not himself; - see the notes at John 8:54. The meaning is, that Jesus was not ambitious; that he did not obtrude himself into the great office of high priest; he did not enter upon its duties without being regularly called to it. Paul claimed that Christ held that office; but, as he was not descended front Aaron, and as no one might perform its duties without being regularly called to it, it was incumbent on him to show that Jesus was not an intruder, but had a regular... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:6

As he saith also in another place - Psalms 110:4. “Thou art a priest forever.” It is evident here that the apostle means to be understood as saying that the Psalm referred to Christ, and this is one of the instances of quotation from the Old Testament respecting which there can be no doubt. Paul makes much of this argument in a subsequent part of this Epistle, Hebrews 7:0 and reasons as if no one would deny that the Psalm had a reference to the Messiah. It is clear from this that the Psalm was... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:7

Who - That is, the Lord Jesus - for so the connection demands. The object of this verse and the two following is, to show that the Lord Jesus had that qualification for the office of priest to which he had referred in Hebrews 5:2. It was one important qualification for that office that he who sustained it should be able to show compassion, to aid those that were out of the way, and to sympathize with sufferers; in other words, they were themselves encompassed with infirmity, and thus were able... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:8

Though he were a Son - Though the Son of God. Though he sustained this exalted rank, and was conscious of it, yet he was willing to learn experimentally what is meant by obedience in the midst of sufferings.Yet learned he obedience - That is, he learned experimentally and practically. It cannot be supposed that he did not “know” what obedience was; or that he was “indisposed” to obey God before he suffered; or that he had, as we have, perversities of nature leading to rebellion which required... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:9

And being made perfect - That is, being made a “complete” Saviour - a Saviour suited in all respects to redeem people. Sufferings were necessary to the “completeness” or the “finish” of his character as a Saviour, not to his moral perfection, for he was always without sin; see this explained in the notes on Hebrews 2:10.He became the author - That is, he was the procuring cause (αἴτιος aitios) of salvation. It is to be traced wholly to his sufferings and death; see the note, Hebrews 2:10.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:10

Called of God - Addressed by him, or greeted by him. The word used here does not mean that he was “appointed” by God, or “called” to the office, in the sense in which we often use the word, but simply that he was “addressed” as such, to wit, in Psalms 110:1-7;An high priest - In the Septuagint Psalms 110:4, and in Hebrews 5:6, above, it is rendered “priest” - ἱερεύς hiereus - but the Hebrew word - כהן kohēn - is often used to denote the high priest, and may mean either; see Septuagint in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:11

Of whom we have many things to say - There are many things which seem strange in regard to him; many things which are hard to be understood. Paul knew that what be had to say of this man as a type of the Redeemer would excite wonder, and that many might be disposed to call it in question. He knew that in order to be understood, what he was about to say required a familiar acquaintance with the Scriptures, and a strong and elevated faith. A young convert; one who had just commenced the Christian... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:12

For when for the time - Considering the time which has elapsed since you were converted. You have been Christians long enough to he expected to understand such doctrines. This verse proves that those to whom he wrote were not recent converts.Ye ought to be teachers - You ought to be able to instruct others. He does not mean to say, evidently, that they ought all to become public teachers, or preachers of the gospel, but that they ought to be able to explain to others the truths of the Christian... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:13

For every one that useth milk - Referring to the food of children. The apostle has in view here those Christians who resemble children in this respect, that they are not capable of receiving the stronger food adapted to those of mature age.Is unskilful - Inexperienced; who has not skill to perform anything. The word is properly applied to one who has not experience or skill, or who is ignorant. Here it does not mean that they were not true Christians - but that they had not the experience or... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 5:13

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands