4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,
that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast [our] profession.
seeing then- ie., these things being so...
Thus far, in considering Christ (3:1), we have found Him to be superior to Moses, and to provide a better rest than Joshua.
We will now consider the High Priesthood of Christ (4:14-10:18).
First, we see that His priesthood is superior to the Aaronic priesthood (4:14-7:28).
passed into {through} the heavens- not merely through the veil
into the holiest place in an earthly temple (as did the OT high priest).
our profession- GK=homologia, lit., ''speaking the same thing'', confession,
acknowledgement of the truth. What truth?
The truth concerning Christ (eg., 3:1-; 10:23), which is declared by the word & conduct of believers (eg., 11:13). cp. 1Tim 6:12
The truth concerning my fleshly weakness, which is revealed by the scrutiny of God's Word (eg., 4:12,13; 1Joh 1:8,9).
4:15 For we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.
touched with the feeling- GK= sumpatheo, compassion.
Christ can sympathize with our fleshly weakness.
He became a man and experienced the effects of sin (2:17,18). cp. Mat 8:17
tempted- ie., tested...
in all points- Cp. the three points of temptation common to all sin:
"The lust of the flesh, The lust of the eyes, and The pride of life." 1Joh 2:16
Satan used each of these in attacking Eve, Jesus, and all men. Gen 3:1-6; Luke 4:1-13
We, like Eve, fail on all three. But Jesus is-
without {apart from} sin- As the God/Man, He could not sin.
But He did not have it easy. He endured pressure, beyond that to which we are subjected, precisely because He was immovable. A ship tossed at sea is less battered by the storm than a ship grounded on rock. Joh 14:30; Heb 7:26
4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
therefore- ie., Since we have such a High Priest...
boldly- GK=parrhesia, lit., ''with all speech'', with freedom of speech.
(Not 'brazenly' or 'flippantly' as the English word 'boldly' might imply.)
We can come 'freely' with complete 'openness', knowing that He understands.
mercy- applies retroactively for sins already committed. Titus 3:5; 1Joh 1:9
grace to help- provides timely assistance in present & future testing.
He is able to deliver. If we would confess our temptation & weakness and trust Him, we would find rest- even in the presence of our enemies.
5:1 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:
vs.1-4 Define the requirements of 'every high priest' in the Levitical Priesthood.
A priest must:
Be a man- 'taken from among men...'
So that he can represent men before God. '...for men' (v.1,2)
Be appointed by God- 'ordained... to God' (see v.4).
Bring acceptable sacrifices for sins (plural) to God (see v.3).
5:2 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.
compassion- GK=metriopatheo, lit., ''measured emotions'', care without undue harshness...
...on the ignorant- Those who should have known better.
...on the wayward- Those who should have done better. Pro 14:12; Rom 3:12
The human priest, because of his own physical & moral weakness,
can understand the weakness of the men whom he represents before God.
5:3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people,
so also for himself, to offer for sins.
Because every human priest is himself a sinner,
he must make sacrifice for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. Lev 16:1-24
5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself,
but he that is called of God, as [was] Aaron.
Every true priest must be appointed by God, not by man, not by self.
Severe judgment falls upon those who usurp this position.
The Aaronic priesthood pictures Christ's ministry, but the picture is flawed and incomplete. The Melchizedek priesthood completes the picture (as ch. 7 will explain).
Jesus could not have been an Aaronic priest because He was of the tribe of Judah, not of Levi. There is no lineage connected with the Melchizedek priesthood. (cp. 7:13,14; 8:4)
5:7 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 {out of} death,
and was heard in that he feared;
2. Christ, as a man, demonstrated that-
He understands our weakness because 'in the days of his flesh',
- He was 'touched with the feelings our infirmities' (4:15).
He is fit to represent us before God.
- He offered powerful prayer to God. . . for others. . . for Himself. (v.7)
fear- GK=eulabeia, lit., to speak well.
ie., He looked always to God, even in the midst of His sorrows. Psa 27:11-14
- His own resurrection is a primary example of answered prayer.
5:8 Though he were a Son,
yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
obedience- GK=hupoakoe [hupo- of,by, under; akouo- to hear with discernment, cp. 4:7]
He was, as a man, in submission to God. He conducted Himself according to that which He discerned was God's will, even at the high cost of suffering & death.
The Son, "who had always commanded, learned practically what obedience meant." [HAIronside]
3. Christ suffered as the sacrifice for sin. (cp. Psa 40:6 above)
(This will be developed in subsequent chapters.)
5:9 And being made perfect,
he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
made perfect- ie., complete, fully equipped as the 'captain' of salvation.
cp. Heb 2:9,10 (where the word for 'author' is trans. 'captain')
Note that salvation is-
Eternal. He offers no other kind. Salvation which can be lost is not eternal.
The One, who is priest forever, secures eternal salvation (cp. v.6; 7:25)
5:10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. {see v.6}
The perfection, or completeness, of Christ as our High Priest will be better understood when compared with the priesthood of Melchizedek (in ch. 7).
5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered,
seeing ye are dull of hearing.
vs.11-14 Rebuke the spiritual immaturity of the readers.
of whom...- ie., about Christ and Melchizedek...
dull- ie., slothful, sluggish.
ie., This profoundly important subject matter is difficult to communicate, because of the spiritual imperception of the hearers.
5:12 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.
the time- ie., the time elapsed since you first believed.
first principles- the primary elements, rudimentary principles, the ABC's (eg. 6:1,2).
5:13 For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness:
for he is a babe.
Milk is essential for babies. But it is not an adequate diet for mature men.
Believers, who neglect chewing on the Word, stunt their own growth. 1Pet 2:1,2; 1Cor 3:1,2
5:14 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.
Having rebuked us for our spiritual immaturity (in vs.11-14), the writer now seeks to build us up with stronger spiritual food and exercise. The goal is discernment (cp. 4:12) between good (GK=kalos) and evil (GK=kakos) doctrine. Note that to the untrained ear, these words sound similar. But their meanings are opposites.