Bible Commentaries
Hebrews 5

Verse 1

Having several times spoken of Christ as our High-priest, chap Hebrews 2:17 ; Hebrews 3:1 ; Hebrews 4:14-15 ; he now proceeds to unfold at large the idea of his priesthood, chap Hebrews 5:1-14 ; Hebrews 6:1-20 ; Hebrews 7:1-28 ; Hebrews 8:1-13 ; Hebrews 9:1-28 ; Hebrews 10:1-18 , introducing, however, a digression, chap Hebrews 5:11-14 ; Hebrews 6:1-19 , by way of warning and exhortation. He begins by considering the qualifications and office of the earthly high-priest. He must be taken from among his brethren, that he may be able to sympathize with them, being himself a sharer of their infirmities; and he must be called of God. His office, moreover, is to offer gifts and sacrifices for sin. With this earthly priesthood the higher priesthood of Christ is then compared.

For men ; for the benefit of men in their spiritual concerns.

Verse 2

A kind, compassionate, and forgiving spirit is of great importance to all in the sacred office; and the consideration of their own unworthiness and of the grace of God towards them, is well suited to increase in them this heavenly temper.

Verse 3

By reason hereof ; of infirmity, which, in the case of the earthly high-priest, is connected with sin. See Leviticus 9:7 .

Verse 4

This honor ; of being a priest under the law of Moses, and offering sacrifices.

Verse 5

He that said ; God the Father, who appointed his Son Jesus Christ to be our High-priest.

Thou art my son ; Psalms 2:7 . The sonship of Christ is here considered as including his priesthood. Chap Hebrews 1:5 .

Verse 6

Another place ; Psalms 110:4 . The Old Testament is so constructed that the fulness of its meaning is seen only in the light of the New; and both must be taken together in order to have the fullest understanding of the revealed will of God.

Verse 7

Offered up prayers ; Matthew 26:39-56 .

In that he feared ; because he was reverently obedient and submissive to God, God heard his prayer and answered it, in bestowing upon him all that he needed to prepare him for what was before him. Luke 22:39-46 .

Verse 8

A Son ; the divine Son of God.

Yet learned he obedience ; he learned by experience what it is to obey God in the midst of manifold sufferings. Thus he was qualified to succor those who are in like circumstances of suffering. Chap Hebrews 2:18 ; Hebrews 4:15 .

Verse 9

Being made perfect ; having triumphantly gone through with the course of suffering appointed for him, and thus become perfect as our Saviour. Though Christ has opened a way of salvation and commands us to make it known to all, yet every man for himself must enter and continue to walk in it, or he cannot be saved.

Verse 10

Called of God ; verse Hebrews 5:6 .

Verse 11

Hard to be uttered ; difficult to be so explained that you will understand them.

Seeing ye are dull of hearing ; slow of apprehension, through your sluggishness in respect to divine truth.

Verse 12

The time ; the length of time since they were converted.

Milk ; the simplest truths.

Verse 13

Unskillful in the word of righteousness ; inexperienced, having comparatively little knowledge of the character and work of Christ, and the way of salvation through him as revealed in the Scriptures.

Verse 14

Strong meat ; the more difficult parts of divine truth.

Of full age ; of greater experience and knowledge of divine things.

To discern ; to distinguish between truth and error, good and evil. Even Christians at first, and often for a long time, are ignorant of many things clearly revealed in the word of God, known by those who have made greater advances in the divine life, and which, where God gives opportunity, ought to be known by all.