5:1 For 1
every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things
[pertaining] to God, 2 that he may offer
both a gifts and b
sacrifices for sins:
(1) The first part of the first comparison of
Christ's high priesthood with Aaron's: Other high priests are taken from
among men, and are called after the order of men. (2)
The first part of the second comparison: Others though weak, are made high
priests, to the end that feeling the same infirmity in themselves which is in
all the rest of the people, they should in their own and the peoples name
offer gifts and sacrifices, which are witnesses of common faith and
repentance.
(a) Offering of things without life.
(b) Beasts which were killed, but especially in
the sacrifices for sins and offences.
5:2 Who c
can have compassion on the ignorant, and d
on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is e
compassed with infirmity.
(c) Fit and meet.
(d) On them that are sinful: for in the Hebrew
tongue, under ignorance and error is every sin meant, even that sin that is
voluntary.
(e) He carries with him a nature subject to the
same inconveniences and vices.
5:43
And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as
[was] Aaron.
(3) The third comparison which is complete: The
others are called by God and so was Christ, but in another order than Aaron.
For Christ is called the Son, begotten by God and a Priest for ever after the
order of Melchizedek.
5:6 As he saith also in another
[place], Thou [art] a priest for ever after the f
order of Melchisedec.
(f) After the likeness or manner as it is later
declared.
5:74 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 h
save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
(4) The other part of the second comparison:
Christ being exceedingly afflicted and exceedingly merciful did not pray
because of his sins, for he had none, but for his fear, and obtained his
request, and offered himself for all who are his.
(h) To deliver him from death.
5:8 Though he were a Son, yet i
learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
(i) He learned in deed what it is to have a
Father, whom a man must obey.
5:95 And
being made k perfect, he became the
author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
(5) The other part of the first comparison:
Christ was consecrated by God the Father as the author of our salvation, and
an High Priest for ever, and therefore he is a man, though nonetheless he is
far above all men.
(k) See (Hebrews
2:10).
5:116
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull
of hearing.
(6) A digression until he comes to the beginning
of the seventh chapter; (Hebrews
5:11-6:20): in which he partly holds the Hebrews in the diligent
consideration of those things which he has said, and partly prepares them for
the understanding of those things of which he will speak.
5:127 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.
(7) An example of an apostolic exhortation.
5:13 For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful
in the l word of righteousness: for he
is a babe.
(l) In the word that teaches righteousness.
5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of
full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their m
senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
(m) All their power by which they understand and
judge.
Hebrews 5 Bible Commentary
The Geneva Study Bible
(1) The first part of the first comparison of Christ's high priesthood with Aaron's: Other high priests are taken from among men, and are called after the order of men. (2) The first part of the second comparison: Others though weak, are made high priests, to the end that feeling the same infirmity in themselves which is in all the rest of the people, they should in their own and the peoples name offer gifts and sacrifices, which are witnesses of common faith and repentance.
(a) Offering of things without life.
(b) Beasts which were killed, but especially in the sacrifices for sins and offences.
5:2 Who c can have compassion on the ignorant, and d on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is e compassed with infirmity.
(c) Fit and meet.
(d) On them that are sinful: for in the Hebrew tongue, under ignorance and error is every sin meant, even that sin that is voluntary.
(e) He carries with him a nature subject to the same inconveniences and vices.
5:4 3 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as [was] Aaron.
(3) The third comparison which is complete: The others are called by God and so was Christ, but in another order than Aaron. For Christ is called the Son, begotten by God and a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
5:6 As he saith also in another [place], Thou [art] a priest for ever after the f order of Melchisedec.
(f) After the likeness or manner as it is later declared.
5:7 4 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 h save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
(4) The other part of the second comparison: Christ being exceedingly afflicted and exceedingly merciful did not pray because of his sins, for he had none, but for his fear, and obtained his request, and offered himself for all who are his.
(h) To deliver him from death.
5:8 Though he were a Son, yet i learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
(i) He learned in deed what it is to have a Father, whom a man must obey.
5:9 5 And being made k perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
(5) The other part of the first comparison: Christ was consecrated by God the Father as the author of our salvation, and an High Priest for ever, and therefore he is a man, though nonetheless he is far above all men.
(k) See (Hebrews 2:10).
5:11 6 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
(6) A digression until he comes to the beginning of the seventh chapter; (Hebrews 5:11-6:20): in which he partly holds the Hebrews in the diligent consideration of those things which he has said, and partly prepares them for the understanding of those things of which he will speak.
5:12 7 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.
(7) An example of an apostolic exhortation.
5:13 For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the l word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
(l) In the word that teaches righteousness.
5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their m senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
(m) All their power by which they understand and judge.