4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.
4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law.
4 If he were limited to earth, he wouldn't even be a priest. We wouldn't need him since there are plenty of priests who offer the gifts designated in the law.
4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law;
4 If he were here on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there already are priests who offer the gifts required by the law.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Hebrews 8:4
Commentary on Hebrews 8:1-6
(Read Hebrews 8:1-6)
The substance, or summary, of what had been declared was, that Christians had such a High Priest as they needed. He took upon himself human nature, appeared on earth, and there gave himself as a sacrifice to God for the sins of his people. We must not dare to approach God, or to present any thing to him, but in and through Christ, depending upon his merits and mediation; for we are accepted only in the Beloved. In all obedience and worship, we should keep close to God's word, which is the only and perfect standard. Christ is the substance and end of the law of righteousness. But the covenant here referred to, was that made with Israel as a nation, securing temporal benefits to them. The promises of all spiritual blessings, and of eternal life, revealed in the gospel, and made sure through Christ, are of infinitely greater value. Let us bless God that we have a High Priest that suits our helpless condition.