51 For every chief priest—out of men taken—in behalf of men is set in things 'pertaining' to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins, 2 able to be gentle to those ignorant and going astray, since himself also is compassed with infirmity; 3 and because of this infirmity he ought, as for the people, so also for himself to offer for sins; 4 and no one to himself doth take the honour, but he who is called by God, as also Aaron: 5 so also the Christ did not glorify himself to become chief priest, but He who spake unto him: 'My Son thou art, I to-day have begotten thee;' 6 as also in another 'place' He saith, 'Thou 'art' a priest—to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;' 7 who in the days of his flesh both prayers and supplications unto Him who was able to save him from death—with strong crying and tears—having offered up, and having been heard in respect to that which he feared, 8 through being a Son, did learn by the things which he suffered—the obedience, 9 and having been made perfect, he did become to all those obeying him a cause of salvation age-during,
10 having been addressed by God a chief priest, according to the order of Melchisedek,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Hebrews 5:1-10
Commentary on Hebrews 5:1-10
(Read Hebrews 5:1-10)
The High Priest must be a man, a partaker of our nature. This shows that man had sinned. For God would not suffer sinful man to come to him alone. But every one is welcome to God, that comes to him by this High Priest; and as we value acceptance with God, and pardon, we must apply by faith to this our great High Priest Christ Jesus, who can intercede for those that are out of the way of truth, duty, and happiness; one who has tenderness to lead them back from the by-paths of error, sin, and misery. Those only can expect assistance from God, and acceptance with him, and his presence and blessing on them and their services, that are called of God. This is applied to Christ. In the days of his flesh, Christ made himself subject to death: he hungered: he was a tempted, suffering, dying Jesus. Christ set an example, not only to pray, but to be fervent in prayer. How many dry prayers, how few wetted with tears, do we offer up to God! He was strengthened to support the immense weight of suffering laid upon him. There is no real deliverance from death but to be carried through it. He was raised and exalted, and to him was given the power of saving all sinners to the uttermost, who come unto God through him. Christ has left us an example that we should learn humble obedience to the will of God, by all our afflictions. We need affliction, to teach us submission. His obedience in our nature encourages our attempts to obey, and for us to expect support and comfort under all the temptations and sufferings to which we are exposed. Being made perfect for this great work, he is become the Author of eternal salvation to all that obey him. But are we of that number?