Video Bible
Bible Study/Commentary
Hebrews chapter 5: He Became The Author Of Eternal Salvation, To All Who Obey Him
Hebrews Chapter 5 delves into the high priesthood of Jesus Christ, comparing His priesthood, with that of the Levitical priesthood.
The chapter underscores the characteristics of a high priest and outlines how Jesus fulfills these requirements.
The chapter concludes with a mild rebuke to the believer concerning their spiritual immaturity.
Bible Study/Commentary
Verses 1-4: Qualifications for the High Priesthood
The author describes the qualities required for high priests.
They are chosen from among the people, to act on behalf of others in matters related to God, offering gifts and sacrifices for sins.
They can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, as they themselves are sinners, and are subject to weaknesses.
Additionally, no one can take this honor upon themselves; they must be called by God, just as Aaron was.
Verses 5-10: Christ as the Perfect High Priest
This section explains how Jesus, like other high priests, did not appoint Himself but was appointed by God.
Quoting from the Psalms, the author emphasizes that Jesus is God's Son and also a priest according to the order of Melchizedek, rather than from Aaron, indicating a unique and superior priesthood.
Jesus' prayers, obedience, suffering, and perfection are discussed, underlining His qualifications as the perfect High Priest.
Verses 11-14: A Call to Spiritual Maturity
The author gives a brief rebuke, pointing out that though the believers should be teachers by this time, they need someone to teach them again, the basic principles of God's Word.
They are like infants in need of milk rather than solid food, indicating their lack of spiritual maturity.
The author encourages them to grow in understanding, as solid food is for the mature, who are able to discern good from evil.
Overall Summary
Hebrews Chapter 5 discusses the high priesthood of Jesus, setting Him apart from the Levitical priesthood and establishing Him in the superior order of Melchizedek.
The chapter emphasizes Jesus' divine appointment,
His empathy coming from His love, and His perfect obedience to the Father, qualified Him as the perfect High Priest.
In the final verses, the author admonishes the believers to strive for spiritual maturity, fostering a deeper understanding of God's word.
This chapter not only reinforces the central theme of Christ's superiority but also underscores the need for spiritual growth among believers.
Hebrews 5
Qualifications for High Priesthood
5 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,
“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”;
6 as he says also in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”
7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Warning Against Apostasy
11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Q & A
Hebrews 5:1-4
Q1: What is the role of every high priest chosen from among men, and what obligation does he have?
A1: Every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, offering gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as for the people's sins.
Hebrews 5:5-6
Q2: How did Christ become a high priest, and what is the significance of the quotes mentioning, "You are my Son" and "You are a priest forever"?
A2: Christ did not exalt himself to be a high priest but was appointed by God, who said to him, "You are my Son" and "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." These quotes signify the divine appointment and eternal priesthood of Christ.
Hebrews 5:7-10
Q3: Describe Jesus' actions in the days of his flesh, and what role did suffering play in his obedience and perfection?
A3: In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one able to save him from death. He learned obedience through suffering, and being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for those who obey him. He was designated by God as a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 5:11-14
Q4: What warning does the author give regarding the readers, and what analogy is used to describe their spiritual maturity?
A4: The author warns that the readers have become dull of hearing and should have progressed to be teachers by now. Instead, they still need basic teachings like milk, not solid food. The analogy used is that those who live on milk are like children and are unskilled in the word of righteousness. Solid food is for the mature, who have trained their powers of discernment to distinguish good from evil.