1 First he showeth the duty of the high Priest: 5 Secondly, that Christ is appointed of God to be our high Priest, 7 and that he hath fulfilled all things belonging thereunto.

For [a]every high Priest is taken from among men, and is ordained for men, in things pertaining to God, [b]that he may offer both [c]gifts and [d]sacrifices for sins.

Which is [e]able sufficiently to have compassion [f]on them that are ignorant, and that are out of the way, because that he also is [g]compassed with infirmity,

And for the same sake he is bound to offer for sins, as well for his own part, as for the peoples.

(A)[h]And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

So likewise Christ took not to himself this honor to be made the high Priest, but he that said unto him, (B)Thou art my son, this day begat I thee, gave it him.

As he also in another place speaketh, (C)Thou art a Priest forever, after the [i]order of Melchizedek,

[j]Who in the [k]days of his flesh did offer up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears unto him, that was able to [l]save him from death, and was also heard in that which he feared.

And though he were the Son, yet [m]learned he obedience, by the things which he suffered.

[n]And being [o]consecrated, was made the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him:

10 And is called of God an high Priest after the order of Melchizedek.

11 [p]Of whom we have many things to say, which are hard to be uttered, because ye are dull of hearing.

12 [q]For when as concerning the time ye ought to be teachers, yet have ye need again that we teach you what are the first principles of the word of God: and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

13 For everyone that useth milk, is inexpert in the [r]word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of age, which through long custom have their [s]wits exercised, to discern both good and evil.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 5:1 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. Hebrews 5:1 The first part of the second comparison, Others as 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 people’s name offer gifts and sacrifices, which are witnesses of common faith, and repentance.
  3. Hebrews 5:1 Offering of things without life.
  4. Hebrews 5:1 Beasts which were killed, but especially in the sacrifices for sins and offenses.
  5. Hebrews 5:2 Fit and meet.
  6. Hebrews 5:2 On them that are sinful: for in the Hebrew tongue, under ignorance and error is every sin meant, even that sin that is voluntary.
  7. Hebrews 5:2 For that he himself beareth about with him a nature subject to the same discommodities and vices.
  8. Hebrews 5:4 The third comparison which is whole: The others are called of God, and so was Christ, but in another order than Aaron: for Christ is called the Son, begotten of God, and a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
  9. Hebrews 5:6 After the likeness or manner as it is afterward declared, Heb. 7:15.
  10. Hebrews 5:7 The other part of the second comparison: Christ being exceedingly afflicted and exceedingly merciful, asked not for his sins, for he had none, but for his fear, and obtained his request, and offered himself for all his.
  11. Hebrews 5:7 While he lived here with us in our weak and frail nature.
  12. Hebrews 5:7 To deliver him from death.
  13. Hebrews 5:8 He learned indeed what it is to have a Father, whom a man must obey.
  14. Hebrews 5:9 The other part of the first comparison: Christ was consecrate of God the Father as the author of our salvation, and an high Priest forever, and therefore he is so a man that notwithstanding he is far above all men.
  15. Hebrews 5:9 See Heb. 2:10.
  16. Hebrews 5:11 A digression, until he comes to the beginning of the seventh chapter: wherein he partly holdeth the Hebrews in the diligent consideration of those things which he hath said, and partly prepareth them to the understanding of those things whereof he will speak.
  17. Hebrews 5:12 An example of an Apostolic chiding.
  18. Hebrews 5:13 In the word that teacheth righteousness.
  19. Hebrews 5:14 All their power whereby they understand and judge.

Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God,(A) to offer gifts and sacrifices(B) for sins.(C) He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray,(D) since he himself is subject to weakness.(E) This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.(F) And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.(G)

In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory(H) of becoming a high priest.(I) But God said(J) to him,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father.”[a](K)

And he says in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.(L)[b](M)

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions(N) with fervent cries and tears(O) to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard(P) because of his reverent submission.(Q) Son(R) though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered(S) and, once made perfect,(T) he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest(U) in the order of Melchizedek.(V)

Warning Against Falling Away(W)

11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths(X) of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!(Y) 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant,(Z) is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature,(AA) who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.(AB)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 5:5 Psalm 2:7
  2. Hebrews 5:6 Psalm 110:4