Hebrews 5 Explained – Verse by Verse Commentary

The True Meaning of Hebrews 5

The Epistle to the Hebrews is believed to have been written by the apostle Paul, though some scholars debate its authorship. Paul’s writings provide invaluable insights into the development of Christian theology and the challenges faced by the first-century believers because he was one of the most prominent figures in the early Christian church. The author delves into the significance of Jesus Christ’s role as the ultimate High Priest, drawing parallels between the Old Testament priesthood and the new covenant established through Christ’s sacrifice in this chapter. The passage foreshadows the author’s deeper exploration of Christ’s superior priesthood, which will be a central theme in the chapters to come.

The author also addresses the importance of spiritual maturity, urging the readers to move beyond the foundational teachings and strive for a deeper understanding of the faith. This call to spiritual growth is echoed in other Pauline epistles, such as Ephesians 4:11-16, where the apostle emphasizes the need for believers to mature in their faith and become firmly rooted in the truth.

Hebrews 5:1-4

Hebrews 5:1-4 says, “For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. The first section of this passage highlights the importance and role of a high priest. A high priest is appointed to represent the people before God in matters related to divine worship and offerings for sins. The high priest’s duty is to bridge the gap between humanity and divinity through rituals and sacrifices. This system of high priests acting on behalf of the people was established in the Old Testament, with Aaron being the first high priest appointed by God (Exodus 28:1). This institution provided a means for the Israelites to seek forgiveness and restoration after their transgressions against God’s laws.

The verse emphasizes that the high priest can empathize with the people he represents because he himself is a mortal, subject to weaknesses and temptations. The high priest can understand the struggles and shortcomings of the people, as he is not exempt from the same human frailties. This sense of empathy and shared experience underscores the relational aspect of the high priest’s role, allowing him to intercede effectively for the people’s sins and shortcomings.

Furthermore, it is mentioned that the high priest is mandated to offer sacrifices not only for the sins of the people but also for his own sins. This requirement highlights the universal nature of sin and the need for atonement, which even the high priest, with his exalted position, cannot escape. This points to the fact that all humans, regardless of their status or position, are in need of redemption and forgiveness before God.

The passage also stresses the divine appointment of the high priest, emphasizing that no one can assume this honored position on their own accord. Just as Aaron was chosen by God to be the first high priest, those who hold this office must be called by God to fulfill their duties faithfully. This serves as a reminder that God ordains and establishes authority, and it is a privilege and responsibility to serve in roles of spiritual leadership. Hebrews 5:1-4 underscores the significance of the high priest in mediating between humanity and God, highlighting the themes of empathy, shared humanity, atonement for sins, and divine appointment. The passage sets the stage for further exploration of Jesus Christ as the ultimate high priest who fulfills and surpasses the roles and functions of the Old Testament priesthood, offering complete redemption and access to God for all believers (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Hebrews 5:5-10

The passage in Hebrews 5:5-10 delves deeply into the high priesthood of Jesus Christ, drawing parallels with Old Testament figures such as Aaron. Let’s break down this verse into key sections and provide commentary on each part.

Verse 5 starts by highlighting that Christ did not exalt himself to become a high priest, but rather it was God who appointed him. This emphasizes the divine authority behind Jesus’ role as the High Priest. This is an important reminder that Jesus’ priesthood is not of human origin or self-appointed, but comes from God Himself. This echoes the prophecies in the Old Testament, particularly in Psalm 2:7, where God declares, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”

Moving on to verse 6, a direct reference is made to Psalm 110:4, a Messianic psalm which prophesies about the coming of a priest-king who would be appointed forever in the order of Melchizedek. The mention of Melchizedek is significant because he was a mysterious figure in the Old Testament who was both a king and a priest, and Abraham, the father of the Israelite nation, paid tithes to him. This unique combination of roles foreshadows the dual role that Jesus would fulfill as both a king and a high priest.

Verse 7 describes how during His earthly life, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to God, who was able to save Him from death. This likely refers to Jesus’ anguished prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion, where He submitted to the Father’s will despite the intense suffering He knew He would endure. This moment reflects the depth of Jesus’ humanity and His obedience to the Father’s plan for salvation, even through immense emotional and physical agony. The passage highlights that Jesus, as the Son of God, learned obedience through the things He suffered in verses 8-9. This is a profound concept, as it shows that even Jesus, in His divinity, was willing to humble Himself and experience suffering in order to fulfill His role as the Great High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses. This idea is reiterated in Hebrews 4:15, which states that Jesus can empathize with our weaknesses because He faced temptations and trials similar to ours, yet without sin.

The passage concludes in verse 10 by declaring that Jesus was designated by God as a high priest in the order of Melchizedek. This designation sets Jesus apart from the Levitical priesthood, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging role as our ultimate mediator before God. The author of Hebrews reinforces the idea that Christ’s priesthood is the fulfillment and culmination of all that was prefigured in the Old Testament by drawing upon the imagery and symbolism of the Old Testament priesthood and connecting it to Jesus. Hebrews 5:5-10 underscores the unique and unparalleled priesthood of Jesus Christ, emphasizing His divine appointment, his identification with human suffering, and his eternal role as our Great High Priest. Through these verses, believers are encouraged to approach Jesus with confidence, knowing that He understands our struggles and stands ready to intercede on our behalf before the Father.

Hebrews 5:11-14

The verse in Hebrews 5:11-14 is divided into two main sections. “We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.” This part of the verse indicates the struggle the author is facing in communicating deeper spiritual truths to the audience. The author is expressing his frustration with the readers for their spiritual immaturity and lack of effort in grasping the deeper teachings. It serves as a gentle rebuke to the readers for not being more diligent in their pursuit of spiritual understanding. This is a common theme throughout the Bible where believers are encouraged to grow in their faith and deepen their understanding of God’s word. The Apostle Paul also faced similar challenges when dealing with immature believers, as seen in his letters to the Corinthians.

1. You need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again, though by this time you ought to be teachers. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”** This section emphasizes the importance of spiritual growth and maturity in the life of a believer. The readers are scolded for still needing basic teachings when they should have progressed to a level where they can instruct others. The analogy of milk versus solid food is used here, illustrating the difference between basic spiritual truths (milk) and deeper, more complex teachings (solid food). Just as infants need milk to grow, new believers require foundational teachings, but they are expected to progress to a point where they can handle and understand more profound spiritual truths. This echoes Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 3:2-3 where he speaks of feeding believers with milk because they were not ready for solid food. The encouragement here is for believers to continually grow in their faith, moving from spiritual infancy to maturity through regular study of God’s Word and application of its teachings in their lives. Believers should actively seek spiritual growth and maturity, moving beyond basic teachings to deeper understanding, as a reminder from Hebrews 5:11-14. The author’s frustration with the lack of progress among the readers highlights the importance of a continual pursuit of knowledge and application of God’s word. Just as physical infants grow and develop into mature adults, so too should believers progress in their faith, becoming equipped to teach others and discern between good and evil through a deeper understanding of God’s teachings.

After Hebrews 5

The author of Hebrews had much more to say about the priesthood of Christ. He would go on to explain how Jesus was a high priest in the order of Melchizedek, not the Levitical priesthood. This was a profound truth that the readers needed to grasp. For only by understanding the superiority of Christ’s priesthood could they fully appreciate the new covenant and the salvation it offered. The path ahead would not be an easy one, but the author was determined to guide his audience towards a deeper understanding of their Savior.