Overview

The Qualifications for High Priests (Verses 1-4):
The chapter kicks off by outlining the prerequisites for high priests. It highlights their role as mediators between God and men, and how they're selected from among people to offer sacrifices for sins. Their effectiveness lies in their ability to sympathize with human weaknesses.
Christ as the Perfect High Priest (Verses 5-10):
Jesus Christ is shown to fulfill and go beyond the traditional qualifications. He was appointed by God, declared to be the Son, and perfects His role through suffering. Unlike any other priest, He becomes the source of eternal salvation to those who obey Him.
Warning Against Immaturity (Verses 11-14):
The author interrupts his discourse to issue a warning about spiritual immaturity. The Hebrews are criticized for becoming dull of hearing, needing milk instead of solid food. Spiritual maturity is a must for discerning good and evil.
Hebrews 5 delves into the criteria for high priests but shows how Jesus Christ sets a new standard. He's not just any high priest; He's our perfect High Priest, appointed by God and proven through suffering. However, recognizing this calls for spiritual maturity, a quality the author urges the readers to cultivate. The chapter serves as a prompt to evaluate our spiritual growth as we appreciate the superior priesthood of Christ.

Hebrews 5

1  For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

2  Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

3  And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

4  And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

5  So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

6  As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

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9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

10  Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

11  Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

12  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

13  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

End of Hebrews 5


1 Year Plan:  Oct 21 - Jer 31, Jer 32,  Heb 5 [next day]

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