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Hebrews, 5

1. Every high priest is taken from among human beings and is appointed to act on their behalf in relationships with God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins;

1. 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 sympathise with those who are ignorant or who have gone astray, because he too is subject to the limitations of weakness.

2. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.

3. That is why he has to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people.

3. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people.

4. No one takes this honour on himself; it needs a call from God, as in Aaron's case.

4. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was.

5. And so it was not Christ who gave himself the glory of becoming high priest, but the one who said to him: You are my Son, today I have fathered you,

5. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee";

6. and in another text: You are a priest for ever, of the order of Melchizedek.

6. as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchiz'edek."

7. During his life on earth, he offered up prayer and entreaty, with loud cries and with tears, to the one who had the power to save him from death, and, winning a hearing by his reverence,

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 for his godly fear.

8. he learnt obedience, Son though he was, through his sufferings;

8. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered;

9. when he had been perfected, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation

9. and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

10. and was acclaimed by God with the title of high priest of the order of Melchizedek.

10. being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchiz'edek.

11. On this subject we have many things to say, and they are difficult to explain because you have grown so slow at understanding.

11. About this we have much to say which is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

12. Indeed, when you should by this time have become masters, you need someone to teach you all over again the elements of the principles of God's sayings; you have gone back to needing milk, and not solid food.

12. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need some one to teach you again the first principles of God's word. You need milk, not solid food;

13. Truly, no one who is still living on milk can digest the doctrine of saving justice, being still a baby.

13. for every one who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a child.

14. Solid food is for adults with minds trained by practice to distinguish between good and bad.

14. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their faculties trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.



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Footnotes:

5:1-4 - The author describes the role of the high priest, who is chosen from among men to intercede for them before God. This is a reflection of divine mercy and compassion (see also Leviticus 16:6 and 1 Timothy 2:5).

5:5-6 - Jesus is presented as the eternal High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, highlighting His divine authority and mediatorial role (see also Psalm 110:4 and Genesis 14:18-20).

5:7-10 - The suffering of Jesus, who learned obedience through what he suffered, is a lesson in humility and dependence on God. He is perfect as our Savior because of His complete submission (see also Luke 22:42 and Philippians 2:8).

5:11-14 - The author rebukes Christians for their lack of spiritual maturity, comparing them to children who still need simple food. Growth in Christ requires discernment and practice (see also 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 and 1 Peter 2:2).

Verses related to Hebrews, 5:

Hebrews chapter 5 delves into the high priesthood of Christ. How does Jesus fulfill and overcome this role? This rich text compares Christ's priesthood with that of Aaron, highlighting the divine origin of His calling and His perfect obedience through suffering. The chapter introduces Melchizedek and addresses topics such as Christ's compassion, His eternal salvation and the need for spiritual maturity among believers. The author also expresses concern about the immaturity of his readers. Investigate with us five biblical passages that illuminate the profound concepts of this revealing chapter.

Psalms 2:7: "I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: He said to me, 'You are my son; I have begotten you today.'" - This verse is quoted in Hebrews 5:5 to show Christ's divine appointment as high priest.

Genesis 14:18-20: "Then Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the Most High God, brought bread and wine and blessed Abram, saying: 'Blessed be Abram of the Most High God, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be the Most High God, who has delivered your enemies into your hands.' And Abram gave him a tithe of everything." - This passage is referenced in Hebrews 5:6,10 to establish the priesthood of Christ in the order of Melchizedek.

John 17:1-5: "After saying this, Jesus looked up to heaven and prayed, 'Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, so that your Son may glorify you. [...] I have glorified you on earth, completing the work you gave me to do.'" - This prayer of Jesus reflects the concept in Hebrews 5:7-8 of Christ offering prayers and supplications with great crying and tears.

Philippians 2:8: "And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross!" - This verse echoes the theme of Hebrews 5:8 about Christ learning obedience from what he suffered.

1 Corinthians 3:1-2: "Brethren, I could not speak to you as to spiritual people, but as to carnal people, as to children in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, because you were not in a position to receive it." - Paul uses the same metaphor of "milk" and "solid food" that appears in Hebrews 5:12-14, referring to spiritual maturity.

FAQ:

What does it mean that Jesus is the "high priest after the order of Melchizedek"?

Jesus is the eternal high priest, like Melchizedek, a priest without beginning or end, which represents the superiority of His intercession before God. (Hebrews 5:6)

What is the role of a high priest as described in Hebrews 5?

The high priest has the responsibility to intercede for men before God, offering sacrifices for sins, and Jesus fulfills this role perfectly. (Hebrews 5:1-3)

Why does the author of Hebrews exhort Christians to mature in faith?

The author warns of the need to grow in faith so that believers can better understand the deep things of God, rather than remaining in a state of spiritual immaturity. (Hebrews 5:12-14)

How did Jesus learn obedience?

Jesus learned obedience through suffering, being perfected through His experiences, and fulfilling the mission of saving humanity. (Hebrews 5:8-9)

What is the main lesson we can learn from Jesus as high priest?

We can learn that through His perfection and sacrifice, Jesus is the only mediator between God and mankind, offering complete and eternal salvation. (Hebrews 5:9)


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