Hebrews 5

Hebrews 5 introduces the qualifications of a high priest, emphasizing divine appointment and the ability to empathize with human weakness, offering sacrifices for sins. It then presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest, not self-appointed, but called by God after the order of Melchisedec. Christ learned obedience through suffering, becoming the author of eternal salvation for all who obey Him. The chapter concludes with a sharp rebuke to the readers for their spiritual immaturity, likening them to babes needing milk instead of strong doctrine.

The chapter begins by defining the role of a high priest, stating that he is chosen from among men to serve God on behalf of humanity, offering sacrifices for sins. Such a priest must possess compassion for the ignorant, understanding their failings due to his own human infirmity, and must offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as the people's. This honour is not self-assumed but divinely bestowed, as exemplified by Aaron. The text then transitions to Jesus Christ, asserting that He did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but was appointed by God, fulfilling prophecies that declared Him "a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." During His earthly life, Christ offered fervent prayers and supplications, learning obedience through His suffering, and was perfected to become the author of eternal salvation for all who obey Him. However, the author expresses difficulty in elaborating further on this profound doctrine due to the readers' spiritual dullness. He admonishes them for their immaturity, indicating that they ought to be teachers but instead require re-instruction in the basic principles of God's word, being fit only for "milk" rather than "strong meat" suitable for the spiritually mature.

Hebrews chapter 5 commences by establishing the fundamental characteristics of a high priest chosen from among men. This individual is ordained to mediate between God and humanity, offering gifts and sacrifices for the atonement of sins. A crucial aspect of his role is the capacity for compassion towards those who are ignorant or err, stemming from his own shared human infirmity, which necessitates him offering sacrifices for his own sins in addition to those of the people. The author emphasizes that this esteemed office is not taken by personal ambition, but is a divine calling, drawing a parallel to Aaron's appointment. The discourse then pivots to the person of Jesus Christ, asserting that He did not elevate Himself to the position of High Priest. Rather, His high priesthood was divinely ordained, as evidenced by God's declarations, "Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee," and "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." During His earthly sojourn, Christ demonstrated profound submission, offering earnest prayers and supplications with intense emotion to God, who possessed the power to save Him from death, and was heard due to His reverent fear. Despite His divine sonship, He underwent a process of learning obedience through the suffering He endured. Through this process, being made perfect, He became the ultimate source and author of eternal salvation for all who yield obedience to Him, having been explicitly called by God as a high priest after the order of Melchisedec. The author then expresses a significant challenge in continuing his exposition on this topic, lamenting the spiritual sluggishness of his audience. He sharply rebukes them for their lack of progress, stating that by this time, they should have matured sufficiently to be teachers themselves. Instead, they require foundational instruction in the elementary principles of God's oracles once more, indicating a regression to a state where they can only digest "milk" rather than "strong meat." The text clarifies that "milk" is for those unskilled in the word of righteousness, characterizing them as spiritual babes, whereas "strong meat" is reserved for the spiritually mature, whose senses are honed through practice to discern between good and evil.