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:
Verse 1
The meaning is, that every human high priest is ordained for the service and benefit of men in respect to their religious duties.
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.
Verse 4
This honor; the office of high priest.
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.
Verse 6
The quotation is from Hebrews 5:6; Psalms 110:4. It represents the Messiah as made a high priest by the declaration of God. The nature of the parallel intended to be drawn between Christ and Melchisedec is more fully explained in the Hebrews 7:1-13.
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;
Verse 7
Who; that is, Christ.--In the days of his flesh; of his life upon the earth.--Heard, in that he feared; in respect to that which he feared. (Luke 22:41-43.)
8.
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Verse 8
Yet learned he obedience, &c. he learned by experience the lesson of obedience in suffering.
9.
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Verse 9
Being made perfect; being raised to his state of exaltation and glory.
10.
Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Verse 10
Called of God, &c.; as before explained, in Hebrews 5:6.
11.
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
Verse 11
Dull of hearing; slow of understanding.
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.
Verse 12
The oracles of God; the revealed will of God.
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.
Verse 14
Strong meat; substantial food,--referring to the difficult truths alluded to in Hebrews 5:11 .