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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS

CHAPTER FIVE:
“A HIGH PRIEST LIKE MELCHIZEDEK”

Key Word: Installation
Theme Verse: 10

Hebrews 5:1-3 – The Appointment of Priests

HE5:1 For every high priest from among humans 157 is appointed over humans in matters pertaining to The God, 158 so that he may bear gifts toward The God as well as sacrifices regarding sins. 159

157	For every high priest from among humans: Or, KJV: taken from among men; WEY: chosen as he is from among men; MOF: selected. Paul means a Hebrew priest.

158

Is appointed over humans in matters pertaining to The God: Or, KJV: ordained for men in things pertaining to God; RSV: to act on behalf of; GDS: is appointed to represent is fellowmen in their relations to God; WMS: is appointed to officiate on behalf of men in matters relating to God. [Exodus 40:13] These “matters” are those of worship and atonement.

159	He may bear gifts toward The God as well as sacrifices regarding sins: [KJV] Or, NOR: it is his business to make offerings; WEY: sin-offerings. [Leviticus 5:6; see notes on Hebrews 8:3]

HE5:2 [Such a priest] is able to treat with moderation 160 those who are ignorant and erring 161 since he is also encompassed by his own weaknesses. 162

160

[Such a priest] is able to treat with moderation: Or, Who can have compassion on; ASV: bear gently; RHM: a measure of feeling; WEY: bear patiently; TCN: sympathize. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #3356 describes this “moderation” [or, compassion] as “one who is not unduly disturbed by the errors, faults, sins of others, but bears them gently.”

161

Those who are ignorant and erring: Or, KJV: the ignorant and on them that are out of the way; TCN: ignorant and deluded; GDS: and misguided; PME: and foolish; BER: and wayward; BAS: those who have no knowledge and for those who are wandering from the true way. We are the “ignorant and erring” just as those under the Law of Moses.

162

Since he is also encompassed by his own weaknesses: [MON] Or, KJV: compassed with infirmity; WEY: beset with infirmity; BER: liable to weakness; PME: he is himself prone to human weakness. Compare notes on Hebrews 2:18 and Hebrews 4:15. When sinners approach him with their sin-offerings he is aware of his own sins and must also offer up his own sin-offerings.

HE5:3 He is, therefore, obligated to bring forward offerings for his own sins as well as the people. 163

163

Obligated to bring forward offerings for his own sins as well as the people: Or, WEY: required; PME: on his own personal behalf as well as one behalf of those whom he represents. [Leviticus 9:7; 16:6; Malachi 2:7] Had this letter been written after the end of Hebrew priestly sacrifices in 70 CE, this line of thought would have been moot.

Hebrews 5:4-6 – Christ, Like Aaron, Called by God

HE5:4 Also, no one takes this honor on himself, but is rather called by The God just as was Aaron. 164

164

No one takes this honor on himself, but is rather called by The God just as was Aaron: [KJV] Or, NOR: no one of his own accord assumes this honor; BER: no one appropriates; NEB: arrogates; MOF: it is an office which no one elects to take for himself; WEY: but only accepts it when called to it by God. It would seem as of the writing priests were still be appointed. Thus, it was written before 70 CE. [2 Chronicles 26:18; Exodus 28:1] Paul speaks of the Jewish priests and not the “called” among the Saints.

HE5:5 And just so the Christ did not glorify himself in order to become a High Priest, 165 but rather the One who spoke to him, 166 said: “You are my Son. I, today, I have given birth to you.” 167 [Psalm 2:6]

165

And just so the Christ did not glorify himself in order to become a High Priest: Or, WEY: did not claim; NEB: did not confer upon himself; RSV: did not exalt himself; KNX: did not raise himself to the dignity of the high priesthood. There are two reasons for this: Jesus was not of the priestly tribe; and, this was left to God his Father. Imagine a God who could not appoint himself as a priest unto himself? [John 8:54]

166	But rather the One who spoke to him: Or, KNX: it was God that raised him to it, when he said.

167

You are my Son. I, today, I have given birth to you: Or, KJV: have I begotten thee; NWT: become your father. Paul quotes Psalm 2:7 here. He also quoted this in a Hebrew synagogue at Acts 13:33 and applied it to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This text has already been quoted in Hebrews 1:5. Compare notes on Romans 1:4. It should be kept in mind that God also uttered something similar at Christ’s baptism and transfiguration.

HE5:6 Just as He also says in another place, “You are a priest forever according to the lineage of Melchizedek.” 168 [Psalm 110:3]

168

You are a priest forever according to the lineage of Melchizedek: [KNX] Or, KJV: a priest for ever; RHM: a priest age-abiding, according to the rank of; TCN: the order of; NOR: the rank of; NEB: in succession of; KNX: in the line of. Paul quotes Psalm 110:4. The verse is referenced again at Hebrews 7:17. As it turned out Messiah is of the lineage of Melchizedek who some think to have been Shem.

Hebrews 5:7-10 – Son Perfected by Learned Obedience

HE5:7 In the days of his flesh 169 [the Son] made supplications and petitions 170 toward the One able to save him from death. 171

169

In the days of his flesh: [KJV] Or, TCN: days of his earthly life; WMS: human life; BEC: humble life on earth; PME: when he was a man on earth. Jesus was not a god-man, or a phantom spirit inhabiting a materialized body. [Philippians 2:5-7] Jesus the Nazarene was an anthropod [or, in Latin, a hominid]. See notes on antichrist in First John. The “days of his flesh” was that period Paul has mentioned earlier in chapter two, that time Christ was “less than angels.”

170	Made supplications and petitions: Or, KJV: prayers and supplications; RHM: entreaties; BER: prayers and petitions; BAS: requests. Compare Luke 22:44. Jesus the Nazarene prays to The God.

171	The One able to save him from death: [KJV] Or, NEB: deliver him from the grave. Jesus could not save himself from death. Many are the references that it was God who raised Jesus out of death. [Acts 10:40] The idea that God would have to be saved is absurd.

HE5:8 With strong outcries and tears borne toward [God] he was favorably heard, 172 and as a Son, he learned obedience from those things he suffered. 173

172

With strong outcries and tears borne toward [God] he was favorably heard: Or, KJV: with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death and was heard in that he feared; TCN: earnest cries; MOF: bitter cries; WEY: crying aloud and weeping as he pleaded; LAM: vehement cries; KNX: a piercing cry; PME: desperate prayer and the agony of tears; NEB: to God who was able to deliver him from the grave. Paul’s missionary companion was the Christian physician Luke who composed Luke 22:44. This seems proof Paul is the author of the epistle to the Hebrews. Jesus must find favor with God to whom he prays with that earnest which turns sweat into blood.

173

As a Son, he learned obedience from those things he suffered: [KJV] Or, PME: he had to prove the meaning of obedience through all that he suffered; BEC: what it means to obey; BAS: through the pain which he underwent, the knowledge came to him of what it was to be under God’s orders. The Son had something to learn or experience. [God cannot learn anything. He certainly does not need to learn obedience!] See notes on Matthew 26:39. [Philippians 2:5-9]

HE5:9 And having become perfected 174 he became the One responsible for causing everlasting salvation [Isaiah 45:17] to all those obeying. 175

174

Having become perfected: [KJV] Or, ASV: made perfect; CON: when his consecration was accomplished; NOR: finished his task; GDS: when he was fully qualified. The word “perfect” here is from TELOS [end] which may mean complete, consummated, mature, or in relation to a priest, inaugurated, installed, empowered, or, consecrated to office. Compare Leviticus 8:33 and Leviticus 21:10.

175

He became the One responsible for causing everlasting salvation to all those obeying: Or, KJV: the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; RHM: Author of salvation age-abiding; MON: the source of enduring salvation; KNX: for all those who render obedience. Paul teaches that salvation is dependent, or conditioned, upon obedience. [John 3:35] The phrase “everlasting salvation” may be drawn from Isaiah 45:17 where SOTERIAN AIONION is similar to Paul’s SOTERIAS AIONIOU.

HE5:10 He was designated by The God a High Priest after the lineage of Melchizedek. 176

176

He was designated by The God a High Priest after the lineage of Melchizedek: [MOF] Or, KJV: called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec; ALF: addressed; CON; named; TCN: pronounced; WMS: he had received from God the title of; AMP: designated and recognized and saluted by God as. He does not declare himself such, but God does.

Hebrews 5:11-14 – Hard to Explain to Babes

HE5:11 Regarding [this High Priest] we have a message for you but it is hard to interpret 177 since you have become sluggish in your hearing. 178

177

Regarding [this High Priest] we have a message for you but it is hard to interpret: Or, KJV: of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered; RHM: great is our discourse; RSV: much to say; TCN: no on this subject I have much to say; PME: there is a great deal that we should like to say about this priesthood; ASV: hard of interpretation; ABU: hard to be explained; GDS: it is difficult to make it clear to you. Some translators say “I” and some say “we.” The Greek favors “we” which indicates another involved in the production of the epistle to the Hebrews. It is possible this could have been Timothy [Hebrews 13:23] who is also included as a co-writer in other epistles. [Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; Philemon 1:1] It may also include Luke as above notes show. It is possible Paul dictated his letters to others, so that the writing style is mixed with the author as well as the record, or copyist.

178

Since you have become sluggish in your hearing: [NOR] Or, KJV: dull of hearing; WEY: dull of apprehension; CON: dull of understanding; TCN: slow to learn; WMS: dull in your spiritual senses; PME: so slow to grasp spiritual truth; NOR: sluggish in spiritual understanding; RHM: slothful. See notes on 2 Peter 3:16. Paul does not admit to writing in simplicity. What follows in Hebrews is “hard to understand.” On the matter of hearing compare notes on Hebrews 2:1. [NOTE: it would seem clear that Revelation had not yet been composed, as it would be much, much harder to understand.]

HE5:12 For there are those who ought to be teachers by now, 179 but you have a need to be taught by someone all over again 180 from the beginning the elementary principles of the sacred words 181 of The God. You have become those needing milk and not solid nourishment. 182

179

For there are those who ought to be teachers by now: [RHM] Or, MOF: though by this time you should be teaching other people; TCN: considering the time that has elapsed. Paul’s audience was likely made up largely of Hebrew men who had learned the elementary principles but made no further progress. In view of the time as Christians these men ought to have been teachers already. [2 Timothy 2:2; see notes on Ephesians 4:11, 12]

180

You have a need to be taught by someone all over again: [WMS] Or, MOF: you still need someone to teach you once more. Jesus commissioned his apostles to teach others [see notes on Matthew 28:19] and then other qualified elders would teach others to become teachers. [2 Timothy 2:2] A degree of teaching lays a proper foundation for all those who approach baptism to become a disciple of the Nazarene.

181

From the beginning the elementary principles of the sacred words: Or, KJV: first principles of the oracles of God; ASV: rudiments of the first principles; MOF: the rudimentary principles of the divine revelation; WMS: the very elements of the truths that God has given us; BAS: first simple rules; TCN: the very alphabet; PME: the ABC of God’s revelation. Paul will go on to explain these first principles, or basic truths. [See notes on Hebrews 6:1.] On the phrase “sacred words” compare Acts 7:38; see notes on Romans 3:2; 1 Peter 4:11.

182

You have become those needing milk and not solid nourishment: Or, KJV: and are become such ass have need of milk, and not strong meat; WMS: constant need of milk instead of solid food; PME: you have become people who need a milk diet and cannot face solid food. The milk are those “elementary principles” a disciple learns first; “solid food” those words “hard to interpret” mentioned above. [1 Corinthians 3:2]

HE5:13 For every person partaking of milk is really unfamiliar with the word of righteousness 183 because they remain babies. 184

183

For every person partaking of milk is really unfamiliar with the word of righteousness: Or, KJV: is unskillful; ASV: without experience; WEY: imperfectly acquainted; NAS: not accustomed to; BER: inexperienced in the doctrine; GDS: unacquainted with Christian teaching; BEC: doesn’t have enough experience to talk of what is right. Those who have not advanced beyond “elementary principles” do not really know the Bible yet. There are those who insist only the fundamentals are required or important. Such is still a spiritual baby and in no position to dictate what is or what is not right concerning the Word. [1 Corinthians 13:11; see notes on Ephesians 4:14] Unfortunately, the vast majority of modern Christians fit this category, along with many evangelists and pastors who fail to teach the “solid food” of God’s Word.

184	They remain babies: Or, BER: infant; PME: simply has not grown up. Compare 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 and characteristics which mark spiritual babies – jealousy and strife.

HE5:14 However, solid nourishment belongs to mature persons, 185 those who through the use of their sensory organs 186 have been trained like an athlete 187 to be able to distinguish between what is good or bad. 188

185	Solid nourishment belongs to mature persons: Or, KJV: are of full age; ASV: full-grown men; BEC: grown-up people; NEB: grown men; TCN: Christians of mature faith. Paul goes on to explain how maturity is attained and characterized. On maturity see the notes on Ephesians 4:13. [Philippians 3:15, 16]

186	Those who through the use of their sensory organs: [RHM] Or, KJV: those who by reason of use have their senses exercised; TCN: faculties; NOR: senses. Their powers of thought and reason. This requires experience or time.

187

Have been trained like an athlete: Or, KJV: exercised; RHM: trained; TCN: trained by practice; NOR: habitually in training. The Greek word here for “athlete” is GEGYMNASMENA [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #1128] and literally refers to a “gymnast” and the rigorous training required to become such. This training is found in the time spent in “the word of righteousness” as well as its exercise in experiential use.

188

To be able to distinguish between what is good or bad: [TCN] Or, KJV: discern both good and evil; RHM: discriminating. The mature Christian does need to always ask others what is right or wrong for they had studied the Bible well enough to know. This has some bearing on the conscience. [See Biblical Article God and Your Conscience.] Compare notes on Romans 2:15, 16.

Review Questions on Chapter Five

Summary of Chapter Five

Paul describes a high priest and why he is able to help others. Like Aaron, Christ was “called” to the priesthood, and Paul quotes two verses in the Psalms to prove this. Paul describes how the Son learned obedience and then become an agent for salvation to those who obey. Paul explains why these Hebrews are having difficulty understanding these hard words. He concludes by discussing Christian infancy and maturity.