Hebrews Chapter Five
Hebrews 5:1-2 - The chapter in our study has changed, but the context has not. We are still talking about our great, compassionate high priest Jesus Christ. The first word in this chapter ties to the previous chapter. Here are the two passages we are going to look at in this article: “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: 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” (Hebrews 5:1-2).
Under the Law of Moses there was a high priest (Leviticus 21:10) also known as the chief priest (Numbers 3:32). The priests of God, under the Law of Moses, were sanctified (Leviticus 8:1-9:24). The priests of God, under the Law of Moses, were appointed to deal with matters pertaining to God (Deuteronomy 10:8, Deuteronomy 21:1-9, and I Chronicles 23:13). The priests of old offered gifts and sacrifices for sins (Exodus 30:1-10, Leviticus 4:1-35, and Leviticus 7:1-38). The Jews that were knowledgeable regarding the Law of Moses would have known these things. There was still a high priest in the first century (Acts 4:6).
We have already studied about Jesus being our great high priest. First century Jewish Christians needed to understand that Jesus replaced the system of the priesthood they were accustomed to. His priesthood is greater. His priesthood is eternal. In addition to those truths, what Jesus did and does as our high priest was and is greater than any other man. Later in this epistle, we will read this about our great high priest: “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises” (Hebrews 8:1-6). What is outstanding about the above quote is the establishment of the fact that Jesus couldn’t do what He did/does if He were still among men. That was something Jews needed to adjust to in understanding.
A high priest being from among men helped that high priest to have compassion. Jesus is in Heaven at the time these things were written and He is obviously still there. However, Jesus did live in the flesh and because of that He is equipped with compassion for what it is to live in the flesh. We have already studied those facts (Hebrews 2:9-18 and Hebrew 4:14-16). His life in the flesh enabled Him to have compassion on the ignorant.
So, what does it mean to have compassion on the ignorant? We know that ignorance is not an excuse or license for sin (Acts 17:16-31). When ignorance leads to sin, repentance and conversion must take place to correct that sin with God (Acts 3:11-26). There has long been a difference between sins of ignorance and those that sin presumptuously (Numbers 15:29-31). A rebellious person is evil (Proverbs 17:11). Such a person was dealt with swiftly under the Law of Moses (Joshua 1:18). Similarly, a rebellious person is cast out from among the saints under the law of Christ (II Thessalonians 3:6-15 and Titus 3:9-11). Our Father in Heaven doesn’t hear the prayers of such individuals (Proverbs 28:9, Isaiah 1:1-20, Isaiah 59:1-3, John 9:31, and I Peter 3:12). Now, let’s consider Jesus’ compassion on the ignorant.
The word translated “compassion” in Hebrews 5:2 does not appear in any other New Testament Scripture. Part of the definition of that term reads: “of one who is not unduly disturbed by the errors, faults, sins of others, but bears them gently” (Strong’s # 3356). We see that in our Savior Jesus Christ (Matthew 9:35-38). We might do well to think of this word “compassion” as “forbearance” (Romans 3:24-25) with all that comes with the subject (i.e. Romans 2:1-4). To understand His compassion on the ignorant, consider how Jesus dealt with Saul [Paul] (Acts 7:51-8:3, Acts 9:1-20, and I Timothy 1:12-16). Jesus understands weakness.
The word translated infirmity in the passage we are studying means: “Feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty: — disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness…” (Strong’s # 769). Jesus was surrounded by infirmities of the flesh while He was on earth (Matthew 8:5-17, Luke 5:15, Luke 8:1-2, John 5:1-17, etc.). He knows that the human body is frail. He knows what those weaknesses can do to man. Therefore, He has compassion for what it means to live with the struggles of physical life in this world.
Taking into consideration all that we’ve studied in this chapter and the previous chapters, we can conclude that Jesus knows what we face and is understanding because of that. On the night of His death, during His own time of mental anguish (Matthew 26:30-46), He told the disciples that the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41).
Having said all of that, we must be sure not to think that our understanding high priest can be taken advantage of. As much as He knows how difficult life in this world can be, He also knows you can live this life without fault (Hebrews 7:19-28). He gave His life to wash us from our sins with His own blood (Revelation 1:5). That was His part. Our part, once cleansed from our sins, is to stay clean (I Thessalonians 4:7 and I Timothy 5:22).
Last week we covered much of what was written in the first two verses of Hebrews chapter five. In the second verse there is a phrase that was not covered. Before we get to that phrase, let me remind you of the verse we are going to examine a bit more. The second verse of this chapter says: “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” (Hebrews 5:2). We covered compassion on the ignorant. We covered that the priest, which contextually is Jesus, was compassed with infirmity. We did not cover “them that are out of the way.”
So, who are those that are out of the way? If we look back to the days of Moses on the mount, we can find this example: “And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD. And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt” (Exodus 32:1-8).
Moses and Solomon taught about being out of the way: “Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known… The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead” (Deuteronomy 11:26-28 and Proverbs 21:16).
After the days of Moses and Joshua, we find this: “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed. Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so” (Judges 2:11-17).
The prophets declared: “But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean… For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law” (Isaiah 28:7-8 and Malachi 2:7-9).
With our context and what we have been able to read in the Scriptures above, we are seeing that the high priest is able to have compassion on those that have turned away from the commandments of the Lord. As Jesus is our high priest, we certainly see that in Him (Luke 19:1-10). Jesus taught that there is a way of return for those whom were among the saved and then later lost (Luke 15:1-32). He taught the necessity of repentance (Luke 13:1-5). He did not teach a one and you are done doctrine regarding sin. He had His apostles continue that teaching after He left this earth (Acts 2:1-41, Acts 3:19, and Acts 26:18-20). We even see that whole congregations that have erred have an opportunity to turn back into the way and be right with the Lord (Revelation 2:1-7, Revelation 2:12-22, and Revelation 3:14-22).
If you take all that we studied in last week’s article and add this to it, we should be eternally grateful that our great high priest is our advocate. Furthermore, we should be thankful that if we were to err, we are not entirely without hope to be saved. I know that I am also thankful that I can teach those whom have turned aside that they can recover themselves from the snare of the devil (II Timothy 2:24-26).
Hebrews 5:3-6 - In the overall context, we are studying about the priesthood of Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16). In the immediate context, we are talking about “every high priest taken from among men” (Hebrews 5:1). The verses we are going to examine in this study are these: “And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 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. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” (Hebrews 5:3-6).
As we have studied already, the high priest had compassion because of their own life experiences (Hebrews 5:2). Jesus lived in this world and because of what He faced, He has the experience of life in this world that helps Him be our perfect high priest. One of the differences that separate Jesus from the high priests that served before His time was that they offered sacrifices for their own sins (Leviticus 4:1-35, Leviticus 9:1-24, Leviticus 16:1-11, and Hebrews 9:1-7). Jesus never sinned (I Peter 2:21-22). Therefore, He did not have to offer a sacrifice for His own sin (Hebrews 7:19-28).
Jesus’ offering for sin was also different. The best way for us to see this is by reading what is later written in this letter. Notice: “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:1-14).
What hasn’t changed about the high priest is that whosoever serves as the high priest is called by God to do so. Aaron and his descendants were chosen by God to serve (Exodus 28:1 and Numbers 18:1-5). When man tried to take that honor by himself, the consequences were severe (Numbers 16:1-50, Numbers 18:6-7, and II Chronicles 26:1-23). Like Aaron and his sons, Jesus was appointed by the Father for the tasks set before Him (Luke 22:29).
To set forth the point, the Hebrew writer referenced a Psalm (Psalms 2:7). In fact, the same reference was made at the beginning of this epistle (Hebrews 1:1-5). Jesus came into this world to do the work that His Father required of Him (John 4:34). That ties to another difference between Jesus and the priests that preceded Him in that office. The other priests were not the begotten sons of God. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God (John 1:1-18, John 3:16-18, and I John 4:9).
Jesus didn’t come into this world seeking the glory of men by holding some office among men (John 6:15). Jesus was not a glory seeker (John 7:15-18). Jesus taught this: “Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God” (John 8:54). Notice what Peter said about Jesus when he wrote about the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:1-13, and Luke 9:28-36) of Christ: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount” (II Peter 1:16-18).
After establishing that Jesus did not glorify Himself in taking over the office of the high priest, the Hebrew writer takes us back to the origin of the priesthood Jesus serves in. Unlike Aaron’s decedents, Jesus is a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. This is what He was called for (Hebrews 5:10). This appointment is forever (Hebrews 6:20). As we get further into this letter, we will examine the priesthood of Melchisedec a bit more in depth and the place of Jesus therein (Hebrews 7:1-17).
Having considered all of these things, we should have a great appreciation that Jesus came into this world in the flesh to be our High Priest. He understands what we go through. He isn’t in the office to occupy a seat. He is there because He was chosen to ever serve in that office. When we pray, we come to our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:17 and I Timothy 2:5). By Christ, we are able to come boldly before our Father (Hebrews 10:19-23). Take some time to consider and be thankful for that!
Hebrews 5:7 - We have been studying about our high priest Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:14-5-6). In the verse we are going to study in this article we are continuing that study. Here is the Scripture we will be studying in this article: “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” (Hebrews 5:7).
When we consider the days when Jesus was in the flesh, we are talking about His years on this earth. It is no mystery to us who are in Christ that He, being deity, lived in human flesh on this earth (Matthew 1:18-25, John 1:1-14, Romans 1:3, Romans 8:1-3, and Romans 9:1-5). We have been studying how that makes Him our perfect high priest. Now we get to think about a few more relevant details of His life in this world.
While Jesus was in the flesh He offered up prayers (Matthew 14:22-23, Luke 6:12, and John 17:1-26). The writer of this letter also states Jesus offered up supplications. The Greek word “ἱκετηρία” means: “Intreaty: — supplication. An olive branch; for suppliants approached the one whose aid they would implore holding an olive branch entwined with white wool and fillets, to signify that they came as suppliants; supplication” (Strong’s # 2428). It is very hard to say much on that. This word only appears this one time in the New Testament. What we can understand is that Jesus sought aid from our Father in prayer.
As we tie all of that together and consider Jesus’ strong crying and tears in prayer unto the Father, we have to talk about Jesus’ prayer the night He was betrayed. Notice: “Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me” (Matthew 26:36-46; cf. Mark 14:32-42 and Luke 22:39-46).
The Hebrew writer, without doubt, was referring to what you just read. For anyone to read that and think that Jesus was unafraid is inconceivable. He knew what was coming in the moments ahead of Him while He was praying to our Father (Matthew 16:21, Matthew 20:17-19, and Matthew 26:20-35). Jesus knew He had to go through with it regardless of the fears He was facing (John 4:34). Since Jesus knew that and willingly carried out His Father’s will. It can be said that Jesus fulfilled all that the prophets prophesied concerning Him (Acts 3:18). Think about how it was prophesied that Jesus was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). It was foretold that He would be put to grief (Isaiah 53:10).
The penman of this letter recorded that Jesus prayed to Him who was able to save Him from death. That was certainly true (Mark 14:36). However, Jesus was not without freewill in what He was going to face. Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10:11-18).
The Hebrew writer also stated that Jesus was heard in that He feared. There is a lot to consider in that statement. In brief, think about our Father’s presence in the life of His only begotten Son, during a time of fear. Jeremiah wrote of a time when he was imprisoned and how that God heard him in a time of his fears (Lamentations 3:55-57; cf. Jeremiah 38:6). The faithful can come to our Father with our burdens (Psalms 56:1-4 and I Peter 5:7). That does not mean deliverance from what is to come. Jesus knew that as we’ve already considered. As you go back to that night of betrayal and arrest when Jesus was in prayer, after His time in prayer, He was ready to go forward unto His horrific death.
If we learn from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ about prayer, we can know we have a Father that hears us in our difficult times (Proverbs 15:29 and I Peter 3:12). What we will discuss going forward is that prayer did not relieve Jesus of what was expected of Him. The same is true for us. Thankfully, our high priest understands all of that from His experiences.
Hebrews 5:8-10 - We have read about the mental anguish Christ went through while on this earth (Hebrews 5:7). What comes next in this context is very interesting. This is what we will address in this study: “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec” (Hebrews 5:8-10).
Jesus is the only begotten Son of God (John 1:1-14, John 3:16-18, and I John 4:7-9). Being the only begotten Son of God meant some things for Jesus. As this epistle addresses, He was given authority as the Son of God (Hebrews 1:1-13 and Hebrews 3:1-6). He knew His Father intimately. He is the only person that lived in the flesh on this earth that has seen God the Father (John 1:18 and I John 4:12). He is the only way for us to know the Father (John 14:6). Jesus did not have to learn to be willing to be obedient. A willingness to obey was part of His character (John 5:30 and John 6:38). Yet, Jesus had things to learn. Obedience was not a trait He had just because He was the only begotten of the Father. Suffering and dying were part of the process that taught Him obedience.
Think about this: “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second” (Hebrews 10:1-9).
Ah, is your brain working on this? Many people are initially willing to obey God (Luke 9:57-62). What happens though when action is required? What happens when suffering through things becomes part of that process of obedience? In the “Parable of the Sower”, we read this: “And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended” (Mark 4:17). Now think about what we studied in Hebrews 5:7. Jesus’ major test of obedience was when obeying the Father came down to suffering through something He did not want to do. Sure, He had previously been tested. In fact, Satan directly tested Him (Matthew 4:1-11). Suffering through the painful death Jesus knew was coming was much more than what Satan did to Him. So, the all-knowing Savior we serve learned obedience through the experience of obedience in a time of severe adversity.
Once Jesus was made perfect, complete; He then became the source of Salvation through His sufferings (Luke 13:32 and Hebrews 2:9-10). We know that is a simplified statement. The resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith (I Corinthians 15:1-21). Salvation is not fully realized until the end (I Peter 1:1-9). Howbeit, the context here is focusing on the suffering and death of Christ. He suffered and died so the lost can be saved (Romans 4:24-25, Romans 5:6-11, and I Peter 3:18). Therefore, Christ is the source of salvation for the lost (Acts 15:11, I Thessalonians 5:9, II Timothy 3:15, and Hebrews 9:28).
There is then a key component that the writer of this book sets forth. Christ is the source of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. Paul penned these words to the saints in Rome: “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you” (Romans 6:17). Obedience to the will of God is a repeated truth throughout the entirety of the Scriptures (Genesis 18:19, Exodus 19:5, Joshua 24:15-24, Nehemiah 1:5, Psalms 119:1-2, Psalms 119:97-105, Proverbs 19:16, Isaiah 1:10-20, Matthew 7:13-27, Matthew 12:46-50, Luke 6:43-46, Luke 11:28, John 8:28-32, John 14:15-23, James 2:10-12, II John 1:6-9, and Revelation 22:14). The other side of that is that there will be eternal punishment for those whom disobey the words of Christ (Matthew 25:31-46, Mark 16:15-16, Romans 2:3-11, II Thessalonians 1:7-9, and Hebrews 10:26-39).
If there were any Jews, who had received this letter, that thought Salvation was a given; this message makes it clear that obedience is a necessity for salvation. There could not and cannot be any confusion when we think of our compassionate high priest being our Savior. He is not a pushover. The righteous are barely saved (I Peter 4:17-19). So, that point needed to be made clear. After that clarification, the point of the priesthood of Christ is then brought back into the thought.
Our great high priest was called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. This was already taught in the context (Hebrews 4:14-5:6). It will be raised throughout our studies going forward. It does certify that Jesus is the hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entered into Heaven for us (Hebrews 6:19-20). What the Jewish Christian needed to be taught and reminded of is that this priesthood predated and will eternally outlast the priesthood that existed through Aaron’s descendants (Hebrews 7:1-28). For us, we realize our source of Salvation is unchanging going forward. Our hope is sure!
Hebrews 5:11 - This letter has given much to the reader to help in understanding more about Jesus. We have been reading about the priesthood of our Savior in our recent studies. There is much more that could have been written. Yet, we are about to have a pause in the subject matter of the priesthood of Christ. There is a problem that needed to be addressed. The Holy Spirit had these words penned: “Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing” (Hebrews 5:11).
The point we are looking at in this study is very important. The focus of teaching is often on the message. The message is certainly important (Psalms 19:7 and Romans 1:16). The truth has to be taught for people to have the opportunity to be saved (John 8:31-32, Romans 6:17, Colossians 1:5, I Thessalonians 2:13, II Timothy 2:24-26, James 1:18-25, and I Peter 1:21-25). The Scripture that we are studying is also important when it comes to the hearer. Is the hearer ready to hear? Is the heart of the hearer properly prepared?
The word of God can be readily available to someone so that person or persons can obey it (Deuteronomy 30:14). Yet, if the heart of that person or persons is not prepared, the word of God will not be effective. Think about Jesus’ Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:1-15). When the word of God was able to take root and bear fruit, the heart of the hearer was prepared to learn. Notice: “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15).
Under the Law of Moses, Israel was told to set their hearts unto the words that were taught to them (Deuteronomy 32:46). Yet, future generations failed in this. In the days of the prophet Jeremiah, we see that the children of Israel obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart (Jeremiah 11:8). They had become an evil people that refused to hear the words of the Lord (Jeremiah 13:10). The hearts of the people were not properly prepared to hear the word of God (II Chronicles 20:33 and Zechariah 7:12).
The preparation of the student of the word of God was significant when Jesus was the teacher. Notice: “And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples… I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now” (Mark 4:33-34 and John 16:12). When the erring in Corinth were being addressed, Paul wrote: “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men” (I Corinthians 3:1-3)?
Besides those points that we have just covered, let’s think about the phrase “hard to be uttered.” If you take the time to open up Strong’s dictionary, you find that part of the definition of this phrase is: “difficult to explain” (Strong’s # 1421). Things concerning Jesus were hard to explain because the people being addressed were dull of hearing. The word translated “dull” is defined as this: “sluggish, i.e. (literally) lazy, or (figuratively) stupid: — dull, slothful. Slow, sluggish, indolent, dull, languid” (Strong’s # 3576). That Greek word is used in the next chapter of this letter and is translated “slothful” (Hebrews 6:12).
The idea being conveyed here is similar to one wherein Jesus was teaching two of His disciples after His resurrection (Luke 24:13-35). In specific, notice Jesus’ statement from the aforementioned context: “Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken” (Luke 24:25). Unfortunately, this was not an isolated problem in the first century. Even after the disciples of Christ had witnessed His teachings, works, and such things; they were slow in believing our Lord (Mark 16:1-14).
Think of this statement as being something like the writer saying, “I cannot explain this to you because you are foolishly slow in believing the truth.” Remember, the churches of Galatia were soon removed from the Gospel of Christ to a perversion of said Gospel (Galatians 1:1-9). Among their problems was their reluctance of letting go of things contained in the Law of Moses. They held on to things of old, such as circumcision (Galatians 5:1-12 and Galatians 6:11-16). When Paul was attempting to correct them, he penned these words that illustrate the principle of being dull of hearing: “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith” (Galatians 3:1-5)?
Whether under the Law of Moses, the days of Jesus on earth, the time the Apostles taught, or even today; some people are just bent on being dull of hearing. Their hearts are not ready to learn. A willingness to hear the word of God just simply is not met with a willingness to believe it and act upon it. Don’t be that person!
Hebrews 5:12-14 - We have learned that the recipients of this letter were not ready to learn because they were dull of hearing (Hebrews 5:11). Now we learn this: “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. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 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” (Hebrews 5:12-14).
We should start off by noting that the writer of this book is not suggesting that everyone is capable of teaching. Even in the age of spiritual gifts, only “some” were capable of being teachers (I Corinthians 12:28-29 and Ephesians 4:11). If you do a word study on the term translated “teachers” (Strong’s # 1320), you will find that term is also translated “masters” in some passages. One of those passages instructs for some not to take on the work of being a teacher because of the judgment that comes on teachers (James 3:1). So, this writer was not suggesting that everyone there should have become teachers by the time he penned this letter. Now that we have the often false conclusion out of the way, let’s consider what is being taught.
The saints addressed in this epistle should have been more mature in knowledge than they were. As a Christian grows, there should be some maturity in knowledge. Enough maturity in knowledge that, he or she could instruct if he or she was capable of doing so. You see this in what Paul said to Titus about older Christian women. Notice: “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5). Those addressed in this epistle had not grown as they should have in knowledge (II Peter 3:18). The result of that lack of growth was that they were still spiritually babes. That is like saying a fifteen year old child needs breastfed. Something is wrong with that picture.
The penman of this letter establishes one of the problems with their lack of growth. A babe in knowledge is unskillful in the word of righteousness. It is a fact that those who attempt to teach, without the knowledge to do so, can do more harm than good. Before you read what I am about to quote, think about how someone may have a physical capability of teaching, but not the knowledge to do so. A father may be capable of bringing up his child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). However, he may be completely incapable of answering some Scriptural questions a person might have. Now, take note of Paul’s words to Timothy: “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm” (I Timothy 1:3-7).
Strong meat and milk are carnal illustrations to teach this spiritual point. There should be no need for explanation there. Milk is for the babe (I Peter 2:1-2). Strong meat is for those whom are “of full age” (I Corinthians 14:20 and Ephesians 4:13-14). Now, we need to remember that first century Christians were directly aided by the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:3-11 and I John 2:27). So, this passage isn’t telling them to study more Scriptures. Rather, the mature Christian is one who uses the knowledge given to them. They needed to mature in using spiritual discernment rather than their carnal knowledge (I Corinthians 2:14-3:3).
Bring this all together for a moment before we consider some applications for us today. For them, they needed to mature in Christ through application of the knowledge they had been given through teaching and through the Spirit of God. This was a wake up call. It wasn’t the Hebrew writer saying they were going to hit some restart button on teaching. The context will bear that out as they needed to leave the first principles and move on (Hebrews 6:1-3). It was time for them to grow up spiritually.
The applications for us today are a little different than a first century Christian may have had to experience. If one of us is not where we should be in maturity, we are going to have to spend time learning before we can move on to application. If knowledge isn’t in us, we are not going to get it directly from the Spirit of God. Help may be needed. That is when we can turn to those capable of teaching. We can learn. Like the Psalmist, we can then meditate upon the word of God, be wiser, and live what we learned (Psalms 119:97-105). The unlearned cannot just accept being indefinitely immature.
Being a babe in Christ makes a child of God vulnerable just like a physical baby in this world. A lack of knowledge makes it easy for a person to twist Scriptures to their own destruction (II Peter 3:15-17). A lack of knowledge makes it easy for a person to be misled by predators (II Timothy 3:1-7). A person without the ability to discern makes them naive and capable of being tricked (Romans 16:17-18). Whether then or now, saints need to grow through knowledge and proper application of that knowledge (II Peter 1:3-11)!