Hebrews 5

Hebrews 5 delves into the roles and qualifications of high priests, particularly focusing on Jesus Christ as the ultimate high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. This chapter explains the compassionate and appointed nature of the high priest, and it compares and contrasts the earthly high priests with Christ, emphasizing His perfection and eternal priesthood.

Hebrews 5:1-7 (NKJV)
1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness.
3 Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins.
4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him, “You are My Son, today I have begotten You.”
6 As He also says in another place, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear,

Verses 1-7 highlights the qualifications and role of a high priest, focusing on their role as a mediator between God and humanity. A high priest is chosen from among men to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins, dealing compassionately with the ignorant and wayward because they, too, are subject to human weakness. Jesus, however, is set apart as a High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek," not based on hereditary lineage like the Levitical priests but through God’s direct appointment, as prophesied in Psalm 110:4. Melchizedek, introduced in Genesis 14, was both a king and a priest, foreshadowing Jesus' unique role as King of kings and eternal High Priest. As King, Jesus reigns with authority, righteousness, and peace; as Priest, He mediates between God and humanity, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. His earthly life, marked by prayers, supplications, and reverent submission to God, demonstrated His perfect obedience and dependence on the Father. Unlike earthly priests, His priesthood is eternal and perfect, ensuring complete reconciliation and peace for all who come to Him.

Hebrews 5:8-10 (NKJV)
8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”

In these verses, the author discusses the process through which Jesus, despite His divine sonship, learned obedience through His sufferings, which perfected His human experience. This perfection made Him the source of eternal salvation for those who follow Him. His appointment as a high priest in the line of Melchizedek, a priestly order that predates and transcends the Levitical priesthood, signifies a new and eternal dimension to His priesthood, differing fundamentally from traditional Jewish priests.

Hebrews 5:11-14 (NKJV)
11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

These concluding verses addresses the spiritual immaturity of believers who, though they have been taught the truths of God, have not progressed in their understanding. The author rebukes them for being "dull of hearing," indicating a lack of spiritual discernment and growth. Instead of advancing to deeper spiritual truths, they remain reliant on the "milk" of basic doctrines, unable to digest the "solid food" of more mature teachings. This immaturity hinders their ability to discern between good and evil, which is a hallmark of spiritual maturity. The passage calls believers to grow in faith and understanding, actively exercising their spiritual faculties through study, prayer, and obedience. Only by moving beyond foundational truths can they develop the discernment and strength needed to stand firm in the faith and live as mature followers of Christ.