The Epistles · Chapter 5 of 13

Hebrews 5

Every high priest is chosen from among men and can deal gently with the wayward because he too is weak. No one takes this honor on himself; God appoints him. So Christ did not seize the priesthood but was called by God, a priest after the order of Melchisedec. In his flesh he prayed with strong crying, learned obedience through suffering, and became the author of eternal salvation. The writer then rebukes spiritual dullness.

What happens in Hebrews 5

The author defines what a high priest is: taken from among men, appointed by God, able to have compassion because he shares human weakness, and offering sacrifices for sins. He shows Christ meets this pattern in a higher way. Christ did not glorify himself but was appointed by the Father, who declared, Thou art my Son, and named him a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. In the days of his flesh Jesus offered up prayers with strong crying and tears to the One able to save him, and was heard.

Though a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered, and being made perfect became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him. The chapter turns to rebuke: the readers have become dull of hearing, needing milk when they ought to be teachers, unable to handle the strong meat of deeper truth.

Hebrews 5 in context

Hebrews now develops its central theme, Christ as high priest, introduced at the end of chapter four. Written to Jewish believers who understood the Aaronic priesthood, it argues that Jesus fulfills and surpasses it.

The reference to Melchisedec, drawn from Genesis 14 and Psalm 110, opens a comparison paused here and resumed in chapter seven. The closing rebuke about immaturity sets up the solemn warning of chapter six.

Main themes of Hebrews 5

Hebrews 5 (KJV)

1For 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: 2Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. 3And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5So 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. 6As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 7Who 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; 8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. 11Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12For 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. 13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14But 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.

Verses to carry from Hebrews 5

“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

“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;”Hebrews 5:8

“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”Hebrews 5:9

Reflection

Jesus prayed with strong crying and tears and learned obedience through suffering. Your hardest obedience is not a sign God has left you; it may be where you meet him most. Are you drifting into dullness, or pressing on? Bring your tears to the priest who understands them, and keep growing.

A prayer from Hebrews 5