Hebrews 5:11-12a Concerning [Melchizedek] we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you…            After introducing the mysterious figure named Melchizedek in 5:6, 10—a priest-king during the days of Abraham circa 2000 BC (cf. Gen. 14), the author of Hebrews ...  Read More

Hebrews 5:7-10 In the days of His flesh, [Jesus] offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, 10 being designated b...  Read More

Hebrews 5:5-6 So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”; 6 just as He says also in another passage, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”            This context reveals how Jesus Christ met all the credentials set forth in the OT concerning the earthly high priest. First, “C...  Read More

Hebrews 5:1-4 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; 2 he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness; 3 and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, as for the people, so also for himself. 4 And no one takes the h...  Read More

Hebrews 5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins…            In the previous context, Jesus is depicted as the “great high priest,” one who can “sympathize with our weaknesses… tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (4:14-15). As the “great high priest,” Jesus is therefo...  Read More

Hebrews 4:16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.            The “therefore” in v. 16 draws a conclusion from what the author has previously stated. Since Christians have a “high priest,” Jesus, who “sympathizes” (Gr. sumpatheō) with the weaknesses of His people (sharing their feelings; understanding...  Read More

1 Timothy 2:5-7 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.The “for” that begins v. 5 is explanatory, explaining to Christians why the...  Read More

Hebrews 4:14-16 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy...  Read More

Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.           Hebrews 4:12 reflec...  Read More

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow…The epistle to the Hebrews is a sermon filled with biblical doctrine from the Old Testament (OT), examples from Jewish life, and exhortation to obey that which is being preached. In Hebrews 1, the author quotes from six differ...  Read More

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”            Having made clear that He has all authority, Jesus gives a universal call to “all who are weary and heavy laden,” or more literally...  Read More

Hebrews 4:11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.            Throughout chapters 3-4, the author of Hebrews speaks of “rest” as equivalent to salvation, for the “rest” he speaks of is a reference to fully trusting in Jesus Christ. Rest (Gr. katapausis) refers basically to ceasing from any action or work. As i...  Read More