Hebrews Chapter 5 continues from the previous chapter, speaking about Jesus as the High Priest.
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Requirements of a High Priest
The chapter begins with the requirements of a high priest, saying that it should be someone who is appointed to represent the people and stand before God, giving gifts as well as sacrifices for sin.
The high priest should also be able to deal with those who are going astray because he understands human weakness himself. Because people are susceptible to sin, the sacrifices have to be made for the sin of his people.
Called by God
Paul said in Hebrews Chapter 5 that no one can take on the role of high priest himself. He needs to be called by God for the role, just as Aaron was. Jesus Christ did not take on this role Himself, but he too was called by God. The Lord said that Jesus was His son, and this was quoted from the book of Psalms in two different chapters.
Jesus’ Suffering Made Complete
During that time that Jesus was still on earth, He offered prayers to God, knowing that the Lord could have stopped His death and suffering. However, He remained obedient until the day He was made perfect. This is why He is now the source for eternal salvation.
Warnings against Falling Away
Paul then warned the Hebrews about falling away. He said that they already heard the Word of the Lord, yet they were slowly starting to slip away. They needed someone to teach them again and remind them about what it is they have to do.
He said that they were still like babies in Christ and they needed milk instead of solid food, referring to the Word. Paul explained that those who still needed milk do not know about the teachings of righteousness, but those who have solid food are mature and can distinguish good from evil.
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Hebrews 5 (King James Version)
1 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:
2 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.
3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
5 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.
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
7 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;
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12 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.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 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.