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Hebrews Chapter
Seven
I.
Content of the Chapter
Christ is the High Priest, Who is Better
than Aaron (Ⅲ)
A. Melchizedek typifies Jesus Christ (v.1-10);
1. The person of Melchizedek is similar to the
Son of God (v.1-3).
2. Melchizedek receives
tithes Abraham, the patriarch of the Levite (v.4-10).
B. Jesus Christ has become High Priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek (v.11-28);
1. Jesus Christ is the High Priest who arises
according to the power of indissoluble life (v.11-19).
2. Jesus Christ is the High Priest who
continues ever (v.20-25).
3. Jesus Christ is the High Priest who is
higher than the heavens and fitting for us (v.26-28).
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Heb. 7:1
“For this Melchizedek, king of
YLT: “For this Melchisedek, king
of
Meaning of Words:
“Melchizedek”: the righteous king; “
Literal Meaning:
“this king Melchizedek, king of
“Priest of the Most High God”, “the Most
High God”: the only true God. At that time, the Canaanites worshipped the only
true God. However, it is still unknown that whether they knew the only true God
they worshipped was Jehovah, since there were no relevant documents for reference.
“Priest of…”, in the chief times, the patriarchs or chiefs were supposed as the
priests. Melchizedek was both a king as well as a priest without any record of beginning
of days or end of life, suggesting that he
always lives like the Son of God (see v.3), so he “remains
a priest continually” (see v.3).
“Who met Abraham returning from the
slaughter of the kings”, “the slaughter of the kings”, it pointed that Abraham
slaughtered the Chedorlaomer and the allied kings (Gen.
14:17, 9). Abram was the original name of Abraham (Gen. 17:5).
“Met…blessed him”, the king of Salem
Melchizedek brought bread and wine to receive and bless Abraham (Gen.
14:18-19).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The king of
2) Melchizedek is both king and priest, which
typifies that Jesus Christ is both king and High Priest. He is the king, who
represents God before men. And He is the priest, who represents men before God.
3) When we are in spiritual wars, the Lord
Jesus not only fulfills the ministry of priesthood and makes intercessions for
us but also provides us with bread and wine. Bread is for fullness and
strength. And wine is for regeneration and encouragement.
4) Our High Priest can sympathize with our
weakness. Therefore, let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:15-16).
5) After Abraham he had slaughtered the kings,
Melchizedek received and blessed him. Victory in spiritual war at a time does
not mean the end of war. Many believers yield to looseness and pride after
victory, thus the enemy catches the opportunity to take advantage of.
Therefore, we need more service of the Lord after victory.
Heb. 7:2 “to whom also Abraham gave
a tenth part of all, first being translated "king of righteousness,"
and then also king of
YLT:
“to whom also a tenth of all did Abraham divide, (first, indeed, being
interpreted, `King of righteousness,' and then also, King of
Meaning
of Words: “all”: all things, all
that he had obtained; “gave”: part, distribute;
Literal
Meaning:
“to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all”,
“of all”, of the spoils taken from the enemy
(see v.4; Gen. 14:16, 20); “a tenth”, the custom of giving tithe existed in the
times of patriarch (Gen. 14:20; 28:22). Afterwards, it was explicitly specified
in the Law of Moses that the tithe should be holy to Jehovah (Lev. 27:30).
“First being translated "king of righteousness"”, “first”: the name of Melchizedek; “being
translated”, the meaning of Melchizedek translated into the Hebrew in the Old
Testament and Greek in the New Testament is king of righteousness.
Righteousness means being just and upright to both God and men. Melchizedek
typifies that Christ is the king of righteousness (Is. 32:1), restoring the
relations between God and men and among men into a right condition.
“And then also king of
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) When the father of faith had obtained the
spoils, he did not forget to give tenth of his part to God. We believers who
are spiritual descendants of Abraham according to the faith of Abraham should
also not forget to give the part of God to Him when we are gifted by Him.
2) The Lord died on the cross to meet the
righteous requirement of God. Therefore, He has become our righteousness (1Cor.
1:30). We can only be justified before God (Titus 3:7).
3) The Lord is the king of righteousness. He
not only likes righteousness of Himself but also executes righteousness in the
land (Jer. 23:5; 33:15; Dan. 9:7; Rev. 19:11-16) and makes those who believe
Him seek righteousness (2Tim. 2:22).
4) The Lord is the king of righteousness and
king of peace. The
5) Righteousness brings into peace (Is. 32:17),
and peace leads to righteousness (Heb. 12:11). And righteousness and peace have
kissed each other (Ps. 85:10).
6) The Lord is the source of peace. Only though
Him can we have peace with God and men (Eph. 2:14-16) and enjoy the peace of
God.
7) The peace given by God is different from
that of the world (John 14:27). All those who are in Him and pray to Him will
receive the peace surpassing every understanding (John 16:33; Phil. 4:6-7).
Heb. 7:3 “without father, without
mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life,
but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.”
YLT:
“without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of
days nor end of life, and being made like to the Son of God, doth remain a
priest continually.”
Meaning
of Words: “days”: age, years; “made like”: assimilate closely;
Literal
Meaning:
“without father, without mother, without genealogy”,
“without father, without mother”, it
suggests that his birth was unknown. “Without genealogy”, any record of his
genealogy is found in the scriptures.
“Having neither beginning of days nor end of life”, “having neither
beginning of days”, he has no record of birth at all; “nor end of life”, there
is no record concerning his departure. Therefore, he is the type of the one who
exists in the beginning (John 1:1) and lives forever (see v.24-25).
“But made like the Son of God, remains a priest
continually”, “made like”, he is like the Son of God to a certain
degree. It indicates in this verse that Melchizedek is not the Son of God, and
he is taken as the type of the Son of God Jesus Christ on account of the
“similar points”.
In the Book of Genesis, all the significant
characters have genealogy except for Melchizedek, who appears only once without
any record of life or death (Gen. 14:17-20). Besides, he is the one outside of
the patriarchs of the Israelites. Therefore, he is fit to be chosen by God as
the type of the High Priest Jesus Christ in the New Testament 1) he is the high
priest who serves the people surpassing the races; 2) he is the honorable (who
is a king) high priest; 3) he is the high priest who lives forever.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Melchizedek is both the king and priest (see
v.1-2), who represents God (king) as well as men (priest). Therefore, he
appears to be like the image of the Son of God?? The best way for a believer to
be transfigured as the image of the Son of God (see Rom. 8:29 the original) is
to be a true “honorable priest” (1Pet. 2:9), who often preaches God to men, and
prays to bring men to God.
2) Believers have to honor their parents in the
flesh (Eph. 6:3) and provide for their own (1Tim. 5:8) and fulfill their
responsibilities. However, the more important is that all things shall be done
in the Lord (Eph. 6:1), so one shall not pay more attentions to his parents
than the Lord (see Matt. 10:37).
Heb. 7:4 “Now consider how great
this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.”
YLT:
“And see how great this one , to whom also a tenth Abraham the patriarch did
give out of the best of the spoils,”
Meaning
of Words: “the
spoils”:
best of the booty; “patriarch”: progenitor; “great”:
honorable;
Literal
Meaning: “now consider how great this man was…the
patriarch Abraham”, “the patriarch Abraham” is the earliest and greatest
forefather of the Hebrews (the Jews). He was the great-grandfather of Levi, and
Aaron was the sixth from him (Ex. 6:16, 18, 20).
“Gave a tenth of the spoils”, “the spoils”: the best booty after
selection;
“How great this man was”, “this man” refers to Melchizedek; “how great”:
he was even worthy of the devotion of the greatest forefather of the Hebrews,
Abraham.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Many examples of the predecessors recorded
in the Scriptures are for our imitation or admonition (see 1Cor. 10:11).
Therefore, we have to consider them and learn from them.
2) Abraham’s fear to God is even manifested
before Melchizedek who serves God. Let the elders who take the lead well be
esteemed worthy of double honor, specially those laboring in word and teaching
(1Tim. 5:17).
3) We give the “spoils” ---- what are given to
us by God ---- to God, who are worthy of “the spoils”. Let us not bring things
that become old by constant use or that are unoccupied to the church.
Otherwise, the church will become the place hoarding up secondhand goods.
Heb. 7:5 “And indeed those who are
of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive
tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren,
though they have come from the loins of Abraham;”
YLT:
“and those, indeed, out of the sons of Levi receiving the priesthood, a command
have to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, their
brethren, even though they came forth out of the loins of Abraham;”
Meaning
of Words: “priesthood”: the ministry as a
priest;
Literal
Meaning: “the sons of Levi”, only the sons of Aaron
among the Israelites in the Old Testament could fulfill the priesthood (Ex.
28:1; 1Chr. 6:49), and they are a house of the tribe of Levi (1Chr. 6:1-3).
“Receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the
people according to the law”, “have a commandment … according to the law”:
according to the commandment of the law of Moses; “receive tithes”, it
indicates that the people of
“The
people … their brethren”, “their brethren”: the relationship of
brethren, which means that both the people of
“They
have come from the loins of Abraham”,
they are also the descendants of Abraham.
Heb. 7:6 “but he whose genealogy is
not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the
promises.”
YLT:
“and he who was not reckoned by genealogy of them, received tithes from
Abraham, and him having the promises he hath blessed,”
Literal
Meaning: “but he whose genealogy is not derived from
them”: it is inferred from the context that there is no blood relationship
between Melchizedek and Abraham.
“Received tithes from Abraham”, “receive…tithes”: receive the part that
should be given;
“Blessed him who had the promises”, “had the promises”: have the
promises that God will bless him (Gen. 12:1-3);
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) When we give tithes to God, we confess that
all is of Him. Our High Priest is worthy of our devotion of all to Him and our
willingness to sacrifice all to Him, for all that are of us belong to Him.
2) If we give all to Him, we will be more
willing to leave all for Him and more experience the power of the High Priest’s
blessing.
3) Our faith and devotion to the Lord are both
out of the denial of ourselves and humility. The humbler and even vain we see
us, the more we are willing to give us to Him to be governed by Him. And only
our humility and denial of ourselves will deserve His blessings.
Heb. 7:7 “Now beyond all
contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better.”
YLT:
“and apart from all controversy, the less by the better is blessed --”
Meaning
of Words: “better”: superior, superior; “lesser”: worse, younger, smaller;
Literal
Meaning: “the lesser is blessed by the better”, the
one who blesses others is of course better than the one who is blessed.
“Beyond all contradiction”, it is beyond question.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The more we know His honor and
transcendence, the humbler will we be and the smaller of us will we feel, and
the more blessings we will obtain from Him.
2) Jesus Christ is the origin of our all
blessings. All the true blessings are of Him and exist because of Him.
3) Christ comes to let us blessed by God. Only
those who are in Christ can receive the blessing of God.
Heb. 7:8 “Here mortal men receive
tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.”
YLT:
“and here, indeed, men who die do receive tithes, and there , who is testified
to that he was living,”
Literal
Meaning: “here mortal men receive tithes”, “here”:
the priests of the tribe of Levi, who were prevented by death (see v.23);
“But there he receives them”, “there he”: Melchizedek;
“Of” whom it is witnesses that he lives”, it refers to Jesus Christ
typified by Melchizedek; God bears witness to Him in the Scriptures that He
lives “forever” (Ps. 110:4).
Heb. 7:9 “Even Levi, who receives
tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak,”
YLT:
“and so to speak, through Abraham even Levi who is receiving tithes, hath paid
tithes,”
Literal
Meaning: “paid tithes
through Abraham”, “through Abraham”, the Levites were the sons of Abraham.
Since Levi was in the loins of Abraham (see v.10), he had part in the works of
Abraham. Just like all the human beings sinned when the first Adam sinned since
all of them were in the loins of him (see
Heb. 7:10 “for he was still in the
loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.”
YLT:
“for he was yet in the loins of the father when Melchisedek met him.”
Literal
Meaning: “when Melchizedek met him”, it mentions the
fact in verse one again.
“For he was still in the loins of his
father”, it indicates that what Abraham did represents what his sons did.
Heb. 7:11 “Therefore, if perfection
were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the
law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to
the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?”
YLT:
“If indeed, then, perfection were through the Levitical priesthood -- for the
people under it had received law -- what further need, according to the order
of Melchisedek, for another priest to arise, and not to be called according to
the order of Aaron?”
Meaning
of Words: “perfection”: fulfillment;
Literal
Meaning: “for under it the people received the law”, the word in parenthesis amplifies the
function of “the
Levitical priesthood”, which was so
important that all the people of
“If
perfection were through the Levitical priesthood …
what further need was there that another priest should
rise”, “if” it is rather powerful, which shows
that whether the priesthood is perfect is the focus. “Perfection”: make the
purpose and mission of the priesthood perfected;
The ministry of priests in the Old Testament is not perfect. The
sacrifices that they offered for the people only were only a calling to mind of
sins (Heb. 10:3-4), which could neither remove sins nor make men sanctified (Heb.
10:1-2).
“According
to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron”, the differences between the priesthood
according to “the
order of Melchizedek” and “the order of Aaron” are listed as below:
1) “king and priest” to “the sons of Levi” (see
v.1, 5);
2) “remain a priest continually” to “be prevented by death from continuing” (see v.1, 8, 23);
3) “one man” to “many priests” (see v.15, 23);
4) “once for all when He offered up Himself” to
“offer up sacrifices for sins daily” (see v.27);
5) “be perfected forever” to “not perfect” (see
v.11, 28);
6) “according to the power of an endless life” to “according to the law of a fleshly
commandment” (v.16);
7) “holy, harmless, undefiled” to “one’s own
sins” (see v.26-27);
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The order of Aaron only typifies the works
of the Lord on the earth. Therefore, another order better than that of Aaron is
required to typify Christ who is High Priest in the heavens forever.
2) Many Christians only know about Christ
typified by Aaron, regarding that the death and blood of Christ are rather
precious. If they seek the faith in rest, such knowledge is not quiet enough
and they have to further know about Christ typified by Melchizedek.
3) The work of Aaron only includes atonement
and acceptance of God, and lacks authority and power. Only Christ who is High
Priest according to the order of Melchizedek has eternal full power and
blessing.
4) Seldom Christians know about Christ typified
by Melchizedek. Many believe Christ sits on the right hand of God, but do not
understand the relation with their daily life and spiritual pursuit so that
they enjoy little of the ministry of Christ.
Heb. 7:12 “For the priesthood being
changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.”
YLT:
“for the priesthood being changed, of necessity also, of the law a change doth
come,”
Meaning
of Words:
“change”: transfer, remove, turn, translate;
Literal
Meaning: “for the priesthood being changed”, it
indicates that the priesthood is changed from the order of Aaron into that of
Melchizedek (see v.11), from the priest tribe of Levi to the king tribe of
“Of necessity there is also a change of the law”, it points that the
external law of letter shall be changed into the internal law of life (Heb.
8:10). Here, the necessity of change is much emphasized, for the foundation has
utterly changed.
Jesus Christ has become High Priest according to the power of an endless
life (see v.16), namely, the High Priest who lives forever according to the law
of life.
Heb. 7:13 “For He of whom these
things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at
the altar.”
YLT:
“for he of whom these things are said in another tribe hath had part, of whom
no one gave attendance at the altar,”
Literal
Meaning: “for He of whom these things are spoken
belongs to another tribe”, “He of whom these things are spoken”: the Lord Jesus
(see v.14); “another”, it is not another one of the same sort, but that of
different sorts; “another tribe”: not the tribe of Levi;
“From which no man has officiated at the altar”, “from which”: the tribe
of
Heb. 7:14 “For it is evident that
our Lord arose from
YLT:
“for evident that out of
Meaning
of Words: “evident”: manifest, obvious,
apparent; “arose”: make rise, spring up, be up;
Literal
Meaning: “it is evident that our Lord arose from
“Of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood”, “of which
tribe”: of the tribe of Judah; “Moses”, neither Moses himself, nor the law of
Moses nor the Pentateuch has mentioned anyone out of the tribe of Judah
officiates at the alter.
Heb. 7:15 “And it is yet far more
evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest”
YLT:
“And it is yet more abundantly most evident, if according to the similitude of
Melchisedek there doth arise another priest,”
Meaning
of Words: “likeness”: resemblance;
Literal
Meaning: “and if in the likeness of Melchizedek there
arises another priest”, “the likeness of Melchizedek” is slightly different
from “the order of Melchizedek”. “Order” refers to its sort, and “likeness” it
the resemblance or pattern through which the connotation is manifested.
“It is yet far more evident”, “evident”:
very obvious;
Heb. 7:16 “who has come, not
according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an
endless life.”
YLT:
“who came not according to the law of a fleshly command, but according to the
power of an endless life,”
Meaning
of Words: “commandment”: law; “endless”: indissoluble, permanent;
Literal
Meaning: “who has come not according to the law of a
fleshly commandment”, “has come”: it is always so in the past and will be so
forever. “Commandment” includes two words in the original, namely, commandment
and law, the former is a specific commandment, and the sum of the commandments
is law. “According to the law of a fleshly commandment”: the hereditary system
of priesthood only belongs to the tribe of Levi (Deut. 18:1).
“But according to the power of an endless life”, “an endless life”: the
life of God, the life is indissoluble and nothing can destroy the life.
“Power”: the power in the life of God overcomes all. The Lord Jesus Christ
overcomes the death through the power of the endless life and marks out the Son
of God in power by resurrection of dead (Rom. 1:4), and becomes the High Priest
in such life to fulfill the priesthood and save us (see v.24-25).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Christ has become the High Priest according
to the power of an endless life. He shall give us the power of the heavenly
life so that we will lead a heavenly life.
2) We shall also become the ministers of new
covenant as Christ who has become the High Priest, not of letter, but of spirit
(2Cor. 3:6).
Heb. 7:17 “For He testifies:
"You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."”
YLT:
“for He doth testify -- `Thou a priest -- to the age, according to the order of
Melchisedek;'”
Meaning
of Words: “testify”: be witness, have
good report;
Literal
Meaning: “for He testifies”, the word of God that
testifies; the following words are quoted from the Book of Psalm (110:4).
“You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek”,
“according to the order of Melchizedek”, the similar words are mentioned in
this book six times (Heb. 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:11, 15, 17).
Heb. 7:18 “For on the one hand there
is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and
unprofitableness,”
YLT:
“for a disannulling indeed doth come of the command going before because of its
weakness, and unprofitableness,”
Meaning
of Words: “weakness”: strengthlessness,
feebleness; “unprofitableness”: uselessness, inutility;
Literal
Meaning: “the former commandment”, it refers to the
commandment of the law that only the sons of Aaron in the tribe of Levi are
allowed to fulfill the priesthood.
“There is annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness
and unprofitableness”, “weakness”, the law and commandment are inefficient;
“unprofitableness”, the law and commandment are useless, for they cannot help
men to overcome sin and death (
Heb. 7:19 “for the law made nothing
perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through
which we draw near to God.”
YLT:
“(for nothing did the law perfect) and the bringing in of a better hope,
through which we draw nigh to God.”
Meaning
of Words: “make … perfect”: fulfill, consummate; “hope”: expectation;
Literal
Meaning: “the law made nothing perfect”, it means
what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh (
“There is the bringing in of a better hope”, “a better hope”, it refers
to the priest who is appointed according to the power of the indissoluble (see
v.16), and the better covenant that he has accomplished (see v.22), because the
covenant guarantees us the perfect redemption and the true access God.
“Through
which we draw near to God”, we draw near to
God through “the better hope” that is previously mentioned.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The function of the law is bringing us to
Christ (Gal. 3:24). Now since we have already received Christ, we shall not be
bound by the law of letter.
2) Christ lives in us, and is our hope of glory
(
Heb. 7:20 “And inasmuch as He was
not made priest without an oath”
YLT:
“And inasmuch as not apart from oath, (for those indeed apart from oath are
become priests,”
Literal
Meaning: “and inasmuch as He…made priest”, “and”,
another point is raised in this verse. “He” refers to Jesus.
“Not made without an oath”, “not…without”: double negatives equal to
“positive”, indicating that He was made with an oath. “Made…with an oath”, the
following verses will talk about the difference between the appointment of
priest with an oath and that without an oath.
Heb. 7:21 “(for they have become
priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: "The
LORD has sworn And will not relent, "You are a priest forever According to
the order of Melchizedek"'),”
YLT:
“and he with an oath through Him who is saying unto him, `The Lord sware, and
will not repent, Thou a priest -- to the age, according to the order of
Melchisedek;')”
Literal
Meaning: “for they have become priests without an
oath”, “priests” refer to all the priests appointed according to the fleshly
commandment (see v.16);
“But He with an oath by Him”, “but He”: only Jesus; the most significant
difference of the Lord Jesus’ priesthood from the priests among men is that He
is appointed by the swearing of God.
“Him who said to Him”, “Him” (the first one)
refers to God; “said to Him”: it means that God speaks in the scriptures.
“The LORD has sworn And will not relent,
“You are a priest forever”, it is quoted from the Book of Psalm (110:4).
Heb. 7:22 “by so much more Jesus has
become a surety of a better covenant.”
YLT:
“by so much of a better covenant hath Jesus become surety,”
Meaning
of Words: “surety”: pledged, bondsman;
Literal
Meaning: “a better covenant”, it refers to the New
Covenant, which is better than the Old Covenant (Heb. 8:13), for the New
Covenant is established upon better promises (Heb. 8:6); “surety”, according to
the original, the word shows that the bondsman cannot escape, for he has to
give the member of his body as security. Therefore, the guarantee is much
reliable and stable.
Jesus Christ is the High Priest sworn by God. He has not only
accomplished the New Covenant for us ---- who has accomplished the better
covenant, but also has become the surety of the new testament ---- who
guarantees that we are enabled to enjoy all the profits in the New Covenant unto
fullness.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The blessing of Christian is that we have
“the better covenant” and “the better surety”.
2) Jesus Christ is our surety, who personally
takes the responsibility to fulfill the New Covenant.
Heb. 7:23 “Also there were many
priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.”
YLT:
“and those indeed are many who have become priests, because by death they are
hindered from remaining;”
Meaning
of Words: “prevent”: hinder, forbid; “continuing”: abode, remain, stay near;
Literal
Meaning: “there were many priests”, “there were
…priests”: the Levites who performed the priesthood (see v.5); “many”: since
they were mortal (see v.8), there were many priests during the past
generations.
“Because they were prevented by death from continuing”, “prevented by
death”, it indicates that death is a factor preventing the priests from
continuing. “Were prevented …from continuing”, it shows that they could not
continue to perform the priesthood.
Heb. 7:24 “But He, because He continues
forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.”
YLT:
“and he, because of his remaining -- to the age, hath the priesthood not
transient,”
Meaning
of Words: “continue”: abide, stay near,
remain; “unchangeable”: not passing away,
untransferable;
Literal
Meaning: “He, because He continues forever”,
“continues forever”, it is a contrast to the phrase in the previous verse ----
“be prevented from continuing”.
“He, has an unchangeable priesthood”, “unchangeable”, it indicates that
He “alone” will keep the priesthood forever, which is a contrast to “many” in
the previous verse.
Heb. 7:25 “Therefore He is also able
to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always
lives to make intercession for them.”
YLT:
“whence also he is able to save to the very end, those coming through him unto
God -- ever living to make intercession for them.”
Meaning
of Words: “to
the uttermost”:
completely, forever;
Literal
Meaning: “He is able to save to the uttermost those
who come to God through Him”, “to the uttermost”: it means completeness
forever. “Save to the uttermost”: save to perfection and completeness and save
to the uttermost forever.
“Since He always lives to make intercession for them”, “for them”:
represent them; “make intercession”: pray for them; the whole verse means that
Christ has become our High Priest in the heavens before God, and His chief
mission is to make intercession to God for us so as to save us from all
situations.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Man has no access to God through himself.
However, the Lord has said: “I am the way” (John 14:6). He is the only for us
to God. Therefore, we can come to God through Him.
2) Christ shall be the priest forever, which
suggests that He shall perfect the works on us through the power of eternal
life. He lives forever, so He can save us to the uttermost.
Heb. 7:26 “For such a High Priest
was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners,
and has become higher than the heavens;”
YLT:
“For such a chief priest did become us -- kind, harmless, undefiled, separate
from the sinners, and become higher than the heavens,”
Meaning
of Words: “fitting”: proper, comely,
right;
Literal
Meaning: “for such a High Priest, who is holy,
harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners”, “holy” emphasizes that His inner
nature makes God pleasant; “harmless” indicates that He has no constitution of
evil; “undefiled” shows that He is not defiled by any environment; “separate
from sinners”, it does not mean he has no association with sinners (see Matt.
9:9-13), but that he is not influenced by any sinner at all. “Harmless,
undefiled, separate from sinners”, all of them emphasize the quality of His
holiness.
“Was fitting for us ….
has become higher than the heavens”,
“higher than
the heavens”: higher above all
the heavens (Eph. 4:12); “was fitting for us”: satisfied our need;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The character and nature of a man decide his
value before men. A preacher’s “being” is more significant than his “works” and
“words”.
2) What we need most is what we have not and
what we are unable to attain to. Since we have such a High Priest, we have to
appropriate and enjoy His ministry at any moment.
Heb. 7:27 “who does not need daily,
as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then
for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.”
YLT:
“who hath no necessity daily, as the chief priests, first for his own sins to
offer up sacrifice, then for those of the people; for this he did once, having
offered up himself;”
Meaning
of Words: “did”: make, commit;
Literal
Meaning: “who does not … as those high priests”,
“those high priests”: the sons of Levi (see v.5) who perform the priesthood
according to the fleshly commandment (see v.16). They had many and were
prevented by death from continuing (see v.23). They were weak (see v.28) and
were clothed with infirmity themselves, so they ought to offer for sins for the
people and themselves (Heb. 5:2-3). They were high priests according to the
order of Aaron (see v.11).
“For
this He did once for all when He offered up Himself”, “once”: one time and one
sacrifice, namely, himself; “for this”, “this” refers to redemption.
The
Lord had offered Him once and has accomplished the redemption. He is God, so He
is not restricted by time. He had accomplished this once for all.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The great redemption of the Lord Jesus has
been perfected. Now if a sinner desires to be saved, he does not need to ask
the Lord to die for him again but receives the effect of His once death on the
cross and thus obtains salvation.
2) Our faith is not limited by time. And faith
is able to bring in the reality of eternity. Those who were in the Old
Testament saw forward and those who are in the New Testament see backward.
Those who were in the Old Testament looked upon a Savior in the future unto
salvation by faith and those who are in the New Testament rely on a Savior in
the past unto salvation by faith.
Heb. 7:28 “For the law appoints as
high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after
the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.”
YLT:
“for the law doth appoint men chief priests, having infirmity, but the word of
the oath that after the law the Son -- to the age having been perfected.”
Meaning
of Words: “be perfected”: be complete, be
accomplished;
Literal
Meaning: “the law appoints as high priests men who
have weakness”, “men who have weakness”, it indicates that man is weak by
nature and is limited by time and space and shall die and commit sins and fail
to do things perfect etc.
“But the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son”,
“the Son” refers to the Son of God Jesus Christ.
“Who has been perfected forever”, there are two meaning of “be perfected”:
1) on one hand, it indicates that he is different from the weak men, for he is
utterly perfect. 2) On the other hand, it also refers to the works that He has
perfected (John 19:28). “Forever”, it shows that His “being” (perfection) and
“doing” (perfect) never change and abide forever.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Though we believers are imperfect, our
intention and goal of our pursuit should be perfect as the Lord (Matt. 5:48;
1John 2:5).
2) We need only commit ourselves and all things
to the perfect High Priest by faith, who is able to keep for that day the
deposit we have entrusted to Him (2Tim. 1:12).
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
Melchizedek Who Typifies Jesus Christ
(v.1-3)
A. His name, Melchizedek ---- the king of
righteousness ---- who reigns by righteousness so that men shall be justified
(1Cor. 1:30; Jer. 23:6; 33:16);
B. He was the king of
C. He was both a king and a priest ---- on one
hand, he is a king who represents the most high God to reign on the earth, and
on the other hand, he is a priest who brings men to God;
D. He was without father, without mother, without
genealogy ---- which
indicates that the deity of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God;
E. He had neither beginning of days nor end of
life, but made like the Son of God
---- which shows that he remains a priest continually;
The Order of Melchizedek is more Honorable
Than That of Aaron
A. The patriarch Abraham gave tenth of his part
to Melchizedek (v.4-5).
B. Melchizedek blessed Abraham, so the better
one is obviously known (v.6-7).
C. The sons of Levi are mortal, and but
Melchizedek is living (v.8-9).
D. The sons of Levi who received tithes paid
tithes through Abraham (v.9).
The Better Priesthood of Jesus Christ
A. His priesthood is excellent than that of the
priests in the Old Testament:
1. The priesthood of the Old Testament is not
perfect (v.11).
2. There is a necessity of the change of the
law concerning the priesthood in the Old Testament (v.12-13).
3. The Lord as the priest according to the
likeness of Melchizedek arouse from the tribe of
4. The Lord becomes the priest according to the
order of Melchizedek ---- it is not according to the fleshly commandment, but
the power of an endless life (v.16-17).
5. The Lord who becomes the priest has brought
a better hope so that we are enabled to come to God through Him (v.18-19).
B. Jesus Christ is a more perfect High Priest:
1. The Lord was made priest with an oath and
has become a surety of a better covenant (v.20-22);
2. The Lord’s priesthood is unchangeable and he is able to save those who believe
Him to the uttermost (v.23-25);
3. The Lord as the priest is holy and sinless
above the heavens, so He is fitting for us (v.26-27);
The Differences between the Priests in the
Two Testaments
A. The priesthood is changed ---- from
imperfection to perfection (v.11
B. The law is changed ---- the priest from the
tribe of Levi is changed into that from the tribe of
C. The commandment is destroyed ---- from that
is according to the fleshly commandment to that is according to the power of an
endless (v.16-19);
D. The “covenant” is changed ---- from that is
appointed without an oath to that is appointed with an oath (v.20-22);
E. The number is changed ---- from many (who
shall die) to one who lives forever (v.23-25);
F. The condition of the priest is changed ----
from those who are weak to the holy and perfect Son of God (v.26-28);
Jesus Christ is a Perfect High Priest
A. He is a spiritual High Priest (v.11-19);
1. He is a High Priest who is not appointed
according to the fleshly commandment.
2. He is the High Priest according to the power
of an endless life, bringing a better hope.
B. He is a High Priest forever (v.20-25);
1. He is a High Priest according to the oath
sworn by God;
2. He lives forever and is able to save to the
uttermost those who come to God through Him.
C. He is a fitting High Priest (v.26-28);
1. He is a High Priest who is holy and sinless
above the heavens and does not need to offer up sacrifices for his sin.
2. He is a High Priest who is not weak or
incompetent, but has been perfected forever.
Three Transcendent Ministries of Jesus
Christ
A. He is the surety of a better covenant
(v.20-22).
B. He is the savior who lives forever
(v.23-25).
C. He is the High Priest who is perfect and
fitting (v.26-28).
The Perfect High Priest
A. He is a High Priest of perfect power (v.25);
1. Who lives forever;
2. Who makes intercession for men;
3. Who saves to the utter most;
4. Who is able to save all those who rely on
Him;
B. He is a High Priest of perfect life (v.26);
1. Who is holy and harmless;
2. Who is undefiled and is separated from
sinners;
3. Who is higher than the heavens;
C. He is a High Priest who has been sacrificed
perfectly (v.27);
1. Who does not need to offer up sacrifices for
his own sin;
2. Who offered up Himself;
3. Who did once for all;
D. He is a High Priest who has been appointed
perfectly (v.28);
1. Who is appointed by God;
2. Who has been delivered from the weakness
under the law;
3. Who has been perfected forever;
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou