Hebrews 5

Hebrews 5:1

FOr] At this chapter the Apostle makes a farther declaration of Christs Priesthood, comparing it unto, and preserring it above the legall Priesthood.

from] And so was Christ. See Chap. 2. 11, 14, 16.

ordained] Chap. 8. 3.

for men] That is, for their good, viz. that they might teach them, pray for and blesse them, and in their behalf offer gifts and sacrifices. See Chap. 2. 17.

for sinnes] To make satisfaction for sinnes: not that the Leviticall sacrifices did of themselves take away sinne, but here that is attributed to those sacrifices as types and shadowes, which properly and onely agrees unto that our sacrifice of Christ, who was the truth and body of those sacrifices.

Hebrews 5:2

can] Or, can reasonably beare with. Who being a man subject to infirmitie like unto them, is qualified with meeknesse, gentlenesse and meet moderation to have compassion. See Galatians 6. 1.

with infirmity] Chap. 7. 28. That is, not only afflictions and temptations, as Chap. 4. 15. but also sin it self, as appears by the verse following.

Hebrews 5:3

And] Or, for which also.

for himselfe] Chap. 7. 27. Wherein appeares the excellencie of Christs sacrifice above that of Aarons, because he needed not offer for himselfe being without sinne, Chap. 7. 27.

Hebrews 5:4

And no man] 2 Chron. 26. 18.

taketh] That is, ought to take. Verbs active in the phrase of the Scripture somtimes import not the act it selfe, but duty or office, as Genesis 20:9. Lev. 4. 2. & 13. Psalms 32:8.

as was Aaron] Exodus 28:1. 1 Chronicles 23:13.

Hebrews 5:5

Christ] John 8:54.

he] That is, called him to this honour, who said, Thou, &c.

Thou] Psalms 2:7. Chap. 1. 5.

Hebrews 5:6

Thou] Psalms 110:4. Chap. 7. 17.

for ever] The Priesthood of Christ is unchangeable, Chap. 7. 24. and therefore more excellent then that of Aaron; and herein stands our comfort, that when we sin, we have an Advocate with the Father Christ Jesus our great high Priest making intercession for us, 1 John 2:1.

order] Chap. 7. 14.

Hebrews 5:7

in the dayes of his flesh] That is, of his humiliation, while he was subject to our common, humane, yet blamelesse infirmities. The word flesh often imports weaknesse in the Scripture. See Chap. 2. 14. Psalms 78:39. Esther 31:3.

strong] He meaneth that most earnest prayer which Christ uttered in the Garden, when he swet drops of bloud, Matthew 26:36. Mark 14:33. Luke 22:39.

unto him] Mark 14:36.

was heard] Psalms 34:4. That is, delivered, as Psalms 22:21.

in that hee feared] Or, for his piety, or, from his pious feare. From that which he so piously and mightily feared, viz. that cup of anguish, those unknown pains which he suffered in his agony, when the whole power of darknesse set upon him, from this he was delivered, Luke 22:43. John 12:27. Or, in respect of his pious feare, Esther 11:2.

Hebrews 5:8

learned] That is, by experience.

obedience] That is, passive, patiently to submit his will unto his Fathers.

Hebrews 5:9

perfect] Or, consecrated. See Chap. 2. 10.

obey him] Esther 55:3.

Hebrews 5:10

Called] That is, appointed or publikely declared, viz. at or by his resurrection.

Hebrews 5:11

Of whom] The Apostle from this verse to the 13. of the next Chapter makes a digression, wherein he gives them a sharp, though a moderate reproofe, for their negligence in labouring for knowledge, that so he might make them the more attentive to that which he should speak afterwards.

to be uttered] Or, to be expounded.

Hebrews 5:12

time] Considering how long ye have enjoyed the meanes of knowledge.

ye have need that one teach you again] Or, ye need to be taught again your selves.

principles] It is an allusion unto children, who are first taught their letters before they can be taught to spell or to read perfectly; herein their great negligence is taxed, in as much as yet they were to learn their Catechisme, the A. B. C. as it were of the doctrine of Christ.

milk] 1 Corinthians 3:2. What the Apostle called the first principles, here he calleth milk, alluding again unto children, who are fed with milk, food easie of digestion, and not with strong meat.

strong] That is, a more full and ample institution in the mysteries of the Gospel, which is called the speaking of the wisdome of God in a mysterie, 1 Corinthians 2:7. See Ephesians 3:4. & Ephesians 6:16. Colossians 2:2.

Hebrews 5:13

is unskilfull] Gr. hath no experience.

righteousnesse] Which teacheth the righteousnesse both of justification and sanctification, or a righteous word, Psalms 19:7. & Proverbs 8:6, &c.

babe] 1 Corinthians 14:20. Ephesians 4:14.

Hebrews 5:14

of full age] Or perfect. Not absolutely, but in comparison of those whom he compares to babes, v. 13.

of use] Or, of an habit, or perfection. Or, habit attained by hearing, reading and meditating on the word.

senses] Their faculties of understanding and judgement: for words of sense often import faculties of the understanding part, and that both in generall, as Luke 9:45. compared with Luke 18:34. Philippians 1:9. as also in particular, as Genesis 42:1. & Genesis 2:31. & Genesis 11:7.Psalms 34:8. 1 Peter 2:3.

to discern] 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:15. For the choosing the good and refusing that which is evill.