Chapter 5
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1For 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.
“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”
Overview
The author explains the qualifications and calling of a high priest, noting that no one takes this honour upon himself but must be called by God, as Aaron was. He shows that Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest but was appointed by God, who declared Him a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. The chapter ends with a rebuke to the readers for their spiritual immaturity, as they still need milk rather than the solid food of deeper doctrine.
Key Themes
Christ's Appointment as High Priest
Just as Aaron did not appoint himself, Christ was called by God to be High Priest — not after the Levitical order but after the eternal order of Melchisedec.
Christ's Sympathetic Suffering
In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered prayers with strong crying and tears, and though He was a Son, He learned obedience through the things He suffered.
Spiritual Maturity
The readers are rebuked for remaining spiritual infants, unable to handle strong meat, when by now they should be teachers of others.
Study Questions
What does it mean that Christ 'learned obedience by the things which he suffered' (v. 8), and how does this encourage us in our trials?
Why is the order of Melchisedec significant compared to the Levitical priesthood?
How does the rebuke about spiritual immaturity (vv. 12-14) challenge your own growth in understanding God's word?
What is the difference between the 'milk' and 'strong meat' of the word (vv. 12-14), and which are you consuming?
How does knowing that Jesus prayed 'with strong crying and tears' (v. 7) affect your understanding of His humanity?
Connection to Christ
Christ is the divinely appointed High Priest after the order of Melchisedec who, through His suffering and perfect obedience, became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Hebrews 5. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?