Introductory remarks:
This chapter continues the theme of the last chapter. Paul will make a comparison in this chapter between Melchizedek and Aaron. "Melchizedek was a high priest of God before Levi was born. Melchizedek blessed Abraham and Abraham paid him a tenth of the spoils he gained. Christ, being of Judah, is not a priest from the Levitical system and so His law is not of the old law, which was unable to bring perfection. Jesus has become our permanent High Priest and saves those who draw near Him forever and offered a single perfect sacrifice for sin, Himself" (A Survey of Hebrews - By Brenda). This chapter may be outlined as follows: The priestly order of Melchizedek vv. 1-28.
The Priestly Order of Melchizedek
Verse 1, "For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him."
LGT "For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God, the most high, who met Abraham returning from the smiting of the kings, and having blessed him:"
For: This conjunction ties this verse in with 6:20. This verse through verse 3 will give a brief summary of Melchizedek. Outside of Genesis chapter fourteen, and Psalm 110, nothing is said of king and high priest Melchizedek. Melchizedek met Abraham coming back from slaying the Canaanite kings, Amraphel, Arioch, Chedorlaomer, and Tidal. Melchizedek came out as a king priest without any genealogies recorded. He was a righteous king from among the Canaanites, and he blessed Abraham. His name meant, King of righteousness. More will be brought out about him as we go on in our study. You might familiarize yourselves with the history of this king-priest by reading Genesis 14, and Psalm 110.
Verse 2, "To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace."
LGT "To whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all; first being interpreted King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is, King of peace."
To whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all: Abraham showed his respect for the king-priest by giving him a tenth of all the booty from his crusade. First being interpreted King of righteousness: this is what the Hebrew word means, King of righteousness. Melchizedek was a righteous King. And then also King of Salem, which is, King of Peace: this is the exact meaning, "King of Peace."
Verse 3, "Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually."
LGT "Without father, without mother, without genealogy, neither beginning of days nor having end of life, but assimilated to the Son of God, abides a priest in perpetuity."
Without father, without mother, without genealogy: this simply means that there is no record of his ancestry. Genesis is a book of genealogies, but God chose not to record anything regarding Melchizedek regarding his ancestry. The reason this is done so that he is a type of Christ's priesthood. Neither beginning of days nor having end of life: Christ is without beginning and He is without end. Melchizedek comes on the scene without record, and leaves without record; he is a true type of the High Priesthood of Christ. But assimilated to the Son of God: Melchizedek himself was not likened to the Son of God, just the Scriptural account of him, that is, he is without parentage, and without beginning and ending of days; this is, the Scriptures do not make record of these things. Abides a priest in perpetuity: that is, time without end; Christ is our High Priest forever. "There is no historical account of the termination of Melchizedek's priesthood. The tenure of his office is uninterrupted. The emphasis is on the eternal duration of the ideal priesthood, and the writer explains the Psalm as asserting eternal duration as the mark of the Melchizedek order" (Vincent).
Verse 4, "Now consider how great this man was, unto even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils."
LGT "Now consider how great this [one was], to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth out of the spoils."
Now consider how great this one was: this states the superiority of the Melchizedek priesthood to the Levitical priesthood. This is the purpose of this part of Hebrews to show the superiority of grace to the law, that is, the High Priesthood of Christ to the Levitical. To whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth out of the spoils: all that he had taken in the battle against the Canaanite kings, he took from the top, and gave it to Melchizedek. Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation Israel, but Melchizedek was greater, and this is the typology; Christ, our great High Priest is greater than Abraham.
Verse 5, "And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham."
LGT "And they indeed from the sons of Levi, [who] receive the priesthood, have commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though having come out of the loins of Abraham."
And they indeed from the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood: not all Levites were priests, only those of the household of Aaron. Have commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law: the law commanded the children of Israel to give a tenth of all that they had to the priests for their sustenance and the keeping of the tabernacle and then the temple. From their brethren, though coming out of the loins of Abraham: Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, and the tribe of Levi exacted a tithe from among all the brethren. "The significance of this tithing is perceived when it is considered that, although the sons of Levi take tithes of their brethren, this is the result of a mere legal appointment. Those who pay tithes are, as well as those who receive them, sons of Abraham. Paying tithes is in their case no acknowledgment of personal inferiority, but mere compliance with law. But Abraham was under no such law to Melchizedek, and the payment of tithes was a tribute to his personal greatness" (TEGT).
Verse 6, "But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promise."
LGT "But he [who] considers no genealogy from them has tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who had the promises."
But he who considers no genealogy: Melchizedek who is not from the Levitical priesthood. From them has tithes from Abraham: Melchizedek was a Gentile priest of the Most High God who had no claim to the tithes prescribed by the law, but he received tithes from Abraham, proving that he was superior to Abraham. And has blessed him who had the promises: "Melchizedek accepted the position accorded to him by Abraham's gift of tithes by bestowing on Abraham his blessing, and Abraham recognized his superiority by accepting his blessing. He who had received the divine promises might have been supposed to be above being blessed by any man. The significance of this acceptance is brought out in the next verse" (Vincent).
Verse 7, "And without all contradiction the less blessed of the better."
LGT "But apart from all contradiction the inferior by the superior is blessed."
The significance is this; the greater blesses the less. We must keep in mind Paul's ultimate goal in all this is that grace brought in by Christ is greater than then the law.
Verse 8, "And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth."
LGT "And here men [that] receive tithes die; but there [one] being witnessed of that he lives."
Here we have the type of Christ our High Priest. In the case of the Levitical priesthood, men who hold the office eventually die, and pass on the office to another man. The Scriptures do not record Melchizedek's death. The type of Christ is, our High Priest does not die and pass on His office to another, for His office is eternally perpetual.
Verse 9, "And I may say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, paid tithes in Abraham."
LGT "And so I speak, through Abraham, also Levi, who receives tithes, has been tithed."
Levi, who was born through Abraham's line, also paid tithes to Melchizedek by Abraham paying tithes; this is the same as I sinned in Adam in that his sin was imputed on me.
Verse 10, "For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him."
LGT "For he was yet in the loins of [his] father, when Melchizedek met him."
Abraham was the forefather of Levi, so when Abraham paid tithes so Levi, who receives tithes, also paid tithes.
Verse 11, "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron."
LGT "If indeed then perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, for the people [based] upon it had received [the] law, what still need [was there] according to the order of Melchizedek [for] another priest to arise; and not according to the order of Aaron to be named."
If indeed then perfection were by the Levitical priesthood: the fact is that the Levitical priesthood was incomplete, for it simply pointed towards the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ. For the people based upon it received the law: the law was a schoolmaster to bring them to Christ. What still need was there according to the order of Melchizedek for another priest to arise: if the Levitical priesthood were adequate in making the people perfect, why was there a need for another after the order of Melchizedek. And not according to the order of Aaron to be named: the Levitical priesthood brought men near to God; Christ, our High Priest, brought us into God's family with free access to God's presence with boldness.
Verse 12, "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law."
LGT "For the priesthood being changed, from necessity also of law a change takes place."
Under grace there is no need for the law or the Aaronic priesthood. The Levitical system required a bloody sacrifice pointing to the death of Christ on the cross; Christ has died, and is now at the right hand of the Father making intercession for all His family. Christ finished the work of redemption, so now we are all under His protective all inclusive wonderful grace. With the Living Anti-Type there is no longer a need for the type. "The inferiority of the Levitical priesthood is inferred from the fact that another priesthood was promised. If perfection was possible at all under the Mosaic economy, it must come through the Levitical priesthood, since that priesthood was, in a sense, the basis of the law. The whole legal system centered in it. The fundamental idea of the law was that of a people united with God. Sin, the obstacle to this ideal union, was dealt with through the priesthood. If the law failed to effect complete fellowship with God, the priesthood was shown to be a failure, and must be abolished; and the change of the priesthood involved the abolition of the entire legal system" (Vincent).
Verse 13, "For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar."
LGT "For He of whom are said these things, has part in another tribe, of which no one has given attendance at the altar."
For He of whom are said these things: the things concerning the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ. Has part in another tribe: the Greek word for "another" is eteras, and it means another of a different kind. Jesus came in the line of Judah, not the tribe of Levi, and He could never be a priest here on earth. Of which no one has given attendance at the altar: no one from the tribe of Judah ever performed the rights of the priesthood at the altar.
Verse 14, "For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood."
LGT "For [it is] manifest that out of Judah has sprung our Lord; as to which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood."
It was open and manifest to all that Christ was born of the tribe of Judah. In the Mosaic law there was absolutely nothing tying the tribe of Judah with the priesthood, making Christ's High Priesthood of a different sort altogether.
Verse 15, "And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest."
LGT "And more abundantly yet quite manifest it is, since according to the similitude of Melchizedek arises a different priest."
Paul is saying that it is more abundantly clear that the Levitical priesthood is unsatisfactory. The Levitical priesthood had to do with external rites, whereas the High Priesthood of Christ is spiritual, and grace is far superior to the law.
Verse 16, "Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life."
LGT "Who not according to law of fleshly commandment has been constituted, but according to power of eternal life."
The Levitical priesthood came by birth; the priest must be of proper descent, without bodily blemish, ceremonially pure; Christ is eternal life, and His priesthood is eternal.
Verse 17, "For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek."
LGT "For He testifies, Thou [art] a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."
Paul quotes from Psalm 110:4. This is God's account that Christ would be a priest forever.
Verse 18, "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof."
LGT "For a putting away there is of the commandment going before, because of its weakness and unprofitableness:"
For a putting away there is of the commandment going before: this has reference to all the law and priesthood, and the various feasts and ceremonies, that in themselves they were profitless, for they all pointed to Christ and His work on the cross. So, when Christ finished His work, all the types and ceremonies were done away, that is, the law was swallowed up in grace. Because of its weakness and unprofitableness: there was absolutely no salvation in the blood of bulls and goats. For those Jews who preferred, and still prefer, the O. T. system, there is no forgiveness. The only way to God is through Christ; in the O.T. the law was a schoolmaster to bring them to Christ by types and symbols; in the N.T. we have free access to the throne of grace through the Great Anti-Type, Jesus Christ, who finished the work of salvation and brought us near to the Father.
Verse 19, "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope; by which we draw nigh unto God."
LGT "For the law perfected nothing, but [the] introduction of a better hope by which we draw near to God."
The law did not perfect one person, but only introduced through its types the One who did the perfecting. This is what the law being a schoolmaster means; the schoolmaster teaches about the subject, and the subject is Jesus Christ who has perfected us. We who believe are no longer in Adam through sin, but we are in Christ our sin Bearer. "The better hope is that which springs from belief in the indestructible life of Christ and the assurance that that life is still active in the priestly function of intercession. It is the hope that is anchored within the veil fixed in Christ's person and therefore bringing us into God's presence and fellowship" (TEGT).
Verse 20, "And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: for those priests were made without an oath:"
LGT "And by how much [it was] apart from [the] swearing of an oath: for they without [the] swearing of an oath are become priests:"
God set the tribe of Levi aside for the priestly function, and they were not required to take an oath.
Verse 21, "(For the priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek)"
LGT "But He with [the] swearing of an oath, by Him who says, [The] Lord swore as to Him, and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest forever."
God, accompanied with an oath, gave Christ's priesthood to Him, so that His priesthood would be an everlasting priesthood. The Levitical priesthood was not accompanied with an oath, it was assumed by lineal descent, and it was temporary.
Verse 22, "By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament."
LGT "By so much of a better covenant Jesus has become a guarantee."
By a better covenant Paul is saying that the dispensation of grace is far superior to the dispensation of the law. The fact that an office held by an oath is a far greater guarantee than an appointed office; grace is far superior, and is God's guarantee. The promises under the law were physical to the nation Israel; the promises under grace are spiritual to the entire family of God. One is restricted to one nation, while the other is universal to all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 23, "And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death."
LGT "And they are many priests, on account of death being hindered from continuing:"
Paul repeats the fact here that the physical priesthood was temporal, and hindered from continuing because of death; death has no hold over the eternal priesthood of Christ, who lives forever, making intercession for us.
Verse 24, "but this man, because he continueth ever, an unchangeable priesthood."
LGT "But He, because of His abiding forever, has the priesthood in-transferable:"
Christ's priesthood could not be taken up by any other person. Christ died once for all and He has become our High Priest forever. This fact does not stress the fact that Christ is our High Priest, but that it is an everlasting priesthood.
Verse 25, "Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
LGT "Whence also He is able to save completely those who approach by Him to God, always living to intercede for them."
Whence also He is able to save completely: Christ not only saves from sin, He continues to keep all who put their trust in Him. Our salvation is complete in Him; there is nothing to be added to or taken away from our great salvation. Those who approach by Him to God: there is only one-way to the Father and that is through His Son. Always living to intercede for them: we serve a living Savior who has our best interest at heart, and He works all things out for our divine good.
Verse 26, "For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens."
LGT "For such a High Priest He became us, holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and become higher than the heavens."
For such a High Priest He became us: Paul says that Christ, our High Priest, becomes us in that He is the perfect and appropriate Priest to meet our every need. Christ died for all sin, and He cleansed all believers from all sin, and yet, did not need the cleansing for Himself. Holy, undefiled, separated from sinners: "Christ did not partake of their feelings, plans, pleasures. Though He mingled with them, yet it was merely to do them good, and in all His life there was an entire separation from the feelings, principles, and views of a sinful world" (Barnes). And become higher than the heavens: Christ ascended to the right hand of our heavenly Father, after His resurrection, and took His rightful place as our eternal intercessor.
Verse 27, "Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's' for this he did once, when he offered up himself."
LGT "Who has not day after day necessity, as High Priest, first for His own sins to offer up sacrifices, then for those of the people: for this He did once for all, having offered up Himself."
Paul contrasts the frail Levitical priesthood with Christ. The Levitical sacrifice was a daily offering for sins; first for himself, being sinful man, and then for the people. This had to be repeated on a daily basis. This is contrasted with Christ who offered Himself, a sinless man, on the cross once for all for all the sins of mankind, past, present, and future, and then He sat down at the right hand of the Father, making intersession for His own.
Verse 28, "For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore."
LGT "For the law constitutes men high priests, [who] have infirmity, but the word of the swearing of the oath, which [is] after the law, a Son forever has perfected."
The sacrificial process is now complete in the Lord Jesus Christ. We have need of a sinless offering, which Christ perfected on Calvary. We no longer need a sacrifice for sin; we have free access to the Father through Christ; we are now priests of God, and offer our own sacrifice for sin, which is labeled confession; "if we confess [name] our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). This wonderful doctrine is continued in the next chapter.
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