King James Version
Hebrews 5
14 verses with commentary
Jesus Our High Priest
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:
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The high priest's humanity ('taken from among men') is essential to his representative function. He is appointed 'for men in things pertaining to God' - a mediator between holy God and sinful people. His function is offering 'gifts and sacrifices for sins.' This establishes the pattern Christ fulfills as the perfect High Priest. Reformed theology emphasizes Christ's genuine humanity as necessary f...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **Taken.**—Rather, *being taken, since he is taken, *from among men.
**Gifts and sacrifices.**—The former is in itself perfectly general; but when thus contrasted with “sacrifices” it denotes the “unbloody offerings” of the Law. On the Day of Atonement (which, as we shall see, is almost always in the writer’s thoughts as he refers to the functions of the high priest) the “offerings” would cons...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**7. For, &c.--**implying that Timothy needed the exhortation "to stir up the gift of God in him," being constitutionally "timid": "For God did not give us (so the Greek, namely, at our ordination or consecration) the spirit of fear." The spirit which He gave us, was not the spirit of timidity (literally, "cowardice," which is weakness), but of "power" (exhibited in a fearless "testimony" for ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
Directions as to the elder and younger men and women.(1-2)
And as to poor widows.(3-8)
Concerning widows.(9-16)
The respect to be paid to elders. Timothy is to take care in rebuking offenders, in ordaining ministers, and as to his own health.(17-25)
**Verses 1-2**
Respect must be paid to the dignity of years and place. The younger, if faulty, mus...
Read full commentary →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. can: or, can reasonably bear with
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The high priest can 'deal gently' (Greek 'metriopathein' - moderate passions) with the ignorant and wayward because he himself is 'beset with weakness.' This shared humanity produces compassion. Yet this also meant Aaronic priests needed sacrifices for their own sins (5:3). Christ surpasses this - He sympathizes with our weakness (4:15) but without sin, thus needing no personal atonement. His sinl...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Who can have compassion.**—Rather, *as one who can deal gently with* (or, more strictly, *feel gently towards*)* the ignorant and erring, because* . . . Either apathy or undue severity in regard to transgression would disqualify this representative of men to God. It cannot be said that sin is mildly designated here, since the words so closely resemble those which occur in Hebrews 3:10; still...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. therefore--**seeing that God hath given us such a spirit, not that of fear.
**Be not thou ... ashamed--**I agree with Ellicott, in opposition to Alford, that the Greek subjunctive here, with the negative, implies action completed at one time, not continued action, which the present imperative would express; thus implying that Timothy had not decidedly yet evinced such feeling of shame; thou...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
Directions as to the elder and younger men and women.(1-2)
And as to poor widows.(3-8)
Concerning widows.(9-16)
The respect to be paid to elders. Timothy is to take care in rebuking offenders, in ordaining ministers, and as to his own health.(17-25)
**Verses 1-2**
Respect must be paid to the dignity of years and place. The younger, if faulty, mus...
Read full commentary →And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The Aaronic high priest 'must offer sacrifices for his own sins.' This necessity ('opheilei' - is obligated) reveals human priesthood's fundamental limitation. No fallen priest can perfectly mediate between God and man. Christ's sinlessness eliminates this need, making His sacrifice sufficient. Reformed substitutionary atonement requires a sinless substitute - Christ could die for others' sins pre...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) To be closely joined with Hebrews 5:2 : “Is compassed with infirmity, and by reason thereof is bound . . .” The law of the Day of Atonement required a sin-offering of a bullock and a burnt-offering of a ram for the high priest himself, and for the congregation a sin-offering of two he-goats and a burnt-offering of a ram. Over his own sin-offering the high priest made confession of sins, first ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. Who ... called us--**namely, God the Father (Ga 1:6). The having "saved us" in His eternal purpose of "grace, given us in Christ before the world began," precedes his actual "calling" of us in due time with a call made effective to us by the Holy Spirit; therefore, "saved us" comes before "called us" (Ro 8:28-30).
**holy calling--**the actual call to a life of holiness. He 3:1, "heavenly ca...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-8**
Honour widows that are widows indeed, relieve them, and maintain them. It is the duty of children, if their parents are in need, and they are able to relieve them, to do it to the utmost of their power. Widowhood is a desolate state; but let widows trust in the Lord, and continue in prayer. All who live in pleasure, are dead while they live, spiritually dead, dead in trespasses ...
Read full commentary →And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The divine calling ('called of God') distinguishes legitimate priesthood from self-appointment. Aaron represents the OT pattern where God sovereignly chose priests from Levi's tribe. No one could presume to take this honor upon himself. This principle establishes that priestly ministry requires divine appointment, not human ambition or qualification, pointing to Christ's superior appointment.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **But he that is called.**—The true reading requires, *when he is called.* “Not unto himself doth any man take the honour, but when . . .”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10. But ... now ... manifest--**in contrast to its concealment heretofore in the eternal purpose of God "before the world began" (2Ti 1:9; Col 1:16; Tit 1:2, 3).
**appearing--**the visible manifestation in the flesh.
**abolished death--**Greek, "taken away the power from death" [Tittmann]. The Greek article before "death" implies that Christ abolished death, not only in some particular insta...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-8**
Honour widows that are widows indeed, relieve them, and maintain them. It is the duty of children, if their parents are in need, and they are able to relieve them, to do it to the utmost of their power. Widowhood is a desolate state; but let widows trust in the Lord, and continue in prayer. All who live in pleasure, are dead while they live, spiritually dead, dead in trespasses ...
Read full commentary →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.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Christ's appointment as High Priest came from the Father who declared, 'Thou art my Son' (Psalm 2:7), demonstrating He did not glorify Himself. The divine Son submitted to the Father's will in taking on priestly office. This verse begins the argument that Christ's priesthood surpasses Aaron's because it is based on divine Sonship, not mere tribal descent.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Christ.**—Better, *the Christ* (See Hebrews 3:14.) It is important to note that in passages of the Pentateuch where the high priest receives a special designation (usually “the priest” is sufficiently distinctive) his title is almost always “the anointed priest.” Hence in the one designation, “the Christ,” are united the two testimonies of Scripture which follow. He is the Anointed King (Psa...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. Whereunto--**For the publication of which Gospel.
**I am appointed--**Greek, "I was appointed."
**preacher--**Greek, "herald."
**teacher of the Gentiles--**(1Ti 2:7). He brings forward his own example in this verse and 2Ti 1:12, as a pattern for Timothy, as a public "preacher," an "apostle," or missionary from place to place, and a "teacher" in private instructing His flock with patien...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-8**
Honour widows that are widows indeed, relieve them, and maintain them. It is the duty of children, if their parents are in need, and they are able to relieve them, to do it to the utmost of their power. Widowhood is a desolate state; but let widows trust in the Lord, and continue in prayer. All who live in pleasure, are dead while they live, spiritually dead, dead in trespasses ...
Read full commentary →As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The second proof text (Psalm 110:4) introduces Christ's priesthood 'after the order of Melchizedek,' distinct from Aaron's. The phrase 'for ever' (Greek 'eis ton aiona') indicates permanence versus the temporary Aaronic priesthood. 'Order' (Greek 'taxis') means rank, arrangement, or succession—Christ's priesthood follows a different and superior pattern established by the mysterious king-priest Me...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Thou art a priest for ever . . .**—On Psalms 110 see the Note on Hebrews 1:13. The fourth verse, here quoted, is the kernel of the Psalm, and supplies the theme for a large portion of this Epistle, especially Hebrews 7. As the promise of 2 Samuel 7 was the prelude to the revelation of the second Psalm, the divine declaration recorded in Exodus 19:6 may have prepared the way for the promise o...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12. For the which cause--**For the Gospel cause of which I was appointed a preacher (2Ti 1:10, 11).
**I also suffer--**besides my active work as a missionary. Ellicott translates, "I suffer even these things"; the sufferings attendant on my being a prisoner (2Ti 1:8, 15).
**I am not ashamed--**neither be thou (2Ti 1:8).
**for--**Confidence as to the future drives away shame [Bengel].
**I...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-8**
Honour widows that are widows indeed, relieve them, and maintain them. It is the duty of children, if their parents are in need, and they are able to relieve them, to do it to the utmost of their power. Widowhood is a desolate state; but let widows trust in the Lord, and continue in prayer. All who live in pleasure, are dead while they live, spiritually dead, dead in trespasses ...
Read full commentary →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; in that: or, for his piety
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
'In the days of his flesh' emphasizes Christ's true humanity and earthly ministry. The 'prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears' likely refers to Gethsemane (Luke 22:44) but encompasses His entire earthly intercession. 'He was heard' (Greek 'eisakoustheis') indicates the Father answered—not by removing the cup but by strengthening Him (Luke 22:43) to accomplish redemption. The heari...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7, 8) **Who in the days of his flesh . . .**—It will be observed that, of the two essential conditions mentioned in Hebrews 5:2 and Hebrews 5:4, the latter is first taken up in its application to Christ (Hebrews 5:5-6). This verse and the next correspond to the general thought of Hebrews 5:1-2, so far as it is applicable to “Him who knew no sin.”
The following rendering will, it is believed, best...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13. Hold fast the form--**rather as Greek, "Have (that is, keep) a pattern of sound (Greek, 'healthy') words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love." "Keep" suits the reference to a deposit in the context. The secondary position of the verb in the Greek forbids our taking it so strongly as English Version, "Hold fast." The Greek for "form" is translated "pattern" in 1Ti 1:16, the only ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-8**
Honour widows that are widows indeed, relieve them, and maintain them. It is the duty of children, if their parents are in need, and they are able to relieve them, to do it to the utmost of their power. Widowhood is a desolate state; but let widows trust in the Lord, and continue in prayer. All who live in pleasure, are dead while they live, spiritually dead, dead in trespasses ...
Read full commentary →Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The paradox—the eternal Son 'learned obedience'—shows He experientially learned submission through suffering. 'Though he were a Son' emphasizes that even His divine status did not exempt Him from the path of suffering. The Greek 'emathen aph hon epathen' creates a wordplay (learned/suffered) highlighting the educational value of suffering. This prepared Him to be the perfect High Priest.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Though he were a Son.**—These words may be connected with what precedes (implying that He was heard for His reverent fear, not because, in the preeminent sense, He was God’s Son); but they are still more closely joined with the following sentence, “Though He was a Son, He *learnt* His obedience by the things which He suffered.” “The disposition of obedience Jesus possessed before He suffered...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
14. Translate as Greek, "That goodly deposit keep through the Holy Ghost," namely, "the sound words which I have committed to thee" (2Ti 1:13; 2Ti 2:2).
**in us--**in all believers, not merely in you and me. The indwelling Spirit enables us to keep from the robbers of the soul the deposit of His word committed to us by God.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-8**
Honour widows that are widows indeed, relieve them, and maintain them. It is the duty of children, if their parents are in need, and they are able to relieve them, to do it to the utmost of their power. Widowhood is a desolate state; but let widows trust in the Lord, and continue in prayer. All who live in pleasure, are dead while they live, spiritually dead, dead in trespasses ...
Read full commentary →And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
'Being made perfect' (Greek 'teleiotheis') means brought to completion or fully qualified for His mission, not moral improvement. 'Author of eternal salvation' (Greek 'aitios soterias aionias') designates Christ as the source and cause of salvation that lasts forever. Salvation is 'unto all them that obey him'—not earning salvation by obedience but evidencing genuine faith through obedient respons...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **And being . . .**—Rather, *and having been made perfect.* This was the mode in which He who “glorified Him to be made High Priest” (Hebrews 5:5) led Him into the possession of this office. The thought of this verse and the last is closely analogous to Hebrews 2:9-10 (see Notes), and to Philippians 2:6-13. The transition from the obedience manifested by our Lord to that which must be rendered...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**15. all they which are in Asia--**Proconsular Asia; "all who are there now, when they were in Rome (not 'be' or 'are,' but) turned from me" then; were "ashamed of my chain," in contrast to Onesiphorus; did not stand with me but forsook me (2Ti 4:16). It is possible that the occasion of their turning from him was at his apprehension in Nicopolis, whither they had escorted him on his way to Rome, ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 9-16**
Every one brought into any office in the church, should be free from just censure; and many are proper objects of charity, yet ought not to be employed in public services. Those who would find mercy when they are in distress, must show mercy when they are in prosperity; and those who show most readiness for every good work, are most likely to be faithful in whatever is trusted ...
Read full commentary →Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
'Called of God' reiterates verse 4's principle while applying it specifically to Christ. The designation 'high priest after the order of Melchizedek' is God's own declaration from Psalm 110:4. This verse concludes the section begun in 4:14, having established Christ's superior priesthood through divine appointment, incarnation, suffering, perfection, and eternal nature.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **Called.**—Rather, *addressed.* The divine words are, “Thou art a priest for ever.” In the quotation from the Psalm, “priest” is now altered into “High Priest.” The purport remains the same; or, rather, it is by this change of word that the meaning of the Psalm is fully expressed. This repetition of the words of Hebrews 5:6 at the close of the paragraph is singularly impressive.
At this poin...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16. The Lord give mercy--**even as Onesiphorus had abounded in works of mercy.
**the house of Onesiphorus--**He himself was then absent from Ephesus, which accounts for the form of expression (2Ti 4:19). His household would hardly retain his name after the master was dead, as Bengel supposes him to have been. Nowhere has Paul prayers for the dead, which is fatal to the theory, favored by Alfor...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 9-16**
Every one brought into any office in the church, should be free from just censure; and many are proper objects of charity, yet ought not to be employed in public services. Those who would find mercy when they are in distress, must show mercy when they are in prosperity; and those who show most readiness for every good work, are most likely to be faithful in whatever is trusted ...
Read full commentary →Warning Against Immaturity
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The author transitions with a rebuke: 'much to say and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.' The Greek 'nōthroi' (dull/sluggish) indicates spiritual lethargy. This isn't about intellectual capacity but moral responsiveness. Reformed theology recognizes that spiritual truth requires spiritual receptivity wrought by the Spirit. Without diligent hearing, even clear truth becomes ob...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Of whom.**—Or, *of which* (subject), “Christ made High Priest after the order of Melchizedek.”
**Hard to be uttered.**—Rather, *hard of interpretation, seeing ye have become sluggish in hearing.* Their faculty of “hearing” had once been acute, and then few words and little explanation, even on such a subject as this, would have sufficed; now there has come upon them a lack of interest, and ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17. found me--**in the crowded metropolis. So in turn "may he find mercy of the Lord in that day" when the whole universe shall be assembled.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 9-16**
Every one brought into any office in the church, should be free from just censure; and many are proper objects of charity, yet ought not to be employed in public services. Those who would find mercy when they are in distress, must show mercy when they are in prosperity; and those who show most readiness for every good work, are most likely to be faithful in whatever is trusted ...
Read full commentary →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.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
By now they should be teachers, yet they need someone to teach them 'basic principles' (Greek 'stoicheia' - elementary truths). The milk/solid food metaphor indicates spiritual immaturity. Reformed theology emphasizes progressive sanctification - believers should grow in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18). Stagnation indicates spiritual illness, as saving faith produces growth. The 'oracles of God...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **For the time.**—Taking into account the time that had elapsed since they became Christians.
**Ye have need.**—Literally, *ye have need that some* *one teach you again the rudiments of the beginning of* *the oracles of God* (Acts 7:38; Romans 3:2; 1Peter 4:11). These first rudiments, which they need to learn again (but which he himself is not about to teach), it may seem natural to identify ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18. grant unto him--**as well as "unto his house" (2Ti 1:16).
**the Lord--**who rewards a kindness done to His disciples as if done to Himself (Mt 25:45).
**of--**from the Lord; "the Lord" is emphatically put instead of "from Himself," for solemnity and emphasis (2Th 3:5).
**in how many things--**"how many acts of ministry he rendered."
**unto me--**omitted in the oldest manuscripts, so ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 9-16**
Every one brought into any office in the church, should be free from just censure; and many are proper objects of charity, yet ought not to be employed in public services. Those who would find mercy when they are in distress, must show mercy when they are in prosperity; and those who show most readiness for every good work, are most likely to be faithful in whatever is trusted ...
Read full commentary →For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. is unskillful: Gr. hath no experience
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Those on milk are 'unskilled in the word of righteousness' (Greek 'apeiros' - inexperienced) and are 'infants' (Greek 'nēpios'). This isn't about salvation status but maturity level. The 'word of righteousness' likely refers to gospel truth about justification and righteous living. Reformed theology distinguishes between positional righteousness (imputed) and progressive righteousness (sanctificat...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) The change of expression from *having need of milk* to *partaking of milk* (that is, making it the *solo* food) is significant. Those who are addressed had lost interest in the deeper truths of Christianity, those truths which alone expressed and explained its proper nature. Their temptation apparently was towards mingling a rudimentary Christian doctrine with the teaching of the synagogue. Y...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 9-16**
Every one brought into any office in the church, should be free from just censure; and many are proper objects of charity, yet ought not to be employed in public services. Those who would find mercy when they are in distress, must show mercy when they are in prosperity; and those who show most readiness for every good work, are most likely to be faithful in whatever is trusted ...
Read full commentary →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. of full age: or, perfect use: or, an habit, or, perfection
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Solid food is for the 'mature' (Greek 'teleiōn' - complete/mature) who through practice have trained their 'senses' (Greek 'aisthētēria' - faculties) to discern good and evil. This emphasizes experiential learning - doctrine must be practiced to be truly learned. Reformed theology values both orthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxy (right practice). The ability to discern requires exercising judgm...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **Strong meat.**—“Solid food belongs to full-grown men.” If they occupied themselves with the rudiments alone, their spiritual senses could not be trained by use (or, *habit*) in distinguishing between good and evil, truth and falsehood, in the various systems of teaching which men offered as the doctrine of Christ.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com....
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 2
2Ti 2:1-26. Exhortations; to Faithfulness as a Good Soldier of Christ; Errors to Be Shunned; the Lord's Sure Foundation; the Right Spirit for a Servant of Christ.
**1. Thou therefore--**following my example (2Ti 1:8, 12), and that of Onesiphorus (2Ti 1:16-18), and shunning that of those who forsook me (2Ti 1:15).
**my son--**Children ought to imitate their father.
**be strong--**...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 9-16**
Every one brought into any office in the church, should be free from just censure; and many are proper objects of charity, yet ought not to be employed in public services. Those who would find mercy when they are in distress, must show mercy when they are in prosperity; and those who show most readiness for every good work, are most likely to be faithful in whatever is trusted ...
Read full commentary →