a study of the apostle paul’s letter to the hebrews

AAStudyStudyOf TheOf TheApostleApostle

Paul’s LetterPaul’s LetterTo The To The

HebrewsHebrews

Don’t Don’t drift drift away!away!

Don’t Don’t neglect neglect your your salvationsalvation!!

Don’t Don’t Depart!Depart!

Don’t Don’t fall fall awayaway!!

Don’t cast Don’t cast away your away your confidenceconfidence!!

Don’t Don’t hardeharden your n your heart!heart!

How can we neglect so How can we neglect so greatgreat

a salvation? ~ Hebrews a salvation? ~ Hebrews 2:3 2:3

Hebrews: Christ Is Superior!Superior Person (1:1—4:13)Superior Person (1:1—4:13)

Superior to Prophets (1:1-3)Superior to Prophets (1:1-3)Superior to Angels (1:4—2:18)Superior to Angels (1:4—2:18)Superior to Moses (3:1-19)Superior to Moses (3:1-19)Superior to Joshua (4:1-13)Superior to Joshua (4:1-13)

Superior Priest (4:14—7:28)Superior Priest (4:14—7:28)Superior to Aaron (4:14—6:12)Superior to Aaron (4:14—6:12)Superior to Melchizedek (6:13—Superior to Melchizedek (6:13—

7:10)7:10)Superior to Levi (7:11-28)Superior to Levi (7:11-28) but…We’ll only study verses 20-28

today.

Hebrews: Christ Is Superior!Superior Pact to Moses’ (8:1—10:18)Superior Pact to Moses’ (8:1—10:18)

Superior Promises (8:1-13)Superior Promises (8:1-13)Superior Sanctuary (9:1-15)Superior Sanctuary (9:1-15)Superior Sacrifice (9:16-28)Superior Sacrifice (9:16-28)Superior Results (10:1-18)Superior Results (10:1-18)

Superior Principle (Faith) to Moses’ Superior Principle (Faith) to Moses’ (10:19—13:25)(10:19—13:25)

Superior Things (10:19-39)Superior Things (10:19-39)Superior Actions (11:1-40)Superior Actions (11:1-40)Superior Relationship (12:1-29)Superior Relationship (12:1-29)Superior Way of Life (13:1-25)Superior Way of Life (13:1-25)

In In 7:1-10, based on the premise , based on the premise that Jesus is our High Priest after that Jesus is our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek (the order of Melchizedek (6:20), ), Paul wrote of the greatness of Paul wrote of the greatness of Mel’s priesthood even over Levi’s Mel’s priesthood even over Levi’s priesthood that God Him-self set priesthood that God Him-self set up. Yes, God established both, but up. Yes, God established both, but one was greater than the other.one was greater than the other.

InIn 7:11-19 he wrotehe wrote aboutabout howhow

Christ’s priesthood replaced Levi’s Christ’s priesthood replaced Levi’s priesthood.priesthood.

Now… Now…

In In 7:20-28 we’ll consider his we’ll consider his explana-tion for this substitution. explana-tion for this substitution. In a nutshell we’ll discover that In a nutshell we’ll discover that the priesthood of which Jesus is the priesthood of which Jesus is

our High Priest is muchour High Priest is much superiorsuperior toto thethe priesthoodpriesthood of which Aaron was of which Aaron was

a priest because of what Jesus a priest because of what Jesus accomplished for us through it— accomplished for us through it— our redemptionour redemption, that which the , that which the Levites could never accomplish.Levites could never accomplish.

The two basic arguments are that The two basic arguments are that ((1) unlike the Levites, Jesus was ) unlike the Levites, Jesus was

made High Priest by an oath from made High Priest by an oath from God, andGod, and thatthat ((2)) unlikeunlike thethe

Levites,Levites, neither Jesusneither Jesus nornor HisHis priesthoodpriesthood willwill everever need to be need to be

replaced—it’s timeless!replaced—it’s timeless!

HebrewHebrews s 7:20-217:20-21

Inasmuch as He Inasmuch as He wasn’t made wasn’t made priestpriest w/o an w/o an oath (foroath (for they they have becomehave become

priests w/o an priests w/o an oath,oath, but He w/ but He w/ an oathan oath by Him by Him who said towho said to Him, Him, “The Lord has“The Lord has sworn and will sworn and will notnot relent, ‘You relent, ‘You are aare a priest priest forever ac-forever ac- cordingcording toto thethe order of order of Melchizedek’”)…Melchizedek’”)…

GodGod tooktook oathsoaths inin

or-der to indicate or-der to indicate the the unchangeablenesunchangeableness of things that s of things that He set in order He set in order ((cf. cf. 6:17). This ). This teaches us two teaches us two things here: things here:

GodGod tooktook oathsoaths inin

or-der to indicate or-der to indicate the the unchangeablenesunchangeableness of things that s of things that He set in order He set in order ((cf. cf. 6:17). This ). This teaches us two teaches us two things here: things here:

Inasmuch as He Inasmuch as He wasn’t made wasn’t made priestpriest w/o an w/o an oathoath (for (for they they have becomehave become

priests w/o an priests w/o an oathoath,, but He w/ but He w/ an an oathoath by Him by Him who said towho said to Him, Him, ““The Lord hasThe Lord has sworn and will sworn and will notnot relentrelent, ‘You , ‘You are aare a priest priest forever ac-forever ac- cordingcording toto thethe order of order of Melchizedek’”)…Melchizedek’”)…

1. Since the Since the Levite Levite priests became priests became priests apart priests apart from from any any oathoath byby GodGod

at at all,all, thenthen GodGod never never meant that meant that priest-priesthood to hood to be be unend-unend- ing; without an ing; without an oath oath fromfrom God, God, itit could be (& could be (& was)was) changed changed (cf.(cf.

7:12, , what Paul built onwhat Paul built on

from here on from here on out)out). . In contrast In contrast ……

1. Since the Since the Levite Levite priests became priests became priests apart priests apart from from any any oathoath byby GodGod

at at all,all, thenthen GodGod never never meant that meant that priest-priesthood to hood to be be unend-unend- ing; without an ing; without an oath oath fromfrom God, God, itit could be (& could be (& was)was) changed changed (cf.(cf.

7:12, , what Paul built onwhat Paul built on

from here on from here on out)out). . In contrast In contrast ……


priests w/o an priests w/o an oathoath,, but He w/ but He w/ an oathan oath by Him by Him who said towho said to Him, Him, “The Lord has“The Lord has sworn and will sworn and will notnot relent, ‘You relent, ‘You are aare a priest priest forever ac-forever ac- cordingcording toto thethe order of order of Melchizedek’”)…Melchizedek’”)…

2. Since Since ((asas PaulPaul said said here as well as in here as well as in 6: 18-20,, which he which he ob-obviously still had in viously still had in

mindmind herehere)) GodGod diddid swearswear anan oathoath

con-con- cerning cerning Christ’sChrist’s

priesthood, priesthood, then then it, unlike the it, unlike the Levi-Levi- tical tical priesthood,priesthood, is is unun-ending-ending andand

un-un- changeable changeable—an —an

oath God won’t oath God won’t renege on. So… renege on. So…

2. Since Since ((asas PaulPaul said said here as well as in here as well as in 6: 18-20,, which he which he ob-obviously still had in viously still had in

mindmind herehere)) GodGod diddid swearswear anan oathoath

con-con- cerning cerning Christ’sChrist’s

priesthood, priesthood, then then it, unlike the it, unlike the Levi-Levi- tical tical priesthood,priesthood, is is unun-ending-ending andand

un-un- changeable changeable—an —an

oath God won’t oath God won’t renege on. So… renege on. So…

Inasmuch as Inasmuch as HeHe waswasn’t n’t made made priestpriest w/o an w/o an oath (foroath (for they they have becomehave become

priests w/o an priests w/o an oath,oath, but He but He w/ w/ an oathan oath by Him by Him who said towho said to Him, Him, ““The Lord hasThe Lord has sworn and will sworn and will notnot relent, ‘You relent, ‘You are aare a priest priest foreverforever ac- ac- cordingcording toto thethe order of order of Melchizedek’”)…Melchizedek’”)…

Why did God Why did God swear relative to swear relative to Jesus but not Jesus but not relative to Levi or relative to Levi or his descendants? his descendants? BecauseBecause theythey

weren’tweren’t chosen chosen based on their based on their morality or morality or spirituality, but spirituality, but on theiron their lineagelineage..

However… However…

Why did God Why did God swear relative to swear relative to Jesus but not Jesus but not relative to Levi or relative to Levi or his descendants? his descendants? BecauseBecause theythey

weren’tweren’t chosen chosen based on their based on their morality or morality or spirituality, but spirituality, but on theiron their lineagelineage..

However… However…


priests w/o an priests w/o an oathoath,, but He w/ but He w/ an oathan oath by Him by Him who said towho said to Him, Him, “The Lord has“The Lord has sworn and will sworn and will notnot relent, ‘You relent, ‘You are aare a priest priest forever ac-forever ac- cordingcording toto thethe order of order of Melchizedek’”)…Melchizedek’”)…

JesusJesus andand HisHis priestpriest- hood were hood were establish-established ed by by anan oathoath of God of God based on His based on His char-acter char-acter ((5:1-10).).

JesusJesus andand HisHis priestpriest- hood were hood were establish-established ed by by anan oathoath of God of God based on His based on His char-acter char-acter ((5:1-10).).

Inasmuch as Inasmuch as HeHe waswasn’t n’t made made priestpriest w/o an w/o an oath (foroath (for they they have becomehave become

priests w/o an priests w/o an oath,oath, but He but He w/ w/ an oathan oath by Him by Him who said towho said to Him, Him, “The Lord has“The Lord has sworn and will sworn and will notnot relent, ‘relent, ‘You You are aare a priest priest forever ac-forever ac- cordingcording toto thethe order of order of MelchizedekMelchizedek’”)…’”)…

……byby soso muchmuch

more Jesus has more Jesus has become a surety become a surety of a bet-ter of a bet-ter covenant.covenant.

HebrewHebrews s 7:227:22

This could simply This could simply read read by whichby which; ; i.e., by God’s oath i.e., by God’s oath con-cerning Him.con-cerning Him.

This could simply This could simply read read by whichby which; ; i.e., by God’s oath i.e., by God’s oath con-cerning Him.con-cerning Him.


moremore Jesus has Jesus has become a surety become a surety of a bet-ter of a bet-ter covenant.covenant.

This is in what’s This is in what’s called called the perfect the perfect tensetense, meaning , meaning that it refers to a that it refers to a past action with past action with present effectspresent effects; ; i.e., i.e., Jesus became Jesus became and isand is a surety..

This is in what’s This is in what’s called called the perfect the perfect tensetense, meaning , meaning that it refers to a that it refers to a past action with past action with present effectspresent effects; ; i.e., i.e., Jesus became Jesus became and isand is a surety..


more Jesus more Jesus has has becomebecome a surety a surety of a bet-ter of a bet-ter covenant.covenant.

This word refers This word refers to to a guarantora guarantor——one who makesone who makes

suresure the covenant the covenant is carried out by is carried out by both parties both parties involved. In fact, I involved. In fact, I discovered some-discovered some-thing else that’s thing else that’s in-teresting in-teresting about this term: about this term:

This word refers This word refers to to a guarantora guarantor——one who makesone who makes

suresure the covenant the covenant is carried out by is carried out by both parties both parties involved. In fact, I involved. In fact, I discovered some-discovered some-thing else that’s thing else that’s in-teresting in-teresting about this term: about this term:


more Jesus has more Jesus has become a become a suretysurety of a bet-ter of a bet-ter covenant.covenant.

All five Greek terms in Strong’s All five Greek terms in Strong’s that begin with that begin with eggegg ( (engeng in English in English) ) are re-lated to the are re-lated to the handhand, , something close bysomething close by::EggizoEggizo: : to make nearto make near, , to be at to be at handhandEggraphoEggrapho: : to engraveto engrave, , inscribeinscribe, , write write with the hand with the hand EgguosEgguos: (: (fromfrom limblimb e.g. e.g. the handthe hand ):): pledgedpledged ((e.g. by handshakee.g. by handshake); ); a a bondsmanbondsmanEggusEggus: : at handat hand, , nearnear, , nighnigh, , readyready EgguteronEgguteron: (: (comparative adj.comparative adj.) ) nearernearer,, closer at hand closer at hand

So what’s my point?So what’s my point?

It’s obvious that It’s obvious that the etymology of the etymology of this term carries this term carries with it the idea with it the idea that what-ever that what-ever was/is being was/is being guaranteed was/is guaranteed was/is something that something that would occur soon, would occur soon, at least within the at least within the lifetime of the lifetime of the reci-pient, reci-pient, meaning also, meaning also, of of course, that it wascourse, that it was future, that it future, that it hadn’t arrived hadn’t arrived yet. So… yet. So…

It’s obvious that It’s obvious that the etymology of the etymology of this term carries this term carries with it the idea with it the idea that what-ever that what-ever was/is being was/is being guaranteed was/is guaranteed was/is something that something that would occur soon, would occur soon, at least within the at least within the lifetime of the lifetime of the reci-pient, reci-pient, meaning also, meaning also, of of course, that it wascourse, that it was future, that it future, that it hadn’t arrived hadn’t arrived yet. So… yet. So…


more Jesus has more Jesus has become a become a suretysurety of a bet-ter of a bet-ter covenant.covenant.

To bring this all To bring this all to-gether, we to-gether, we could read it like could read it like this:this: Be-cause Be-cause Jesus was made Jesus was made High Priest by an High Priest by an oath from God, He oath from God, He is the chosen is the chosen GuarantorGuarantor ofof aa soon-to-arrive soon-to-arrive and better and better covenantcovenant..

To bring this all To bring this all to-gether, we to-gether, we could read it like could read it like this:this: Be-cause Be-cause Jesus was made Jesus was made High Priest by an High Priest by an oath from God, He oath from God, He is the chosen is the chosen GuarantorGuarantor ofof aa soon-to-arrive soon-to-arrive and better and better covenantcovenant..


more Jesus has more Jesus has become a surety become a surety of a bet-ter of a bet-ter covenant.covenant.

This word comes This word comes from a term from a term which actually which actually refers to refers to anan arrangementarrangement made bymade by aa superior forsuperior for the the benefit of an benefit of an inferi-orinferi-or. I.e.… . I.e.…

This word comes This word comes from a term from a term which actually which actually refers to refers to anan arrangementarrangement made bymade by aa superior forsuperior for the the benefit of an benefit of an inferi-orinferi-or. I.e.… . I.e.…


more Jesus has more Jesus has become a surety become a surety of a bet-ter of a bet-ter covenantcovenant..

Because of Jesus, Because of Jesus, we’re under a we’re under a much better much better arrangement than arrangement than were our Abra-were our Abra-hamic ancestors hamic ancestors un-der Moses. un-der Moses. Now… Now…

Because of Jesus, Because of Jesus, we’re under a we’re under a much better much better arrangement than arrangement than were our Abra-were our Abra-hamic ancestors hamic ancestors un-der Moses. un-der Moses. Now… Now…


more Jesus has more Jesus has become a surety become a surety of of a bet-ter a bet-ter covenantcovenant..

Speaking about Christ and His Speaking about Christ and His priest-hoodpriest-hood beingbeing establishedestablished asas

endless and consistent by an oath endless and consistent by an oath from God, Paul went on in the from God, Paul went on in the next two verses to ex-pand on next two verses to ex-pand on

this thought.this thought.

And there were And there were many priests, many priests, be-cause they be-cause they were prevented were prevented by death from by death from con-tinuing.con-tinuing.


Let me mention Let me mention two significant two significant side-notes here. side-notes here. FirstlyFirstly, this verse, this verse isis actually in the actually in the present tense in present tense in the original, indi-the original, indi-cating that the cating that the Levi-tical-AaronicLevi-tical-Aaronic

priest-hoodpriest-hood was was still being still being adhered to by the adhered to by the Jews … until AD Jews … until AD 70 anyway.70 anyway.

Let me mention Let me mention two significant two significant side-notes here. side-notes here. FirstlyFirstly, this verse, this verse isis actually in the actually in the present tense in present tense in the original, indi-the original, indi-cating that the cating that the Levi-tical-AaronicLevi-tical-Aaronic

priest-hoodpriest-hood was was still being still being adhered to by the adhered to by the Jews … until AD Jews … until AD 70 anyway.70 anyway.


SecondlySecondly, since , since it’s the high it’s the high priesthood of priesthood of Jesus that’s un-Jesus that’s un-der consideration, der consideration, Paul (Paul (by his use of by his use of the wordthe word priests

herehere)) was was obviously obviously referring referring specifically to the specifically to the high priests. So… high priests. So…

SecondlySecondly, since , since it’s the high it’s the high priesthood of priesthood of Jesus that’s un-Jesus that’s un-der consideration, der consideration, Paul (Paul (by his use of by his use of the wordthe word priests

herehere)) was was obviously obviously referring referring specifically to the specifically to the high priests. So… high priests. So…

And there were And there were many many priestspriests, , be-cause they be-cause they were prevented were prevented by death from by death from con-tinuing.con-tinuing.

His point is that, His point is that, whereas death whereas death kept any Aaronic kept any Aaronic high priest from high priest from remain-ing a remain-ing a priest forever, priest forever, JesusJesus, who , who received His received His priesthoodpriesthood afterafter His resurrection, His resurrection, is no longer is no longer subject to deathsubject to death. . By the way… By the way…

His point is that, His point is that, whereas death whereas death kept any Aaronic kept any Aaronic high priest from high priest from remain-ing a remain-ing a priest forever, priest forever, JesusJesus, who , who received His received His priesthoodpriesthood afterafter His resurrection, His resurrection, is no longer is no longer subject to deathsubject to death. . By the way… By the way…


According to Milli-According to Milli-gan, at the fall of gan, at the fall of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Phanni-as became Phanni-as became the lastthe last— — the the 81st81st——highhigh priest. And priest. And since since 8181 is the is the sacred number sacred number 33 squared & squared & squared again squared again (3(344), this sug-), this sug-gests that the gests that the full-ness of God’s full-ness of God’s inten-tion for the inten-tion for the Levitical system Levitical system was com-pleted in was com-pleted in AD 70.AD 70.

According to Milli-According to Milli-gan, at the fall of gan, at the fall of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Phanni-as became Phanni-as became the lastthe last— — the the 81st81st——highhigh priest. And priest. And since since 8181 is the is the sacred number sacred number 33 squared & squared & squared again squared again (3(344), this sug-), this sug-gests that the gests that the full-ness of God’s full-ness of God’s inten-tion for the inten-tion for the Levitical system Levitical system was com-pleted in was com-pleted in AD 70.AD 70.


Sometimes we Sometimes we hear about the hear about the illegal handling of illegal handling of a will, but a will, but because Jesus not because Jesus not only wrote and only wrote and died for His will, died for His will, but also rose from but also rose from the dead to the dead to probate it probate it Himself, He’s, Himself, He’s, with-out dispute, with-out dispute, the perfect High the perfect High Priest!Priest!

Sometimes we Sometimes we hear about the hear about the illegal handling of illegal handling of a will, but a will, but because Jesus not because Jesus not only wrote and only wrote and died for His will, died for His will, but also rose from but also rose from the dead to the dead to probate it probate it Himself, He’s, Himself, He’s, with-out dispute, with-out dispute, the perfect High the perfect High Priest!Priest!


But He, because But He, because He continues He continues for-ever, has an for-ever, has an un-changeable un-changeable priest-hood.priest-hood.


InIn verse 8 PaulPaul spokespoke of Levitical of Levitical priests as mortal priests as mortal ((having to depend having to depend on lineageon lineage), while ), while in in verse 16 he he spoke of Jesus as spoke of Jesus as having an having an immortal immortal character, character, notnot hav-ing any hav-ing any posterity or any posterity or any need for one.need for one.

InIn verse 8 PaulPaul spokespoke of Levitical of Levitical priests as mortal priests as mortal ((having to depend having to depend on lineageon lineage), while ), while in in verse 16 he he spoke of Jesus as spoke of Jesus as having an having an immortal immortal character, character, notnot hav-ing any hav-ing any posterity or any posterity or any need for one.need for one.

But He, because But He, because He continues He continues for-everfor-ever, has an , has an un-changeable un-changeable priest-hood.priest-hood.

This word comes This word comes fromfrom aa termterm thatthat

was used on a was used on a legal con-tractlegal con-tract andand meant that it meant that it was was validvalid and ( and (un-un-like the contract like the contract with Israel through with Israel through MosesMoses) ) unalterableunalterable, , some-thing that some-thing that should’ve should’ve provided them a provided them a confidence like confidence like they had never they had never experi-enced experi-enced before.before.

This word comes This word comes fromfrom aa termterm thatthat

was used on a was used on a legal con-tractlegal con-tract andand meant that it meant that it was was validvalid and ( and (un-un-like the contract like the contract with Israel through with Israel through MosesMoses) ) unalterableunalterable, , some-thing that some-thing that should’ve should’ve provided them a provided them a confidence like confidence like they had never they had never experi-enced experi-enced before.before.

But He, because But He, because He continues He continues for-ever, has an for-ever, has an un-changeable un-changeable priest-hood.priest-hood.

This term also This term also car-ries with it car-ries with it the idea of the idea of something that something that cannot be cannot be stepped stepped across or across or into, mean-into, meaning ing that that it can’t be it can’t be destroyed, and it destroyed, and it isn’t transferableisn’t transferable..

This term also This term also car-ries with it car-ries with it the idea of the idea of something that something that cannot be cannot be stepped stepped across or across or into, mean-into, meaning ing that that it can’t be it can’t be destroyed, and it destroyed, and it isn’t transferableisn’t transferable..

But He, because But He, because He continues He continues for-ever, has an for-ever, has an un-changeableun-changeable priest-hood.priest-hood.

As Paul said later, As Paul said later, Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever ( (13:8), ), meaning that, meaning that, while under the while under the Levitical Levitical priesthood you priesthood you might have a might have a nice, moral priest nice, moral priest one day and a one day and a not-so-nice, not-so-nice, immoral priest immoral priest the next, Jesus the next, Jesus was, is, and was, is, and always will be the always will be the same.same.

As Paul said later, As Paul said later, Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever ( (13:8), ), meaning that, meaning that, while under the while under the Levitical Levitical priesthood you priesthood you might have a might have a nice, moral priest nice, moral priest one day and a one day and a not-so-nice, not-so-nice, immoral priest immoral priest the next, Jesus the next, Jesus was, is, and was, is, and always will be the always will be the same.same.

But He, because But He, because He continues He continues for-ever, has an for-ever, has an un-changeableun-changeable priest-hood.priest-hood.

Therefore He is Therefore He is also able to also able to save to the save to the uttermost thoseuttermost those

whowho comecome to to God through God through Him, since He Him, since He ever lives to ever lives to make interces-make interces-sion for them.sion for them.


This word is from This word is from a term which a term which means means completelycompletely or or per-fectlyper-fectly;; i.e.,i.e.,

He,He, asas our eternal our eternal High Priest, High Priest, doesn’t just roll doesn’t just roll sins forward for a sins forward for a year (year (cf. cf. 10:1-3); ); He for-gives them He for-gives them foreverforever, , remembering remembering them against us them against us no more (no more (10:17).).

This word is from This word is from a term which a term which means means completelycompletely or or per-fectlyper-fectly;; i.e.,i.e.,

He,He, asas our eternal our eternal High Priest, High Priest, doesn’t just roll doesn’t just roll sins forward for a sins forward for a year (year (cf. cf. 10:1-3); ); He for-gives them He for-gives them foreverforever, , remembering remembering them against us them against us no more (no more (10:17).).

Therefore He is Therefore He is also able to also able to save to the save to the uttermostuttermost those those

whowho comecome to to God through God through Him, since He Him, since He ever lives to ever lives to make interces-make interces-sion for them.sion for them.

The drawing near The drawing near to God idea in to God idea in verse 19 is is defined here by defined here by Paul as Paul as coming to coming to God through God through ChristChrist; as Jesus ; as Jesus Himself once said, Himself once said, No one comes to the Father except through Me ( (John 14:6).).

The drawing near The drawing near to God idea in to God idea in verse 19 is is defined here by defined here by Paul as Paul as coming to coming to God through God through ChristChrist; as Jesus ; as Jesus Himself once said, Himself once said, No one comes to the Father except through Me ( (John 14:6).).


whowho comecome to to GodGod through through Him, since He Him, since He ever lives to ever lives to make interces-make interces-sion for them.sion for them.

This is from a This is from a term whichterm which

actuallyactually refers to refers to everything Jesus everything Jesus has done and is has done and is do-ing even now do-ing even now as re-gards our as re-gards our salvationsalvation. . (Today (Today the word is pretty the word is pretty much limited to much limited to prayer, but this was prayer, but this was not the case with not the case with the Greek word.)the Greek word.)

This is from a This is from a term whichterm which

actuallyactually refers to refers to everything Jesus everything Jesus has done and is has done and is do-ing even now do-ing even now as re-gards our as re-gards our salvationsalvation. . (Today (Today the word is pretty the word is pretty much limited to much limited to prayer, but this was prayer, but this was not the case with not the case with the Greek word.)the Greek word.)


whowho comecome to to God through God through Him, since He Him, since He ever lives to ever lives to make make interces-interces-sionsion for them. for them.

For such a High For such a High Priest was Priest was fitting for us fitting for us who is holy, who is holy, harmless,harmless, undefil-ed, undefil-ed, separate from separate from sinners, and has sinners, and has become higher become higher than the than the heavens.heavens.


Verses 26-28 are are a sketch of a sketch of The The Ideal PriestIdeal Priest, a , a priest who isn’t priest who isn’t just better than just better than the Levitical the Levitical priests, but even priests, but even better than better than Melchizedek, Melchizedek, whom Paul left whom Paul left behind at this behind at this point to focus on point to focus on the perfection of the perfection of Jesus, His priest-Jesus, His priest-hood, and His new hood, and His new covenant.covenant.

Verses 26-28 are are a sketch of a sketch of The The Ideal PriestIdeal Priest, a , a priest who isn’t priest who isn’t just better than just better than the Levitical the Levitical priests, but even priests, but even better than better than Melchizedek, Melchizedek, whom Paul left whom Paul left behind at this behind at this point to focus on point to focus on the perfection of the perfection of Jesus, His priest-Jesus, His priest-hood, and His new hood, and His new covenant.covenant.


Jesus,Jesus, whowho

continuescontinues forever forever & has an un-& has an un-changeable changeable priest-hood, is priest-hood, is the the most suitable most suitable high priest for ushigh priest for us because only He because only He can save to the can save to the uttermost. uttermost. Besides those Besides those things, He is… things, He is…

Jesus,Jesus, whowho

continuescontinues forever forever & has an un-& has an un-changeable changeable priest-hood, is priest-hood, is the the most suitable most suitable high priest for ushigh priest for us because only He because only He can save to the can save to the uttermost. uttermost. Besides those Besides those things, He is… things, He is…

For such a High For such a High Priest was Priest was fitting for usfitting for us who is holy, who is holy, harmless,harmless, undefil-ed, undefil-ed, separate from separate from sinners, and has sinners, and has become higher become higher than the than the heavens.heavens.

The Old The Old Testament Testament background for background for this particular this particular original term original term describes describes a a person whose person whose rela-tionship to rela-tionship to God was based on God was based on covenant covenant faithfulnessfaithfulness..

The Old The Old Testament Testament background for background for this particular this particular original term original term describes describes a a person whose person whose rela-tionship to rela-tionship to God was based on God was based on covenant covenant faithfulnessfaithfulness..

For such a High For such a High Priest was Priest was fitting for us fitting for us who is who is holyholy, , harmless,harmless, undefil-ed, undefil-ed, separate from separate from sinners, and has sinners, and has become higher become higher than the than the heavens.heavens.

It described It described one one whowho genuinely genuinely fulfilled fulfilled … not … not only the exter-only the exter-nal, but also …nal, but also … the internal (the internal (the the heartheart) ) expectations of expectations of the covenantthe covenant; ; such a one was all such a one was all who God wanted who God wanted him to be.him to be.

It described It described one one whowho genuinely genuinely fulfilled fulfilled … not … not only the exter-only the exter-nal, but also …nal, but also … the internal (the internal (the the heartheart) ) expectations of expectations of the covenantthe covenant; ; such a one was all such a one was all who God wanted who God wanted him to be.him to be.


Jesus, having Jesus, having been perfectly been perfectly loyal in obedience loyal in obedience and hav-ing lived and hav-ing lived a life of perfect a life of perfect integrity, was all integrity, was all God wanted Him God wanted Him to be … for us.to be … for us.

He’s also… He’s also…

Jesus, having Jesus, having been perfectly been perfectly loyal in obedience loyal in obedience and hav-ing lived and hav-ing lived a life of perfect a life of perfect integrity, was all integrity, was all God wanted Him God wanted Him to be … for us.to be … for us.

He’s also… He’s also…


While While holy brings brings to mind Christ’s to mind Christ’s rela-tionship to rela-tionship to GodGod, , harmless brings to mind brings to mind the idea of the idea of Christ’s Christ’s relationship to His relationship to His fellowmanfellowman; e.g., ; e.g., even when He even when He cleansed the cleansed the temple and was temple and was wrongly wrongly executed, He hurt executed, He hurt no one. He’s no one. He’s also… also…

While While holy brings brings to mind Christ’s to mind Christ’s rela-tionship to rela-tionship to GodGod, , harmless brings to mind brings to mind the idea of the idea of Christ’s Christ’s relationship to His relationship to His fellowmanfellowman; e.g., ; e.g., even when He even when He cleansed the cleansed the temple and was temple and was wrongly wrongly executed, He hurt executed, He hurt no one. He’s no one. He’s also… also…

For such a High For such a High Priest was Priest was fitting for us fitting for us who is holy, who is holy, harmlessharmless,, undefil-ed, undefil-ed, separate from separate from sinners, and has sinners, and has become higher become higher than the than the heavens.heavens.

While While holy has to has to do with God, and do with God, and harm-less has to has to do with do with people,people, undefiled hashas to to do with evil; i.e., do with evil; i.e., Jesus wasn’t Jesus wasn’t conta-minatedconta-minated byby HisHis asso-ciation asso-ciation with sinners.with sinners.

While While holy has to has to do with God, and do with God, and harm-less has to has to do with do with people,people, undefiled hashas to to do with evil; i.e., do with evil; i.e., Jesus wasn’t Jesus wasn’t conta-minatedconta-minated byby HisHis asso-ciation asso-ciation with sinners.with sinners.

For such a High For such a High Priest was Priest was fitting for us fitting for us who is holy, who is holy, harmless,harmless, undefil-edundefil-ed, , separate from separate from sinners, and has sinners, and has become higher become higher than the than the heavens.heavens.

These three These three adjec-tives adjec-tives describe Jesus describe Jesus spirituallyspiritually, , morallymorally, and, and

religiouslyreligiously. Fur-. Fur-thermore, He’s… thermore, He’s…

These three These three adjec-tives adjec-tives describe Jesus describe Jesus spirituallyspiritually, , morallymorally, and, and

religiouslyreligiously. Fur-. Fur-thermore, He’s… thermore, He’s…

For such a High For such a High Priest was Priest was fitting for us fitting for us who is who is holyholy, , harmlessharmless,, undefil-edundefil-ed, , separate from separate from sinners, and has sinners, and has become higher become higher than the than the heavens.heavens.

I.e., Jesus isn’t I.e., Jesus isn’t onlyonly distinctdistinct oror indepen-dantindepen-dant ofof sinners be-cause sinners be-cause He’sHe’s holy,, harmless, &, & undefil-ed oror without sin ((4:15),), but also be-cause but also be-cause He…He…

I.e., Jesus isn’t I.e., Jesus isn’t onlyonly distinctdistinct oror indepen-dantindepen-dant ofof sinners be-cause sinners be-cause He’sHe’s holy,, harmless, &, & undefil-ed oror without sin ((4:15),), but also be-cause but also be-cause He…He…

For such a High For such a High Priest was Priest was fitting for us fitting for us who is holy, who is holy, harmless,harmless, undefil-ed, undefil-ed, separate from separate from sinnerssinners, and has , and has become higher become higher than the than the heavens.heavens.

This means that, This means that, un-like Aaronic un-like Aaronic high priests,high priests, Jesus Jesus sits at the very sits at the very right hand of God right hand of God HimselfHimself, as this , as this context goes on context goes on to say into say in 8:1..

This means that, This means that, un-like Aaronic un-like Aaronic high priests,high priests, Jesus Jesus sits at the very sits at the very right hand of God right hand of God HimselfHimself, as this , as this context goes on context goes on to say into say in 8:1..

For such a High For such a High Priest was Priest was fitting for us fitting for us who is holy, who is holy, harmless,harmless, undefil-ed, undefil-ed, separate from separate from sinners, and sinners, and has has become higher become higher than the than the heavensheavens..

InIn 4:14 PaulPaul saidsaid

thatthat Jesus had Jesus had passed through the heavens,, and and inin Eph. 4:10 he he said that Jesus issaid that Jesus is far above all heavens that He might fulfill all things. So…. So…

InIn 4:14 PaulPaul saidsaid

thatthat Jesus had Jesus had passed through the heavens,, and and inin Eph. 4:10 he he said that Jesus issaid that Jesus is far above all heavens that He might fulfill all things. So…. So…

For such a High For such a High Priest was Priest was fitting for us fitting for us who is holy, who is holy, harmless,harmless, undefil-ed, undefil-ed, separate from separate from sinners, and has sinners, and has become become higher higher than the than the heavensheavens..

Even though Jesus Even though Jesus came in the like-came in the like-ness of sinful ness of sinful flesh (flesh (Rom. 8:3), ), received and ate received and ate with sinnerswith sinners ( (Luke

15:1-2), & was a ), & was a friend to them friend to them ((Mat. 11:19), He re-), He re-mains separate mains separate from them from them because He because He refusedrefused toto

participateparticipate in in their evil deeds.their evil deeds.

Even though Jesus Even though Jesus came in the like-came in the like-ness of sinful ness of sinful flesh (flesh (Rom. 8:3), ), received and ate received and ate with sinnerswith sinners ( (Luke

15:1-2), & was a ), & was a friend to them friend to them ((Mat. 11:19), He re-), He re-mains separate mains separate from them from them because He because He refusedrefused toto

participateparticipate in in their evil deeds.their evil deeds.


JesusJesus doesn’tdoesn’t

need need daily,daily, asas

thosethose highhigh priests, to offer priests, to offer up sacrifices, up sacrifices, first for His own first for His own sins and then sins and then for the peo-for the peo-ple’s, for this He ple’s, for this He did once for all did once for all when He offered when He offered up Himself.up Himself.


This word can be This word can be translatedtranslated day by day; and since the ; and since the wordword day was was often used to often used to denote any partdenote any part ofof timetime ((meaning meaning that the phrase could that the phrase could readread from time to from time to timetime), then), then itit shouldshould bebe un-un-derstood in derstood in relation torelation to Paul’sPaul’s

otherother state- state- mentsments aboutabout thethe highhigh priestly sacrifices.priestly sacrifices.

This word can be This word can be translatedtranslated day by day; and since the ; and since the wordword day was was often used to often used to denote any partdenote any part ofof timetime ((meaning meaning that the phrase could that the phrase could readread from time to from time to timetime), then), then itit shouldshould bebe un-un-derstood in derstood in relation torelation to Paul’sPaul’s

otherother state- state- mentsments aboutabout thethe highhigh priestly sacrifices.priestly sacrifices.


need need dailydaily,, asas


Later in Hebrews Later in Hebrews Paul spoke of how Paul spoke of how high priests high priests offered sacrificesoffered sacrifices once a year ((9:7) ) oror year by year ((10:1); in fact, in); in fact, in Exo. 13:10 scho-scho-lars are forced to lars are forced to see thatsee that day by day is a Jewish is a Jewish idiom (idiom (cf. Mat. 12:40) which ) which should actually be should actually be translated astranslated as year by year. So…. So…

Later in Hebrews Later in Hebrews Paul spoke of how Paul spoke of how high priests high priests offered sacrificesoffered sacrifices once a year ((9:7) ) oror year by year ((10:1); in fact, in); in fact, in Exo. 13:10 scho-scho-lars are forced to lars are forced to see thatsee that day by day is a Jewish is a Jewish idiom (idiom (cf. Mat. 12:40) which ) which should actually be should actually be translated astranslated as year by year. So…. So…




We can read this We can read this to say,to say, Jesus Jesus doesn’t need, doesn’t need, from time to timefrom time to time ((whether daily, whether daily, monthly, or monthly, or annuallyannually),), toto offeroffer

upup sacrificessacrifices..

We can read this We can read this to say,to say, Jesus Jesus doesn’t need, doesn’t need, from time to timefrom time to time ((whether daily, whether daily, monthly, or monthly, or annuallyannually),), toto offeroffer

upup sacrificessacrifices..



thosethose highhigh priests, priests, to offer to offer up sacrificesup sacrifices, , first for His own first for His own sins and then sins and then for the peo-for the peo-ple’s, for this He ple’s, for this He did once for all did once for all when He offered when He offered up Himself.up Himself.

This verse This verse teaches us three teaches us three things:things:

1. UnlikeUnlike thethe

Aaronic Aaronic priestspriests ((5:3),),

Jesus Jesus didn’t and didn’t and doesn’t doesn’t needneed toto offeroffer aa

sac-sacrifice for rifice for Himself, Himself, but only for us but only for us—— the people. the people.

This verse This verse teaches us three teaches us three things:things:


Aaronic Aaronic priestspriests ((5:3),),

Jesus Jesus didn’t and didn’t and doesn’t doesn’t needneed toto offeroffer aa

sac-sacrifice for rifice for Himself, Himself, but only for us but only for us—— the people. the people.



thosethose highhigh priests, priests, to offer to offer up sacrificesup sacrifices, , first first for His own for His own sinssins and then and then for the peo-for the peo-ple’s, for this He ple’s, for this He did once for all did once for all when He offered when He offered up Himself.up Himself.


Aaronic Aaronic priests, Jesus priests, Jesus doesdoes not offer a not offer a sacri-sacrifice annually, fice annually, but but once for all once for all time time ((9:28);); i.e.,i.e., HeHe

doesdoes not need to be not need to be re-re- sacrificed every sacrificed every

week at Mass. week at Mass.


Aaronic Aaronic priests, Jesus priests, Jesus doesdoes not offer a not offer a sacri-sacrifice annually, fice annually, but but once for all once for all time time ((9:28);); i.e.,i.e., HeHe

doesdoes not need to be not need to be re-re- sacrificed every sacrificed every

week at Mass. week at Mass.



thosethose highhigh priests, priests, to offer to offer up sacrificesup sacrifices, , first for His own first for His own sins and then sins and then for the peo-for the peo-ple’s, ple’s, for this He for this He did once for alldid once for all when He offered when He offered up Himself.up Himself.

Speaking of Christ’s sacrifice in Speaking of Christ’s sacrifice in 9:25-28 Paul wrote,Paul wrote, Not that He

should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of

another—he then would have had

to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself…. Christ was offered once

to bear the sins of many. . And… And…


Aaronic Aaronic priests, Jesus priests, Jesus of-offered, not fered, not goats & goats & calves, but calves, but Him-Him- self for the self for the people people ( (9:14).).


Aaronic Aaronic priests, Jesus priests, Jesus of-offered, not fered, not goats & goats & calves, but calves, but Him-Him- self for the self for the people people ( (9:14).).


need need daily,daily, asas

thosethose highhigh priests, to offer priests, to offer up sacrifices, up sacrifices, first for His own first for His own sins and then sins and then for the peo-for the peo-ple’s, for this He ple’s, for this He did once for all did once for all when He when He offeredoffered up up HimselfHimself..

For the Law ap-For the Law ap-points as high points as high priests men who priests men who have have weaknesses, but weaknesses, but the word of the the word of the oath, which oath, which came after the came after the Law, appoints Law, appoints the Son who has the Son who has been perfected been perfected forever.forever.



This verse sums This verse sums up the last few up the last few verses & provides verses & provides a transi-tion for a transi-tion for Paul’s dis-cussionPaul’s dis-cussion

inin 8:1—10:18 about the greater about the greater covenant of Jesus.covenant of Jesus.

This verse sums This verse sums up the last few up the last few verses & provides verses & provides a transi-tion for a transi-tion for Paul’s dis-cussionPaul’s dis-cussion

inin 8:1—10:18 about the greater about the greater covenant of Jesus.covenant of Jesus.


The Levitical high The Levitical high priests (priests (& & therefore that therefore that priesthoodpriesthood) were ) were just weak in just weak in gener-al; while gener-al; while the Law the Law constituted constituted morally, morally, spiritually, and spiritually, and ((be-cause of deathbe-cause of death) ) physi-cally weak physi-cally weak men as high men as high priests, God’s priests, God’s oathoath ((thatthat camecame

after theafter the LawLaw),),

constituted His constituted His perfected Son as perfected Son as High Priest.High Priest.

The Levitical high The Levitical high priests (priests (& & therefore that therefore that priesthoodpriesthood) were ) were just weak in just weak in gener-al; while gener-al; while the Law the Law constituted constituted morally, morally, spiritually, and spiritually, and ((be-cause of deathbe-cause of death) ) physi-cally weak physi-cally weak men as high men as high priests, God’s priests, God’s oathoath ((thatthat camecame

after theafter the LawLaw),),

constituted His constituted His perfected Son as perfected Son as High Priest.High Priest.


Notice: Paul again Notice: Paul again connected connected Christ’s Christ’s priesthood with priesthood with His deity—His His deity—His Sonship toSonship to GodGod (cf.(cf.

4:14 && 5:5)).. So…So…

Notice: Paul again Notice: Paul again connected connected Christ’s Christ’s priesthood with priesthood with His deity—His His deity—His Sonship toSonship to GodGod (cf.(cf.

4:14 && 5:5)).. So…So…


Unlike the OT Unlike the OT high priests, Jesus high priests, Jesus is the is the High Priest High Priest who suitswho suits our our needs perfectlyneeds perfectly ((v. 26)!)!

Unlike the OT Unlike the OT high priests, Jesus high priests, Jesus is the is the High Priest High Priest who suitswho suits our our needs perfectlyneeds perfectly ((v. 26)!)!

a study of the apostle paul’s letter to the hebrews

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