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Commentary
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 Hebrews Chapter 7 As to why it was impossible for God to lie in saying that Jesus is a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedec, this chapter sets this forth. Melchizedec, the priest of the Most High God met Abraham returning from killing the kings of Sodom and blessed Him. (v1) Melchizedec, was; in being given a tenth part of the spoils not only the king of Salem, but by anaolgy king of righteousness and peace. (v2) Melchizedec is mentioned in no genealogy and no other information is given to us concerning him. However that he was priest of the Most High is recorded, and in likeness to the Son of God who is without beginning or end and is a priest continually Melchizedec is evidenced to be both righteous and able to bless with God's authority even though there was no appointed priesthood as alike to the old covenant levitical priesthood. (v3) This Melchizedec must surely have been a great man, since Abraham himself gave him a tenth of the spoils, and to none other, since none other could bless him in this victory, they being then as a greater. (v4) Now under the law of Moses, the priesthood themselves take tithes of the people although they themselves are of the stock of Abraham (v5) but Melchizedec was not of descent from Abraham and he received tithes of one that was, and blessed him. (For the flesh is not greater but the priesthood of faith is greater than any flesh.) (v6) For the lesser is certainly blessed by the greater, thus Melchizedec was certainly a great man of faith indeed. (v7) Here, men that are mortal receive tithes of others, but Jesus Christ, having gone beyond the veil receives tithes of us (who believe that He lives) by our prayers of thanksgiving and gladness. (v8) The father of all levite priests, Levi himself paid tithes in Abraham by Abrahams payment to Melchizedec (v9) For Abraham was before Levi, and if Levi is justified as after the flesh of Abraham then by Abraham he paid Melchizedec tithes, and if by faith also, then by Abrahams faith was that tithe paid. (v10) So, if perfection were by the levitical priesthood, what need is there for another priest to come after the order of Melchizedec as God had promised? (v11) For if there is a change of priesthood, there must need be a change of law, (v12) for only the levitical priesthood is recognised by the law. (v13) For Jesus does not come from a tribe that had any man a priest of Levi. Jesus Christ is of the line of Judah, not Levi, of which the law and Moses mentioned nothing concerning priesthood. (v14) But more so, there is another priest to come from another line (v15) (in the person of Jesus Christ) who does not work to establish the law, but to fulfill it and bring in eternal life. (v16) For God swore that Jesus would be such a priest forever. (v17) In doing so, there is in that change of law a striking out of the old priesthood because of its inability to intercede to bring in eternal life by faith. (v18) The law could not make anything perfect, but a new law of faith under grace and the ministration of the Holy Spirit at the intercession of Christ can and does make perfect, which is our sure hope. (v19) Jesus Christ was made priest then with an oath, that forever He will be such a priest after the fashion of one without descent from Abraham, who lives forever. (v20) For all Levite priests are made with no oath from God as to their standing, but with an oath is Christ made a priest forever. (v21) In doing this, where the law could not make perfect, Jesus Christ was given the surety of a priesthood that would never fail or be able to be exceeded in perfection. (v22) Whereas before the Levite priests were many in number and died in their time, Jesus' priesthood is unending and unchangeable, being perfect. (v24) Not only is Christ ever before the throne of God to make intercession for those that are His own, (v25) He is not just an example of obedience, but of everything that does completely satisfy the perfection of God in the faith and knowledge of another, and is sat at the right hand of God never to be replaced or superceded by any other. (v26) Jesus, who does not need to sacrifice daily after the fashion of those imperfect offerings under the law that do not wash away sins, has offered up Himself in obedience to God (even to death.) (v27) For the law makes men with infirmities priests, but the oath that Christ is a priest forever establishes the new covenant upon the victory of Christ on the cross. (v28) |
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