Hebrews 8:1-13

Christ’s Superior Ministry

What it says:

Heb 8:1  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Heb 8:2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Heb 8:3  For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
Heb 8:4  For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
Heb 8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
Heb 8:7  For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
Heb 8:8  For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Heb 8:9  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
Heb 8:10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Heb 8:11  And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
Heb 8:12  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Heb 8:13  In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

What it means:

We are continuing to look at a comparison between Jesus Christ, the High Priest of Heaven, and the Levitical high priests who served in the temple in Jerusalem. Our author is speaking to the Hebrews who were very familiar with the temple made by men and consecrated to God. He is explaining the ministry of Jesus in terms they understand. By comparison, he is teaching them about the superiority of Jesus, the Son of God.

Heb 8:1  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum:

BBC: Now the writer has come to the main point of his argument. He is not summarizing what has been said but stating the main thesis to which he has been leading in the Epistle.

We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

Who is the “we?” -- The believing Christians

Which high priest is he speaking of? Jesus Christ

Where is our high priest seated? On the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.

Who is “the Majesty?”  God, the Father.

Where is the throne located?  In the heavens.

Heb 8:2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle,

Define: Minister – G3011, λειτουργός, leitourgos, li-toorg-os', a public servant, that is, a functionary in the Temple or Gospel, or (generally) a worshipper (of God) or benefactor (of man): - minister (-ed).

Define:  Sanctuary -- G39, ἅγιον, hagion, hag'-ee-on, a sacred thing (that is, spot): - holiest (of all), holy place

Define: Tabernacle – tent; of that well known movable temple of God after the pattern of which the temple at Jerusalem was built

Jesus Christ is the author of eternal life and he ministers or serves in the sanctuary or holiest of all in the true tabernacle located in heaven. 

which the Lord pitched, and not man.

Define: Pitched – erected, set up, put up, placed (Antonym: dismantle)

Who pitched the heavenly tabernacle?  The Lord, and not man.

BBC: He (Jesus) serves the people in the sanctuary of heaven. This is the true tent, of which the earthly tabernacle was a mere copy or representation.

Jesus serves in a much higher, more holy, and separated sanctuary… the real one in heaven where God resides.

Heb 8:3  For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.

What is every high priest ordained to do? Offer gifts and sacrifices.

BBC: Since one of the principal functions of a high priest is to offer both gifts and sacrifices, it follows that our High Priest must do this also. Gifts is a general term covering all types of offerings presented to God. Sacrifices were gifts in which an animal was slain.

To whom are these gifts and sacrifices offered?  To God.

From whom do these gifts and sacrifices come? From man.

Let’s think about this a little. Under the old covenant, the high priests offered sacrifices and gifts to God for the forgiveness or atonement of man. So the gifts were to God and from man. What God actually wanted was not sacrifices piling up, but obedience from the heart. God instituted the system of sacrifices to allow men to get their hearts back in tune with God’s heart. Our high priest, Jesus Christ, has already offered the one true complete and holy eternal sacrifice from His obedient heart which removes our sins, so no more sacrifices of this kind are offered or needed. Jesus satisfied the requirements of God who gave spiritual renewal to any man who desires it.

What about the gifts? What gifts can man offer to God in Jesus Christ? What is it that God wants from us?  He has told us over and over that He wants us to believe Him, to trust and obey Him, and to love Him. He also wants us to love our fellow man, as He loves them. God wants our love!

The kinds of gifts that are listed in the NT are actually gifts from God – the Gift of the Holy Spirit being the main gift that God gives us. He foretold that in the new covenant He would write his laws on our hearts and minds. It is by the Holy Spirit, living in us, that we have God’s laws written in our inward parts – in our minds and hearts.

Jer 31:33  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

The Pulpit Commentary: THE INSCRIPTION OF THE LAW OR GOD IN THE HEART. It is a remark of Ewald’s that in Egyptian temples there were arks, or sacred chests, into which the priests put everything they deemed of the highest value. Jehovah had nothing more precious than his Law, which, being the expression of his righteous will, and for the good of Israel, was placed in the ark of the covenant. While the Law was in the sacred place the people forgot its claims, worshipped false gods, and were guilty of many transgressions. The new covenant places the Law in the heart, and thus life becomes a scene of obedience, a cause of sincerity in worship, and by its constant presence preserves believers from offending God, and produces the fruits of righteousness. Paul said, "With the mind I serve the Law of God; and the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

God’s desire and will is that we be His. He desires to be our God and that we be His people. Jesus Christ has made it possible for us to be God’s own children.

Luk_12:32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Eph 1:3-6  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Eph_1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Php_2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Under the old covenant man gave gifts and sacrifices to God…. And under the new covenant God gave us His Son to be the one eternal sacrifice which brings us close to Him – which means that God made the sacrifice, and it is God who gives us His Eternal Holy Spirit to dwell in each one of us. The only gift we can give God is our true love and gratitude, which is the only thing He wants from us!! The only gift we can give to a fellow human is also our true love!

Luk_10:27  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

1Jn 4:4-8  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 

Joh_14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Joh_15:10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Heb 8:4  For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

If Christ had not been crucified and still lived on the earth, what would he not be? He would not be a Levitical priest.

He would not be serving in the temple as a priest because, according to the law, that office is set aside for the tribe of Levi – of which, Jesus was not descended.

Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things,

Define: Serve – wait on, provide, supply, function, act, perform, assist, help, aid, work for, attend

Define: Example – model, pattern, replica, mock-up, representation, copy, reproduction, prototype

Define: Shadow – silhouette, outline, darkness, hint, trace, suggestion

The shadow of what? The shadow of heavenly things.

The Levitical priests served the “suggestion” of heavenly things. A shadow is a silhouette with some recognizable details around the outside edges but it does not have substance or true form. An example is reminiscent of the real thing, it is not actually the real thing. The Tabernacle was an “example” made after a pattern. The point being that the Levitical priests served the replica of heavenly things, but, Jesus serves in the real tabernacle in heaven, and not the shadow of one on the earth.

as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Define: Admonished – cautioned, alerted, warned about, reproved, advised, counseled, informed, notified, forewarned

Who warned Moses?  God.

The tabernacle that God instructed Moses to assemble in the wilderness was a dwelling place for God -- His own tent that the Levitical priests tore down and carried with them every time they moved. They also pitched it once again whenever they reached their next destination. God had given Moses very strict instructions on how the earthly tabernacle of God should be built, carried, and treated because it was a shadow or pattern of the real one in Heaven.

Exo 25:8-9  And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

Why did God let them make Him a sanctuary? God’s great desire is to dwell with us and among us. He is the God of love and His desire is to be with us! God is so amazing! God provided all that was needed in order for us to dwell with His Holy Highness – because that is His will.

Do you also see that God actually made a place for Himself to sit and commune with man here on the Earth? He came to us. But man's heart was not right and he disregarded God. 

BBC: The tabernacle was never intended to be the ultimate sanctuary. It was only a copy and shadow. When God called Moses up to Mount Sinai and told him to build the tabernacle, He gave him a definite blueprint to follow. This pattern was a type of a higher, heavenly, spiritual reality.

Why does the writer emphasize this so forcefully? Simply to impress on the minds of any who might be tempted to go back to Judaism that they were leaving the substance for the shadows when they should be going on from shadow to substance.

Heb 8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Who is this verse talking about?  Jesus Christ.

What has he obtained? A more excellent ministry.

The word “more” indicates a comparison. He is pointing out that Christ’s ministry is more excellent than the Levitical priests.

He was the mediator of what?  A better covenant.

The better covenant was the new one that replaced the old one which was vanishing away.

What was the better covenant established upon?  Better promises.

Jer 31:33  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Jesus has:
1.    obtained a more excellent ministry
2.    become the mediator of a better covenant
3.    delivered on better promises

BBC: Christ's ministry is infinitely better. He offered Himself, not an animal. He presented the value of His own blood, not the blood of bulls and goats. He put away sins, not merely covered them. He gave believers a perfect conscience, not an annual reminder of sins. He opened the way for us to enter into the presence of God, not to stand outside at a distance.

He is also Mediator of a better covenant. As Mediator He stands between God and man to bridge the gap of estrangement. Griffith Thomas compares the covenants succinctly:

“The covenant is “better” because it is absolute not conditional, spiritual not carnal, universal not local, eternal not temporal, individual not national, internal not external.”

Let's take a closer look at these comparisons:

The covenant is “better” because it is:

⦁    absolute not conditional,

Define:  Absolute – total, complete, utter, unconditional, unlimited, supreme, fixed, unmodified, pure, perfect, unquestionable (Antonym: relative, provisional)

Define: Conditional – dependent on something else being done, having conditions or limitations, provisional, restricted, restrictive, qualified, uncertain, unconfirmed (Antonym: unrestricted)

Why is an absolute covenant better than a conditional one?  Because it is unconditional.  It is fixed so it will not change, it is pure so it cannot be defiled, it is perfect and cannot fall apart.

⦁    spiritual not carnal,

Define: Spiritual – sacred, divine, coming from God, being of God

Define:  Carnal – physical, of the flesh, not spiritual, not intellectual, sensual, relating to or consisting of the body

Why is an spiritual covenant better than a carnal one?  Because the source of the spiritual is God, and the source of the carnal is the body which is destined to die.

⦁    universal not local,

Define: Universal – worldwide, widespread, general, common to all, collective, entire, unanimous

Define:  Local – confined to a particular group or location, restricted, limited, confined, narrow

Why is a universal covenant better than a local one? Because it is not limited to a certain group of people. It is available to anyone who chooses to believe.

⦁    eternal not temporal,

Define: Eternal – everlasting, undying, unending, perpetual, endless, ceaseless, timeless, incorruptible, (Antonym: temporary)

Define: Temporal – worldly, earthly, mundane, mortal, corruptible, destined to die

Why is an eternal covenant better than a temporal one? Because it is everlasting and is not destined to die. We can fearlessly put our trust in it.

⦁    individual not national,

Define: Individual – personal, specific, particular, private, unique (Antonym: common)

Define:  National – nationwide, state, general, public, state-run, non-specific

Why is an individual covenant better than a national one? Each man or woman will answer for their own transgressions and not for the sins of the whole nation.

⦁    internal not external.

Define: Internal – inner, inside, interior, within the inner man, concerns the heart, the center, the core

Define: External – outside, outer, exterior, peripheral, marginal, secondary

Why is an internal covenant better than an external one? The heart that has the covenant written within the inner man will direct the man to God. God will be first in this heart. But a covenant that is outside the heart does not bring a man or woman closer to God. They remain at a distance or are marginal and secondary.

“The covenant is “better” because it is

1.    absolute not conditional (its implementation depends on God, and not man),
2.    spiritual not carnal (based on God’s Holy Spirit and not our weakness),
3.    universal not local (available to anyone, not just one particular group),
4.    eternal not temporal (it never ends or changes, we can depend on it and dwell within it continually),
5.    individual not national (specific to our personal needs not just the general one-size-fits-all population, our personal relationship with the Father cannot be affected by unbelievers),
6.    internal not external (it deeply touches the heart and is not about “appearances”).”

It is a better covenant because it is founded on better promises. The covenant of law promised blessing for obedience but threatened death for disobedience. It required righteousness but did not give the ability to produce it.

The New Covenant is an unconditional covenant of grace:

⦁    It imputes righteousness where there is none.
⦁    It teaches men to live righteously,
⦁    empowers them to do so, and
⦁    rewards them when they do.

Heb 8:7  For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

We see the if/then contingency:

What is the “if?” -- If that first covenant had been faultless.

What is the “then?” -- Then no place would have been sought for a second. Or there would have been no need for God to foretell of a better one. The first covenant was made “faulty” by man, not by God. They continued to disobey and disrespect Him.

Heb 8:8  For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

With whom did God find fault?  The house of Israel and with the house of Judah.

What was God going to make? A new covenant.

With whom? The same people.

When did He plan on doing this? He says, "Behold, the days come" meaning at some time in the future, or more accurately, the future is on its way.

Heb 8:9  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers

Would the new covenant be like the old one? No.

Who had the old one been made with? The fathers of the Israelites (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, including Moses, Aaron, and the prophets.)

in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt;

What had God done for the fathers? He took them by the hand and lead them out of Egypt. He liberated them from their slavery. He redeemed them.

because they continued not in my covenant,

What had the fathers done? They “continued not” – they “unbelieved,” they did not keep God’s covenant.

Gen_17:7  And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

When the Israelites went a whoring after other gods, they disregarded God. They committed adultery against Him.

Jer_5:7  How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.

and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

The Living God was long suffering and patient. He called them back to Him many times. Sent them into captivity to show them what it was like to live without Him and then brought them home to Him. But they just kept wandering off to the whore houses of other gods – the ones of gold, silver, wood and stone – with painted eyes, and ears of stone.

Define: Regard – respect, value, esteem, admiration, good opinion, appreciate, prize, cherish, hold dear, affection, honor, repute (standing)

What are the antonyms to regard? (Antonym: disregard, disrespect, contempt, insolence, impertinence, ignore, close the eyes to)

But when they continually were headstrong and preferred to disregard Him…. He finally disregarded them. He closed His eyes to them. He no longer esteemed them, as before, and told them He was making a new covenant because they refused to obey the old one.

Heb 8:10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Where will God put His laws?  Into their mind.

Where will God write His laws?  In their hearts.

What will God be to them? A God.

What shall they be to Him?  His people.

He will put His laws into their minds so they will remember them. He will write them in their hearts so they will regard them. The people will know who their God really is and will remember Him, regard Him, and love Him. God will have the people He desires to have. He will love and regard them and bless them forever. He is the God of love.

BBC: 8:10   Notice the repetition of the words I will. The Old Covenant tells what man must do; the New Covenant tells what God will do. After those days of Israel's disobedience are past, He will put His laws in their mind so that they will know them, and on their hearts so that they will love them. They will want to obey, not through fear of punishment but through love for Him. The laws will no longer be written in stone but on the fleshly tablets of the heart.

I will be their God, and they shall be My people. This speaks of nearness. The OT told man to stand at a distance; grace tells him to come near. It also speaks of an unbroken relationship and unconditional security. Nothing will ever interrupt this blood-bought tie

Heb 8:11  And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

God will be known among His people. He will be allowed to love and bless them, even more! God will be fulfilled!

BBC:  The New Covenant also includes universal knowledge of the Lord. During Christ's Glorious Reign, it will not be necessary for a man to teach his neighbor or his brother to know the Lord. Everyone will have an inward consciousness of Him, from the least ... to the greatest: “The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isa_11:9).

Heb 8:12  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

God will be merciful to what? To their unrighteousness.

What will God forget? Their sins and their iniquities.

BBC: 8:12   Best of all, the New Covenant promises mercy for an unrighteous people and eternal forgetfulness of their sins. The law was inflexible and unbending: “Every transgression and disobedience received a just reward” (Heb_2:2).

Furthermore, the law could not deal effectively with sins. It provided for the atonement of sins but not for their removal. (The Hebrew word for atonement comes from the verb meaning “cover.”) The sacrifices prescribed in the law made a man ceremonially clean, that is, they qualified him to engage in the religious life of the nation. But this ritual cleansing was external; it did not touch a man's inward life. It did not provide moral cleansing or give him a clear conscience.

Heb 8:13  In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

When God made a new covenant, what happened to the old one? It decayed, grew old, and vanished away.

We know that God’s mercy is new every morning, because He, Himself, never changes. This means that He is also always new, lively and fresh. God does not grow old. So if the former covenant grows “old,” “decayed,” and “vanishes away” that means it has died. Jesus the mediator of the new covenant makes everything new!!

2Co_5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2Co_3:6  Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Mar_2:21  No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.

BBC: 8:13   The fact that God introduces a New Covenant means that the first is obsolete. Since this is so, there should be no thought of going back to the law. Yet that is exactly what some of the professing believers were tempted to do. The author warns them that the legal covenant is outmoded; a better covenant has been introduced. They should get in step with God.

Read our verses again:

Heb 8:1  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Heb 8:2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Heb 8:3  For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
Heb 8:4  For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
Heb 8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
Heb 8:7  For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
Heb 8:8  For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Heb 8:9  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
Heb 8:10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Heb 8:11  And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
Heb 8:12  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Heb 8:13  In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Hebrews 7:18-28

Our Better Hope

What it says:

Heb 7:18  For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
Heb 7:19  For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Heb 7:20  And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
Heb 7:21  (For those 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 Melchisedec:)
Heb 7:22  By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Heb 7:23  And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
Heb 7:24  But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Heb 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Heb 7:26  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Heb 7:27  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.
Heb 7:28  For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

What it means:

Heb 7:18  For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

Define: Verily – (arhaic) truthfully, certainly, confidently, admittedly, frankly, honestly

Define: Disanulling – make void, cancellation (literally or figuratively), put away.

There is a disannulling of what?  The commandment going before

Why was the commandment disannulled? Because of the commandment's weakness and unprofitableess

Define: Weakness – flaw, fault, failing, limitation, disadvantage, drawback, difficulty, frailty, feebleness, powerlessness,

We are familiar with the flesh being weak. The Levitical priests could never really completely or permanently remove the sins of the people so they had to repeat the sacrifices and rituals over and over again, year after year.

Define: Unprofitableness – not helpful or useful, unbeneficial, a losing battle, unsuccessful

Heb 7:19  For the law made nothing perfect,

Define: Perfect – without faults, complete and whole, lacking nothing essential, excellent or ideal

What was made perfect by the law? Nothing.

Sermon Bible Commentary: The imperfection of the law appears in these three points especially—

(1) The temporary forgiveness of sin;

(2) Access unto God was not perfected under the old dispensation;

(3) They had not received the Holy Ghost as an indwelling spirit.

The law made nothing perfect. For perfection is true, substantial, and eternal communion with God through a perfect mediation, and this perfect mediation we have obtained in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The temporary forgiveness of sin; What the law did not make perfect was the people’s hearts. They could have forgiveness of their sins, but when they sinned again, they had to make another sacrifice. What God wanted was obedience, not more and more sacrifices. He allowed the sacrifices to help them, but it never really seemed to change their hearts completely -- which appeared to make the law unprofitable. God wants our hearts.

Access unto God was not perfected under the old dispensation; meaning the people still could not go into God directly. The veil in the temple did not allow them entrance unto Him. Only the High Priest could go behind the veil once per year on the Day of Atonement, and only through the offering of a sacrifice and the cleansing rituals that were required.

They had not received the Holy Ghost as an indwelling spirit. Even the priests did not have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them, unless God decided to do so. He did fill some of His holy people with His spirit, but it was not available to everyone.

but the bringing in of a better hope did;

Define: Better – superior by comparison, improved, enhanced, surpassing

Define: Hope – expectation, optimism, faith, hopefulness, trust, anticipate, look forward to

What is the better hope?

1Ti_1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

God is our Saviour and He provided our Lord Jesus Christ specifically to save us. Jesus is our better hope!

1Pe_1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Jesus provided all three things which the law lacked!

(1) The eternal forgiveness of sins;

(2) Access unto God; (the throne of Grace)

(3) The gift of the Holy Ghost as an indwelling spirit.

Joh_17:23  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

1Co_3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

“By the which” refers to what? By our better hope, Jesus Christ, we may draw near to God. We may go boldly to the Throne of Grace because Jesus Christ has provided the way for us. He was the Obedient One who not only offered Himself as the sacrifice, but who lived His life in obedience to God. Hallelujah!! 

Psa 91:14-16  "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Psalm 91 is also a Psalm of the Messiah. The words spoken above describe the relationship that Jesus enjoyed with the Father. It also describes what is now available to us, too!! Praise the Lord!! The “long life” which satisfies the Saviour is Eternal!!

Heb 7:20  And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

Jesus was not made a priest without an oath – He was made a priest by the oath of God.

Heb 7:21  (For those priests were made without an oath;
But the Levitical priests were made priests without an oath – they were made priests by their birth right under the law.

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 Melchisedec:)
Heb 7:22  By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

By so much more than what the Levitical Priests had! Remember these were “priests” to be respected and obeyed… yet … the oath of God contained in the quoted Messianic prophecy, and His blessing on Jesus Christ, to whom He gave the power to be raised from the dead, clearly “trumps” being born in a certain family.

Define: Surety – security, indemnity, insurance, exemption from penalties, guarantee, warranty, deposit, collateral (In finance, a surety, surety bond or guaranty involves a promise by one party to assume responsibility for the debt obligation of a borrower if that borrower defaults. The person or company providing this promise is also known as a "surety" or as a "guarantor".[1] -- Wikipedia)

Define: Testament – proof: something that shows that something else exists or is true; covenant between God and humankind; evidence, witness, testimony, demonstration, tribute, verification, authentication

Jesus Christ is our guarantee of a much better covenant!

JFB: surety — ensuring in His own person the certainty of the covenant to us. This He did by becoming responsible for our guilt, by sealing the covenant with His blood, and by being openly acknowledged as our triumphant Savior by the Father, who raised Him from the dead. Thus He is at once God’s surety for man, and man’s surety for God, and so Mediator between God and man.

Heb 7:23  And they truly were many priests,

There were thousands, of Levitical priests over the years, dutifully performing the sacrifices, but there was, even among them, only one high priest each year. But the years added up to many many hundreds of high priests.

because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

Why did the Levitical priests not remain priests forever? Once those priests died, they were no longer priests. Just the same as when a woman’s husband dies, she is no longer bound to him.

Heb 7:24  But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

Since Jesus lives an eternal life, His priesthood is also eternal. Hallelujah!! Because Jesus’ life is everlasting and unchanging, so is his priesthood eternal and immutable.

Heb 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him,

Define:  Save – rescue someone, recover, salvage, bail out, revive, resuscitate

Define: Uttermost – most remote, to the highest degree, farthest, utmost, outermost, furthermost, farthest away, extreme

Them who do what? Them that come unto God by Jesus.

Mat 11:27-28  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

What does “ever liveth” mean? Living forever. Life eternal.

What does He continually do for us?  He makes intercession for us.

Define: Intercession – interceding, the action of pleading on someone’s behalf, attempt to resolve conflict or settle a dispute, prayer or petition to God on behalf of someone else, intervention, mediation, arbitration, negotiation

“Seeing he ever liveth”… seeing he has eternal life for the purpose of making intercession for us with God.

BBC: Because He lives forever He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God by Him. We generally understand this to refer to His work in saving sinners from the penalty of sin, but actually the writer is speaking of Christ's work in saving saints from the power of sin. It is not so much His role as Savior as that of High Priest. There is no danger that any believers will be lost. Their eternal security rests on His perpetual intercession for them. He is also able to save them for all time because His present ministry for them at God's right hand can never be interrupted by death.

The Savior removed the separation between God and man. He opened the veil. Our High Priest ever speaks for us who believe on Him. He saves the saints (us) from the power of sin!! We first come unto Jesus as Savior to rescue us and give us new life. Then we come unto Jesus as High Priest who intervenes for us continually before God. He walks with us, teaches us, renews us, and loves us continually. Always bringing us closer to the Father!! Hallelujah!

1Co 15:56-58 (NRSV)  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

BBC: 1Co 15:56   Death would have no sting for anyone if it were not for sin. It is the consciousness of sins unconfessed and unforgiven that makes men afraid to die. If we know our sins are forgiven, we can face death with confidence. If, on the other hand, sin is on the conscience, death is terrible—the beginning of eternal punishment.

The strength of sin is the law, that is, the law condemns the sinner. It pronounces the doom of all who have failed to obey God's holy precepts. It has been well said that if there were no sin, there would be no death. And if there were no law, there would be no condemnation. The throne of death rests on two bases: sin, which calls for condemnation, and the law which pronounces it. Consequently, it is on these two powers that the work of the Deliverer bore.

BBC: 1Co 15:57   Through faith in Him, we have victory over death and the grave. Death is robbed of its sting. It is a known fact that when certain insects sting a person, they leave their stinger imbedded in the person's flesh, and being thus robbed of their “sting,” they die. In a very real sense death stung itself to death at the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, and now the King of Terrors is robbed of his terror as far as the believer is concerned.

“The power of sin is the law”… but we are no longer under the law. We are under grace!!

Rom 6:13-14  No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Gal 3:24-29  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Heb 7:26  For such an high priest became us,

Define: Became (past tense of become, becoming) – befitting, appropriate, attractively suitable, necessary

The NKJV says: “For such a High Priest was fitting for us,” – to be saved we needed a better high priest, one who could by the power in Him, save us from sin, death, and destruction, and deliver us through grace to forgiveness, everlasting life, and a new creation in Him. This Jesus Christ has done! Hallelujah!! And we, as believers, may depend on Him every day. Abide in Him and He will abide in you!

Joh 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Define or clarify the things that Jesus, our high priest is:

Holy – consecrated, dedicated, and set apart to God, devoted to the service of God, sanctified, free from sin, blessed, sacred, hallowed

Harmless – safe, risk-free, undamaging, nontoxic, inoffensive, innocent, blameless, above suspicion, pure, chaste, spotless, (Antonym: worldly, malicious, tainted)

Undefiled – untainted, untarnished, uncorrupted, undamaged, unpolluted; honorable, sanctified, respected

Separate from sinners  -- He is not joined to sinners.

Made higher than the heavens -- The highest place we know is the heavens above us -- and Jesus is higher than the highest height we can think of.

BBC: Christ's priesthood is superior to Aaron's because of His personal excellence. He is holy in His standing before God. He is harmless or guileless in His dealings with men. He is undefiled in His personal character. He is separate from sinners in His life at God's right hand. He has become higher than the heavens in His present and eternal splendor. It is fitting for us to have such a High Priest.

For perspective the Levitical high priests were not holy, they had sinned as other men sin. They were not always harmless or guileless, they sometimes used their office for personal gain. The righteous ones did not, but they were not all righteous and upright men of God. Any priest who sinned was defiled in his personal character, meaning, they were counted among the sinners, and therefore, they were not separate from sinners. They have all, every one, died the same death that all men die. But Jesus Christ has been made “higher than the heavens” – hallelujah!!

Heb 7:27  Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's:

How often did the Levitical high priests need to perform sacrifices? Daily.

For whose sin did they sacrifice? For their own sins and then for the people's.

for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

How many times did Jesus offer His perfect sacrifice?  Once, because that is all that is needed.

What did He offer up? He offered up himself.

Eph_5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Heb 7:28  For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity;

What is it that makes men high priests? The law.

What do the men who are high priests have? Infirmity

Define: Infirmity – ill-health, illness, sickness, frailty, weakness, shortcomings, imperfections, failings

but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

What is it that made the Son our High Priest? The word of the oath of God.

When was the oath made? Since or after the law had already been given.

Psa 110:4  The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.


What did the oath of God declare the Messiah to be? A priest for ever.

Define:  Consecrated – holy, sacred, sanctified, hallowed, set apart

For how long is Jesus consecrated? Evermore.

Gal 3:11  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Gal 3:13-14  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

1Co_15:57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reading our verses again:

Heb 7:18  For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
Heb 7:19  For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Heb 7:20  And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
Heb 7:21  (For those 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 Melchisedec:)
Heb 7:22  By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Heb 7:23  And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
Heb 7:24  But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Heb 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Heb 7:26  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Heb 7:27  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.
Heb 7:28  For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

Hebrews 7:1-17

Our Eternal High Priest

What it says:

Heb 7:1  For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
Heb 7:2  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;
Heb 7:3  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.
Heb 7:4  Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
Heb 7:5  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:
Heb 7:6  But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
Heb 7:7  And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
Heb 7:8  And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
Heb 7:9  And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
Heb 7:10  For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
Heb 7:11  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 Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
Heb 7:12  For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Heb 7:13  For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
Heb 7:14  For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Heb 7:15  And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Heb 7:16  Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Heb 7:17  For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

What it means:

Believer’s Bible Commentary: Melchizedek was an enigmatic (mysterious) figure who appeared briefly on the stage of human history (Gen_14:18-20), then disappeared. Centuries later his name was mentioned by David (Psa_110:4). Then, after a lapse of additional centuries, it reappears in the book of Hebrews. One thing is apparent: God arranged the details of his life so that he would be an excellent type of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Note: The name Melchizedek is spelled differently in the OT than it is in the NT of the KJV, but it is the same person. I have varied the spelling as they did.)

Before we delve into this subject matter we need to be reminded that we are reading a book that was written to the Hebrew people in order to teach them about Jesus, the founder of salvation. So far Jesus has been compared to God as His Son and Heir, shown to be higher than the angels, and Moses, demonstrated that he came as a man to save men, and now our Lord is being compared to priests in order to validate and explain His person, His office, and His destiny, to the Hebrew mind. Their lives had been lived under the OT law and the Levitical priesthood for hundreds of years. The only reason that Melchisedec is even mentioned here is to give them a more comprehensive view of the words “priest” and “priesthood.” In their lives there were no other valid priests except the Levitical priests descended through Aaron. For them to suddenly accept Jesus as a priest, and especially a High Priest, they needed a valid precedent. Melchisedec is that precedent. So he is mentioned in order to bring them closer to understanding Jesus Christ; and closer to God by faith in Jesus Christ. Let us understand Melchisedec but not be distracted by Him. It is always Jesus whom we seek to understand and know better.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Heb 7:1  For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

What two offices did Melchisedec hold? King of Salem, and priest of the most high God.

What did he do to Abraham?  He blessed him.

A battle had taken place in which Abraham joined forces with some other kings to go and take back what had been kidnapped from them all. Lot, Abraham’s nephew, had been stolen away and he went to rescue him. Abraham and his men and allies were victorious. They freed Lot and the women and all the others from captivity, slaughtered the perpetrators of the crime, and took possession of all their goods. (Optional: read Genesis chapter 14)

Heb 7:2  To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all;

What did Abraham give to the Priest of the Most High God? A tenth, or his tithing.

first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

First: How does our author interpret the name “Melchisedec?” 1. King of righteousness, 2. King of Salem.

Second: How does our author interpret the office of “King of Salem?” King of peace.

Bible History.com: Salem was the first recorded name of Jerusalem revealed in the Scriptures. “Jeru” means city and the word "Salem" comes from the Hebrew 'Shalom" and means "Peace" but it means much more than peace, shalom has a connotation of wholeness, contentment, blessing, prosperity, and lack of aggression.

We know that Abraham acknowledged this king as a priest, because he paid his tithing to him. Here we also have the reason that the man, Melchisedec has been brought up – He has the same titles as our Lord Jesus Christ: King of Righteousness, and King of Peace – we often recall Jesus being called the Prince of Peace (because He is the Son of God).

The author’s point is to remind the Hebrews that even before Levi, Moses, and Aaron were born, Melchisedec was a priest of the Most High God.

The name “Melchisedec” is also part of the messianic prophecy written by David (Psa_110:4), which was very familiar to the Hebrews because they were looking for the Messiah to come. God can make priests out of anyone He wants to. Our author is actually saying to the Hebrews, “Let’s not get bogged down by this point that Jesus is a High Priest. Melchesidec is the perfect example of a legitimate high priest not being a descendent of Aaron.”

As a reminder for our own minds, too, recall that Peter says we are now a “royal priesthood,” too, under our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is our High Priest in Heaven.

1Pe_2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Heb 7:3  Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life;

These are the things that determined the Levitical priests – of which – Melchisedec had none. The Levitical priests had to prove their genealogy in order to become a priest. Their mother and/or father had to be direct descendants of Levi. They had to have a validated genealogy in order to become a priest who could serve in the temple. So the priests were born, verified as true descendants, became priests, perhaps even high priest, and served in the temple, then they died and someone else took on the office.

What are the things that Melchisedec did not have as a requirement for his priesthood….  Melchisedec had none of the qualifications that the Levitical Priests were required to have, yet he was a priest of the Most High God, validated by Abraham, Himself. He also did not have “beginning of days” – a birth certificate, or “end of life” – a record of death and burial. He simply stands in the pages of the Bible, as if he were eternally alive; always a king and priest because we never see him in any other light. Not one thing more is known of him from the Bible, but he is mentioned in David’s Psalm about the Messiah which was written under Divine influence:

Psa 110:4  The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

The Messiah is forever in the Hebrew mind, and the pages of the Bible, continually a priest because the LORD declared him to be so, in this verse about the Messiah. God’s word is immutable both then, and now. It is also clear that God has continued Melchizedek’s priesthood forever. Notice the word “after” which means “patterned after.”

BBC: Psalm 110: David's Son and David's Lord -- This Psalm of David enjoys the distinction of being quoted or referred to more frequently in the NT than any other passage in the OT. It is quite clearly a Psalm of the Messiah—first as the glorified One at God's right hand, then as the King of glory returning to earth to take the scepter of universal government, and also as the eternal Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

BBC: He (Melchizedek) was not the Son of God, as some have mistakenly thought, but was made like the Son of God in this respect, that his priesthood continued without interruption.

JFB: in the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec. In order to bring out the typical parallel more strongly, Paul substitutes, “He of whom it is witnessed that he liveth,” for the more untypical, “He who is made like to Him that liveth.” Melchisedec “liveth” merely in his official capacity, his priesthood being continued in Christ. Christ, on the other hand, is, in His own person, “ever living after the power of an endless life” (Heb_7:16, Heb_7:25). Melchisedec’s death not being recorded, is expressed by the positive term “liveth,” for the sake of bringing into prominence the antitype, Christ, of whom alone it is strictly and perfectly true, “that He liveth.”

Heb 7:4  Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

Define: Patriarch – head of family, respected senior, biblical ancestor, Hebrew leader

Define: Spoils – property seized by the victor in a conflict, plunder, loot, rewards

Here we take a step back to think about Melchisedec, the king and priest; and Abraham, the prophet and patriarch of the Jews. We must try to view this as the Hebrews did. The greatest man, the most faithful man, the man who humbly believed God and obeyed Him – the father of the Hebrews – Abraham -- paid his tithing to the man Melchisedec because he was the priest of the Most High God. Abraham placed himself under Melchisedec and his office because Abraham fully trusted in God and honored His representative.

Heb 7:5  And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood,

Levi, who was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel), is the family tribe to which Moses and Aaron belonged. Levi was the tribe to which the duty of being priests was ordained by God in the law.

have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law,

The Levites, being the priests, collected tithes from the Hebrew people according to what? The law.

that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

Of whom did they collect tithes? Their brothers and cousins and extended family.

Out of whose loins did all of them come? The Levitical priests were all brothers and sons of Abraham just like their brothers in the other tribes of whom they collected tithes. Abraham, himself, was not a priest, though he was a prophet of God and the father of many nations.

Heb 7:6  But he whose descent is not counted from them

Of whom was Melchesidek, the priest, not a descendant? Abraham.

received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

What did he receive from Abraham?  His tithes.

What did he give to Abraham? A blessing

Who had the promises? Abraham.

Heb 7:7  And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

Define:  Contradiction – disagreement, challenge, opposition, inconsistency, incongruity, ambiguity, paradox, conflict, denial

Without argument, the one who does the blessing is the one who has the power to bless those beneath him in rank.

In this example, who is the less? Abraham.

Who is the better? Melchesidek, the priest.

Heb 7:8  And here men that die receive tithes;

“Here” meaning presently, or “at this time” – the time the book of Hebrews was written. The men who die, are the ones who do not live forever. Our author is referring to the Levites – the Priests of their day who collected tithes and offerings from the Jewish people, but who also died, as all mortal men do.

but there he receiveth them,

“But there” in the past, another man received the tithes – the ones from Abraham.

Of whom is he speaking? Melchesidek, the priest.

of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

Psa 110:4  The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

The LORD hath sworn (an oath), and will not repent (God’s immutable oath -- God does not change his mind), Thou (the Messiah) art a priest for ever after the order of (just like) Melchizedek (was a priest of God). – the eternal priesthood belongs to the Messiah – but He is a priest in the same way that Mechizedek was a priest – by the eternal calling and appointment of God.

Who witnessed beforehand that the Messiah would be a priest forever? God, the Holy Spirit speaking through David.

Since Psalm 110 is about the Messiah coming we begin to see that not only our author connects these two people but God did so, too, and for our benefit! With this statement the idea that both Melchizedek and the Messiah “liveth” forever as priests is blended, specifically, to make his point!!

The one who makes intercession for us is our priest. That is what priests do. Since Christ lives forever, and is the High Priest (the one who entered into the Presence) making intercession for us…. He is our High Priest forever. We all live forever in Christ!!

Heb 7:9  And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

Heb 7:10  For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

He is pointing out that, technically, even the Levitical priests paid tithes to Melchisedec because they were “inside Abraham” – or were, as yet, unborn at the time and were his descendants. They were represented by Abraham, himself.

Heb 7:11  If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,)

The written law was given to the people by Moses and Aaron, who, being brothers, were both Levites, so the law was received “under the priesthood.”

 “IF THEREFORE” -- He is now coming to his conclusion by stating an “if/then contingency” to make us think:

Define: Perfection – excellence, rightness, flawlessness, accomplishment, fulfillment, completion, (Antonym: abandonment)

IF – IF – IF – if perfection, the perfect washing away of sins, the perfect eternal life, and the perfect gift of the Holy Spirit had actually come by the Levitical priesthood and the law… then…. what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

If they had perfection under the Levitical priesthood (and the law), then why would another priest be needed? And why would the new priest not be a Levite after the order of Aaron? He is pointing out that the perfection we receive in Christ does not come by obedience to the law. Grace comes through a very much better priest!!

Summarized Bible: No priest could be suitable or sufficient for our reconciliation to God, but One who could meet the conditions here laid down, and our Lord Jesus alone could meet them. He was free from all habits or principles of sin, never did the least wrong to God or man, was absolutely undefiled in His own life, and was never accessory to other man’s sins. Those who come to God by Him are saved, not only FROM the uttermost, but TO the uttermost.

Hallelujah! And that is why another priest was needed!! The temporary Levitical priests were not able to wash away sins, not able to bestow life eternal, could not give the gift of the Holy Spirit… obviously a better higher priest was needed!!

Heb 7:12  For the priesthood being changed,

This is an important point for us to notice: the priesthood was changed!! It would fade away because no more temporary sacrifices were of use. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, made the final complete eternal atonement.

there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

It follows that if the priesthood has changed, then the law must also have changed, too.

Heb 7:13  For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe,

Define: Pertaineth (pertains) – relates, be relevant, be appropriate, be valid, concerns

Of the three men, Aaron, Melchisedec, and Jesus…. Which one “pertaineth” to another tribe? Jesus.

of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

The man who “gave attendance at the altar” is the Levitical Priest who tended the altar and the tabernacle daily. The tribe to which Jesus belonged was never given the duty of attending the altar. He was not concerned with it.

Heb 7:14  For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

Out of what tribe did Jesus spring? Judah.

What did Moses say about Judah concerning the priesthood? Nothing.

Heb 7:15  And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

Define: Evident – obvious, plain, apparent, clear, manifest, unmistakable, (Antonym: unclear)

Define: Similitude – similarity, likeness, resemblance, equality, equivalence, uniformity (Antonym: difference)


It is far more obvious that another kind of priest had arisen. One who was patterned after or similar to Melchisedec.

Heb 7:16  Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment,

Define: Carnal – fleshly, having the nature of flesh, human: pertaining to the flesh, to the body: related to birth, lineage, genealogy

Define: Commandment -- an order, command, charge, precept, injunction

Jesus was made a priest but not after the law of a carnal commandment given to men. The Levitical priests were made priests by birth records – from a commandment concerning the flesh (carnal).

but after the power of an endless life.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: …. The Priest of this new Law and Priesthood is “the Prince of Life” (Act_3:15).

Jesus was made a priest by the power of the resurrection and an endless life!!  If you think about this…. There really is no comparison to the power of an endless life!! Especially when it is compared with “the law of a carnal commandment” that the people had trouble keeping.

Let’s look at all that is being compared here:

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary:  CARNAL ... ENDLESS — mutually contrasted.

Define: Carnal – fleshly, having the nature of flesh, human: pertaining to the flesh, to the body: related to birth, lineage, genealogy

Define: Endless – without end, eternal, never ending, continual, infinite, everlasting

2Ti_3:5; As “FORM” and “POWER” are opposed,

⦁    2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Define: Form – outward appearance, figure, procedure, method, system, custom

Define: Power – capacity to accomplish, strength, authority to act, skill, energy, force, might, supremacy

so here “THE LAW” and “POWER,” compare Rom_8:3, “The law was weak through the flesh”;

⦁    Rom 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

The Law is what set up the “form” or system of the Levitical priesthood. The power of God in sending his own Son saved us from sin.

“WEAKNESS.” …. and Heb_7:18,

⦁    Heb 7:18  For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

 “CARNAL,” as being only outward and temporary, is contrasted with “ENDLESS,” or, as Greek, “INDISSOLUBLE.”

⦁    Heb 7:16  Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

“COMMANDMENTS” is contrasted with “LIFE.” The law can give a commandment, but it cannot give life (Heb_7:19). But our High Priest’s inherent “POWER,” now in heaven, has in Him “LIFE FOR EVER”;

The law can give what?  Commandment

What can the law not give?  Life!

What does Jesus, our High Priest have?  An endless life.

⦁    Heb 7:19  For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

What did make us able to draw near to God?  The bringing in of a better hope in Jesus Christ.

Heb_9:14, THROUGH THE ETERNAL SPIRIT”;

⦁    Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

What two things does the blood of Christ through the Eternal Spirit provide for us? 1. Purges your conscience from dead works. 2. Which makes us able to serve the living God!

“Heb_7:25, “ABLE ... EVER LIVETH”

⦁    Heb 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

What is Jesus able to do? Saves them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.

Why? Because he lives forever to make intercession for them.

 (Joh_5:26). It is in the POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION LIFE, not of His earthly life, that CHRIST OFFICIATES AS A PRIEST.

⦁    Joh 5:26  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

Heb 7:17  For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Who testified? God testified. And here is the final, most valuable, piece of evidence that Jesus truly is our Eternal High Priest: God’s Testimony:

Psa 110:4  The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Just like the immutable oaths and promises given to Abraham, God has sworn in this Psalm concerning the Messiah, that this man, Jesus, the Messiah, is a priest – eternally. In exactly the same way that Melchizedec still stands in the pages of God’s word, Jesus Christ stands in Heaven by God’s word.

Through the Bible Day by Day, by F. B. Meyer: If, …, the Levitical priests have been superseded, clearly the whole order of things -- that is, the Mosaic covenant under which these priests were appointed -- has been superseded also. The law of the carnal -- that is, the outward ritual -- has passed away in favor of a new dispensation which deals with the heart and character.

It served a temporary purpose, but we are living in an eternal order which is steadfast and abiding.

Our Lord’s priesthood is unchangeable and indissoluble. His blood and righteousness, His mediation for us, His loving understanding of us, will be a joy and comfort in the unending ages. We shall always be specially associated with Him -- the brethren of the King, the sheep of the Divine Shepherd. Each priest of Aaron’s line had to vacate his office; but our Lord’s priesthood will never pass to another; and therefore to the uttermost lapse of time and to the farthest demand of circumstance, He will save and help all that come to Him. No infirmity weakens Him, no stain or sin unfits Him -- above the heavens and from the throne He exercises His ministry.

Let’s read the verses once again:

Heb 7:1  For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
Heb 7:2  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;
Heb 7:3  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.
Heb 7:4  Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
Heb 7:5  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:
Heb 7:6  But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
Heb 7:7  And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
Heb 7:8  And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
Heb 7:9  And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
Heb 7:10  For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
Heb 7:11  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 Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
Heb 7:12  For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Heb 7:13  For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
Heb 7:14  For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Heb 7:15  And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Heb 7:16  Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Heb 7:17  For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 

Hebrews 6:12-20

The Hope Set Before Us

What it says:

Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Heb 6:13  For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
Heb 6:14  Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
Heb 6:15  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
Heb 6:16  For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
Heb 6:17  Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
Heb 6:18  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Heb 6:19  Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Heb 6:20  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

What it means:

Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

What are we to be? Not slothful.

Define: Slothful – lazy, idle, sluggish, inactive, indolent (laid-back, lethargic), apathetic, (Antonym: energetic, industrious)

What do followers inherit? The promises.

Through what do they inherit the promises? Faith and Patience.

Heb 6:13  For when God made promise to Abraham,

Think about this:

What do the righteous do with a command from God?

What do the righteous do with the law of God?

What do the righteous do with a promise of God?

A command is obeyed, and the law is heeded. They both require something from us, but God’s promise depends entirely on Him – our part is simply to trust Him. Faith and patience are based on belief and through them both we inherit the promise of God which is eternal life in Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

Who is greater than God?

Define: Sware (swear) – vow, pledge, give your word, affirm, guarantee; insist, maintain, claim, declare, assert

Gen 22:16-18  And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

In Gen 22:16-18 God states why He is making His promise and giving His oath to Abraham using the word “because.”

What was God’s first “because?”  "Because thou hast done this thing"

What had Abraham done? He did not withhold his son.

What was God’s second “because?” "Because thou hast obeyed my voice."

The whole world was blessed because of this one man’s obedience. The world had been cursed because of Adam’s disobedience. Being men and women, we are not often aware of the actual affect of our obedience or disobedience. Obedience is important.  (Optional: read Genesis 22:1-19)

Heb 6:14  Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

What two things did God say He was going to do? He said he would both bless them and multiply their numbers.

Heb 6:15  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

What had Abraham done to obtain the promise? He had patiently endured.
Patient endurance and obedience are the same thing. Obedience is what we do, patient endurance is how we do it.

Heb 6:16  For men verily swear by the greater: 

Men, naturally not trusting each other, have to swear by something greater than themselves if they desire that their word be trusted. They swear by things like the stars in heaven, or on their mother’s grave. It means nothing to us, nowadays, but back when men said these kinds of things they were trying to impress someone with just how honest, sincere, and trustworthy they were. We think of this as trying to wheedle a dishonest deal, or to manipulate.

Jas 5:12  But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

Define: Oath – G3727, ὅρκος, horkos, hor'-kos, her'-kos, From ἕρκος herkos (a fence;); a limit, that is, (sacred) restraint (specifically oath): - oath. -- solemn promise, a legally binding pledge, vow, word (bond), the words said when making a formal pledge, especially when reciting a conventional formula such as that used in a court of law

Define: Confirmation – authorization, approval, sanction, endorsement, ratification; corroboration, verification, substantiation, proof, authentication, evidence, affirmation

Define: Strife – trouble, conflict, discord, contention, fighting, dissension, friction, rivalry

With men, when an oath or promise is given, the argument comes to an end. To men, when there has been authorization or authentication of an oath or a promise made, then the fighting stops. Peace is brought about and everyone is satisfied. It is a done deal.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: Philo, with his usual subtle refinements, observes that whereas our word is accredited because of an oath, God’s oath derives its credit because He is God.

Heb 6:17  Wherein God,

God’s ways are so far above our ways!! This is like a “But God” – meaning God has something spectacular in store:

willing more abundantly

Define:  Willing – eager, keen, enthusiastic, ready, prepared, agreeable, disposed, (Antonym: reluctant)

Define: Abundantly – plentifully, copiously, richly, profusely, lavishly

God is more than willing to use speech and metaphors that men understand. That is how God works. He knows how to speak so we understand what He is saying because His desire and will is to communicate with us. God did not speak Norwegian to Abraham. He would not have understood. But God…. Is both willing to bless and able to bless more abundantly than we can even imagine.

1Co_2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

For whom does God have marvelous things prepared?  For them that love him!

to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel,

Define: Immutability – not subject to change, unchanging, unchallengeable, absolute (total, complete); not able to be forfeited, or given up, or surrendered; unassailable (unquestionable, irrefutable), incontrovertible (incontestable, unarguable), indisputable, undeniable

Define: Counsel – G1012, βουλή, boulē, boo-lay', From G1014; volition, that is, (objectively) advice, or (by implication) purpose: - + advise, counsel, will. -- -- counsel, purpose -- -- advice, guidance, direction, warning, support

Define: Volition – the act of exercising the will, wish, will, decision, choice, desire, preference, option (Antonym: coercion)

God’s counsel, being His will or volition, cannot be challenged. (Deo Volente = God’s will). God was proving to the descendants of Abraham that His promise was not going to change and still remains today, because it is His immutable will. God, Himself, is immutable… unchangeable… and so is His will, His word, and His oath.

Jas 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Mal 3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not;…

Heb 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

confirmed it by an oath:

What did God confirm with His oath?

Heb 6:17 (ESV)  So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath,

Expositor’s Bible Commentary: The condition is transferred from the faith of Abraham to the faithfulness of God. In this lies the oath. God pledges His own existence on the fulfillment of His promise. He says no longer, "If thou canst believe," but "As true as I live."

Gen 22:16-18  And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

There were, in God’s abundance, four major promises given:

(1)    “in blessing I will bless thee” Abraham had the most sincere faith in God that a man can have and God blessed him for that faith. He truly trusted God in every area of his life and that is where God blessed him: every area of his life!

Gen_24:1  And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.

(2)     “in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore”

Mat_3:9  And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Gal_3:7  Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

(3)     “thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies” which will confirm both His promise and His oath. “Possessing the gate of his enemies” means to be in authority over them. Remember when we talked about Jesus possessing the keys to the gates of death and hell?…. He has authority over the enemy.

Rev_1:18  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

(4)    “in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” which also confirms His promise and His oath.

Gal_3:8  And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 

Gal_3:14  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Rom_8:1-2  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

And there, in (3) and (4), are two of the promises that are fulfilled by Christ our Lord and Savior! Hallelujah!  We receive all of the promises, just as Abraham did, by faith, in Jesus Christ -- who is the Son of God.

Heb 6:18  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation,

What is impossible for God? It truly is impossible for God to lie. He is the God of Truth!

What are the two immutable things? (vs 17) 1. God's oath, and 2. God's will

What might we have because of God’s two immutable things? Strong consolation!

Define: Consolation – comfort, solace (succor, help), relief, support, (Antonym: grief)

Define: Assurance – a pledge, promise, or declaration that inspires or is intended to inspire confidence. Confidence in stated abilities, or results; guarantee, oath, promise, reassurance, assertion

We may completely trust in Him and in His immutable, unchangeable, matchless word!! Hallelujah!!

Believer’s Bible Commentary: The believer now has two unchangeable things on which to rely—His word and His oath. It is impossible to imagine anything more secure or certain. God promises to save all who believe on Christ; then He confirms it with an oath. The conclusion is inevitable: the believer is eternally secure.

The two immutable things were God’s oath and His counsel (meaning His will, His purpose, and His promise) which rest on His divine character. They were immutable because God, who is, Himself, immutable, changeless, and absolute, does not lie. He is the God of truth. Because of God’s unimpeachable character, we have strong consolation.

Think about having “strong consolation:” a powerful, robust, and constant source of comfort, solace, relief, and support because we trust in the Immutable God of all comfort:

Psa 34:17-19  The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. 

2Th 2:16-17  Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 

Rom 15:5-6  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Psa 119:75-77  I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.  Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

BBC: In the remainder of chapter 6 the writer employs four figures to drive home the utter reliability of the Christian hope: (1) a city of refuge, (2) an anchor, (3) a forerunner, and (4) a High Priest.
First, those who are true believers are pictured as fleeing from this doomed world to the heavenly city of refuge. To encourage them in their flight, God has given them an unfailing hope based upon His word and His oath.

who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Define: Refuge – safe haven, sanctuary, shelter, protection, place of safety, asylum, harbor, retreat

What does it mean to flee for refuge? To run away from danger.

In fleeing for refuge what do we wish to accomplish? To find a safe haven.

When we come to Christ we are fleeing…. From many things: Our sin. Our past. Our fears. The devil who torments us through addiction. There are many things for which we come to Christ. Remember those heavy burdens? That is why we fled to Christ for refuge, and a safe haven at the throne of grace.

That is what we flee from. What we flee to, being Christ, is to grab hold of the hope that is set before us like a prize.

What do you think “set before us” means? It means, literally, "placed in front of us."
What has been set before us is the hope that rests on the immutability of God, Himself and the consolation He gives! His eager willingness to bless us abundantly in Jesus Christ is eternal. God never changes. There is no other God!

Isa_44:8  Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no (other) God; I know not any.
Psa 48:14  For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.
Psa_23:5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

It is called “set before us” because it is the gift of God. Just like a place setting on a table, it is already in place before the guests arrive. All we must do is attend the banquet, pull up a chair, and partake. He has placed eternal life before us with the promise that in Christ we shall live forever. It has been confirmed by the resurrection and His ascension. If we are going to win the prize, we must run the race -- through faith and patience we inherit the promises.

1Co 9:24-27  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

We see, again, the idea that we must remain steadfast unto the end. Paul did not want to become a castaway, himself, after he had been the preacher of Christ to others so he kept his body under subjection through the exercise of self control (patience) and faith in Christ.

Php 3:12-15  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Our hope in Christ enables us to let go of the past, trust in the forgiveness of God, and follow after Him. Reaching forth, pressing toward the mark for the prize.

What is the prize? "The high calling of God in Christ Jesus" is the prize!  The fact that God has called each one of us is the prize that is beyond compare! The babes needed keener knowledge of the anchor of hope to remain steadfast unto the end. We do too!

Heb 6:19  Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul,

Define: Anchor – device to hold a ship in place, any device that keeps an object in place, something dependable, someone who provides stability; fasten, secure, attach, fix, affix, (Antonym: unfasten)

What anchors us? Hope of a safe haven in Jesus Christ.

What does it anchor? The soul.

What does a ship’s anchor do? It holds the ship in place. Our hope in Christ holds our souls steady and in place. A soul, like a ship, is a floating object until it is anchored by faith in Christ. A ship or a soul without an anchor can wander around getting into trouble, getting caught on things, or breaking apart in rough water. The soul of the man who does not know Christ is, indeed, heavy and wandering around looking for ways to ease his burden. Emotions can go up and down with the waves of the sea of circumstances. An anchor does not only keep a ship in place, it makes it easier to maneuver in a storm. It keeps the ship on course. Steady as she goes in Christ. It is important to also notice that it is the anchor that keeps the ship steady, not the ship. When we finally surrender our safety to the anchor of hope that is Jesus Christ, the ship no longer wanders. Even if a storm comes along we remain steady as she goes because we are anchored in Christ.

both sure and stedfast,

Define: Sure – certain, in no doubt, convinced, positive, confident, definite, clear in your mind, persuaded (Antonym: uncertain)

Define: Steadfast – firm and unwavering in purpose, loyalty, or resolve. Fixed, unwavering, unfaltering, persistent, dedicated, unswerving, trusty, dependable, stalwart (strong, resolute), faithful, reliable, trustworthy, constant, devoted (Antonym: inconstant)

What is both sure and steadfast? Hope in Christ is the sure and steadfast anchor of our souls. Jesus, being the Son of God, is also immutable, unchangeable, and absolute. We may hope in him with a sure and steadfast hope.

Psa 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

BBC: In the storms and trials of life this hope serves as an anchor of the soul. The knowledge that our glorification is as certain as if it had already happened keeps us from drifting on the wild waves of doubt and despair.

and which entereth into that within the veil;

What comes to mind when you think of “within the veil?” I think of safe beyond the curtain dividing heaven and earth. What is the “that” that is within the veil? Christ, our hope, has entered the most holy place where God resides. Jesus is already anchored in heaven for us. Jesus is within the veil.

BBC: The anchor is not cast in the shifting sands of this world but takes hold in the heavenly sanctuary. Since our hope is the anchor, the meaning is that our hope is secured in God's very Presence behind the veil. Just as sure as the anchor is there, we shall be there also.

Jesus is our hope and He has entered into the veil before us… making a way, and preparing a place for us.

Joh_14:2-3  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

When God instructed Moses concerning the first tabernacle, with the veil or curtain separating the Holy Place from the rest of the temple, He described the purpose of the holy place like this:

Exo_25:22  And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

What was behind the veil was the mercy sea or throne from which God spoke to Moses in the temple. God wanted communion between His Holy Self, and our unrighteous selves. God loves us so eagerly that He provided the way to accomplish this.

Lev_16:2  And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.

If we went to God without Jesus, we would die! The veil allows us the opportunity to change, through faith in Christ. We are mutable. God is immutable. Jesus, being the Son of God, is also immutable. He inhabited the tabernacle of flesh in order to represent us to God, as well as represent God to us. He is able to go between the mutable and the immutable, preserving God’s holy purpose, and our eternal souls!

Moses was to instruct Aaron, the high priest, that he was NOT to go behind the veil, that holy place, at just any old time he felt like it. If he had done that he would have died because God was in the cloud upon the mercy seat. Aaron, the high priest, was permitted to go behind the veil once a year on the Day of Atonement – and that was it. There was no other time he could go in.

Mar 15:37-38  And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

The day Jesus made atonement for the world is the day that God opened the veil in the Temple!! Only in Jesus Christ, do we have personal access to the One True and Holy God. In the NT we need no longer fear death to approach God. We may boldly go to the Throne of Grace when we are in need of help because Jesus, our Savior and High Priest, who sits next to the Father on the Throne of Grace -- the Mercy seat – has and is interceding for us.

Isa 53:11-12  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.  Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Heb 6:20  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus,

Define: Forerunner – a runner ahead, that is, spy or scout  (pioneer, originator) – run forward, outstrip,  precede, lead, come first, go before, pave the way

Where did Jesus “enter?” He entered "within the veil" or within heaven itself.

For whom did he enter? "For us!!"

Jesus is the forerunner, the scout who pioneered the way and went before us, to lead us into the most holy place.

Vincent’s Word Studies: It expresses an entirely new idea, lying completely outside of the Levitical system. The Levitical high priest did not enter the sanctuary as a forerunner, but only as the people's representative. He entered a place into which none might follow him; in the people's stead, and not as their pioneer. The peculiarity of the new economy is that Christ as high priest goes nowhere where his people cannot follow him. He introduces man into full fellowship with God.

Joh 14:1-4  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

How long will Jesus be our high priest? Jesus is called a high priest forever, because he entered the eternal holy place in heaven where God resides.

The word “order” refers to a group of distinguished persons; in this case it means “priesthood.” The order of Aaron’s priesthood contains Aaron and all his descendents. The order of Melchisedec’s priesthood has two people:  Melchisedec and Jesus Christ. Both Aaron and Melchisedec are significant only in being “ types” of Christ in the OT that our author is using to explain Jesus Christ in the NT.

BBC: The fourth figure is that of High Priest. Our Lord has become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. His eternal priesthood guarantees our eternal preservation. Just as surely as we have been reconciled to God by His death, so surely are we saved by His life as our Priest at God's right hand.

Rom 5:8-11  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

BBC: This mention of Jesus as High Priest in the order of Melchizedek reminds us that this subject was interrupted at Heb_5:10 when the author digressed on the extended warning against apostasy. Now he is ready to resume his theme that Christ's high priesthood is superior to Aaron's. He has skillfully returned to the main flow of argument.

Let’s read our verses once more:

Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Heb 6:13  For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
Heb 6:14  Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
Heb 6:15  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
Heb 6:16  For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
Heb 6:17  Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
Heb 6:18  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Heb 6:19  Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Heb 6:20  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.