Hebrews 5 Study Notes
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5:1-6:20 In these chapters the author established the superiority of Jesus as priest over Aaron as priest. The Son’s superior work as a high priest serves as the basis for a call to Christian maturity.
5:1-10 Aaron was the high priest of Israel who had been called by God, thus establishing his authority. His purpose as a priest was to offer to God sacrifices for sins on behalf of the people, and to deal gently with the ignorance and waywardness of the people on behalf of God. The problem with Aaron’s priesthood was Aaron himself; since he was a sinner, he had to make an offering for his own sins as well as for the people.
Like Aaron, Jesus was called by God, but according to Ps 110:4, God gave him a unique calling as a high priest . . . according to the order of Melchizedek. Christ’s priesthood was on an entirely different level than that of Aaron. Like Aaron, he offered prayers and appeals, but unlike Aaron, Christ was heard because of his reverence. Unlike Aaron, Christ learned obedience through suffering, and the salvation that Christ brought was eternal.
katapausis
| Greek pronunciation | [kah TAH pow sis] |
| CSB translation | rest |
| Uses in Hebrews | 8 |
| Uses in the NT | 9 |
| Focus passage | Hebrews 4:1,3,5,10-11 |
In the NT, katapausis (rest) has multiple referents. Luke makes reference to a temple for God, the place where he would rest and live (Ac 7:49). Hebrews refers to rest as the Christian’s future destination, the place of God’s blessing. That rest is available to every generation of saints, but its realization comes only through obedience (Heb 4:2,6,11). God’s rest at creation (Heb 4:4) points past Joshua and David (4:7-8) to this final rest for believers (Heb 4:9). For Moses and his generation, that rest was the Promised Land, the place of God’s blessing (Heb 3:11,16-19). Unfortunately, that generation missed it (Heb 3:19). For the Christian, rest is the final place of God’s heavenly blessing, which they will receive if they hold fast their faith (Heb 4:11). The author of Hebrews strongly exhorts his audience to strive in obedience and perseverance to ensure they attain that future rest (Heb 4:1,11).
The author speaks of Jesus as being perfected (v. 9; 2:10; 7:28). This is not a reference to moral perfection; the author has made clear that Jesus was “without sin” (4:15). Rather, Jesus was perfected in the sense of being qualified for his role as our great high priest. Through his obedience in the midst of suffering, he was made the perfect savior.
5:11-6:3 In this section the author paused to consider the theological and moral state of his readers. He expressed concern that they might not understand the difficult doctrines he was explaining (5:11). Because of their immaturity, they needed to be warned about failure and encouraged toward maturity. The author listed six basic principles of the elementary message about Christ that serve as the foundation of the Christian faith and life. These principles may be divided into three groups of two each. (1) Repentance from sinful actions and faith toward God (6:1) are the two sides of conversion that begin the Christian life. (2) The baptism of new believers who have received the gospel and laying on of hands for Christian leaders (6:2) to proclaim the gospel are fundamental components of church life. (3) The good news of the resurrection and the prospect of eternal judgment (6:2) are essential components in the gospel that the church preaches.