A Study Of The Apostle Pauls Letter To The Hebrews


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AStudyOf TheApostlePauls LetterTo The
Hebrews
How can we neglect so greata salvation?
Hebrews 23
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Hebrews Christ Is Superior Superior Person
11413 Superior to Prophets
113 Superior to Angels 14218 Superior
to Moses 3119 Superior to Joshua
4113 Superior Priest 414728 Superior to
Aaron 414612 Superior to Melchizedek
61375 Superior to Levi 7628 but Well
only study verses 2028 today.
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Hebrews Christ Is Superior Superior Pact to
Moses 811018 Superior Promises
8113 Superior Sanctuary 9115 Superior
Sacrifice 91628 Superior Results
10118 Superior Principle Faith to Moses
10191325 Superior Things 101939 Superio
r Actions 11140 Superior Relationship
12129 Superior Way of Life 13125
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In 7110 based on the premise that Jesus is our
High Priest after the order of Melchizedek
620 Paul wrote of the greatness of Mels
priesthood even over Levis priesthood that God
Himself set up. Yes God established both
priesthoods but one was greater than the
other. In 71119 Paul wrote about how the
Christs priesthood replaced Levis priesthood.
Now ? ? ?
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In 72028 well consider his explanation for
this substitution. In a nutshell well discover
that the new priesthood of which Jesus is our
High Priest is much superior to the old
priesthood because Jesus accomplished for usour
redemptionwhat the Levites could never do. The
two basic arguments are that 1 unlike the
Levites Jesus was made High Priest by an oath
from God and that 2 unlike the Levites
neither Jesus nor His priesthood will ever need
to be replacedit is forever
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And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an
oath for they have become priests w/o without an
oath but He with an oath by Him who said to Him
The Lord has sworn and will not relent You are
a priest forever ac cording to the order of
Melchizedek
Hebrews 72021 ? ? ?
7
God took oaths in order to indicate the
unchangeableness of things that He set in order
cf. 617. This teaches us two things here ? ?
And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an
oath for they have become priests w/o without an
oath but He with an oath by Him who said to Him
The Lord has sworn and will not relent You are
a priest forever ac cording to the order of
Melchizedek
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1. Since the Levite priests became
priests apart from any oath by God at
all then God never meant for that
priesthood to be eternal without an
oath from God it could be was
changed cf. 712 what Paul built on
from here on out. On the other hand
? ? ?
And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an
oath for they have become priests w/o without an
oath but He with an oath by Him who said to Him
The Lord has sworn and will not relent You are
a priest forever ac cording to the order of
Melchizedek
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2. Since as Paul said here as well as in 6
1820 which he ob viously still had in
mind here God did swear an oath con
cerning Christs priesthood then
it unlike the Levi tical priesthood is
unending and un changeablean oath God
wont renege on. So ?
And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an
oath for they have become priests w/o without an
oath but He with an oath by Him who said to Him
The Lord has sworn and will not relent You are
a priest forever ac cording to the order of
Melchizedek
10
Why did God swear relative to Jesus but not
relative to Aaron or his descendants? Because
they werent chosen based on their morality or
spirituality but on their lineage. However ?
? ?
And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an
oath for they have become priests w/o without an
oath but He with an oath by Him who said to Him
The Lord has sworn and will not relent You are
a priest forever ac cording to the order of
Melchizedek
11
Jesus and His priest hood were establish ed by
an oath of God based on His character 5110.
And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an
oath for they have become priests w/o without an
oath but He with an oath by Him who said to Him
The Lord has sworn and will not relent You are
a priest forever ac cording to the order of
Melchizedek
12
by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a
better covenant.
Hebrews 722 ?
13
This could simply read by which i.e. by Gods
oath concerning Him.
by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a
better covenant.
14
This is in whats called the perfect tense
meaning that it refers to a past action that has
present effects i.e. Jesus became isa
surety.
by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a
better covenant.
15
This word refers to a guarantorone who makes
sure the covenant is carried out by both parties
involved. So ? ?
by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a
better covenant.
16
To bring this altogether we could read it like
this Because Jesus was made High Priest by an
oath from God He is the chosen Guarantor of a
better covenant.
by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a
better covenant.
17
F. F. Bruce said Jesus guarantees the perpetual
fulfillment of the covenant which He mediates
[86] on the manward side as well as on the
Godward side. As the Son of God he confirms Gods
eternal covenant with His people as His peoples
representative He satis fies its terms with
perfect acceptance in Gods sight.
18
This word comes from a term which actually refers
to an arrangement made by a superior for the
benefit of an inferior. I.e. ? ? ?
by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a
better covenant.
19
Because of Jesus were under a much better
arrangement than were our Jewish ancestors under
Moses. Now ? ?
by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a
better covenant.
20
Speaking about Christ and His priesthood being
established as endless and consistent by an oath
from God Paul went on in the next two verses to
expand on this thought.
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And there were many priests because they were
prevented by death from continuing.
Hebrews 723 ?
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Let me mention two significant sidenotes here.
Firstly this verse is actually in the present
tense in the original indicating that the Aa
ronic priesthood was still being adhered to by
the Jews until AD 70 anyway.
And there were many priests because they were
prevented by death from continuing.
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Secondly since its the high priesthood of Jesus
thats under consideration Paul by his use of
the word priests here was obviously referring
specifically to the high priests. So ?
And there were many priests because they were
prevented by death from continuing.
24
His point is that whereas death kept any Aaronic
high priest from remaining a priest forever
Jesus who received His priesthood after His
resurrection is no longer subject to death. By
the way ? ? ?
And there were many priests because they were
prevented by death from continuing.
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According to Milligan at the fall of Jerusalem
Phannias became the last the 81sthigh priest.
And since 81 is the sacred number 3 squared
squared again this suggests that the fullness of
Gods intention for the Levitical system was
completed in AD 70.
And there were many priests because they were
prevented by death from continuing.
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Sometimes we hear about the illegal handling of a
will but because Jesus not only wrote and died
for His will but also rose from the dead to
probate it Himself He is the perfect High Priest
And there were many priests because they were
prevented by death from continuing.
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But He because He continues forever has an
unchangeable priesthood.
Hebrews 724 ?
28
In verse 8 Paul spoke of the Levitical priests as
being mor tal having to depend on lineage
while in verse 16 he spoke of Jesus as being
immortal not having any posterity or a need for
it.
But He because He continues forever has an
unchangeable priesthood.
29
This word comes from a term that was used on a
legal contract and meant that it was valid and
unlike the contract with Israel through Moses
unalterable something that shouldve provided
them a confidence like they had never experienced
before.
But He because He continues forever has an
unchangeable priesthood.
30
This term also carries with it the idea of
something that cannot be stepped across or into
mean ing that it cant be destroyed and wont be
transferred to another.
But He because He continues forever has an
unchangeable priesthood.
31
As Paul said later Christ is the same yesterday
today and forever 138 meaning that while
under the Levitical priesthood you might have a
nice moral priest one day and a notsonice
immoral priest the next Jesus was is and
always will be the same.
But He because He continues forever has an
unchangeable priesthood.
32
Therefore He is also able to save to the
uttermost those who come to God through Him
since He ever lives to make intercession for
them.
Hebrews 725 ?
33
This word is from a term which means completely
or perfectly i.e. He as our eternal High
Priest doesnt just roll sins forward for a year
cf. 1013 He forgives them forever
remembering them against us no more 1017.
Therefore He is also able to save to the
uttermost those who come to God through Him
since He ever lives to make intercession for
them.
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The drawing near to God idea in verse 19 is
defined here by Paul as coming to God through
Christ as Jesus Himself once said No one comes
to the Father except through Me John 146.
Therefore He is also able to save to the
uttermost those who come to God through Him
since He ever lives to make intercession for
them.
35
This is from a term which actually refers to
everything Jesus has done and is doing even
today as regards our salvation. Today the word
is pretty much limited to prayer but this was
not the case with the Greek word.
Therefore He is also able to save to the
uttermost those who come to God through Him
since He ever lives to make intercession for
them.
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For such a High Priest was fitting for us who is
holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners
and has become higher than the heavens.
Hebrews 726 ?
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Verses 2628 are a sketch of The Ideal Priest a
priest who isnt just better than the Levitical
priests but even better than Melchizedek whom
Paul left behind at this point to focus on the
perfection of Jesus His priesthood and His new
covenant.
For such a High Priest was fitting for us who is
holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners
and has become higher than the heavens.
38
Jesus who continues forever has an
unchangeable priesthood is the most suitable
high priest for us because only He can save to
the uttermost. Besides those things He is
? ? ?
For such a High Priest was fitting for us who is
holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners
and has become higher than the heavens.
39
The Old Testament background for this particular
original term describes a person whose
relationship to God was based on covenant
faithfulness.
For such a High Priest was fitting for us who is
holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners
and has become higher than the heavens.
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It described one who genuinely fulfilled not
only the external but also the heart
expectations of the covenant such a person was
all that God wanted him to be.
For such a High Priest was fitting for us who is
holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners
and has become higher than the heavens.
41
Jesus having been perfectly loyal in obedience
and having lived a life of perfect integrity
was all God wanted Him to be for us. Hes also
? ?
For such a High Priest was fitting for us who is
holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners
and has become higher than the heavens.
42
While holy brings to mind Christs relationship
to God harmless brings to mind the idea of
Christs relationship to His fellowman e.g.
even when He cleansed the temple and was wrongly
executed He hurt no one. Hes also
? ? ?
For such a High Priest was fitting for us who is
holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners
and has become higher than the heavens.
43
While holy has to do with God and harmless has
to do with people undefiled has to do with evil
i.e. Jesus wasnt contaminated by His
association with sinners.
For such a High Priest was fitting for us who is
holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners
and has become higher than the heavens.
44
These three adjectives describe Jesus
spiritually morally and religiously.
Furthermore He is ? ? ?
For such a High Priest was fitting for us who is
holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners
and has become higher than the heavens.
45
I.e. Jesus isnt only distinct or independant
of sinners because Hes holy harmless
undefiled or without sin 415 but also
because He ? ? ?
For such a High Priest was fitting for us who is
holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners
and has become higher than the heavens.
46
This means that unlike Aaronic high priests
Jesus sits at the very right hand of God Himself
as this context goes on to say in 81.
For such a High Priest was fitting for us who is
holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners
and has become higher than the heavens.
47
In 414 Paul said that Jesus had passed through
the heavens and in Eph. 410 he said that Jesus
is far above all heavens that He might fulfill
all things. So ? ?
For such a High Priest was fitting for us who is
holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners
and has become higher than the heavens.
48
Even though Jesus came in the likeness of sinful
flesh Rom. 83 received and ate with sinners
Luke 1512 was a friend to sinners Mat.
1119 He remains separate from them because He
refused to participate in their evil deeds.
For such a High Priest was fitting for us who is
holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners
and has become higher than the heavens.
49
Jesus doesnt need daily as those high priests
to offer up sacrifices first for His own sins
and then for the peoples for this He did once
for all when He offered up Himself.
Hebrews 727 ?
50
This word can be translated day by day and since
the word day was often used to denote any part of
time meaning that the phrase could read from
time to time then it should be understood in
relation to Pauls other state ments about the
high priestly sacrifices.
Jesus doesnt need daily as those high priests
to offer up sacrifices first for His own sins
and then for the peoples for this He did once
for all when He offered up Himself.
51
Later in Hebrews Paul spoke of how high priests
offered sacrifices once a year 97 or year by
year 101 in fact in Exo. 1310 scholars are
forced to see that day by day is a Jewish idiom
cf. Mat. 1240 which should actually be
translated as year by year. So ? ?
Jesus doesnt need daily as those high priests
to offer up sacrifices first for His own sins
and then for the peoples for this He did once
for all when He offered up Himself.
52
We can read this to say Jesus doesnt need from
time to time whether daily monthly or
annually to offer up sacrifices.
Jesus doesnt need daily as those high priests
to offer up sacrifices first for His own sins
and then for the peoples for this He did once
for all when He offered up Himself.
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This verse teaches us three things. 1. Unlike the
Aaronic priests 53 Jesus didnt and
doesnt need to offer a sac rifice for
Himself but only for us the people.
Jesus doesnt need daily as those high priests
to offer up sacrifices first for His own sins
and then for the peoples for this He did once
for all when He offered up Himself.
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2. Unlike the Aaronic priests Jesus does
not offer a sacri fice annually but
once for all time 928 i.e. He does
not need to be re sacrificed every week
at Mass.
Jesus doesnt need daily as those high priests
to offer up sacrifices first for His own sins
and then for the peoples for this He did once
for all when He offered up Himself.
55
Speaking of Christs sacrifice in 92528 Paul
wrote Not that He should offer Himself often as
the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every
year with blood of anotherhe then would have had
to suffer often since the foundation of the
world but now once at the end of the ages He
has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of
Himself. Christ was offered once to bear the
sins of many. And ? ?
?
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3. Unlike the Aaronic priests Jesus of
fered not goats calves but Him self
for the people 914.
Jesus doesnt need daily as those high priests
to offer up sacrifices first for His own sins
and then for the peoples for this He did once
for all when He offered up Himself.
57
For the Law appoints as high priests men who
have weaknesses but the word of the oath which
came after the Law appoints the Son who has been
perfected forever.
Hebrews 728 ?
58
For the Law appoints as high priests men who
have weaknesses but the word of the oath which
came after the Law appoints the Son who has been
perfected forever.
This verse sums up the last few verses provides
a transition for Pauls discussion in 811018
about the greater covenant of Jesus.
59
For the Law appoints as high priests men who
have weaknesses but the word of the oath which
came after the Law appoints the Son who has been
perfected forever.
The Levitical high priests therefore that
priesthood were just weak in general while the
Law constituted morally spiritually and
because of death physically weak men as high
priests Gods oath which came after the Law
constituted His perfected Son as High Priest.
60
For the Law appoints as high priests men who
have weaknesses but the word of the oath which
came after the Law appoints the Son who has been
perfected forever.
Notice Paul again connected Christs priesthood
with His deityHis Sonship to God cf. 414
55. So ? ? ?
61
For the Law appoints as high priests men who
have weaknesses but the word of the oath which
came after the Law appoints the Son who has been
perfected forever.
Unlike the OT high priests Jesus is the High
Priest who suits our needs perfectly v. 26