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Hebrews 5
New Catholic Bible
Hebrews 5
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 5
1 Every high priest is taken from among men to represent them in their dealings with God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.[a] 2 He is able to deal patiently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 And as a result of this, he must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. 4 Moreover, one does not assume this position of honor on his own initiative, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 Even Christ did not confer upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. Rather, he was appointed by the one who said to him:
“You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you.”
6 And he says in another place:
“You are a priest forever,
according to the order of Melchizedek.”
7 During the course of his earthly life, Jesus offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who had the power to save him from death, and he was heard because of his godly fear. 8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through his sufferings, 9 and when he had been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 and he was designated a high priest by God according to the order of Melchizedek.
Christ, the One True Priest[b]
Deepen the Christian Life.[c] We have much to say about this subject, but it is difficult to explain because you have been slow in learning. 12 By this time you should have been teachers, yet you still need to have someone explain to you the basic elements of God’s words.You need milk, not solid food. 13 Anyone who lives on milk is still an infant and is ignorant of the word of righteousness. 14 But solid food is for adults whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish between good and evil.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 5:1 To offer gifts and sacrifices for sins: on the Day of Atonement (which the author is here envisioning), atonement was made for the sins of the Israelites (see Lev 16:34).
- Hebrews 5:11 This is the central part of the letter. Its themes center around a single great idea: Christ, “high priest of the good things that have come” (Heb 9:11), or “that are to come.” The vision starts with the past and with a reflection on all the religious situations already experienced, then leaves them and focuses on their fulfillment: the future of humanity with God, in and with Christ. Proofs are piled up to show that this new priesthood transcends all the ancient institutions, brings them to fulfillment, and renders them things of the past.
11
The word “priest” is taken here in the sense used by the Old Testament and by religions of the time: the man of worship, the man who represents his brothers and sisters in ritual actions that will enable them to be purified and have access to the divinity. Jesus Christ appears as the only one who is the presence of the forgiveness of God, the one who gives access to God, the representative of all that humanity expects from God. Every other priesthood and all other sacrifices are only a sketch, sign, shadow, prefiguration, and expectation. They are now surpassed. The ancient words and hopes are evoked to say more than they could have suggested without the faith in Christ. - Hebrews 5:11 The author warns his readers against regressing spiritually and morally. They must become “perfect”—what we would call “adults” or “mature.” That is, they must not be content with the rudiments of faith but must deepen their faith by reflection. Six basic teachings are enumerated and apostasy is condemned. Finally, a note of hope is given. A life marked by love cannot be insignificant; and this love has a concrete expression: the service of the saints (Heb 6:10), i.e., the sustenance of the poor of the Jerusalem community (see Rom 15:25-31; 2 Cor 8:4; 9:1-15).
Hebrews 5
New International Version
Hebrews 5
New International Version
5 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God,(A) to offer gifts and sacrifices(B) for sins.(C) 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray,(D) since he himself is subject to weakness.(E) 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.(F) 4 And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.(G)
5 In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory(H) of becoming a high priest.(I) But God said(J) to him,
6 And he says in another place,
7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions(N) with fervent cries and tears(O) to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard(P) because of his reverent submission.(Q) 8 Son(R) though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered(S) 9 and, once made perfect,(T) he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest(U) in the order of Melchizedek.(V)
Warning Against Falling Away(W)
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths(X) of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!(Y) 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant,(Z) is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature,(AA) who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.(AB)
Footnotes
- Hebrews 5:5 Psalm 2:7
- Hebrews 5:6 Psalm 110:4
New International Version (NIV) 
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