Epistles

Tuesday, 4 December 2018

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

“Therefore” is based upon the argument presented in the previous verses. The author has shown numerous points which support what he will next say –

1) Jesus is a “priest forever” (7:17);

2) He has “the power of an endless life” (7:16) rather than having His priesthood based on ancestry;
3) He is a priest “according to the order of Melchizedek” (7:17) who was shown to be greater than Father Abraham (7:7);
4) Jesus’ priesthood annuls the laws of the former priesthood (7:18);
5) Jesus’ priesthood brings in “a better hope, through which we draw near to God” (7:19);
6) Jesus’ priesthood came with an oath (7:20);
7) Jesus himself has “become a surety of a better covenant” (7:22).

For these reasons, we can know for certain that “He is also able to save to the uttermost.” As Vincent’s Word Studies notes concerning this word, it is “not perpetually, but perfectly.” There is an absolute guarantee of salvation which comes through His infinitely superior priesthood. The power of the priesthood is absolute, and it is perfect in what it is set forth to accomplish. However, the context must be understood. This saving is only for “those who come to God through Him.”

Jesus’ ministry as High Priest is the effective means of salvation. No one can expect a right relationship with God while attempting to circumvent Jesus. In a pluralistic society, this is rejected, but the Bible makes it perfectly clear that there is one way and one way alone that the human soul can find restoration and a fulfilled relationship with God, and that is only through Jesus. This is confirmed in His own words –

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6

Sin exists in all men, and that sin must be dealt with before man can be reconciled to God. However, it is only through the intercessory role of Jesus Christ as High Priest that this can come about. In coming through Jesus, however, there is salvation to the uttermost because – as the author says – “He always lives to make intercession for them.” This takes the reader back to Chapter 5. Christ was chosen as a priest forever, and according to the order of Melchizedek. With that having been stated, the author then went on to explain what that meant for Him –

“…who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, ⁸ though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. ⁹ And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”

In the ordeal Christ faced, He became the representative for all who would believe in Him. His prevailing through the sufferings He faced is what guarantees those who follow Him the same eternal life He possesses. Thus He is the “author of eternal salvation.” The tie which binds His priestly office and the salvation it provides is the intercessory role He fills on our behalf. The obedience He learned is what now carries through to our salvation in Him.

Life application: Only a true knucklehead would study theology, read Jesus’ claims of exclusivity, and then think that God has made an exception in their case. Either Jesus’ words are true or they aren’t. If they are, then Jesus is the only path to God and all other paths lead to condemnation and hell. If they aren’t true, then God has left man without the ability to truly know their eternal destiny. This would show a flaw in the nature of God – something which is impossible. Stand fast in your faith of Jesus and His great ministry and be assured that your faith in Him will be richly rewarded.

Thank You, O God, for the knowledge of salvation which is given to us through the Person and work of Your glorious Son – our Lord Jesus. Thank You also that we have a sure word that is reliable and effective in leading us to Him. We stand undeserving and yet confident! Amen.

Monday, 3 December 2018

But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Hebrews 7:24

The words in the Greek place the emphasis on “unchangeable,” not on “priesthood.” In other words, it reads more correctly, “…has his priesthood unchangeable.” The priesthood of Aaron changed with the passing of each high priest; the priesthood of Jesus remains forever.

The previous verse explained the mortality of the priests in Israel and how one generation would follow another in performing their duties. Upon their deaths, they would return to the dust while another priest would continue on in place of the dead. In contrast to this, the author now begins this verse with “But.”

Because Jesus is both the Son of God and the Son of Man, He was born without sin. He was also born under the law, which He then lived out perfectly. In this, He met the strict requirements of the law. After this, He then gave His own life to pay the sin debt of all who come to God through Him. This is a precept known as substitution which is found within the law itself. An innocent animal was killed in place of one who sinned, receiving what the sinner deserved. Each animal under the law, in type, looked forward to Christ. Thus, He not only fulfilled the law through obedience, but He also fulfilled the law in typology.

Just as each mediator of the Old Covenant was temporary, so then were his sacrifices. Further, as those sacrifices were in a different category, an animal instead of a man, they could not actually do what they were given to do (see Hebrews 10:4). Instead, they only looked forward to the One who would fulfill their typology. In contrast to these temporary priests with their ineffectual sacrifices, Jesus’ priesthood is ongoing and it is fully effectual to save. This is “because He continues forever.”

Because Jesus is eternal, and the offering of Himself was perfect, so then is His sacrifice; He “has his priesthood unchangeable.” This same type of thought has been presented several times in Chapter 7, but the author continues to restate the truth to ensure 1) we grasp and do not forget what He is saying, and 2) there is no way to wiggle out of the truth presented in order to justify a return to the Law of Moses. Where the priesthood of the Law of Moses was changeable, the priesthood of Jesus is not. The superiority of Jesus’ priesthood over that of Aaron is, once again, demonstrated.

Life application: Because we are dull in our thinking, we easily forget the truths presented in Scripture. We sin, often in a grievous manner, and we wonder how our sin could ever be forgiven. But the author explains it completely, and he will continue to do so in the verses ahead, using the same logic he has thus far. If you have called on Jesus as Lord, don’t despair over your sins. Rather, regret them and acknowledge how they must grieve the Lord, but don’t despair as if they are unpardonable. To have this attitude is to diminish the great and glorious power of His atonement. The same Lord who spoke the universe into existence is the Lord who can handle your waywardness. If Satan is pestering you about a sin you have committed, remember Paul’s comforting words –

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? ³³ Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.” Romans 8:31-33

O God! Help me always to remember that neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all of creation will be able to separate me from the love of God that is found in Christ Jesus my Lord. Thank You that because of Him I am eternally secure. Hallelujah and Amen!

Sunday, 2 December 2018

Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. Hebrews 7:23

The author now provides another case for the supremacy of Christ’s priesthood over that of the Levitical priesthood. He first says, “Also there were many priests.” The Greek more literally reads, “Also, there have been made priests many.” There was a long succession of priests, each being consecrated to the priesthood in order to meet the needs of the requirements specified by the law. There was any given number of priests at any given time, and there was also a high priest among them. In this, they continued on for a duration and then they were replaced. The basic fact that there were many priests throughout the years shows the weakness of the Levitical priesthood, but the reason that there were many is “because they were prevented by death from continuing.” This shows an even greater weakness in the law and its priesthood.

Death prevented them from continuing on in the priesthood. However, Christ is “a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” This is because of “the power of an endless life” (verse 7:16). The supremacy of Christ’s priesthood is clearly established in this.

The first high priest of Israel was Aaron who descended from Levi through his grandfather Kohath and then through his father Amram. From Aaron came others sons and through his sons the line continued for about 1500 years. There were strict regulations for these men including who they could and couldn’t marry. In addition to this, there were other requirements. Some of these requirements were so precise that if they deviated from them, they would die for not properly performing them –

“Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. ² So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.” Leviticus 10:1, 2

These were two of the four recorded sons of Aaron at the establishment of the tabernacle in the wilderness. Nadab was the eldest but never attained to the office of high priest because of his unauthorized action. Instead, his younger brother Eleazer became the high priest at the time of Aaron’s death. Other high priests came and went, some being considered failures in their appointed office. But even the successful ones couldn’t continue forever. Being sons of Adam, they inherited his sin and also added their own sins in life. Such sin, then as now, results in death. Here in this verse, as in other verses, the author is demonstrating the insufficiency of the Levitical priesthood. No high priest of Israel attained the perfection necessary to carry on the office, but rather died and left his duties unfinished.

1) The wages of sin is death, 2) these priests died and their time in the priesthood ended, therefore, 3) their time in the priesthood failed to resolve the sin problem in their lives. If this is so, then those on whose behalf they ministered also failed to have the sin problem resolved in their lives as well. In this, the entire system is shown to be a failure. However, Christ, being a “priest forever,” is shown to have no sin. As this is so, then His ministry is able to resolve the sin problem for those He ministers to. The system is shown to be a success.

Life application: Time and again it is shown that the Law of Moses failed to accomplish what it was intended to do, which is to restore man to God. This doesn’t mean that the law itself was defective, but that sin in man rendered it ineffective. Christ, who was born without sin and who lived without sin, fulfilled the law for us. Why would we ever want to go back and live out the precepts of a law which could never save anyone? The author is not wasting words through useless repetition, but he is rather showing – again and again – the supremacy of what Christ has done for us. It is the strongest appeal possible to his readers – “Come to Christ and be saved from what the law could never save you from.”

Lord God, no matter how many times we hear the good news, it is always fresh and new to our souls. The law stood against us and condemned us. Jesus took that burden from us and delivered us from the penalty of sin. In Him, we have the surety of eternal life, because He is the fount of that same eternal life. Thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saturday, 1 December 2018

…by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. Hebrews 7:22

The words here reflect a sentiment similar to Hebrews 1:4 –

“having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”

The author is slowly and meticulously showing the superiority of the various aspects and ministries of Christ in comparison to those of other entities. Here, he says, “by so much more Jesus has become the surety of a better covenant.” This is based on the words which show He was made a priest by oath. Thus His priesthood is vastly superior to that of Aaron. He has also now further defined the “better hope” of verse 4:19, calling it a “better covenant.”

There was a hope in the Old Covenant which was found in Leviticus 18:5, which said concerning its precepts, “if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.” That hope was indeed found in the Mosaic covenant, but it was one which was unattainable by fallen man. The only actual hope that it displayed was in Christ to come. Only He could “do” the things of the law. In the doing of them, He fulfilled it. This is the better hope which is found now in the “better covenant.”

The word “covenant” is the Greek word diathéké. It is introduced now, and it will be used 9 times in chapters 8 and 9. It signifies, “a set-agreement having complete terms determined by the initiating party, which also are fully affirmed by the one entering the agreement” (HELPS Word Studies). The author has, as he has repeatedly done in Hebrews, introduced a word or concept which he will then expand on as he continues with his instruction.

The word translated as “surety” is an adjective found only here in the Bible, egguos. It signifies “under good security,” and thus it is a guarantee. Jesus is that guarantee. Meyer’s NT Commentary states of this, “For Christ, the Son of God, had become man in order to proclaim this covenant upon earth, had sealed it by His sufferings and death, and had been mightily accredited by His resurrection from the dead as a Founder of the Covenant who had been sent by God.” This is correct, and it is expanded on with the thoughts of Albert Barnes. He states, “He is the pledge that we shall be saved. He becomes responsible, so to speak, to law and justice, that no injury shall be done by our salvation, though we are sinners.”

The word says that Jesus Himself is our surety. It is an absolute statement of the doctrine of eternal salvation (once saved always saved). If we put our trust in Christ as stated in Romans 10:9, 10, we are – at that moment – sealed with the Holy Spirit according to Ephesians 1:13, 14. That is an eternal guarantee. But it is based on what Jesus has accomplished. Our faith in Him is that of a surety because the Holy Spirit has sealed us. It is not based on what we have done, but it is only by faith in what He has done. If our salvation is to fail, it means that Jesus, not us, has failed. Such is an impossibility.

As a point of doctrine, and of surety of what is stated here, it should be noted that over the past two verses the author has shown that the priesthood of the New Covenant was made with an oath. This was something which was lacking under the Old Covenant. This oath was actually recorded in the times of the Old Covenant in the Psalms – through the hand of David. In ways such as this, the Bible confirms itself and all of its contents.

Historically, the Bible is a reliable reference for what has occurred. Archaeologically, no evidence has ever been found to refute a claim made in its pages. Rather, archaeology – again and again – supports the biblical record. Philosophically, what can be determined about the nature of God from the created order is fully supported by what the Bible records. Internally, it reaches back and forth, confirming itself in various ways. Nothing is left unanswered when properly researched.

Because of these and so many other assurances, when we see in Jeremiah that a New Covenant is promised and that it will be an eternal one, we don’t need to second guess what is being alluded to. Instead, we simply need to see what the Bible declares about it. This is the purpose of the epistles, including Hebrews. And Hebrews, again and again, demonstrates several truths: 1) Jesus is “greater than” each point or person to whom He is compared in the Old Covenant; 2) Jesus is the focal point of both adoration and worship, to the glory of God the Father; and 3) what is proclaimed in the New Covenant sets aside the Old Covenant in its entirety.

Life application: If you are bound in a legalistic environment which attempts to mingle the unattainable requirements of the Old Covenant with the New, or if you are in a sect or group which exalts any name above “Jesus” as Lord, or if you believe that you can lose your salvation after being saved by Jesus, then you have failed to receive the simplicity and grace of Jesus Christ – the “surety of a better covenant.” Come to Christ, rest in Christ, and do not be led astray by false doctrines which would steal your joy in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Lord Jesus, we bow to you in adoration. You are majestic in splendor and beautiful in holiness. To You we give thanks, praise, and exaltation! Fill us with Your Spirit and lead us in paths of righteousness as we grow in Christian maturity. In Your perfect name we pray! Amen.

Friday, 30 November 2018

…(for they have become priests 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
According to the order of Melchizedek’”), Hebrews 7:21

This verse is a parenthetical thought between verses 20 and 22, but all three are one complete sentence. The author, in the previous verse, just said that Christ was made a priest with an oath. This verse now explains that by using the same quote from Psalm 110 which has been cited several times already. First, he begins the parenthetical thought by saying, “for they have become priests without an oath.” This is speaking of those of the Levitical priesthood. As noted in the previous commentary, including the verses from Scripture which supported this thought, Aaron was selected by God and told that this would be his position (Exodus 28:1-3). Further, the Levites then were selected by God in place of the firstborn of Israel to minister under Aaron and his sons (Numbers 3:11-13).

The Lord made the decision, and He appointed the men to fill the positions. There was no oath involved in the process. However, the author continues with, “but He with an oath.” This is speaking of Christ Jesus. His priesthood wasn’t a mere appointment at a certain moment in time, but rather it was promised by God and in advance. And more, it was promised with an oath. When did this happen? It was promised “by Him who said to Him.” This is speaking of the Lord (YHVH) in his discussion with the Lord (Adonai – meaning Yehovah, who is Jesus) who are named in Psalm 110:1. Later in verse 4 of the psalm, the Lord (YHVH) is spoken of again. This is what the author now cites –

“The Lord has sworn
And will not relent,
‘You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek’”),

It is this verse which comprises the oath. It was recorded by David in the Psalms many hundreds of years in advance of the coming of Christ. “The Lord has sworn” is the oath. “And will not relent” is given as an absolute surety of the oath. The Lord will never change His mind concerning this matter. “You are a priest forever” is the substance of the oath. “According to the order of Melchizedek” explains the nature of the priesthood. No such oath was promised to Aaron. Therefore, the oath is another sure proof of the supremacy of the priesthood of Christ over that of Aaron.

In this then, the author reminds us that it was with an oath that Jesus was made “a priest forever.” As God simply is, then anything He says must be. There can be no untruthfulness or change in God or in God’s word. The oath then is for our benefit – so that in our moments of weakness or doubt we can turn to God’s word and be absolutely reassured of His guarantee. The Levitical priests, meaning the line of Aaron, didn’t receive an oath from God. Rather they were given a directive to conduct their work faithfully. Should they fail in their duties, there were consequences for their failure, such as is recorded in Leviticus –

“And he shall put the incense on the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the Testimony, lest he die.” Leviticus 16:13

This Levitical system then, by its very nature, had to be temporary. In Jeremiah 31:31, God promised a New Covenant to the people and with the covenant came the oath of a new priesthood. This priesthood, by its very nature, cannot ever end.

Life application: Jesus Christ has become the eternal Mediator of an eternal covenant. Because this is so, then the salvation of those for whom He mediates must also be eternal. Can you see these logical connections? If so, then you should have no fear when you fail as a Christian. No sin is too overwhelming for God to withhold His forgiveness, and there is nothing in all of creation that can separate you from the love of God which is found in Christ Jesus. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by a past sin, cast that burden on Jesus – your “priest forever.” Allow Him to reassure you of the great and unlimited grace of God.

Lord God, thank You for opening the truths of Your word to us. It follows a logical and orderly sequence, and it leads us to the assurance of Your great love, grace, and mercy. And it shows us of the supremacy of the New Covenant over the Old. What we have in Jesus is eternal, and it is based on an oath from You that it will never change. Glory to You through Jesus… our Priest forever! Amen.