1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means "king of righteousness"; then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace." 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever. 4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people--that is, their brothers--even though their brothers are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.
After a section of warnings and encouragements in 5:11-6:20, the author picks back up on the theme of Melchizedek in order to advance one of the major themes: the superiority of Christ and what He does over everything else! You may have questions about this Melchizedek person (I do), but the important thing is to let the author guide us in understanding the significance of this person here is this passage and what it implies about Jesus. If you want to read the little OT stuff about Melchizedek, see Genesis 14:17-24.
Other questions, thoughts, etc.
3.29.2011
3.21.2011
Hebrews 6:13-20
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Before I suggest a few comments, read the passage - which phrase do you connect with most and why?
3/23/2011 Update
OK. The two unchangeable things in v. 18 must be the promise and the oath that God would keep that promise. A good question has been raised about the tension with Matthew 5:37, but keep in mind these are two different authors writing to two different communities addressing different issues. Matthew was clearly addressing those who were manipulating language for personal use and so includes Jesus' saying that if you say something, you should follow-through on it rather than thinking you have a loophole because you didn't say "I promise."
This passage in Hebrews is part of the author's sustained encouragement to the readers that they can trust God. God has given them every reason to. So, they must hang on. God made a promises to them, swore on His own name, and will follow-through just has he did with Abraham. This assurance or hope becomes like an anchor for our faith. Not least because Jesus has somehow taken this promise or hope into the inner sanctuary where He ministers on our behalf.
16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Before I suggest a few comments, read the passage - which phrase do you connect with most and why?
3/23/2011 Update
OK. The two unchangeable things in v. 18 must be the promise and the oath that God would keep that promise. A good question has been raised about the tension with Matthew 5:37, but keep in mind these are two different authors writing to two different communities addressing different issues. Matthew was clearly addressing those who were manipulating language for personal use and so includes Jesus' saying that if you say something, you should follow-through on it rather than thinking you have a loophole because you didn't say "I promise."
This passage in Hebrews is part of the author's sustained encouragement to the readers that they can trust God. God has given them every reason to. So, they must hang on. God made a promises to them, swore on His own name, and will follow-through just has he did with Abraham. This assurance or hope becomes like an anchor for our faith. Not least because Jesus has somehow taken this promise or hope into the inner sanctuary where He ministers on our behalf.
3.17.2011
Hebrews 6:9-12
9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
After the severe warning from vv. 4-8, the author makes a shift in his words to encouragement and writes that he has confidence that they don't have to go the road of falling away. His reason? He knows something of God's character...that God is not unjust. Another translation might be that God is not 'unrighteous.' I.e., God will do what is right, and we can completely trust Him about it!
God is watching you, and it is good news for those living for Him because He sees and does not forget all the ways we have and are 'serving' His people (literally, saints).
Then he says to them..."now keep at it...to the end!" Paul says something similar: "do not become weary in doing good." (Galatians 6:9 and also 2 Thess. 3:13)
This doesn't necessarily mean, as a friend of mine used to say, 'burn out for Jesus!' It means that you see yourself as one who serves God's purposes in the world and God's people in your life. The alternative seems to be 'laziness' (NIV) or becoming 'sluggish.' Same word as in 5:11 (slow to learn/sluggish in hearing).
Thoughts/questions...
Blessings
After the severe warning from vv. 4-8, the author makes a shift in his words to encouragement and writes that he has confidence that they don't have to go the road of falling away. His reason? He knows something of God's character...that God is not unjust. Another translation might be that God is not 'unrighteous.' I.e., God will do what is right, and we can completely trust Him about it!
God is watching you, and it is good news for those living for Him because He sees and does not forget all the ways we have and are 'serving' His people (literally, saints).
Then he says to them..."now keep at it...to the end!" Paul says something similar: "do not become weary in doing good." (Galatians 6:9 and also 2 Thess. 3:13)
This doesn't necessarily mean, as a friend of mine used to say, 'burn out for Jesus!' It means that you see yourself as one who serves God's purposes in the world and God's people in your life. The alternative seems to be 'laziness' (NIV) or becoming 'sluggish.' Same word as in 5:11 (slow to learn/sluggish in hearing).
Thoughts/questions...
Blessings
3.14.2011
Hebrews 6:4-8
4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. 7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
Everyone once in a while, someone will come across a book in my library and give me a look, like 'I can't believe you have this book.' Their point seems to be that I shouldn't have this book because clearly I shouldn't agree with what's in it.
But, every book I own has something I disagree with. As a discipline of faith, however, I have chosen to embrace the entire message of the Bible...and it's the only book in my library I can say that about.
But this passage in Hebrews is one of the passages I don't really like. First of all, it's hard to get my mind around it. Secondly, it seems so final to say in verse 6 "It is impossible..." (NIV). But, there it is.
Verses 4-6 lay out the author's severe warning to the congregation. He's been concerned throughout that they are falling away from faith, giving up, turning away. He has encouraged them and warned them. Here he seems to go pretty hardcore with his warning.
Verses 7-8 give an illustration of why he says that it is impossible for those who have 'fallen away' (v. 6) to be 'brought back to repentance.' I'll try to suggest what he means by 'fall away' later in a the comments. For now, I just want us to hear the warning as an encouragement. It's not worth it to fall away!
Thoughts...questions...
Everyone once in a while, someone will come across a book in my library and give me a look, like 'I can't believe you have this book.' Their point seems to be that I shouldn't have this book because clearly I shouldn't agree with what's in it.
But, every book I own has something I disagree with. As a discipline of faith, however, I have chosen to embrace the entire message of the Bible...and it's the only book in my library I can say that about.
But this passage in Hebrews is one of the passages I don't really like. First of all, it's hard to get my mind around it. Secondly, it seems so final to say in verse 6 "It is impossible..." (NIV). But, there it is.
Verses 4-6 lay out the author's severe warning to the congregation. He's been concerned throughout that they are falling away from faith, giving up, turning away. He has encouraged them and warned them. Here he seems to go pretty hardcore with his warning.
Verses 7-8 give an illustration of why he says that it is impossible for those who have 'fallen away' (v. 6) to be 'brought back to repentance.' I'll try to suggest what he means by 'fall away' later in a the comments. For now, I just want us to hear the warning as an encouragement. It's not worth it to fall away!
Thoughts...questions...
3.08.2011
Hebrews 6:1-3
1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[a] and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so. (NIV)
This is an interesting intro to the rest of chapter 6. It is again the author coming to an important conclusion and from that he instructs his readers.
Here, the emphasis is on not camping out on the basic teachings about Christ. Interestingly, all the things mentioned in verses 1b-3 are common with Judaism, so some scholars suggest that the author is saying that Jewish beliefs are foundational leading one to Christ, but we must move along and grow in the advanced teachings.
The author closes with a wonderful perspective: "God permitting, we will..." emphasizing personal urgency and importance, and more importantly God's sovereignty.
Thoughts...
Have a great day!!!
This is an interesting intro to the rest of chapter 6. It is again the author coming to an important conclusion and from that he instructs his readers.
Here, the emphasis is on not camping out on the basic teachings about Christ. Interestingly, all the things mentioned in verses 1b-3 are common with Judaism, so some scholars suggest that the author is saying that Jewish beliefs are foundational leading one to Christ, but we must move along and grow in the advanced teachings.
The author closes with a wonderful perspective: "God permitting, we will..." emphasizing personal urgency and importance, and more importantly God's sovereignty.
Thoughts...
Have a great day!!!
3.03.2011
Hebrews 5:11-14
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
This next section extends through 6:20, but will break it down a little. I'll make a few observations, here and in the comments.
First, these 4 verses can be harsh, but they are written out of a deep concern for Christian growth. I think it is fair to say that the author of Hebrews was a good teacher, pastor and leader, yet seems to guage the level of Christian growth among his church/hearers as far short of where their their faith should be. He says they are 'slow to learn.' This has nothing to do with intellectual ability, but rather with their attention to Christian truth and Christian practice.
Do you think this is still true of 'church' today? How?
This next section extends through 6:20, but will break it down a little. I'll make a few observations, here and in the comments.
First, these 4 verses can be harsh, but they are written out of a deep concern for Christian growth. I think it is fair to say that the author of Hebrews was a good teacher, pastor and leader, yet seems to guage the level of Christian growth among his church/hearers as far short of where their their faith should be. He says they are 'slow to learn.' This has nothing to do with intellectual ability, but rather with their attention to Christian truth and Christian practice.
Do you think this is still true of 'church' today? How?
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