Hebrews 5 and 6 — Author of Eternal Salvation

Introduction: Christ Jesus was called of God to be a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him. The readers are encouraged to move beyond the elementary principles and grow toward spiritual maturity through faith and patience to inherit the promises of God.

Note: Bible passages are from the American King James Version.


A — Jesus, the Author of Eternal Salvation

“Hebrews 5:1-9 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man takes this honor to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said to him, You are my Son, to day have I begotten you. As he said also in another place, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him.”

Comments: Each high priest in Israel was called of God to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins of the people, and for himself. Since each priest was personally subject to temptations, he could be compassionate to people in every level of society. Christ the Son did not glorify himself, but was called by the Father even before his time on earth. He experienced temptation in the flesh, yet remained without sin. Through his suffering and obedience, he became the perfect author of eternal salvation for all who obey him.


B — Jesus Is High Priest After the Order of Melchisedec

“Hebrews 5:10-14 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing you are dull of hearing. For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Comments: The author describes his readers as being “dull of hearing” and needing basic teaching again. Like infants who can only digest milk, these believers need elementary instruction rather than advanced spiritual truth. Those who are mature in faith have exercised their senses through practice to discern both good and evil. The author urges them to grow beyond the basic principles toward spiritual maturity.


C — Continue to Grow in Faith and Produce Spiritual Fruit

“Hebrews 6:1-8 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinks in the rain that comes oft on it, and brings forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receives blessing from God: but that which bears thorns and briers is rejected, and is near to cursing; whose end is to be burned.”

Comments: Believers are urged to move beyond elementary doctrines and grow toward spiritual maturity. Those who have tasted the heavenly gift and become partakers of the Holy Ghost are expected to produce spiritual fruit. Like land that drinks the rain and produces useful plants receives blessing, so believers are expected to bear spiritual fruit. Those who neglect this growth, yet have experienced God’s grace, face serious judgment.


D — Followers of Those Who Inherit the Promises

“Hebrews 6:11-20 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end: that you be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swear by himself, saying, Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show to the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil; where the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

Comments: Believers are exhorted to demonstrate diligence and not become lazy, but instead to follow the example of those who through faith and patience inherit God’s promises. God’s oath to Abraham demonstrates the immutability of His counsel. For believers, this hope serves as an anchor for the soul—sure and steadfast. Jesus, as the forerunner and eternal high priest, has already entered into God’s presence on our behalf, securing our salvation and our access to God.


Reflections in Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for being my author of eternal salvation and my high priest before the throne of God. Help me to move beyond elementary spiritual principles and grow toward maturity in faith. I want to be a faithful follower who demonstrates the diligence to produce spiritual fruit. Give me patience as I wait for your promises to be fulfilled in my life. Anchor my soul in the sure and steadfast hope that comes through your completed work. Help me to remember that you have already entered God’s presence as my forerunner, securing my salvation and access to the Father. Strengthen me to remain faithful even when tempted, knowing that you understand my struggles and intercede for me. Amen.

Published 22 January 2020