Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadWilliam Burkitt Notes and Observations - Hebrews 5:2 - 5:2
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Our apostle proceeds in giving the character of the high priest which God required under the law; he must have compassion for men, for sinful men, being compassed with sinful infirmities himself.
Observe here, 1. A great and necessary qualification of endowment of an high priest he was, and is one able to have compassion; that is, able with all meekness and gentleness, with all patience and forbearance, to bear the infirmities, sins, and provocations of men, even as a nurse bears with the weakness and frowardness of a poor infant.
Observe, 2. The peculiar object of his compassionate care and regard; namely those of his compassionate care and regard; namely, those that are ignorant, and do wander out of the way; in these two words does the apostle comprise all sorts of sinners whatsoever, with all sorts and kinds of sin.
Observe, 3. A special reason rendered why the high priest was thus compassionate, because he himself is compassed with infirmities; his own condition will mind him of his duty in this matter, being beset on every hand with infirmities of his own.
Learn hence, 1. That it is a mighty privilege to us, that our Lord Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, was encompassed with the sinless infirmities of our nature.
2. That no sort of sinners are excluded from an interest in the care and love of our compassionate High Priest; such as are ignorant, and such as are out of the way, he has compassion upon both; none are excluded, but those who by unbelief do exclude themselves, and cause the blood of the reconciling sacrifices to cry against them.