| Hebrews 5 Previous Chapter | Next Chapter 1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, so that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to have compassion on the ignorant and on those who are going astray; since he himself also is subject to weakness. [Paul is speaking of high priests in general, not of Jesus, who is clearly not subject to weakness.] 3 And for this reason he offers sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for those of the people. 4 And no man assumes this honor [of priesthood] himself, but only one who is called by God, as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not glorify himself to make himself a high priest; but rather [was glorified] by God who said to him, "You are my Son, today have I begotten you." 6 As he also said in another place, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." 7 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 because he [reverently] feared, 8 Though he was a Son, yet he learned obedience through the things he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he [Jesus] became the author and source of eternal salvation to all those who heed and obey him;1 [Salvation is to be delivered (freed) from all sin, even the desires, through persistent obedience to the Spirit that mortifies the selfish human spirit on the inward cross of self-denial. You must persistently and patiently wait for Him in silence to hear his commands, as you listen and watch; then heed and obey Him. From the Word of the Lord within: "You must wait on the lord to receive salvation. Salvation comes to those who wait. Salvation comes to those who heed and obey. You will know the truth when you see Jesus bring your salvation. Salvation occurs when you are one with Christ and God."] 10 Called by God as high priest after the order of Melchizedeck. 11 Of whom we have many things to say, but they are hard to be uttered, since you are so dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you should have become teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first elements of the utterances of God;2 and have become like those who need of milk instead of strong food. 13 For everyone who lives only on milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. [To be unskillful in the word of righteousness means: to be unable to speak words that are heard from God immediately before speaking — that, and only that, is speaking righteously.] 14 But strong food is for those who are perfect, who through practice [of hearing the utterances of God] have their perceptions strengthened to distinguish between the genuine [utterances from God] and the wrong [utterances from Satan].3 Previous Chapter | Next Chapter | |||||||||
1 he [Jesus] became the author and source of eternal salvation to all those who heed and obey him. Notice! to those who heed and obey him — for if you really believe, you will go to him and silently listen; and if you heed him, (pay close attention), and believe what you have heard Jesus speaking to you, you will obey him. If you don't obey him, you are just like the Jews who said Moses was their father, but did not obey and practice the things Moses taught. What does He command us to do: Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven that is within you that does not come with outward or visible signs. How does he command us to seek: "There is only one thing needed, and Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her" — to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to the word (in your heart), and obey it. Luke 10:39-42.
2 Learning the principals of the utterances of God come from persistent hearing the word within your heart and on your lips; or if you are so fortunate to live in a time when a true prophet can speak the word of God, as prompted by God, those words can teach you; your heart giving witness to their truth. Paul and Peter frequently wrote of speaking the word of God, (this is not reading scriptures). Paul said: This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.1 Cor 2:13. Peter said: If anyone speaks, let him speak with God's words [oracles]. 1 Peter 4:11. It is words of God, spoken from the spirit that when heard, can bring the heart to life, testifying to the truth of the words, convincing one of the true hope. Otherwise the true hope can only be imparted by the Holy Spirit directly to your heart, by silently listening for his teachings.
3 But strong food is for those who are perfect, who through practice [of hearing the utterances of God] have their perceptions strengthened to distinguish between the genuine [utterances from God] and the wrong [utterances from Satan]. — "of full age" was the original translation. George Fox pointed out that the original Greek was perfect. The Net Bible gives choices; perfect is the more common translation and is an accurate description of being finished.
To reach perfection, a man must learn to distinguish the voice of the Lord vs. the voices of the enemy; and it is not easy. Even when a man reaches the first stage of perfection, through lack of watchfulness a man can fall to temptations, (including deceptive utterances from the opposition); but when he reaches the second stage of perfection, while still subject to temptation, he is protected from falling to any temptation.
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