College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Hebrews 7:26-28
D.
He is a sinless priest. Hebrews 7:26-28.
Text
Hebrews 7:26 For such High Priest became us, holy, guileless, undefined, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Hebrews 7:27 Who needeth not daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His Own sins, and then for the sins of the people: for this He did once for all, when He offered up Himself. Hebrews 7:28 For the law appointeth men high priests, having infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, appointeth a Son, perfected for evermore.
Paraphrase
Hebrews 7:26 Now such an High Priest as Christ was suited to our exigencies, who being holy in affection, harmless in conduct, undefiled by those with whom He conversed, separated from sinners, and higher than all the inhabitants of the heavens, the angels;
Hebrews 7:27 He hath not, like the Levitical high priests, need from time to time to offer sacrifices, first for His Own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For Himself He offered no sacrifice; and for the sins of the people He offered sacrifice only once, when He offered up Himself.
Hebrews 7:28 The sons of Aaron needed to offer sacrifice for themselves, because the law constituteth men high priests who are sinners; but the declaration of the oath, which happened after the law was given, constituted the Son an High Priest, Who is perfectly fitted for executing the office for evermore, by His absolute freedom from sin, and by His endless life.
Comment
For such a high priest became us
The writer says we ourselves needed such a high priest, and he became all that we needed, Became us probably refers to the partaking of Christ's human flesh with us in order that we might partake of his salvation.
holy
The word holy means godlike, pious, devout.
The Levitical priesthood was sometimes corrupt.
a.
Greedy. 1 Samuel 2:13-17.
b.
Drunken. Isaiah 28:7.
c.
Profane and wicked. 1 Samuel 2:22-24.
d.
Unjust. Jeremiah 6:13.
e.
Corrupters of the law. Isaiah 28:7; Malachi 2:8.
f.
Slow to sanctify themselves for God's service. 2 Chronicles 29:34. Christ offered himself without spot or blemish, Hebrews 9:14.
guileless
It is also translated harmless.
a.
The cleansing of the temple at first seems an exception, but note that He did no one harm.
b.
No evil intent was intended.
Guileless means without malice or ill will to anyone.
a.
The prayer on the cross proved it.
b.
His compassion on earth proved it also.
Guile means deceitfulness, cunning. Guileless means that one is without these traits.
undefiled
Priests could be disqualified for sin or some blemish, but Christ was not defiled. The devil tried to defile Him with sin, but He refused.
separated from sinners
He ate with them, which brought criticism, but He was separate. Matthew 9:10-13; Matthew 11:19.
Hebrews 4:15: He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin.
a.
Although He ate with sinners, yet He cannot be named among them.
b.
His flesh did not see corruption as does that of sinners.
At the right hand of God, He is separated from sinners.
and made higher than the heavens
Other expressions that are similar:
a.
Ephesians 4:10: He is exalted far above all heavens.
b.
The idea is to show His supremacy over all creation. This exaltation does not change His affections.
who needeth not daily like those high priests
The high priest was officially the head of the priesthood, and was responsible for the daily sacrifices. The contrast is found between daily and one sacrifice.
to offer up sacrifices first for His Own sins
The method of sacrifice:
a.
The victim was brought to the north side of the altar of burnt offering, and there the sinner was required to lay his hand upon its head and kill it. Leviticus 1:4-5; Leviticus 3:2; Leviticus 3:8; Leviticus 3:13; Leviticus 4:4.
b.
If the whole congregation sinned, the elders were required to act as their representatives. Leviticus 4:15.
c.
On the day of Atonement, the high priest performed this. First he offered a young bullock for himself and his house. Leviticus 16:11-16.
The earthly priest had his own sins to concern him as well as the people's sins who were under him.
for this He did once for all
Christ's sacrifice reaches out to all men everywhere. This sacrifice is so complete that it needs no repetition.
when He offered up Himself.
Here is the superiority of Christ over every high priest. This is only a part of it. God delivered up Christ.
Acts 2:23: Him being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay.
Christ's sacrifice of self was sufficient. Remember, Christ laid down His life.
a.
b.
For the law appointeth men high priests
Their place was not assumed, but came by appointment. Exodus 29:44; Numbers 3:3, The tribe of Levi and the house of Aaron, of course, were men of human frailty.
having infirmity
The priests were not always ideal, but wicked, proud and ambitious.
Aaron, the first priest, made a golden calf and encouraged the people to worship idols, Exodus 32:1-19.
They were to be perfect physical specimens, however.
but the word of the oath which was after the law
David spoke after the law, being second king of Israel, which dispensation followed the judges. This oath is found in Psalms 110:4.
appointeth a Son perfected forevermore
Although Christ was compassed by trial, temptation and difficulties, we see no infirmity in Him. He now accomplishes the will of God forevermore.
Study Questions
1264.
Is drawing near equivalent to Christian growth? Philippians 3:14.
1265.
If we cease to grow, are we failing to draw nigh?
1266.
In Hebrews 7:26-28 what is Paul's main discussion?
1267.
How do you explain became us?
1268.
Would it refer to Christ's partaking of human flesh?
1269.
Does it mean that He became like us or for us?
1270.
Define this first attribute of Christ.
1271.
Was this true of the priests of Christ's day?
1272.
What sins were the priests guilty of in Old Testament times? 2 Chronicles 29:34. Cf. 1 Samuel 2:13-17; Isaiah 28:7; Jeremiah 6:13; 1 Samuel 2:22-24; Malachi 2:8.
1273.
What can be said of Christ's sacrifice in regard to holiness? Cf. Hebrews 9:14.
1274.
What is meant by guile?.
1275.
Define guileless.
1276.
What other word is found in some versions?
1277.
If it means harmless, was His cleansing of the temple an exception?
1278.
Did Christ ever prove that He was without ill will?
1279.
What did His compassion show?
1280.
What did His prayer on the cross reveal?
1281.
What attempts were made to defile Him?
1282.
How did the Jews try to defile Him?
1283.
How did the apostles unconsciously try to do it?
1284.
With what is man defiled?
1285.
When did this separation take place?
1286.
Did He separate Himself from sinners while on earth?
1287.
Did men misunderstand Him for associating with sinful people? Cf. Matthew 9:10-13; Matthew 11:19.
1288.
Do we face such situations today?
1289.
What is meant by heavens?
1290.
Is this verse referring to location or rank?
1291.
See what Ephesians 4:10 and Ephesians 1:20-21 have to say.
1292.
Quote Peter on Pentecost when he dealt with a similar thought.
1293.
In what way is Christ higher?
1294.
Does this exaltation show. His supremacy over the earth and heavens?
1295.
What contrast is there with the word daily?
1296.
What, officially, was the duty of high priests of men?
1297.
How did the high priests go about making sacrifices for themselves?
1298.
How did the high priest go about making sacrifices for other individuals?
1299.
How did they make the sacrifices for a congregation?
1300.
Did Jesus have to sacrifice for Himself? If not, why not?
1301.
What is the significance of He did once?
1302.
How universal is His sacrifice?
1303.
Does all mean all men of all races?
1304.
Why did man's sacrifice need repetition?
1305.
When he offered himself, was this in contrast to Old Testament priestly sacrifices?
1306.
It says that he offered up himself. Do all the scriptures speak thus? Cf. Acts 2:23.
1307.
Did Christ lay down His life, according to other verses?-' John 10:15-18; John 13:37.
1308.
What did Jesus say to Peter that would prove that Christ was laying down His life when Peter had a sword?
1309.
What did Jesus say to His disciples who tried to keep Him from Jerusalem?
1310.
What is the significance of the word law? What law? How did men get to be priests? Cf. Exodus 29:44; Numbers 3:3.
1311.
How may we explain priests having infirmities, when they were to be perfect specimens?
1312.
Do you think that preachers ought today to be good specimens physically, mentally, spiritually?
1313.
What does the word infirmity mean?
1314.
Did Aaron ever show a lack of strength of character?
1315.
What is meant by the oath which was after the law?
1316.
Where is the oath found?
1317.
Who spoke it? What is the date for David?
1318.
Did Jesus ever show any weakness of resolution?
1319.
Was His prayer in the garden an indication of infirmity?
1320.
What shows Him to have been above weakness in resolution in His prayer on the cross?
1321.
What is His appointment in this verse?
1322.
How could He be appointed a Son?