Hebrews 5:1 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: 2 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. 3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
The point is that high priests are appointed to take the compassion and needs from you to God and vice versus. This section is needed for the Hebrews but may be less applicable for us Gentiles. The high priest could relate to the troubles and needs of the common man, for he himself had them too. He was just like them and was a helper and mediator for them and himself to God, much like the pastor is today. It is an important position; but it is in servitude.
“The high priest is taken from among men, in order that he may have a fellow-feeling for those on whose behalf he officiates. Sensible of his own ignorance, he is able to sympathize with those who are ignorant; and compassed about with infirmity, he is able to succour those who have like infirmities.” (Barne’s Notes)
“God himself appointed the tribe and family out of which the high priest was to be taken, aud Aaron and his sons were expressly chosen by God to fill the office of the high priesthood. As God alone had the right to appoint his own priest for the Jewish nation, and man had no authority here; so God alone could provide and appoint a high priest for the whole human race. Aaron was thus appointed for the Jewish people; Christ, for all mankind.” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary)
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
This whole section of scripture is explaining Christ to the Hebrews.
“The words, This day have I begotten thee, must refer either to his incarnation, when he was miraculously conceived in the womb of the virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit; or to his resurrection from the dead, when God, by this sovereign display of his almighty energy, declared him to be his Son…” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary)
There is the Levitical Aaronic order also. Were there any others in this Melchisedecian order? Doubtful. Jesus Christ is of the Melchisedec order; I believe Jesus Christ was Melchisedec.
Jesus Christ suffered greatly ‘in His flesh’ (incarnation); He cried unto His Father for help. He learned obedience to His Father’s will as a Son. He was made perfect…through suffering. Jesus Christ, as God’s Son, has been and will be forever obedient to the Father. After being obedient in all that His Father wanted, He could then go on and offer Himself as the sacrifice for sins, once and for all. Obeying Jesus Christ will give you eternal salvation…that is, obeying the gospel message contained in Jesus Christ.
(v. 9a) “That is, being made a “complete” Saviour – a Saviour suited in all respects to redeem people. Sufferings were necessary to the “completeness” or the “finish” of his character as a Saviour, not to his moral perfection, for he was always without sin.” (Barnes’ Notes)
Remember he is dealing with Hebrews who would probably have a problem with accepting Christ as the Great High Priest, why? (not of Aaron). Therefore Paul would have to prove that Christ has a legitimate claim upon this office even though he is not of Aaron and he uses Melchisdec to do this. (Jack Hyles)
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye 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. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
“One of the first symptoms of spiritual regression, or backsliding, is a dullness toward the Bible. Sunday School class is dull, the preaching is dull, anything spiritual is dull.” (The Bible Exposition Commentary)
It is hard to teach and preach all that the Bible says when the listeners are dull of hearing. There is a specific time period in which a Christian should be ready to be a teacher. It is very possible for a believer to not mature much at all over the years and then still have need of milk even though they’ve been saved for 30+ years! I would submit to you that most Christians are baby Christians. Strong meat relates to those items in the Christian’s life that are tougher to chew on; more difficult to understand and to do; typically is too much for the average person to agree to do. We are to spiritually exercise (eating strong meat of the word, and then doing something with it); this will cause us to be able to discern good and evil. A Christian’s ability at discerning good from evil is a good indicator of how spiritually mature they are.
“Paul points out that because they are still immature he cannot teach them the deep things of God. Now, Paul goes on to explain this doctrine of Melchisdec in chp. 7, but notice chp. 6 is in between. Chp. 6, is calling for the things that accompany salvation. The patient endurance; [this brings about maturation]. This brings on the maturity which can handle the deeper doctrines of Christ. As we endure in the sufferings which we go through, then we learn of him.” (Jack Hyles)