Fathers

Hebrews 5

Tap a verse to read the Fathers. Press and hold, then drag, to make a card.

For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness. Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself. Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was. So also Christ didn’t glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him, “You are my Son. Today I have become your father.” As he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation, named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing. For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the revelations of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food. For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby. But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.

About · Privacy · Credits · Support VRSZ

What the Fathers say

Hebrews 5:12

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

At all events observe him continually travailing to introduce the discourse concerning the High Priest, and still putting it off. For hear how he began: "Having a great High Priest that is passed into the heavens"; and omitting to say how He was great, he says again, "For every High Priest taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God." And again, "So Christ also glorified not Himself to be made an High Priest." And again after saying, "Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech", he again …

Homily on Hebrews 8 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

He joins rebuke with praise, saying that you ought to be teachers for others as well. Here he shows that they had believed long ago and had heard about the mysteries. Both things are worthy of praise, if only they had not been negligent. Time, he says, makes one stronger, but you, having been delivered, have wasted it in vain. He calls "beginnings" the teaching about the humanity of Christ. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗

Oecumenius

"For although you ought to be teachers." He brings forth the accusation with praise. For you are sluggish and careless, he says, although you should also teach others according to the reason of the time. Thus, it shows that they had believed a long time ago,and have heard mysteries; both of these things are worthy of praise, provided they themselves have not been careless. Time, he says, makes people stronger; but you have used this in vain, having been set free. …

The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

265. – Then (v. 12) he shows that their slowness is culpable. In regard to this he does three things: first, he mentions the sin of slowness; secondly, he applies a simile (v. 12c); thirdly, he explains it (v. 13). 266. – For it is a sin, when a person has listened a long time, if he is still slow; but not if he is a recent hearer. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗