Hebrews Chapter Seven Verses 1-10

HEBREWS CHAPTER SEVEN VS 1-10 (USING KING JAMES STUDY TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 7:1  For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 

Heb 7:2  To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 

Heb 7:3  Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. 

Heb 7:4  Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 

Heb 7:5  And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: 

Heb 7:6  But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 

Heb 7:7  And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. 

Heb 7:8  And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 

Heb 7:9  And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 

Heb 7:10  For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. 

Main Point: (To the Hebrew) – Consider what you know about Melchizedek, he is better than Abraham!

1.   List the ways that Melchizedek was greater than those of the Levitical priesthood: Priest AND King (like Jesus), the Abrahamic lineage is subordinate to Melchizedek (the one giving the blessing is greater than the one receiving), the Abrahamic lineage is subordinate to Melchizedek since Abraham tithed to him and in so doing represented all his later lineage, Melchizedek has no recorded beginning or ending and in that sense is still alive (like Jesus) – also Melchizedek is not of the order of Levi

2.   Why is the statement in verse 3 ”without father, without mother, without genealogy” important? The statement supports the concept of a true reflection of God. (Although the writer does not imply Melchizedek as equal with God). Ultimately, Melchizedek’s life reflected a life similar to the Son of God,” made like unto the Son of God “.
3): Like: 871- to assimilate closely: - make like.
It also disassociates the man from the rest of mankind….puts him “in a league” above others.

Additional:

Melchizedek: H4442- king of right; Malki-Tsedek

Salem: G4532- Hebrew origin [H8004]; Salem – H8004- The same as H8003; peaceful; Shalem, an early name of Jerusalem: - Salem. H8003- From H7999; complete H7999 - A primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate)

Is it no wonder that Jesus is continually referenced as “perfect, perfected, or complete”? This dissertation would have welled up in the Hebrew heart: The NAME of Jerusalem (or Salem….or shalom), and the association of peace, perfection, completion. Jesus embodied these characteristics both in physical, and spiritual levels (as was witnessed by men (see chapter one)).

As we see here, the writer merely associated the ministry of Jesus as similar to Melchizedek in an abstract application. However, the STORY of Melchizedek can be read within minutes. Everything else written about him was not a witnessed act or traceable through historical writings by witnesses to his life. In this sense Jesus is far superior AND believable.

Verse eight is one key to the argument. In the Hebrew teaching (based on Psalms) was that Melchizedek did not die, is still alive, and is still a high priest (forever).

Hebrews Chapter Six Verses 13-20

HEBREWS CHAPTER SIX VS 13-20 (USING KING JAMES STUDY TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 6:13  For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 

Heb 6:14  Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 

Heb 6:15  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 

Heb 6:16  For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. 

Heb 6:17  Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 

Heb 6:18  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 

Heb 6:19  Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 

Heb 6:20  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 

Main Point: More reason to stay steadfast in the word: It is IMPOSSIBLE for God’s word to fail through Jesus.

4. What are the two “unchangeable” things upon which our salvation is based? 1. God cannot lie (fail). 2. Jesus (our hope) gives us access to our father (Jesus cannot fail either).

5. What is the strong encouragement that we are to have from this text? This promise is not one of physical manifestation. It is the promise of God that defeats sin through His sacrifice. It is a guarantee, not just “hope” as one might measure “hope”. It is an assurance. How else could we come to the throne of mercy if this wasn’t more than hope? These are foundational blocks for belief, not “I hope so”.

6. What does the writer intend for us to understand from his phrase in verse 19, “that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone…? This is for the Hebrew first, not the Gentile. But the implication refers to the most holy place, WHERE GOD IS. We put our belief in this Jesus. He IS the promised of God who CANNOT lie (or fail), and is there before us. This is WHY we can come “boldly” to God and expect mercy (chap.4). This is the assurance afforded to us as humble servants.

ADDITIONAL:

18) hope: 1680 - Fromἔλπω elpō which is a primary word (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation

19) hope we have: 2192 - A primary verb (including an alternate form σχέω scheō skheh'-o used in certain tenses only); to hold

Verse 19 extends words of surety…. SURE…STEADFAST. The writer is looking to remove an argument that depicts doubt.

This is NOT a hope for something doubtful. This is expectation. The issue of course is that with expectation can come arrogance. These two characteristics are not compatible within God’s covenant. It is expectation tempered with understanding of God’s grace that is required.

Hebrews Chapter Six Verses 1-12

HEBREWS CHAPTER SIX VS 1-12 (USING KING JAMES STUDY TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 6:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 

Heb 6:2  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 

Heb 6:3  And this will we do, if God permit. 

Heb 6:4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 

Heb 6:5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 

Heb 6:6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 

Heb 6:7  For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 

Heb 6:8  But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 

Heb 6:9  But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 

Heb 6:10  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 

Heb 6:11  And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 

Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 

Main Point: An admonishment for lack of growth. Ultimately he is criticizing sinful practices. So far the context being a lack of belief manifested by disobedience.

1.   What does the Hebrew writer call “the elementary doctrine of Christ”? or PRINCIPLES – 746 commencement- beginner. Doctrine -3056 – Something said (to lay forth).
Repentance, Faith, Baptism, Laying on of Hands, Resurrection, Final Judgment.  

2.   Carefully read  verses 4-6. What does the writer say is impossible? Why is it impossible? “for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come. … If they shall fall away (it is impossible) to renew them again unto repentance … seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame”.
This is not a cut/dry scenario. There are parameters and conditions that put a soul in this position. Yes, the person who has obeyed the gospel and claims repentance but does not move beyond that initial conversion is the one in trouble here. You cannot RENEW someone to something they have not practiced, or practiced and disregarded to regress to a former position.
Analogy: Early release from prison through promise of good behavior: Go out and commit crimes.

3.   What is the main point of verses 7-8?  If I were hired to make a certain product and started out pushing a broom as a starting point: After twenty years, I should be making that certain product. If I’m still pushing a broom, I’ve made it clear I have no real interest in doing what is expected of me.
In the end the writer is looking for more from these who once believed. They should be producing fruit in their lives. Instead, they keep reverting to their old practices (including rejecting Jesus) and not working toward the goal set before them.

ADDITIONAL:

Contemporary Bible Version:
Heb 6:1  We must try to become mature and start thinking about more than just the basic things we were taught about Christ. We shouldn't need to keep talking about why we ought to turn from deeds that bring death and why we ought to have faith in God. 

Heb 6:2  And we shouldn't need to keep teaching about baptisms or about the laying on of hands or about people being raised from death and the future judgment. 

Heb 6:3  Let's grow up, if God is willing. 

 

6) Fall Away: 3895 – parapito - to fall aside, that is, (figuratively) to apostatize:  - (The concept of falling by the wayside)

This definition brings in the idea of walking on a certain path (perhaps metaphorically) and failing to stay on course. Make no mistake, these specific people were ON THE PATH.