Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 5:2

"who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity;" — Hebrews 5:2 (ASV)

“Deal gently with” (GK 3584) is not easy to translate; it refers to taking the middle course between apathy and anger. A true high priest is not indifferent to moral lapses, but neither is he harsh. He “is able” to take this position only because he himself shares in the same “weakness” (GK 819) as the sinners on whom he has compassion. This word may denote physical or moral frailty, and the following words show that in the case of the usual run of high priests the latter is included. The earthly high priest is at one with his people in their need for atonement and forgiveness.