John Calvin Commentary Hebrews 7:26

"For such a high priest became us, holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;" — Hebrews 7:26 (ASV)

For such an high priest, etc. He reasons from what is necessarily connected with the subject. These conditions, or qualifications, as they commonly say, are necessarily required in a priest—that he should be just, harmless, and pure from every spot. This honor belongs to Christ alone.

Therefore, what was required for the real fulfillment of the office was lacking in the priests of the law. It follows from this that there was no perfection in the Levitical priesthood, nor was it indeed legitimate in itself, unless it was subservient to that of Christ.

Doubtless, the external ornaments of the high priest indicated this defect. For why were those costly and splendid vestments, with which God commanded Aaron to be adorned while performing holy rites, used, except that they were symbols of a holiness and excellence far exceeding all human virtues?

Now, these types were introduced because the reality did not exist. It then appears that Christ alone is the fully qualified priest.

Separate from sinners, etc. This clause includes all the rest. For there was some holiness, harmlessness, and purity in Aaron, but only in a small measure; for he and his sons were defiled with many spots. Christ, however, exempt from the common lot of men, is alone free from every sin. Therefore, in him alone is found real holiness and innocence. For he is not said to be separate from us because he repels us from his society, but because he has this excellence above us all: that he is free from every uncleanness.

And we therefore conclude that all prayers not supported by Christ’s intercession are rejected.

It may, however, be asked regarding angels, whether they are separate from sinners? And if so, what prevents them from discharging the offices of the priesthood and from being our mediators with God? To this there is an easy reply: No one is a lawful priest unless he is appointed by God’s command, and God has nowhere conferred this honor on angels.

It would then be a sacrilegious usurpation if they, without being called, were to intrude into the office. Besides, it is necessary, as we shall soon see at the beginning of the next chapter, that the Mediator between God and men should himself be a man.

At the same time, the last thing mentioned here by the Apostle is abundantly sufficient as an answer to the question. For no one can unite us to God but he who reaches to God, and this is not the privilege of angels, for they are not said to have been made higher than the heavens.

It then belongs to Christ alone to conciliate God to us, as he has ascended above all the heavens. Now, these words mean the same as if Christ were said to have been placed above all orders of creatures, so that he stands eminent above all angels.