Matthew Henry Commentary Hebrews 7
Matthew Henry Commentary
Hebrews 7
Matthew Henry Commentary
Hebrews 7
"For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is King of peace; without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God), abideth a priest continually." — Hebrews 7:1-3 (ASV)
Melchizedek met Abraham when returning from the rescue of Lot. His name, “King of Righteousness,” undoubtedly fitting for his character, marked him as a type of the Messiah and his kingdom. The name of his city meant “Peace;” and as king of peace, he typified Christ, the Prince of Peace, the great Reconciler of God and man.
Nothing is recorded about the beginning or end of his life; thus, he typically resembled the Son of God, whose existence is from everlasting to everlasting, who had no predecessor and will have no successor in his priesthood. Every part of Scripture honors the great King of Righteousness and Peace, our glorious High Priest and Savior; and the more we examine it, the more we will be convinced that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
"Now consider how great this man was, unto whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the chief spoils. And they indeed of the sons of Levi that receive the priest`s office have commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though these have come out of the loins of Abraham: but he whose genealogy is not counted from them hath taken tithes of Abraham, and hath blessed him that hath the promises. But without any dispute the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there one, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And, so to say, through Abraham even Levi, who receiveth tithes, hath paid tithes; for he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him." — Hebrews 7:4-10 (ASV)
That High Priest who should afterward appear, of whom Melchizedec was a type, must be much superior to the Levitical priests. Observe Abraham's great dignity and happiness: he had the promises. That man is rich and happy indeed, who has the promises, both of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. All those who receive the Lord Jesus have this honor. Let us go forth in our spiritual conflicts, trusting in his word and strength, ascribing our victories to his grace, and desiring to be met and blessed by him in all our ways.
"Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need [was there] that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are said belongeth to another tribe, from which no man hath given attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord hath sprung out of Judah; as to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priests. And [what we say] is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest, who hath been made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life: for it is witnessed [of him,] Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek. For there is a disannulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw nigh unto God. And inasmuch as [it is] not without the taking of an oath (for they indeed have been made priests without an oath; but he with an oath by him that saith of him, The Lord sware and will not repent himself, Thou art a priest for ever); by so much also hath Jesus become the surety of a better covenant. And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing: but he, because he abideth for ever, hath his priesthood unchangeable. Wherefore also he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." — Hebrews 7:11-25 (ASV)
The priesthood and law, by which perfection could not come, are abolished; a Priest has risen, and a dispensation is now established, by which true believers may be made perfect. That such a change has occurred is plain. The law that established the Levitical priesthood showed that the priests were frail, dying creatures, unable to save their own lives, much less could they save the souls of those who came to them.
But the High Priest of our profession holds His office by the power of endless life in Himself—not only to keep Himself alive, but also to give spiritual and eternal life to all who rely upon His sacrifice and intercession. The better covenant, of which Jesus was the Surety, is not contrasted here with the covenant of works, by which every transgressor is shut up under the curse. It is distinguished from the Sinai covenant with Israel, and the legal dispensation under which the church remained for so long.
The better covenant brought the church and every believer into clearer light, more perfect liberty, and more abundant privileges. In the order of Aaron there was a multitude of priests, and high priests one after another; but in the priesthood of Christ there is only One and the same. This is the believer's safety and happiness: that this everlasting High Priest is able to save to the uttermost, in all times and in all cases.
Surely then, it is fitting for us to desire a spirituality and holiness as much beyond those of the Old Testament believers as our advantages exceed theirs.
"For such a high priest became us, holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needeth not daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the [sins] of the people: for this he did once for all, when he offered up himself. For the law appointeth men high priests, having infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, [appointeth] a Son, perfected for evermore." — Hebrews 7:26-28 (ASV)
Observe the description of the personal holiness of Christ. He is free from all habits or principles of sin, not having the least disposition to it in his nature. No sin dwells in him, not the least sinful inclination, though such dwells in the best of Christians. He is harmless, free from all actual transgression; he did no violence, nor was there any deceit in his mouth. He is undefiled.
It is hard to keep ourselves pure, so as not to partake of the guilt of other men's sins. But none need be dismayed who come to God in the name of his beloved Son. Let them be assured that he will deliver them in the time of trial and suffering, in the time of prosperity, in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment.
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