Chapter 1. His superiority to ANGELS. He the Son. They the minsters.

Chapter 3. His superiority to MOSES. He the Son. Moses the servant.

Chapter 4. His superiority to JOSHUA. Jesus, the Son of God (verse 14). Joshua, the son of Nun (verse 8).

Chapters 5 to 7. His superiority to AARON. The Levitical priesthood is filled by men who die. The oath

consecrates the Son as priest in the power of endless life.

The way is now clear for the apostle's teaching concerning perfection, which has never been lost sight of,

although to our lesser minds, the amount of detail and involved argument may seem to indicate a departure from the

original purpose. `If therefore perfection ...' is the writer's argument from all that has been under review, and this

we must now ponder.

Having considered together verses 1-10 of chapter 7, and having seen the greatness of the Melchisedec

priesthood, we are prepared for the transference of that greatness to Christ, and for its connection with the great

theme of perfection. Before attempting any further detail it will be a safeguard for us to have the broad outline of

that great section which is devoted to the Priesthood and Sacrifice of Christ.

A 7:1-10.This Man (4) A priest - eis to dienekes

B 7:11 to 10:4. C 7:11. No perfection by Levitical priesthood

and carnal commandment.

PERFECTION

D 7:12-18. But by Melchisedec priesthood

C 7:19  No perfection by law

D 7:20 to 9:8.  But by the oath to the Son

C 9:9,10.No perfection by carnal ordinances

D 9:11-28  But by perfect Tabernacle

and better sacrifice

C 10:1-4.No perfection by sacrifices of the law

A 10:5-18. `But this Man' (12) As Priest sat down -

To some minds Scriptural structures make no appeal. The subject before us is so solemn and so vital that we feel

much blessed truth will lose its force if not seen as a whole. Therefore we tarry to draw attention to the lesson of the

above structure. It will be noticed that the opening and closing members are to do with the Melchisedec priesthood

of Christ in several important particulars.

(1) `THIS MAN' Chapter 7:4, by using the (this ? JP) expression, draws attention to the greatness of Melchisedec

above both Abraham and Levi.

(2) `BUT THIS MAN' of chapter 10:12 takes up the theme with reference to the superiority of the Sacrifice and

Priesthood of Christ.

(3) Both passages focus upon one peculiar expression, viz. eis to dienekes. This phrase occurs in Hebrews 7:3;

10:1,12 and 14 and nowhere else in the New Testament. It is translated twice `continually' and twice `for

ever'. `For a continuance' is a good rendering. In the case of the type, Melchisedec, the silence of Scripture

as to his `beginning' of days or `end' of life sets him forth typically as a priest after the power of an endless

life. In the case of Christ, the antitype, the contrast is between the priest who `standeth daily ministering and

offering oftentimes the same sacrifices which can never take away sins', and Christ, `Who, after He had

offered one sacrifice (in contrast with the "offering oftentimes") for sins' (in contrast with those sacrifices

which could never take away sins) `sat down for a continuance' (instead of repeatedly going over the same

ritual, `standing daily').