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The Epistle to the Hebrews.
#23.
The Profession (3: 1-6).
pp. 25 - 28
We have already seen that the master key of the Epistle is the theme of "perfection",
that the great leader, perfecter and finisher is Christ, Who as Son is higher than angels;
as Apostle is higher than Moses; as High Priest is greater than Aaron; and as Sacrifice
better than all the offerings of the law.
The doctrine of perfection is set forth in type also, and in chapters 3: & 4: the type
is the rest that was promised to Israel, the failure of most to attain to it, and the triumph of
those who like Caleb and Joshua overcame by faith.
Ignoring other parts of the Structure of the Epistle, we find that chapters 3: & 4:
are set in correspondence with 5: & 6: and note their related themes:--
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B |
3: 1. The Priesthood of Christ.
C
| 3: 7 - 4: 13. Failure to enter into rest.
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B |
v.1 - 10: 18(?). The Priesthood of Christ.
C
| 6: Failure to go on unto perfection.
The atmosphere of the passage before us is that of temptation:--
"For in that He Himself hath suffered, being tempted, He is able to succour them that
are tempted."
"When your fathers tempted Me."
"In all points tempted like as we are."
"For every one that uses milk is untempted (`unskilful' A.V.) in the word of
righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are perfect."
The two-fold title, "The Apostle and High Priest", is clearly echoed in the twelfth
chapter in the words, "The Author and Finisher (Perfecter)"; while the words "our
profession" find illumination in the same way from the word "faith", of which Christ is
both Author and Perfecter.
The "profession" occurs at the beginning and end of this section, as do also the
references to the High Priest and to temptation. They are linked together. In 11: 23 it
occurs again, closely associated with the expression of 4: 14 and 10: 19, Echontes oun,
"Having therefore", and with the High priesthood of Christ. "Let us hold fast the
profession of our faith (`hope', literally) without wavering." Here again we catch the
thought of chapters 3: & 4: "Without wavering" (aklinēs), "turned to flight" (klinōs)
(Heb. 11: 34). This word comes in Psa. 119: 51, "The proud have had me greatly in
derision; yet have I not declined from Thy law", which expresses the possibilities that
beset the Hebrews.