Hebrews 5:1-4 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man takes this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
‘Offer’ [Greek: prosphero] to offer (5:1, 3, 7; 8:3-4; 9:7-28; 10:1-12; 11:4, 17); deal with (12:7); put to (John 19:29); present unto (Matt. 2:11); do (John 16:2); and bring to (Matt. 4:24; 5:23; 8:16; 9:2, 32; 12:22; 14:35; 17:16; 18:24; 19:13; 22:19; 25:20; Mark 10:13; Luke 12:11; 18:15; 23:14).
‘Compassion’ [Greek: metriopatheo] to be moderate or merciful toward. It means not merely to have compassion, but to act with moderation; to bear with each person according to his ignorance, weakness, and circumstances; to pity, feel for, and excuse as far as possible; to be ready to pardon and when punishment is required, to administer it with gentleness (5:2-3).
‘Ignorant’ This statement here refers to Old Testament examples given in Leviticus 4:2, 22, 27 and Numbers 15:28. From the time of the New Testament, ignorance could no longer be used as an excuse as we see from Acts 17:30; Ephesians 4:18 and 1Peter 1:14.
‘Out of the way’ – See Leviticus 5:1-6 for examples of those that were sinning – out of the way.
‘For that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.’ The reason given for pardon and slow punishment is that the high priest himself also struggles with weakness (5:2-3).
Living the Word 