John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. And no man taketh this honour to himself , etc..] That is, the honour of the priesthood: the office of the high priest was a very honourable one; it was a peculiar honour to Aaron, and his sons, to be separated unto it; their instalment into it was very grand and solemn; at that time they were anointed with oil, and clothed with glorious garments, and sacrifices were offered for them; they had an honourable maintenance assigned them, and a large retinue of priests and Levites to attend them; great respect and reverence were shown them: but their principal honour lay in the work they performed; in representing the whole body of the people; in offering gifts and sacrifices for them; in blessing them; and in the resolution of difficult cases brought unto them; in all which they were types of Christ, the high priest. Now no man might take this honourable office upon himself, or intrude himself into it, or obtain it by any unjust method, or in any other way than by a call from God; nor did any man dare to do it, until of late, when some got into it of themselves, and were put in by the Roman governors, and even purchased it of them f72 : so Joshua ben Gamla became an high priest f73 ; and some have thought the apostle has some respect to these wicked practices, and tacitly reproves them, as what ought not to be: for no one ought to be in this office, but he that is called of God, as [was Aaron] ; whose call was immediately from the Lord, and was unquestionable: Moses was ordered to separate him, and his sons, from the children of Israel, and install them into this office; they were destroyed by fire, or swallowed up by the earth, that disputed his call; and this was confirmed by a miracle, by his dry rod budding, blooming, and bringing forth almonds: and the apostle instances in him, because his call was so remarkable and authentic; and because he was the first high priest of the Jews, and from whence the rest descended, who were lawful ones.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - The High Priest must be a man, a partaker of our nature. This show that man had sinned. For God would not suffer sinful man to come to his alone. But every one is welcome to God, that comes to him by this Hig Priest; and as we value acceptance with God, and pardon, we must appl by faith to this our great High Priest Christ Jesus, who can interced for those that are out of the way of truth, duty, and happiness; on who has tenderness to lead them back from the by-paths of error, sin and misery. Those only can expect assistance from God, and acceptanc with him, and his presence and blessing on them and their services that are called of God. This is applied to Christ. In the days of his flesh, Christ made himself subject to death: he hungered: he was tempted, suffering, dying Jesus. Christ set an example, not only to pray, but to be fervent in prayer. How many dry prayers, how few wette with tears, do we offer up to God! He was strengthened to support the immense weight of suffering laid upon him. There is no real deliveranc from death but to be carried through it. He was raised and exalted, an to him was given the power of saving all sinners to the uttermost, wh come unto God through him. Christ has left us an example that we shoul learn humble obedience to the will of God, by all our afflictions. We need affliction, to teach us submission. His obedience in our natur encourages our attempts to obey, and for us to expect support an comfort under all the temptations and sufferings to which we ar exposed. Being made perfect for this great work, he is become the Author of eternal salvation to all that obey him. But are we of tha number?
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ ουχ 3756 PRT-N εαυτω 1438 F-3DSM τις 5100 X-NSM λαμβανει 2983 5719 V-PAI-3S την 3588 T-ASF τιμην 5092 N-ASF αλλα 235 CONJ ο 3588 T-NSM καλουμενος 2564 5746 V-PPP-NSM υπο 5259 PREP του 3588 T-GSM θεου 2316 N-GSM καθαπερ 2509 ADV και 2532 CONJ ο 3588 T-NSM ααρων 2 N-PRI
Vincent's NT Word Studies
4. The high priest must be divinely called. One thus compassed with infirmity would shrink from such an office unless called to it by God. He that is called (kaloumenov). The A.V. follows T.R.,oJ kaloumenov. The article should be omitted. Rend. but being called by God (he taketh it), as did Aaron.
