Commentary on Hebrews and the Catholic Epistles John Calvin
John Calvin royal dignity will not prevent him to exercise the priesthood also, for a type of such a thing has been already presented in Melchisedec.'' And indeed all among the Jews, possessed of any modesty, have conceded that the Messiah is the person here spoken of, and that his priesthood is what is commended.
What is in Greek, {κατὰ} {τάξιν} according to the order, is in Hebrew, -{{על
and means the same, and may be rendered, ``according to the way'' or manner: and hereby is confirmed what I have already said, that as it was an unusual thing among the people of God for the same person to bear the office of a king and of a priest, an ancient example was brought forward, by which the Messiah was represented. The rest the Apostle himself will more minutely set forth in what follows.
Heb 5:7-11
Hebrews Chapter 5:7-11
7. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
7. Qui in diebus carnis suae, quum et precationes et supplicationes obtulisset cum clamore valido et lachrymis ei qui poterat eum ex morte servare, et exauditus esset ex suo metu:
8. Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
8. Tametsi Filius erat, didicit ex iis quae passus est, obedientiam; 9. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
9. Et sanctificatus omnibus qui illi obediunt, factus fuit causa aeternae salutis,
10. Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. 10. Cognominatus a Deo sacerdos secundum ordinem Melchisedec: 11. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
11. De quo nobis multus sermo et difficilis explicatu, quandoquidem tardi facti estis auribus.
7. Who in the days, etc. As the form and beauty of Christ is especially disfigured by the cross, while men do not consider the end for which he humbled himself, the Apostle again teaches us what he had before briefly referred to, that his wonderful goodness shines forth especially in this respect, that he for our good subjected himself to our infirmities. It hence appears that our faith is thus confirmed, and that his honor is not diminished for having borne our evils.
He points out two causes why it behooved Christ to suffer, the proximate and the ultimate. The proximate was, that he might learn obedience; and the ultimate, that he might be thus consecrated a priest for our salutation.
The days of his flesh no doubt mean his life in this world. It hence follows,