Hebrews 5:1, commentary and pictures

Every high priest is taken from among human beings and ordained to act for people in matters relating to God by offering both gifts and sacrifices for sins. Joined to the next statement, this means that because the priest himself is beset with weakness and infirmity he is able to have compassion on the ignorant and on those who have strayed from the way. Awareness of his own human weakness enables that compassion toward those who are ignorant or have gone astray and err.

In Christ this means the Majesty of heaven was taken from among men and made like His brethren, compassed with infirmity and tempted in all points as the human family is tempted, yet without sin, suffering when tempted. As a merciful and faithful high priest He makes reconciliation for the sins of the people, is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, has compassion on the ignorant and straying, and knows how to succor those beset by the powers of darkness and those who are tempted. He did not glorify Himself to be made high priest, but was called of God as was Aaron and declared to be the Son and a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. In the days of His flesh He offered prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears, learned obedience by the things He suffered, and being made perfect became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.

Because He is a great high priest passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, tried and tempted ones who trust Him and hold fast their profession can never be severed from Him and are not left to work alone. With angels ministering to the heirs of salvation they can exert every power in God's service and come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in every time of need. The verse gives hope and courage and confidence not to sink into hopeless discouragement because of mistakes, and those who have little compassion for those who make mistakes should read and study its words.

Those who serve the Lord should remember their own weakness and give erring, weak, and inexperienced people special help and treat them tenderly. Those who serve others in ministry should follow this pattern by acting with compassion and tenderness rather than with an overbearing spirit. Those responsible for children should, when they misbehave, respond with sympathy and patience and teach them by both example and instruction how to act. Teachers should remember their own weakness and meet children's misbehavior with compassion, patience, and self-control rather than harshness. Those who are tried and tempted must show the same compassion toward exasperating brethren, including restraint of the tongue.