Hebrews Power Quotes

How we cite our quotes:

Quote #4

Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that would be spoken later. Christ, however, was faithful over God's house as a son. (Hebrews 3:3-6, NRSV)

For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house. (Hebrews 3:3-6, KJV)

Well that's forward: "Jesus is worth of more glory than Moses." According to Hebrews, Jesus is kind of like a new and improved and more beloved Moses. When you consider that the author is writing to a Jewish audience, it takes a lot of chutzpah to make a claim like that.

Quote #5

Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"; as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 5:5-6, NRSV)

Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. (Hebrews 5:5-6, KJV)

Jesus may have authority, but he's not a power grabber. It wasn't his idea to appoint himself high priest forever and always—it was God's. And you really can't argue with the Big Guy.

Quote #6

He holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens[…] The law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. (Hebrews 7:24-26, 28, NRSV)

But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens[…] The law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. (Hebrews 7:24-26, 28, KJV)

Jesus is like a human high priest, but—according to Hebrews—way, way better. He holds his post forever and he's never sinned. Pretty sweet qualifications to put on your priestly résumé, don't you think?