Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?
These cross references all relate to the idea that the Levitical priesthood was not able to bring about perfect righteousness, and so a new priesthood was needed. The references demonstrate that the law was not able to provide the perfect righteousness that was needed, and that the new covenant, established through Christ, was able to do so. They also emphasize the need for a different type of priesthood, one that was not based on the law but on the grace of God. Finally, they point to the fact that the new covenant is able to bring about perfect righteousness and that it is superior to the old covenant.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Galatians 2:21: I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. | Both passages discuss the relationship between law and grace. Hebrews 7:11 explains that if perfection could be attained through the law, there would be no need for Jesus, who is a priest of a different order than Aaron. Galatians 2:21 explains that because righteousness cannot be attained through the law, Jesus had to die in order to provide us with grace. Therefore, both passages demonstrate the importance of grace in our salvation, and the inability of the law to provide it. |
| Hebrews 5:6: as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” | Both passages discuss the priesthood of Melchizedek. Hebrews 7:11 explains that the Levitical priesthood was insufficient to bring about perfection, so another priest was needed in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:6 further confirms that Jesus is a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek, according to God's own words. |
| Hebrews 7:17-19: For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. | Both passages from Hebrews 7 address the need for a new priest after the order of Melchizedek. The first passage suggests that if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood, a new priest would not have been necessary. The second passage states that the former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness and a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. |
| Hebrews 8:7: For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. | Both passages refer to the Levitical priesthood, which was part of the first covenant. Hebrews 7:11 explains that the priesthood of Aaron was not sufficient to bring about perfection, so a new priest was needed in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 8:7 suggests that since the first covenant was not faultless, a second covenant was necessary. |
| Hebrews 8:10-13: For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. | Both passages from the book of Hebrews discuss the concept of the New Covenant. The first passage, Hebrews 7:11, speaks of the need for a new priest from the order of Melchizedek to replace the Levitical priesthood, which was given under the Law of Moses. In Hebrews 8:10-13, the author talks about the new covenant that God is making with the house of Israel, which is replacing the old covenant and making it obsolete. This new covenant brings about a new relationship with God where His laws are written on their hearts and they all know Him, and God will be merciful and remember their sins no more. |
| Hebrews 10:1-4: For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. | Both passages come from the book of Hebrews and discuss the incompleteness of the sacrificial system under the law of Moses. In Hebrews 7:11, the author is making the point that the Levitical priesthood was inadequate to bring about perfection and that another priest, after the order of Melchizedek, was necessary. In Hebrews 10:1-4, the author further explains that the continual sacrifices offered under the law of Moses could not make perfect those who drew near, and that they served as a reminder of sins rather than a means of taking them away. |
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who died so that we may be made right with You. We thank You for Your grace and mercy, which surpasses all understanding. We thank You for the law, which reminds us of our sin and need for a Savior. We thank You for the new covenant, which is made possible through Jesus' death and resurrection. Help us to draw near to You, to be cleansed of our sins and to live in righteousness. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.