Hebrews 5:11 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Of whom— That is, Melchisedec: "Of whom we have much to say, and hard to be interpreted, so as to make you comprehend it, seeing you are νωθροι, remiss, careless;—have little or no desire to hear, or learn, or to attend to what you hear." See Ecclus. 9:29; Sir 11:12. Dr. Heylin reads the verse, We have many things to say upon this subject; thing, which it is difficult to render intelligible to you, because you are not in a disposition to apprehend them. The mention made of Christ's being an high-priest after the order of Melchisedec naturally led to the sayingsomewhat concerning that person, and his order of priesthood. This the apostle intended, and accordingly he has done it, ch. 7. But before he comes to that part of his discourse, he makes a large digression, from hence to ch. Hebrews 6:20. At the end of which he brings in again the mention of Christ being made a high-priest after the order of Melchisedec; and thus concludeshis digression, and introduces the account that he gives of Melchisedec in the 7th chapter. The design of this digression seems to be, first, to reprove the Hebrews for their not attending to, and not better understanding, the things spoken of in the Old Testament: his reproof being brought in upon occasion of their not understanding what was spoken concerning Melchisedec, seems to fix this as the ground of the reproof, and so may serve in some measure as a key to a good part of the present discourse. This is very pertinent to the grand aim of the epistle; for a thorough acquaintance with the Old Testament would have been very useful to establish them in their adherence to Christ. Secondly, another design of this digression seems to be, to warn the Hebrews of that to which they were very prone,—to doat upon the legal institutions; by reason whereof they were apt to be indifferent to Christ, and to quit their hope in him, and the profession of his religion: for this cause the sacred writer sets before them their danger in the most lively and moving terms. He however qualifies his reproof by the commendation that he gives of some of them for their past behaviour, for whichhe encourages them to expect a reward from God. But he wishes the same might be made general, and that they would all of them guard against sloth and negligence, and press after perfection; imitating the faith and patience of other good men, and particularly of Abraham; for whom they had the highest veneration, and whose example was therefore likely to have the greatest effect upon them.