8. Second point of superiority: Melchisedec's is an
enduring, the Levitical a transitory, priesthood. As the
law was a parenthesis between Abraham's dispensation of promise
of grace, and its enduring fulfilment at Christ's coming
(Ro 5:20,
Greek, "The law entered as something adscititious and by the
way"): so the Levitical priesthood was parenthetical and temporary,
between Melchisedec's typically enduring priesthood, and its
antitypical realization in our ever continuing High Priest, Christ.
here--in the Levitical priesthood.
there--in the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec.
In order to bring out the typical parallel more strongly, Paul
substitutes, "He of whom it is witnessed that he liveth," for the more
untypical, "He who is made like to Him that liveth." Melchisedec
"liveth" merely in his official capacity, his priesthood being
continued in Christ. Christ, on the other hand, is, in His own
person, "ever living after the power of an endless life"
(Heb 7:16, 25).
Melchisedec's death not being recorded, is expressed by the positive
term "liveth," for the sake of bringing into prominence the antitype,
Christ, of whom alone it is strictly and perfectly true, "that He
liveth."
JFB.
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