Hebrews 7:18
For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The surprising point here isn't just that a commandment is being set aside, but that the reason is its inherent "weakness and uselessness." This implies that the old system wasn't just outdated, but fundamentally incapable of achieving what it was meant to, paving the way for something truly effective.
The author is explaining why Jesus' priesthood, which is according to the order of Melchizedek, is superior to the Levitical priesthood. This leads to the conclusion that the old commandment establishing the Levitical priesthood is now set aside because of its inherent weakness and inability to bring people closer to God. In its place, a "better hope" has been introduced, allowing believers to draw near to God through Christ.
Ever feel like something just isn't cutting it anymore? The writer of Hebrews talks about a 'commandment' being set aside for being weak and unprofitable. What does that really mean for us today?
The text here is talking about the old system of Levitical priesthood and the commands that went along with it. It wasn't that these commands were evil, but they were like a preliminary sketch that couldn't quite capture the full picture.
Why 'Weak'?
The Levitical system was 'weak' because it couldn't truly deal with sin. It could point to sin, offer temporary sacrifices, and perform outward rituals, but it couldn't conquer sin's power or remove guilt from the conscience. It didn't have the power to bring people into true, lasting fellowship with God.
Why 'Unprofitable'?
It was 'unprofitable' in the sense that it couldn't achieve the ultimate goal: making people perfect in their relationship with God. The sacrifices were temporary, the priests were mortal, and the whole system was a shadow pointing towards something greater. It couldn't offer the complete forgiveness or the direct access to God that we have through Christ.
If the old way was weak, what took its place? The author points to a 'better hope' that allows us to draw near to God. This is the heart of the Gospel!
The 'disannulling' or setting aside of the old commandment isn't an end; it's a transition. It makes way for something infinitely superior.
The 'Better Hope'
This 'better hope' is directly connected to Jesus Christ and His unique, eternal priesthood. Unlike the Levitical priests who were weak and temporary, Jesus is the perfect High Priest who lives forever.
Drawing Near to God
The ultimate purpose of priesthood is to mediate between God and humanity. The old system could only do this imperfectly. Christ's priesthood, however, opens the way for us to have to God. We don't need a long line of human intermediaries anymore. Through Jesus, we can approach the very throne of grace with boldness and confidence.
Understand the original words
entole · Greek Noun
Refers to the Mosaic Law or the body of regulations governing the Old Covenant. It is described here as temporary and preparatory, unable to provide ultimate salvation or sanctification.
astheneia · Greek Noun
The inability of the Old Covenant system (the Law) to achieve the final, intended goal of bringing people into a state of spiritual completion or perfected standing before God.
anopheles · Greek Adjective
The inability to produce the intended result of justification or full reconciliation with God. It signifies the limitations of the Levitical system in achieving spiritual transformation.
This verse highlights the transition from the Old Covenant's Levitical priesthood to Christ's eternal priesthood. The Mosaic Law, while divinely given, was temporary and imperfect, setting the stage for a superior covenant that brings believers into direct fellowship with God.
c. 1446 BC
Giving of the Mosaic Law
God gives the Law, including the Levitical priesthood and its sacrificial system, through Moses on Mount Sinai. This establishes the Old Covenant.
c. 1446-586 BC
The Levitical Priesthood Operates
For over a thousand years, the descendants of Aaron serve as priests according to the Law, offering sacrifices and mediating between God and Israel.
c. 4 BC - c. AD 30/33
Jesus' Earthly Ministry
Jesus lives, teaches, heals, and ultimately sacrifices Himself, fulfilling the foreshadowing of the Levitical system.
c. AD 33— this verse
Jesus' Ascension and Heavenly Ministry
After his resurrection, Jesus ascends to heaven to serve as the eternal High Priest of a new covenant, mediated by His own sacrifice.
This passage echoes the idea that the law was unable to bring perfection, highlighting its weakness in contrast to what Christ accomplishes through the Spirit.
Galatians 3:21Here, Paul speaks to the inability of the law to give life, emphasizing that its weakness meant it could not provide righteousness, a theme that resonates with Hebrews 7:18's mention of 'unprofitableness'.
Hebrews 10:1-4This section directly addresses how the Old Testament sacrifices, governed by commandments, could never truly take away sins, reinforcing the 'weakness and unprofitableness' mentioned in Hebrews 7:18.
Malachi 3:6God declares 'I the LORD do not change,' which underscores the immutability of God's character, even as He establishes a new covenant and priesthood that supersedes the old, implying the obsolescence of the former commandment due to its inherent limitations.
wesleyHebrews 7:18: "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof."
7:18 For there is implied in this new and everlasting priesthood, and in the new dispensation connected therewith, a disannulling of the preceding commandment - An abrogation of the Mosaic law. For the weakness and unprofitableness thereof - For its insufficiency either to justify or to sanctify.
ellicottHebrews 7:18: "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof."
(18, 19) The intimate connection between these two verses is obscured by the ordinary translation. They point out with greater fulness and clearness what is involved in the statement of Hebrews 7:16 . “For there is an annulling of a preceding commandment, because of its weakness and unprofitableness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a…
The surprising point here isn't just that a commandment is being set aside, but that the reason is its inherent "weakness and uselessness." This implies that the old system wasn't just outdated, but fundamentally incapable of achieving what it was meant to, paving the way for something truly effective.
The author is explaining why Jesus' priesthood, which is according to the order of Melchizedek, is superior to the Levitical priesthood. This leads to the conclusion that the old commandment establishing the Levitical priesthood is now set aside because of its inherent weakness and inability to bring people closer to God. In its place, a "better hope" has been introduced, allowing believers to draw near to God through Christ.
The author is explaining why Jesus' priesthood, which is according to the order of Melchizedek, is superior to the Levitical priesthood. This leads to the conclusion that the old commandment establishing the Levitical priesthood is now set aside because of its inherent weakness and inability to bring people closer to God. In its place, a "better hope" has been introduced, allowing believers to draw near to God through Christ.
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c. AD 60s
Authorship of Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews is written, likely to Jewish believers facing persecution, explaining the superiority of Christ's priesthood and covenant over the old.
"For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness" — The surprising point here isn't just that a commandment is being set aside, but that the reason is its inherent "weakness and uselessness." This implies that the old system wasn't just outdated, bu…
