Chapter 1 - Such an High Priest
"Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man."
This is the summing up of the evidence of the high priesthood of Christ presented in the first seven chapters of Hebrews. The "sum" presented is not particularly that we have a High Priest but that "we have such an High Priest." "Such" signifies "of that kind; of a like kind or degree,"—"the same as previously mentioned or specified; not another or different."
The first seven chapters of Hebrews have gathered together all the specific qualifications and things becoming to Him as a High Priest, which are summed up in this text: "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an High Priest."
It is necessary to the understanding of this scripture that these previous portions be reviewed to see what is the true weight and import of this word, "such an High Priest." The seventh chapter is devoted to the discussion of this priesthood. The sixth chapter closes with the thought of this priesthood. The fifth chapter is almost wholly devoted to the same thought. The fourth chapter closes with it, and the fourth chapter is but a continuation of the third chapter, which begins with an exhortation to "consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;" and this as the conclusion from what had already been presented. The second chapter closes with the thought of His being "a merciful and faithful High Priest" and this conclusion is drawn from what preceded in the first and second chapters, for though they are two chapters the subject is but one.
This sketch shows plainly that in the first seven chapters of Hebrews the one great thought over all is the priesthood of Christ and that the truths presented, whatever the thought or the form may be, are all simply the presentation in different ways of the great truth of this priesthood, all of which is finally summed up in the words: "We have such an High Priest."