Hebrews 5:2

2 Since he himself is weak in many ways, he is able to be gentle with those who are ignorant and make mistakes.

Hebrews 5:2 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 5:2

Who can have compassion on the ignorant
Who have committed sins of ignorance, and bring their sacrifices for them; these he does not insult and upbraid, nor break out into anger and indignation against; but pities them, and sympathizes with them; has a just measure of compassion suitable to their condition, and bears with them with great moderation and temper:

and on them that are out of the way;
of God's commandments; who are like sheep going astray, and turn to their own way; who transgress the law of God, and err from it; perhaps such who sin knowingly and wilfully, and through infirmity, are meant:

for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity;
not of body only, but of mind, sinful infirmity; he had much of it, it beset him all around; he was "clothed" with it, as the Syriac version renders it; as Joshua the high priest was with filthy garments, ( Zechariah 3:3 ) .

Hebrews 5:2 In-Context

1 Every high priest is chosen from his fellow-men and appointed to serve God on their behalf, to offer sacrifices and offerings for sins.

2 Since he himself is weak in many ways, he is able to be gentle with those who are ignorant and make mistakes.

3 And because he is himself weak, he must offer sacrifices not only for the sins of the people but also for his own sins.

4 No one chooses for himself the honor of being a high priest. It is only by God's call that a man is made a high priest - just as Aaron was.

5 In the same way, Christ did not take upon himself the honor of being a high priest. Instead, God said to him, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father."