7:26

a high priest who is loyal: Paul mentions this quality as an outstanding reason why Jesus is superior to any Jewish high priest who served in the nation of Israel; none of them could match his record of perfect loyalty to God. The Greek word rendered “loyal” can convey the idea of being “holy” or “devout” (as some translations render it here), but the rendering “loyal” is well-supported. For example, this Greek word often appears in the Septuagint to render a Hebrew word meaning “loyal” or “loyal one.” As recorded at Ps 16:10, David wrote: “You will not allow your loyal one to see the pit.” Peter and Paul quoted this psalm and applied it to Jesus. The accounts at Ac 2:27 and 13:35 use the same Greek word that Paul uses here. (Compare study note on Tit 1:8.) Jesus is the foremost example of loyalty among God’s creatures, and he could rightly be called God’s “loyal one.”

separated from the sinners: Jesus was “separated from,” or different from, all other humans​—including any other high priest​—in that he never committed any sin. (1Pe 2:22) He had no sinful tendencies. Jehovah, by means of holy spirit, protected him from inheriting sin from his imperfect mother, Mary. (Lu 1:35) However, the description “separated from the sinners” does not mean that Christ avoided all sinful, imperfect people. As a compassionate High Priest, he associated with them in order to help them draw close to Jehovah and meet His standards. (Mt 9:11, 12) Paul thus sees it as “fitting” for sinful humans to have such a High Priest. (Compare Heb 2:10 and study note.) Furthermore, when Paul wrote to the Hebrews, Jesus had long since been “separated from the sinners” in another sense​—he had ascended to the heavens.

exalted above the heavens: Jehovah exalted his Son by raising him to sit at His right hand, to a position far higher than anything in the physical heavens and far above sinful humans. (1Ki 8:27; Heb 1:3 and study note; 4:14 and study note) Jesus’ priesthood was therefore exalted above that of the Levites, who served in a temple that was soon to be destroyed. In addition, the Bible often uses the word “heavens” or “heaven” figuratively to describe rulership or governments. (Isa 65:17; Da 4:26; 2Pe 3:13; Re 21:1) As the king-priest like Melchizedek, Jesus sits on his throne at God’s right hand and is exalted above every government and authority in heaven and on earth.​—Mt 28:18; 1Co 15:27; Eph 1:20, 21; Php 2:9; 1Ti 6:14-16; Heb 1:4 and study note; compare Col 1:16 and study note.