Thomas Aquinas, on Heb 8:4

“If then he were on earth, he would not be a priest: seeing that there would be others to offer gifts according to the law,”

“385. – Then (v. 4) he shows that Christ is not a minister of the sacrifices of the Law. In regard to this he does three things: first, he introduces a consequence; secondly, he gives the reason (v. 4b); thirdly, he proves it by an authority (v. 4c). 386. – The consequence is this: If he were on earth (this is the antecedent), he would not be a priest at all (this is the consequent). Hence, the consequence is one conditional proposition. And it is read in a number of ways: first, according to a Gloss: for 'if that which is offered were on earth, he would not be a priest.' This can be understood in two ways: in one way so that the sense would be: If that which is offered were something earthly, Christ would not be a priest. As if to say: There would be no need for a priesthood, because there would be many to offer such things. But was not the flesh of Christ earthly? I answer that materially speaking it was earthly: 'The earth is given into the hand of the wicked' (Jb. 9:24). But it is said not to be earthly by reason of the union: 'He that comes from heaven is above all' (Jn. 3:31), i.e., the Son of God, Who united it to Himself. Also, by reason of the active power of the Holy Spirit, Who formed it; and by reason of the fruit, because His oblation is not ordained to obtaining something earthly: 'You are of this world; I am not of this world' (Jn. 8:23). This is the first and better explanation. The second is this: 'Even if,' i.e., although that which is offered 'is on earth,' because it is necessary that something be offered, 'He would not be a priest,' but someone worthy, because no one could be found worthy to offer it. 387. – There are three readings in which the one offering is understood: first, in general, so that the sense is this: If there were another earthly priest, who could offer heavenly things, Christ would not be a priest. Another is of Christ specifically: If Christ were an earthly priest, the right of the priesthood would not belong to Him, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. Still another is the following: If Christ were still on earth, in the sense that He had not yet ascended, He would not be a priest, because He would not have completed His priesthood.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.