Hebrews 3:5

Verily. The first part of v. 5 repeats the last part of v. 2 in order to restore the figure of Christ and Moses as stewards, each over his respective “house.” This figure was interrupted in vs. 3, 4, where Christ is referred to in His OT role as builder of the house over which Moses was steward. In NT times Christ became steward over the house.

Was faithful. The purpose in exalting Christ is not to depreciate Moses. Far from it! Moses is commended as being altogether “faithful.” In measure, Christ’s superiority over Moses consists in the fact that although Christ later became steward over the “house,” He was actually its builder and owner at the time Moses served as steward over it.

Servant. Gr. therapon, “a [personal] attendant,” “a servant-companion.” Therapon describes a servant who renders a higher and more personal type of service than either that of the doulos (see on Rom. 1:1) or the diakonos (see on Mark 9:35). Here used of Moses, therapon reflects the high esteem in which the Jews held the great lawgiver.

Great as he was he was nevertheless only a “servant-companion” of Christ in carrying forward the purposes of God on earth. But what higher honor could Heaven accord any man?

For a testimony. The faithful life and service of Moses bore witness to the faithfulness of Christ, when He should come to serve on earth as Moses had served (see on vs. 1-3). In fact, the entire ceremonial system instituted by Moses under God’s direction was “for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after,” a “testimony” to the ministry of Christ as “the Apostle and High Priest of our profession” (v. 1). See Deut. 18:15.

Those things. That is, the life and mission of Christ on earth and His ministry as high priest in heaven above.