The Pulpit Commentary — Hebrews — Section 82

ability to save. Apart from his humiliation he could not have been a perfect Saviour. ri;1ie apost!e says, therefc-:-e, that to make Christ perfect as a Saviour, through humilia- t10n, was m harmony with the perfections of God. Subject-The Incarnation, being the only means of securing perfect salvation for men, was becoming to God. I. IT BECAME Gon TO SAVE, That is the lowest step in the argument, and does not need proof. God does save, that is certain; then it must become him to save, for he can do nothing which is unbecoming. But think of what the text implies about this salva- tion which it becomes God t.o give. 1. Salvation originates in him. "Through whom nre all things." Salvation is the outcome of his will. Not suggested by human supplica- tion ; not claimed by the recovered righteousness of any that had fallen; not extorted by the atonement of some gracious Saviour. It came from himself. "God so loved the world," etc. There salvation is traced back to its sonrce, and revealed as his act. The desire to save, the method of saving, the work of saving, the whole transaction from beginning to end, is of God. 2. Salvation glorifies him. "For whom are all things." Everything he does is for the good pleasure of his will and the glory of his Name. What a beautiful light that throws upon redemption! How it falsifies the idea that God is unwilling to save! God has so identified himself with man, so fixed his love on him, that he is not happy if man remains unsaved. The salvation he has devised-we say it is for man; Scripture says it is for God. 3. Salvation is gratuitousfrom ltim. He provides a "perfect" Saviour-One who should do it all. Salvation is a gift, all done for man, so that man in his helplessness bas only to receive. God saves men for nothing. Put all this together. God saves; this salvation originates with him; glorifies him; is gratuitous from him. That is the kiud of salvation which he bestows. Then this is the point-such a salvation as that becomes God. Then see what kind of a God ours is. What must be be of whose nature this is the outcome; of whose thought and love this is the fitting expression; of whose character this is the suitable revelation ; who is never more perfectly revealed than in Christ crucified ; of whom it can be said, such a salvation "became him"? II. IT BECAME Gon TO PBOVIDE A PERFECT SAvioun. "It became him to make the Author of their salvation perfect." Nothing less than a perfect Saviour would become God. " .As for God, bis way is perfect." Being perfect in himself, he can devise nothing imperfect. Being perfect in his resources, he cannot fail to accomplish perfectly all he devises. It is so in everything. '!.'hen we are sure that, in his greatest work, he whom he sends as Redeemer will be so minutely perfect that tbe utmost Divine wisdom and human need can never discover a particular in which he could be made more efficient. Less than that could not become God. All things are to show forth his glory. But his redeeming work is his crowning work; by it pre-eminently is to bo manifested his transcendent greatness, and evoked the sweetest and most triumphant song of eternity. Then this must be the most complete work which even God can do; anything unfinished here could not become him. Moreover, consider that be bestows other blessings more than royally. His bestowments surpass our need. His measure of giving is " exceeding abundantly above," etc. But the Saviour is his unspeakable Gift, the highest expression of his mercy. It is inconceivable, then, that be who outdoes our need in everything else should under-supply it in his greatest gift of all. It is evident that less than a perfect Saviour could not become him. But what is necessary to a perfect Saviour ?-for this, whatever it be, we shall find in Christ. 1. A perfect Saviour must perfectly remove sin's penalty. The penalty of sin must be dealt with first. Sin's power cannot be removed until the penalty is gone. That penalty is an awful reality. "'l'he wrath of God is revealed," etc. ; "'!.'he wages of sin is death;" "'l'be wicked shall be turned," etc. Then, if he who comes forth to save is a perfect Saviour, he must be able to remove every whit of that penalty for evermore, and able to do it by himself. Christ claims t.o do that. " '!.'here is therefore now no condemnation," etc. 2. A perfect Saviour must secure perfect holiness in the saved, For there is no salvation but holiness. Man is surrounded by temptations, and the slave of corrupt dispositions, and painfully far from God's ideal, If be who comes to save is a perfect Saviour, he must be able to deliver us from sin's power, and lead us up to that sanctification which is God's will concerning us. He must be able to do it perfectly, however low we have fallen, or however helpless we have become. Christ claims to do that. "0 wretched man," etc. ! 3. A '[lflf'/ect Savi<nw must pruerve w/rom the perils of the way, and lead us to the OH. II, 1-18.] THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 73