The Pulpit Commentary — Hebrews — Section 155

Ver. 9.-Salvation-its Author and its recipients. "And being made perfect, he became the Author," etc. The subject of the writer in this part of his Epistle is the high priesthood of Jesus Christ. In treating this subject he dwells upon the suffering~ of Christ in his priestly office, and a certain perfection which resulted from his suffer- ings. He was God's only and well-beloved Son, yet he was not exempt from sufferiog. "He learned obedience by the things which he suffered." We must not suppose that he was not perfectly acquainted with the nature of obedience, or that he did not fully r1;;cognize the duty of it, or that he was in any we.y indisposed to render it, before be ~uffcred. The meaning is that though he was so highly exalted in his relationship to the Father, yet "he was subjected to learn experimentally what it is to obey in the midst of suffering." He learned the lesson perfectly. He "became obedient untu death, even the death of the cross." Our text leads us to consider three things. I. THE PEBFEOTI0N WHICH CHRIST .ATTAINED THROUGH SUFFEBrnG. "And having been made perfect." Having assumed human nature, Christ was capable of suffering; and in that nature he did indeed suffer. His entire lifo upon earth was one of humilin- tion and sacrifice. Being sympathetic, the sufferings of men were a constant grief to him. Being holy, the sins of men constantly stung his soul with pain. .At the last his sufferings deepened into awful intensity. In Gethseme.ne his sorrow and conflict almost brought down his human nature unto death. .And on the cross his pain and woe were unutterable, and to us inconceivably severe. Of nil sufferers Christ is the Sufferer. In all these sufferings he was obedient. Ile endured them voluntarily. 'l'hrou~h his obedience in suffering he became perfect. The author of our salvation was made "i;erfect through sufferings" (eh. ii. 10). This acquired perfection was not r.,ersonal. .As God he is eternally perfect; as man ho was perfect without suffering. l'he perfection of our text is relative. By suffering he became perfect in hie relation to us os our Saviour, our Intercessor, our great High Priest. By suffering: 1. He made " perfect atonement for sin. 2. He became perfectly qualified to sympathize with and to 1ucco11r his suffering people. (Cf. eh. iv. 14-16.) 3. He became a perfect example/or hi., people in tlieir sufferings. 4. He entered upon his perfect triumph and glory. (CC. eh. ii. 9; xii. 2; Phil. ii. 6--11.) II. T.l!E GREAT END BOTH OF CHRIST'S BUFFERING .AND OF ms PERFECTION .ACQUIBETl THROUGH HIS SUFFERING. This end was that ho might be the Author, or the great pro- curing cause, of a perfect salvation for men. " Being made perfect, he became the Author of eternal salvation." Here are three points. 1. The salvation. Forgiveness of sin, freedom from condemnation, deliverance from the sovereignty of sin, the awakening of a new ruling principle and power in man, conversion into a condition of holiness, peace and joy, entrance into heaven, blessed union with God. 2. The perpetuity of salvation. "Eternal salvation." No partial, incomplete, temporary blessing; but" eternal salva- tion"-" the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." Does not this, nt least, suggest that there is no falling back from the hand of Christ into the power of Satan? Doubtless man always .c;an do so, inlLSmuch as he is morally free; but this "eternal salvation" establishes marl's freedom, yet binds it to holiness, and leads him to cry, "I deli~ht to do thy will, 0 my God." 'l'his blessing shall continue when honds and hanks, estates and fortunes, coronets and crowns, shall have perished. 13lessed be the Lord for hi:1 ·• eternal salrntion" ! 3. Tlie Autl1or of 6alvatlon. O•Jr  118 Tl:lE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. [cu. v. 1-14