Hebrews 2:10

For it became him Unlike St Paul the writer never enters into what may be called "the philosophy of the plan of salvation." He never attempts to throw any light upon the mysterious subject of the antecedent necessity for the death of Christ. Perhaps he considered that all which could be profitably said on that high mystery had already been said by St Paul (Romans 3:25; Galatians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21). He dwells upon Christ's death almost exclusively in its relation to us. The expression which he here uses "it was morally fitting for Him" is almost the only one which he devotes to what may be called the transcendentside of Christ's sacrifice the death of Christ as regards its relation to God. He develops no theory of vicarious satisfaction, &c., though he uses the metaphoric words "redemption" and "make reconciliation for" (Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 2:17). The "moral fitness" here touched upon is the necessity for absolutely sympathetic unity between the High Priest and those for whom he offered His perfect sacrifice. Compare Luke 24:46, "thus it behoved Christ to suffer." Philo also uses the phrase "it became Him." It is a very remarkable expression, for though it also occurs in the LXX. (Jeremiah 10:7), yet in this passage alone does it contemplate the actions of God under the aspect of inherent moral fitness.

for whom i.e. "for whose sake," "on whose account." The reference here is to God, not to Christ.

by whom i.e. by whose creative agency. Compare Romans 11:36, "of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things." The same words may also be applied to Christ, but the context here shews that they refer to God the Father.

in bringing Lit., "having brought." The use of the aoristparticiple is difficult, but the "glory" seems to imply the potential triumph of man in the one finishedact of Christ which was due to "the grace of God." The "Him" and the "having brought" refer to God and not to Christ. God led many sons to glory through the Captain of their Salvation, whom in that process of Redemptive Work which is shared by each "Person" of the Blessed Trinity He perfected through suffering. On the Cross the future glory of the many sons was won and was potentially consummated.

many "A great multitude which no man could number" (Revelation 7:9-14).

sons This word seems to shew that the "having brought" refers to God, not to Christ, for we are called Christ's "brethren," but never His sons.

the captain The word also occurs in Acts 5:31. In Acts 3:15 it means "author," or "originator," as in Hebrews 12:2. The word primarily signifies one who goes at the head of a company as their leader (antesignanus) and guide (see Isaiah 55:4), and then comes to mean "originator." Comp. Hebrews 5:9.

to make … perfect Not in the sense of making morally, or otherwise, perfect, but in the sense of leading to a predestined goal or consummation. See the similar uses of this word in Hebrews 5:9; Hebrews 7:28; Hebrews 9:9; Hebrews 10:14; Hebrews 11:40; Hebrews 12:23. The LXX. uses the word to represent the consecrationof the High Priest (Leviticus 21:10). In this Epistle the verb occurs nine times, in all St Paul's Epistles probably not once. (In 2 Corinthians 12:9 the reading of A, B, D, F, G, L is τελεῖται. In Philippians 3:12 the reading of D, E, F, G is δεδικαίωμαι).

through sufferings See note on Hebrews 2:9, and comp. Revelation 5:9; 1 Peter 5:10. Jewish Christians were slow to realise the necessity for a crucified Messiah, and when they did so they tried to distinguish between Messiah son of David and a supposed Messiah son of Joseph. There are however some traces of such a belief. See an Appendix to Vol. 11. of the last Edition of Dean Perowne on the Psalms.