Hebrews Chapter Two, Jesus: The Source Of Salvation

 

Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering.

 

Context is necessary to understand this verse more clearly, and for that we will quote verse 18. “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” Jesus, the captain (originator or author) of our salvation, was made perfect through suffering. And this suffering came in the form of temptation. I believe this word, “tempt,” can be sorely misunderstood.

The Greek is “peirazo,” and it means to assay. The term is often defined as a test that reveals the true nature of the one being tested, and temptation toward sin is not actually in view. In other words, the perfection of Christ’s humanity was demonstrated by the tests (peirazo) He underwent that revealed the quality and nature of His person. The term “suffering,” is, “pathema,” and can be translated “affliction.” The idea behind this word is one of an external influence that is exerted on the mind or emotional state, revealing someone’s passion, or what someone’s heart is set upon. So, these temptations, working through the suffering that the Father permitted, demonstrated who Christ was. In other words, like His sayings, His miracles, and fulfilled prophecy, these tests showed to Israel (and us) that Jesus is who He claims to be. His character is perfected. Jesus endured trials from Satan and men, and through them further testimony provided evidence that Jesus is the Son of God.

 

The writer of Hebrews informs us that it was fitting for Christ to make the “originator” (literal translation) of our salvation perfect through suffering. In the previous verse Jesus is said to have endured the suffering (affliction) of death and for it was crowned with glory and honor. That suffering of death, in which He tasted death for everyone without exception, resulted in bringing many sons to glory. Christ’s salvation is for all; it is a universal salve. But it is not efficacious until someone through faith comes to Him as Savior. Jesus stated that He would draw all men to Himself. But a little later in Hebrews we learn this truth: there are those who, “draw back to perdition,” Hebrews 10:39. Stephen condemned the Sanhedrin by observing, “You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you,” Acts 7:51. Jesus said of the Holy Spirit, “He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment,” John 16:8. Unfortunately, there will be those who answer as Felix did when Paul spoke of righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come: “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you,” Acts 24:25. Paul took great pains in 1 Corinthians 15 to explain the universal efficacy of the salvation Jesus provides. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive,” 1 Corinthians 15:22. The criterion for entry into Heaven is not about our sin; Christ put that away by the sacrifice of Himself. It is about who Christ is and what we believe Him to be. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned,” Mark 16:16. It is not stated that one’s sin condemns us. Rather, our belief or lack of it does. For those who believe we are among the many sons brought to glory. For those who reject Him they inherit the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels, Matthew 25:41.

 

There is something to be said of the term, “captain,” in the NKJV or KJV. The word is more literally translated originator. The NASB renders it “author.” The NASB footnote also permits, “leader.” The NIV translates the word to “pioneer,” whereas the HCSB uses the term, “source.” The HCSB seems to have come closest to the idea of originator. Salvation was accomplished in Jesus Christ. He is the origin of our imputed righteousness and the Lamb through whose blood our sins were forgiven. The term captain conveys the notion of leadership, the One who is in charge, so it isn’t necessarily misleading but I personally prefer the originator or source translation simply because it conveys through a single word a far more consequential conclusion. If we leave Christ and reject Him we have abandoned the source of salvation and life. We have nothing else. There is no nowhere to go, and like we read in Mark 16:16, there is only condemnation where rejection persists.