Hebrews 2:10

KJV

¶ For it became him, for whom [are] all things, and by whom [are] all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} it became {G4241} him {G846}, for {G1223} whom {G3739} are all things {G3956}, and {G2532} by {G1223} whom {G3739} are all things {G3956}, in bringing {G71} many {G4183} sons {G5207} unto {G1519} glory {G1391}, to make {G5048} the captain {G747} of their {G846} salvation {G4991} perfect {G5048} through {G1223} sufferings {G3804}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For in bringing many sons to glory, it was only fitting that God, the Creator and Preserver of everything, should bring the Initiator of their deliverance to the goal through sufferings.

Berean Standard Bible

In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting for God, for whom and through whom all things exist, to make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

American Standard Version

For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 2:10 articulates the profound theological necessity and divine fittingness of God the Father's plan to bring many believers into glory through the suffering and perfecting of Jesus Christ. It underscores God's ultimate sovereignty as the creator and sustainer of all things, revealing His purposeful design for humanity's salvation. The verse highlights Christ's indispensable role as the "Captain" or pioneer of this salvation, emphasizing that His unique qualification for this redemptive mission was consummated through His human experience of suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal statement within the broader argument of Hebrews 2, which primarily establishes the superiority of Jesus Christ over angels. The author has just detailed how humanity was given dominion over creation (referencing [Psalm 8](/psalms/8 "Psalm 8 - Man's Dominion and God's Glory")), yet this dominion is not fully realized in the present age. Instead, the focus shifts to Jesus, who, though temporarily made "a little lower than the angels" through His incarnation, is now "crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death" ([Hebrews 2:9](/hebrews/2-9 "Hebrews 2:9 - Jesus Crowned with Glory")). Verse 10 logically follows, explaining *why* it was fitting for God to allow Christ to suffer: it was essential for His role as the pioneer of salvation, leading many to share in His glory. This sets the stage for the subsequent discussion of Christ's full identification with humanity, sharing in flesh and blood to destroy the power of death ([Hebrews 2:14-18](/hebrews/2-14-18 "Hebrews 2:14-18 - Christ's Incarnation and High Priesthood")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Epistle to the Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians, likely facing persecution or temptation to revert to Judaism. The author's primary aim is to demonstrate the absolute supremacy and finality of Christ's person and work over the Old Covenant institutions, including angels, Moses, the Levitical priesthood, and the sacrificial system. The concept of a "captain" (Greek: _archēgos_) would resonate with a Hellenistic audience familiar with military leaders or founders of philosophical schools. More importantly, the idea of a leader who suffers to achieve victory or establish a new way was not entirely foreign, though its application to a divine Messiah who suffered a shameful death would have been a stumbling block for many. The author skillfully reinterprets the Old Testament understanding of suffering and glory through the lens of Christ's redemptive work, showing that His suffering was not a sign of weakness but the divinely appointed path to His ultimate qualification and glorification, thereby providing a superior hope and foundation for faith.
* **Key Themes:** Hebrews 2:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Hebrews and broader biblical theology. It underscores **God's Sovereign Purpose** in salvation, portraying Him as the ultimate orchestrator "for whom are all things, and by whom are all things." This divine intentionality ensures the certainty of salvation for those God calls. The verse also highlights the theme of **Christ's Identification with Humanity**, emphasizing that His suffering was not accidental but a necessary part of His human experience, enabling Him to be a sympathetic and effective High Priest ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ's Sympathy as High Priest")). Crucially, it introduces the concept of **Christ as the Pioneer of Salvation**, leading the way for "many sons unto glory," a theme reinforced by His role as the "forerunner" who has entered the inner sanctuary on our behalf ([Hebrews 6:20](/hebrews/6-20 "Hebrews 6:20 - Jesus, Our Forerunner")). Finally, the verse profoundly addresses the **Purpose of Suffering**, not as a sign of divine disfavor, but as a means through which Christ was "perfected" for His redemptive mission, demonstrating that even suffering can serve God's ultimate, glorious purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Captain (Greek, _archēgós'_):** This term (G747) means "a chief leader," "author," or "prince." It signifies one who goes first, blazing a trail or initiating a movement. In the context of salvation, Jesus is not merely a guide but the one who originates and leads the way into salvation, having first accomplished it for Himself in His human nature, thereby making it possible for others to follow. He is the pioneer who has opened the path to glory.
* **Perfect (Greek, _teleióō'_):** This verb (G5048) means "to complete," "accomplish," or "consummate in character." It does not imply that Jesus was morally imperfect or deficient in His divine nature. Rather, it refers to His full qualification or equipping for His specific role as the High Priest and Savior. His human experience, culminating in His obedient suffering and death, brought Him to the designed end or goal of His redemptive mission, making Him perfectly suited and fully effective for His unique office.
* **Sufferings (Greek, _páthēma'_):** This noun (G3804) refers to "something undergone," "hardship," or "pain." It encompasses the full range of Christ's human experience of affliction, including His temptations, trials, and ultimately His crucifixion. The plural form emphasizes the manifold nature of His endured hardships. These sufferings were not incidental but were the very means through which He was perfected for His role as the Captain of salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine fittingness and necessity of God's action. "Him" refers to God the Father, the ultimate source and sustainer of all creation. The phrases "for whom are all things" (the ultimate purpose of all existence) and "by whom are all things" (the efficient cause and active agent of creation and providence) underscore God's absolute sovereignty and His deliberate, purposeful involvement in the plan of salvation. It was profoundly appropriate for such a God to act in this way.
* **"in bringing many sons unto glory,"**: This specifies God's grand redemptive purpose. The "many sons" refers to believers, who through adoption and regeneration, become spiritual children of God. The ultimate destination is "glory," which encompasses not only eternal life but also a share in Christ's own resurrected and exalted state, reflecting God's character and enjoying His presence fully. This is the ultimate goal of salvation, initiated by God.
* **"to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings."**: This clause reveals the means by which God accomplishes His purpose: through Jesus Christ. Jesus is identified as the "captain" or pioneer of salvation, the one who leads the way. The crucial point is that God chose to "make" or bring Him to full qualification ("perfect") through the experience of "sufferings." This highlights the essential role of Christ's human experience, obedience, and ultimate sacrifice in equipping Him to effectively mediate salvation for humanity. His suffering was not a detour but the divinely ordained path to His consummation as Savior and High Priest.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Theological Argument** is evident in the opening phrase, "For it became him," which presents a reasoned justification for God's actions, asserting that it was entirely fitting and proper for the sovereign Creator to achieve His purpose in this manner. The phrase "captain of their salvation" functions as a potent **Metaphor**, portraying Jesus not merely as a guide but as a pioneer or trailblazer who goes before, enduring the hardships to make the path safe and accessible for those who follow. This metaphor evokes images of leadership, courage, and initiation. Furthermore, the concept of being "perfect through sufferings" presents a profound **Paradox**. In human terms, suffering often implies imperfection or weakness. However, in this divine economy, Christ's suffering is precisely the means by which He is brought to His ultimate state of qualification and efficacy for His redemptive role, transforming perceived weakness into perfect strength and suitability.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 2:10 is a cornerstone for understanding the profound necessity of Christ's incarnation and suffering for our salvation. It reveals that God's plan for humanity's glorification was intricately linked to Christ's full identification with humanity, including the experience of suffering. This suffering was not a sign of divine weakness but the very means by which Christ was fully equipped and qualified to be our sympathetic High Priest and the pioneer who opens the way to glory. It underscores the active, purposeful will of God the Father in orchestrating salvation through His Son, ensuring that the path to glory for "many sons" is secure because their "Captain" has already perfectly traversed it.

* [Hebrews 5:8-9](/hebrews/5-8-9 "Hebrews 5:8-9 - Christ Learned Obedience and Was Made Perfect")
* [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")
* [Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - God's Purpose to Conform Us to Christ's Image")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 2:10 offers immense comfort and profound insight into the nature of God's redemptive work and Christ's compassionate leadership. It assures us that our salvation is not an afterthought or a haphazard event, but the deliberate, fitting, and sovereign purpose of God, who orchestrates all things. Knowing that our "Captain" was "perfected through sufferings" means we have a Savior who intimately understands our trials, temptations, and pain, not from a detached divine perspective, but from firsthand human experience. This empathy makes Him uniquely qualified to intercede for us and lead us through our own journeys of faith, which often involve suffering. For believers, this verse transforms our understanding of suffering, showing that even in our own afflictions, God can work His purposes, refining our faith and conforming us more to the image of our suffering and glorified Lord. We can follow Him with confidence, knowing that the path to glory has been perfectly pioneered by the one who endured all for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the understanding of God as the one "for whom are all things, and by whom are all things" deepen your trust in His plan for your life and salvation?**
* **In what ways does Christ being "perfected through sufferings" provide comfort and strength when you face your own trials and afflictions?**
* **How does the metaphor of Christ as the "Captain of our salvation" encourage you to follow Him more closely, especially when the path seems difficult?**

### FAQ
**Does "perfect through sufferings" mean Jesus was imperfect before His suffering?**

Answer: No, the term "perfect" (Greek: _teleióō_) in [Hebrews 2:10](/hebrews/2-10 "Hebrews 2:10 - Christ Perfected Through Sufferings") does not imply that Jesus was morally or divinely imperfect. Rather, it means He was brought to completion, fully qualified, or consummated for His specific role as the High Priest and Savior of humanity. His suffering was the necessary means by which He fully experienced human life, including its trials and temptations, and obediently fulfilled the Father's will, thereby becoming perfectly suited to represent humanity before God and to offer the ultimate sacrifice. This concept is further elaborated in [Hebrews 5:8-9](/hebrews/5-8-9 "Hebrews 5:8-9 - Christ Learned Obedience and Was Made Perfect"), where it states that "though he was a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him."

**What does it mean for God to bring "many sons unto glory"?**

Answer: This phrase refers to God's ultimate redemptive purpose for humanity. "Many sons" signifies all believers, who through faith in Christ are adopted into God's family and become His spiritual children. "Unto glory" speaks of their ultimate destiny: to share in Christ's own resurrected and exalted glory, to be conformed to His image ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - God's Predestination to Conform to Christ's Image")), and to enter into the full, unhindered presence and enjoyment of God in eternity. It is God's grand design to restore humanity to a state of blessedness and honor, a state that was lost in the Fall but is now made accessible through Christ's work.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 2:10 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus as the ultimate pioneer and perfect High Priest. As the "Captain of their salvation," Jesus is the divine trailblazer who, through His incarnation, fully identified with humanity, taking on flesh and blood to taste death for everyone ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Incarnation to Destroy Death")). His journey through suffering, culminating in His crucifixion and resurrection, was not a deviation but the divinely ordained path to His "perfection"—His full qualification and consummation as the one mediator between God and humanity. He is the "forerunner" who has entered the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf ([Hebrews 6:20](/hebrews/6-20 "Hebrews 6:20 - Jesus, Our Forerunner")), having secured eternal redemption through His own blood ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). Because He was "perfected through sufferings," He is uniquely able to sympathize with our weaknesses, having been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ's Sympathy as High Priest")). Thus, Christ's suffering is not merely an example but the very means by which God brings "many sons unto glory," fulfilling His eternal purpose through the obedient, sacrificial, and glorifying work of His Son.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 11:36

For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 6:20

Whither the forerunner is for us entered, [even] Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Luke 24:46

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

Acts 5:31

Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:16

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Colossians 1:17

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.