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Commentary on Hebrews 2 verses 10–13
Having mentioned the death of Christ, the apostle here proceeds to prevent and remove the scandal of the cross; and this he does by showing both how it became God that Christ should suffer and how much man should be benefited by those sufferings.
I. How it became God that Christ should suffer: For it became 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 sufferings, Heb 2:10. Here,
1.God is described as the final end and first cause of all things, and as such it became him to secure his own glory in all that he did, not only to act so that he might in nothing dishonour himself, but so that he might from every thing have a revenue of glory.
2.He is declared to have acted up to this glorious character in the work of redemption, as to the choice both of the end and of the means.
(1.)In the choice of the end; and that was to bring many sons to glory in enjoying the glorious privileges of the gospel, and to future glory in heaven, which will be glory indeed, an exceeding eternal weight of glory. Here observe, [1.] We must be the sons of God both by adoption and regeneration, before we can be brought to the glory of heaven. Heaven is the inheritance; and only those that are the children are heirs of that inheritance. [2.] All true believers are the children of God: to those that receive Christ he has granted the power and privilege of being the children of God, even to as many as believe on his name, Joh 1:12. [3.] Though the sons of God are but a few in one place and at one time, yet when they shall be all brought together it will appear that they are many. Christ is the first-born among many brethren. [4.] All the sons of God, now many soever they are, or however dispersed and divided, shall at length be brought together to glory.
(2.)In the choice of the means. In finding out such a person as should be the captain of our salvation; those that are saved must come to that salvation under the guidance of a captain and leader sufficient for that purpose; and they must be all enlisted under the banner of this captain; they must endure hardship as good soldiers of Christ; they must follow their captain, and those that do so shall be brought safely off, and shall inherit great glory and honour. [2.] In making this captain of our salvation perfect through sufferings. God the Father made the Lord Jesus Christ the captain of our salvation (that is, he consecrated, he appointed him to that office, he gave him a commission for it), and he made him a perfect captain: he had perfection of wisdom, and courage, and strength, by the Spirit of the Lord, which he had without measure; he was made perfect through sufferings; that is, he perfected the work of our redemption by shedding his blood, and was thereby perfectly qualified to be a Mediator between God and man. He found his way to the crown by the cross, and so must his people too. The excellent Dr. Owen observes that the Lord Jesus Christ, being consecrated and perfected through suffering, has consecrated the way of suffering for all his followers to pass through unto glory; and hereby their sufferings are made necessary and unavoidable, they are hereby made honourable, useful, and profitable.
II. He shows how much they would be benefited by the cross and sufferings of Christ; as there was nothing unbecoming God and Christ, so there was that which would be very beneficial to men, in these sufferings. Hereby they are brought into a near union with Christ, and into a very endearing relation.
1.Into a near union (Heb 2:11): Both he that sanctifieth and those that are sanctified are all of one. Observe, Christ is he that sanctifieth; he has purchased and sent the sanctifying Spirit; he is the head of all sanctifying influences. The Spirit sanctifieth as the Spirit of Christ. True believers are those who are sanctified, endowed with holy principles and powers, separated and set apart from mean and vile uses to high and holy uses and purposes; for so they must be before they can be brought to glory. Now Christ, who is the agent in this work of sanctification, and Christians, who are the recipient subjects, are all of one. How? Why, (1.) They are all of one heavenly Father, and that is God. God is the Father of Christ by eternal generation and by miraculous conception, of Christians by adoption and regeneration. (2.) They are of one earthly father, Adam. Christ and believers have the same human nature. (3.) Of one spirit, one holy and heavenly disposition; the same mind is in them that was in Christ, though not in the same measure; the same Spirit informs and actuates the head and all the members.
2.Into an endearing relation. This results from the union. And here first he declares what this relation is, and then he quotes three texts out of the Old Testament to illustrate and prove it.
(1.)He declares what this relation is: he and believers being all of one, he therefore is not ashamed to call them brethren. Observe, [1.] Christ and believers are brethren; not only bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh, but spirit of his spirit-brethren by the whole blood, in what is heavenly as well as in what is earthly. [2.] Christ is not ashamed to own this relation; he is not ashamed to call them brethren, which is wonderful goodness and condescension in him, considering their meanness by nature and vileness by sin; but he will never be ashamed of any who are not ashamed of him, and who take care not to be a shame and reproach to him and to themselves.
(2.)He illustrates this from three texts of scripture.
[1.]The first is out of Psa 22:22, I will declare thy name unto my brethren; in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. This psalm was an eminent prophecy of Christ; it begins with his words on the cross, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Now here it is foretold, First, That Christ should have a church or congregation in the world, a company of volunteers, freely willing to follow him. Secondly, That these should not only be brethren to one another, but to Christ himself. Thirdly, That he would declare his Father's name to them, that is, his nature and attributes, his mind and will: this he did in his own person, while he dwelt among us, and by his Spirit poured out upon his disciples, enabling them to spread the knowledge of God in the world from one generation to another, to the end of the world. Fourthly, That Christ would sing praise to his Father in the church. The glory of the Father was what Christ had in his eye; his heart was set upon it, he laid out himself for it, and he would have his people to join with him in it.
[2.]The second scripture is quoted from Psa 18:2, And again, I will put my trust in him. That psalm sets forth the troubles that David, as a type of Christ, met with, and how he in all his troubles put his trust in God. Now this shows that besides his divine nature, which needed no supports, he was to take another nature upon him, that would want those supports which none but God could give. He suffered and trusted as our head and president. Owen in locum. His brethren must suffer and trust too.
[3.]The third scripture is taken from Isa 8:18, Behold, I and the children which God hath given me. This proves Christ really and truly man, for parents and children are of the same nature. Christ's children were given him of the Father, in the counsel of his eternal love, and that covenant of peace which was between them. And they are given to Christ at their conversion. When they take hold of his covenant, then Christ receives them, rules over them, rejoices in them, perfects all their affairs, takes them up to heaven, and there presents them to his Father, Behold, I and the children which thou hast given me.
Of course the houses of none but married men fare well! The families of celibates, the estates of eunuchs, the fortunes of military men, or of such as travel without wives, have gone to rack and ruin! For are not we, too, soldiers? Soldiers, indeed, subject to all the stricter discipline, that we are subject to so great a General? Are not we, too, travellers in this world? Why moreover, Christian, are you so conditioned, that you cannot (so travel) without a wife? "In my present (widowed)state, too, a consort in domestic works is necessary.
If all things made by the will of God were made by God, how can God be one of the things that were made? And since the apostle says, “for whom and by whom all things exist,” how can these men say we were not made for him, but he for us?
"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." He speaks here of the Father. Seest thou how again he applies the expression "by whom" to Him? Which he would not have done, had it been an expression of inferiority, and only applicable to the Son. And what he says is this: He has done what is worthy of His love towards mankind, in showing His First-born to be more glorious than all, and in setting Him forth as an example to the others, like some noble wrestler that surpasses the rest.
"The Captain of their salvation," that is, the Cause of their salvation. Seest thou how great is the space between? Both He is a Son, and we are sons; but He saves, we are saved. Seest thou how He both brings us together and then separates us; "bringing," he says, "many sons unto glory": here he brings us together, - "the Captain of their salvation," again he separates.
"To make perfect through sufferings." Then sufferings are a perfecting, and a cause of salvation. Seest thou that to suffer affliction is not the portion of those who are utterly forsaken; if indeed it was by this that God first honored His Son, by leading Him through sufferings? And truly His taking flesh to suffer what He did suffer, is a far greater thing than making the world, and bringing it out of things that are not. This indeed also is a token of His loving-kindness, but the other far more. And the Apostle himself also pointing out this very thing, says, "That in the ages to come He might show forth the exceeding riches of His goodness, He both raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Eph. ii. 7, Eph. ii. 6.)
"For it became 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 sufferings." For (he means) it became Him who taketh tender care, and brought all things into being, to give up the Son for the salvation of the rest, the One for the many. However he did not express himself thus, but, "to make perfect through sufferings," showing the suffering for any one, not merely profits him, but he himself also becomes more glorious and more perfect. And this too he says in reference to the faithful, comforting them by the way: for Christ was glorified then when He suffered. But when I say, He was glorified, do not suppose that there was an accession of glory to Him: for that which is of nature He always had, and received nothing in addition.
And the pioneer of all men’s salvation, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the man assumed by him, is declared perfect through sufferings in such a way that both his own nature and God’s grace are made evident.
It should be noted that the Nestorians distort the Scripture, and thus they read it in such a way that He tasted death apart from God, constructing this by asserting that Christ had the indwelling of the Word of God and not a union, claiming that His divinity did not accompany Him while He was crucified.
Indeed, it has been said, they argue, "Without God he would taste death." But see how a certain orthodox one has responded. First of all, it is stated, χάριτι Θεοῦ, that is, grace or through the grace of God; yet even if it is said as you wish, χωρὶς Θεοῦ, that is, “without God”, it must be understood that Christ died without God or except for God for everyone. For he did not die only for men, but also for the heavenly powers, to break down the barrier of separation and unite the lower with the higher. (Eph. 2:14)This is similar to what has been said elsewhere. But when it is said that all things are subjected, it is evident that it is outside of the one who subjected all things to Himself. (1 Cor. 15:28)
“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels.” Paul endeavors to show that what was said applies to Christ, and he says that even if he subjected all things, it does not yet seem to fit him; and yet we showed that ultimately even this will occur; but then that he was made a little lower than the angels, this fits Him rather than us. For he indeed, having been three days in Hades as a man, was a little inferior to the angels, since he was in no way subject to death there; but we, being destroyed for a long time, are not briefly but far more greatly made inferior to the angels. And that to be crowned with glory and honor because of the passion suits Him more than it does us.
“because of the suffering of death.” Having spoken of the suffering of death, he revealed true death. For it was not an illusion of death, but an active suffering.
"crowned with glory and honor." He calls the cross glory and honor. For to make heaven and earth and man and the powers above is not as worthy of God and exceedingly glorious as to deem it worthy to be crucified for us. This he says also comforting them, as if he were saying, "If Christ endured these things for us, what great thing is it if you also endure trials for him?"
"so that by the grace of God." For it is by the grace of the Holy Trinity that the Son suffered. For the Father did not give the Son according to obligation, nor did the Son accept it, nor did the Spirit cooperate in the Cross, but everything happened by grace.
It is rightly said, "he might taste." For He did not remain in death, but only in a certain manner did He taste it.
"taste death for everyone." Not only for the faithful, but for the whole world. For even if not all were saved because of their own unbelief, he himself bore his own on behalf of all and for all. And rightly so, "he might taste"; for he did not remain in death, but only in a certain way tasted it; for he immediately rose again. Therefore, in this respect, he is greater than the angels, because he proved to be superior to death.
"For it was fitting that he." It was fitting, Paul says, for God and the Father for whom are all things; he is indeed the beginning of all things.
"by whom all things exist." For if all things are indeed through him, the Father is the one who created all things, who begot the Creator.
"through whom all things exist." See the phrase "through whom," which is placed with the Father. For if there were a decrease, it would belong only to the Son, and it would be added to the Father. But what does the phrase "through whom" mean? Understand this: since he said "through whom all things," so that no one might conceive anything absurd, that he is needed by all; (for the preposition "by" also means something like this, as when we say, "through the man the creation came into being"); he introduced "through whom," explaining that "through" means in this way, "through him," that is, all things having been made by him. Therefore, also concerning the Son, when the phrase "through whom" is said, accept it thus, instead of "by whom."
"in bringing many sons." He says that the one who brought them in, in the glory of the only-begotten, through the gift of adoption, the Author of their salvation, their sons, that is, Christ, was perfected through sufferings, in order to show perfect and glorious, as through the cross.And he is a Son, and we are sons; but he is genuine; we, however, are adopted; he saves; we are being saved; we are united with him, and again we are separated; through him, who has brought many sons to glory, we share; through him, the author of their salvation, we are separated.
perfected through sufferings; that is, to complete what was lacking in Him. But what was lacking in Christ, as one might think of a man? The immortal part, namely, so that He might have the image continuously. Therefore, the Father fulfilled what was lacking to Him through the resurrection; for having risen, His death no longer has dominion; and through Him, filling all men,(Rom. 6:9) just as the same apostle says elsewhere: "And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." (Heb. 5:9) Thus, the holy Cyril and in the one hundred sixty-fourth chapter of Philalethes.
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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
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
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.
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
FAQ
Does "perfect through sufferings" mean Jesus was imperfect before His suffering?
Answer: No, the term "perfect" (Greek: teleióō) in Hebrews 2:10 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, 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), 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). 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), having secured eternal redemption through His own blood (Hebrews 9:12). 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). 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.