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Heb 2:10. Ἔπρεπε, it became) So Psa 8:2 (1), הודך, LXX., ἡ μεγαλοπρέπειά σου, “Thy becoming-magnificence (to which it became here alludes) is set above the heavens.” Moreover (for the rest) in the whole of this verse 10, the proposition, which in verses 8, 9, was clothed in the words of the same psalm, is now set forth in words more nearly accommodated to the purpose of the apostle; but with this difference, that Heb 2:8-9, treat more expressly of glory, (taken) from what goes before, Heb 2:7; whereas Heb 2:10 treats more expressly of His sufferings, thereby preparing us for the transition to what follows. The predicate of the proposition is, It became Him, on account of whom all things, and by whom all things exist: The subject follows, to make perfect, or consummate, through sufferings the Captain of their salvation, who thereby brings many sons to glory.[18] Ἀγαγόντα might be resolved into ἽΝΑ ἈΓΑΓῺΝ ΤΕΛΕΙΏΣῌ. But this is the construction, ἈΓΑΓΌΝΤΑ ΤῸΝ ἈΡΧΗΓῸΝ, that the first Leader or Captain of salvation may be also the One bringing unto glory. Ἀρχηγὸς is compounded of ἈΡΧῊ and ἌΓΩ; and ἈΡΧῊ looks forward in the text to ΤΕΛΕΙῶΣΑΙ (comp. ch. Heb 12:2), but ἌΓΩ looks back to ἈΓΑΓΌΝΤΑ. Therefore the proposition comprehends a number of important sentiments, which may thus be unfolded:-
[18] Or, perhaps, Beng. takes τελειῶσαι thus: that the Captain of their salvation, in bringing (ἀγαγόντα) many sons to glory, should make consummation (viz. of His own work and glory, and so of theirs) through His sufferings. Heb 12:2 favours this.-ED.
1. Jesus is the Captain of salvation.
2. It was necessary to procure salvation by suffering.
3. He was perfected (consummated) by suffering.
4. The glory of the sons was united with that consummation.
5. The sons are many.
6. This whole plan was highly becoming God, though unbelief considers it a disgrace.
7. It became God, that Jesus should suffer and save the sons; because for Him are all things.
8. It became God, that Jesus should be made perfect (consummated), and sons brought to glory; for by Him are all things.
We set down four of these points, marked by as many letters, at the same time observing the order of the text:-
A. B.
The glory of the sons: The Captain suffering.
C. D.
The salvation of the sons: The consummation of the Captain.
These points are referred to God, for whom and by whom all things exist, i.e. to whom are to be attributed the beginnings and ends of all things. B and C refer to the beginnings of things, D and A to the ends of things. But the same four points are transposed in the text by Chiasmus, so that the discourse proceeds in most beautiful order from the end, A, to those intermediate, which are included in B C D.-αὐτῷ) Him, God the Father, who is mentioned in Heb 2:9, and is to be understood in Heb 2:5.-διʼ ὃν· διʼ οὗ, for whom: by whom) Paul generally accumulates prepositions by a nice and elegant discrimination.-πολλοὺς, many) as many as possible, whence ἐκκλησία, the general assembly, in Heb 2:12.-υἱοὺς, sons) In the style of writing usual in the Old Testament, they are called παιδία, children; comp. Heb 2:13-14, note: in the style of the New Testament they are νἱοὶ, sons, whose condition is opposed to slavery or bondage, Heb 2:15; as with Paul, Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6. Jesus Himself is the Son; He makes us sons of God, He considers us as His own offspring: ילדים, παιδία (soboles), offspring, are synonymous. Comp. Psa 22:31; Isa 53:10.-εἰς δόξαν, unto glory) This glory consists in this very circumstance, that they are sons, and are treated as sons; Rom 8:21. Examine Joh 17:10; Joh 17:22, and that whole prayer; and comp. Heb 2:7 of this second chapter. Glory and holiness, bringing unto glory and sanctification, have a very closely connected meaning; Heb 2:11.-τῆς σωτηρίας αὐτῶν, of their salvation) This word presupposes destruction; and that we might be delivered from it, Christ must suffer. Δόξα, glory, follows salvation, in the style of Paul,[19] 2Ti 2:10, note.-τελειῶσαι, to make perfect, to consummate) Bringing to the end of troubles, and to the goal full of glory, ch. Heb 5:9, is included in this word. A metaphor derived from the contests in the public games. For τελειοῦσθαι, τέλειος, τελειότης, τελείωσις, τελειωτὴς, regarding Christ and Christians, are frequent in this epistle. This perfecting by sufferings includes two points: I. The glory of Christ, inasmuch as all things are subjected to Him, now that He has been made perfect. II. His previous sufferings. He presently afterwards treats directly of His sufferings, Heb 2:11-18, although he has slightly referred to them in the preceding part of the chapter. He has put the discussion concerning Glory in this very passage first, for the purpose of sharpening (giving the more point to) his exhortation, and meeting beforehand the scandal attached to His suffering and death. But he has interwoven a fuller consideration of both points with the following discussion respecting the Priesthood, which is brought forward at Heb 2:17. And indeed, as regards His Sufferings, the fact is evident (openly stated): but he describes the Glory (by implication), while he mentions, at convenient places, that Jesus was consummated or made perfect, that He is in heaven, that He is made higher than the heavens, that He sits at the right hand of God, that He will be seen a second time, that His enemies will be made His footstool: in this verse, and ch. Heb 4:14, Heb 5:9, Heb 7:26; Heb 7:28, Heb 8:1-2, Heb 9:24; Heb 9:28, Heb 10:12-13, Heb 12:2.
[19] Note once for all-the frequent Italicising of Paul’s name in such cases, is to show that his style accords with that of the writer of this Epistle: a proof that Paul was the writer.-ED.