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Observe here, 1. The reality of Christ's assuming the human nature asserted: As the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same. Which is in effect the same he had asserted in the foregoing verse, that he that sanctifieth, and they that are sanctified, are all of one; that is, of one nature and original.
Observe, 2. A twofold reason assigned, why Christ thus condescendingly assumed the human nature, namely, that he might destroy the devil, who had the power of death, and deliver his people that were under the slavish fear of death.
Here note, 1. The devil described in a very formidiable manner, as one that had the power of death; not the supreme, but a subordinate, power of death; a power of death, as God's executioner to inflict it: the devil has the power of death, just as the hangman has the power of the gallows, to put those to death whom the judge condemns only.
Note, 2. Him that has thus the power of death, has Christ destroyed, that is disarmed and disabled; not destroyed his being, but disarmed him of his power and authority over the children of God.
Note, 3. That Christ did this by his own death: through death; that is, by his own dying, he destroyed him that had the power of death: it was upon the cross that he spoiled principalities and powers, and made a show of them openly; Christ by dying conquered death.
The second reason of Christ's appearing in our flesh and nature, was to deliver his people from the slavery and bondage of the sinful and servile fears of death.
Here note, 1. That there is a natural fear of death, which is not sinful. Art thou afraid of death? Thou wert not a man if thou didst not fear it: there cannot but be in nature an aversion to its own disolution; and nature will always act like itself.
Note, 2. That there is a servile, slavish fear of death, which hath both sin and torment in it; a fear of death as penal, and drawing after it everlasting punishment.
Note, 3. That unregenerate men, if a senseless stupidity has not benumbed them, and a spirit of slumber fallen upon them, are in bondage under the servile and slavish fear of death. It will daunt the stoutest man that ever lived to look upon death, when he can see nothing but hell beyond it.
Note, 4. That Jesus Christ, by dying, has freed all his children from this servile and tormenting fear of death.
1.Christ has taken away the true reason of the fear of death, namely, the curse and condemnation of the law of God. The sting of death is sin, and sin has it condemning power from the law.
2. Christ has assured believers that they shall not be losers, but gainers, yea, great gainers, by death; considering the private evils freed from, and the positive good they shall rest in.