AND HAVING BEEN MADE PERFECT: kai teleiotheis (APPMSN):
(Heb
2:10;
11:40;
Daniel 9:24;
Luke 13:32;
John 19:30)
Criswell explains the relation between the obedience Jesus
learned and His being made perfect...
The phrase "learned obedience by the things which He suffered" (see note
Hebrews 5:8)
does not mean that Jesus was ever disobedient but rather that He learned
through experience as a Man and through all His temptation and suffering
what it meant to suffer and triumph in a way He did not experience before
the incarnation. His humanity was in this sense "completed," which is the
meaning of the Greek word translated "perfected" in this context.
(Criswell,
W A. Believer's Study Bible: New King James Version. 1991. Thomas Nelson)
Having been made perfect
(5048)
(teleioo related to
teleios from teleo = an end, a
purpose, an aim, a goal, consummate soundness, idea of being whole) means to
accomplish or bring to an end or to the intended goal (telos). It means to
be complete, mature, fully developed, full grown, brought to its end,
finished, wanting nothing necessary to completeness or in good working
order. It does not mean simply to terminate something but to carry it out to
the full finish which is picked up in the translation "perfected". Teleioo signifies the attainment of consummate soundness
and includes the idea of being made whole. Interestingly the Gnostics used
teleios of one fully initiated into their mysteries and that may
have been why Paul used teleios in this epistle.
Barclay explains that
teleios can
quite correctly be translated perfect so long as we remember what the Greek
meant by that perfection. To him a thing was teleios if it perfect carried
out the purpose for which it
was designed. When he used the word he was not thinking in terms of abstract
and metaphysical perfection; he was thinking in terms of function. What the
writer to the Hebrews is saying is that all the experiences of suffering
through which Jesus passed perfectly fitted him to become the Saviour of
men. (Barclay,
W: The Daily Study Bible Series. The Westminster Press
or
Logos)
In
Hebrews 12:2 (see note)
Jesus is designated as "the author and perfecter of faith" where perfecter
is teleiotes, the Completer, the One Who reached the goal so as to win the
prize so to speak.
Wuest has
this note on the NT word group (telos, teleioo, teleios, teleiosis,
teleiotes)...
Teleios the adjective, and
teleioo the verb. The adjective is used in the papyri, of heirs being
of age, of women who have attained maturity, of full-grown cocks, of
acacia trees in good condition, of a complete lampstand, of something in
good working order or condition. To summarize; the meaning of the
adjective includes the ideas of full-growth, maturity, workability,
soundness, and completeness. The verb refers to the act of bringing the
person or thing to any one of the aforementioned conditions. When applied
to a Christian, the word refers to one that is spiritually mature,
complete, well-rounded in his Christian character.
Richards commenting on the
word group (telos, teleioo, teleios, teleiosis, teleiotes) writes that
These words emphasize wholeness and
completeness. In the biological sense they mean "mature," or "full grown":
the person, animal, or plant achieved the potential inherent in its
nature. The perfect is the thing or person that is complete, in which
nothing that belongs to its essence has been left out. It is perfect
because every potential it possesses has been realized. (Richards,
L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency)
Telioo is used 19 times
of 24 total NT uses in Hebrews, often in the sense of to make perfect or
fully cleanse from sin in contrast to ceremonial (Levitical) cleansing. The writer
is emphasizing the importance of perfection...
(which should cause any Jew who is contemplating the worth of Christ and the
New Covenant to realize his utter hopelessness to every attain perfection
under the Old Covenant).
Hebrews 2:10
(note) For it was fitting
for Him, for Whom are all things, and through Whom are all things, in
bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation
through sufferings (What sufferings? Certainly one would consider His temptation by Satan in the
barren wilderness [see Mt 4:1-11, Lu 4:1ff, Mk 1:12, 13] and Gethsemane
[Mt 26:36,44, Lu 22:39,44][in agony He was praying very fervently]).
(Comment: This does not imply any moral imperfection in the Lord
Jesus, but speaks of the consummation of the human experience of suffering
the death of the Cross, through which He must pass if He is to become the
Author or Captain of our salvation.)
Hebrews 5:9 (note) And having
been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the
source of eternal salvation,
Hebrews 7:19
(note) (for the Law
made
nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a
better hope, through which we draw near to God. (Comment:
This means to carry through completely, to make complete, to finish, bring
to an end. The old covenant could bring nothing to conclusion. The Mosaic
economy could reveal sin but it could never remove sin, and so it
had to be removed. It gave no security.
It gave no peace. A man never had a clean conscience.)
Hebrews 7:28
(note)
For the Law appoints men as
high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the
Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.
Hebrews 9:9
(note) which is a symbol for
the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which
cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience,
Hebrews 10:1
(note) For the Law, since it
has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of
things, can never by the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer
continually, make perfect those who draw near. (Contrast with
Jesus in Hebrews 5:9 above. The idea in Hebrews 10:1 is that the
ceremonial law could not actually save the believer. Its work was always
short of completeness.)
Hebrews 10:14
(note) For by one
offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
(Comment: Wuest writes "Here, the completeness of the state of
salvation of the believer is in view. Everything essential to the salvation
of the individual is included in the gift of salvation which the sinner
receives by faith in Messiah’s sacrifice. The words “for ever” here are to
be construed with “perfected.” It is a permanent state of completeness in
salvation to which reference is made. The words “them that are sanctified”
are descriptive of the believer. He is one set apart for God) (ibid)
Hebrews 11:40
(note) because God had
provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be
made perfect.
Hebrews 12:23 (note) (But you have
come...) 23 to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are
enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of
righteous men made perfect,
In sum the fundamental idea of telioo is the bringing of a person or
thing to the goal fixed by God.
It is interesting and doubtless no
mere coincidence that in the
Septuagint (LXX)
teleioo is translated numerous times as consecrated or
consecration, especially speaking of consecration of the priests (cf Jesus
our "great High Priest") (Ex 29:9, 29, 33, 35 Lv 4:5;
8:33; 16:32; 21:10; Nu 3:3). The LXX translators gave the verb teleioo a special sense of consecration to
priestly service and this official concept stands behind the writer's use in
this passage in
Hebrews 5:9 (note).
It signifies that Jesus has been fully equipped to come before God in
priestly action.
Messiah's perfection equated with His holding fast His sinless integrity in face
of the most extreme trial and suffering and thus accomplishing His intended
goal. (cp Jn 4:34,17:4 same verb telioo, to help understand "perfect" as it
applies to Jesus and cp teleo in Jn 19:30)
Note that made perfect does not imply any imperfection in Christ ("One
who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin" - see note
Hebrews 4:15), which might
be the way one reads it based on the common way be made perfect is used in
English language. The meaning of teleioo (idea of reaching the intended goal
- see above) in Greek clearly
explains the author's intended thrust in the original Greek language in
which the letter was written and read. It is difficult to translate this
succinctly into English. The original readers should have had no difficulty
understanding the meaning.
The appointed way to Savior of the World involved treading the path of
testing, the Cross preceding the Crown. In the face of even the most pressing hardship and suffering, Jesus
remained obedient to His Father. Having successfully endured the trial of
life He was proven fit to be the Savior of God’s people.
Earlier we read that...
it was fitting for Him, for Whom are all things, and through Whom are
all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of
their salvation through sufferings. (see note
Hebrews 2:10)
HE BECAME TO ALL THOSE WHO OBEY HIM: egeneto (3SAMI) pasin
tois hupakouousin auto:PAP:
(Heb
12:2;
Psalms 68:18-20;
Isaiah 45:22;
49:6;
Acts 3:15;
Acts 4:12)
See topic discussing the
Relationship of faith and obedience
Literally - To all those obeying Him. See related study of "obedience
of faith" in
Romans 1:5,
contrast with 2Th 1:8. If one is not obedient (we are not talking perfect
obedience but a lifestyle that tends toward obedience), then he or she needs to look closely at
2Cor 13:5.
Those who obey Him - descriptive of the saved (the fruit) not the
grounds of their salvation (the root). This involves listening and
responding positively to Christ’s call and command. Obedience is an evidence
of true discipleship
And why do you call Me
"'Lord, Lord' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46).
Obey
(5218)
(hupakouo
from hupó = under + akoúo =
physical hearing and apprehension of
something with the mind - akouo gives us our English acoustics - the
science of design which helps one hear) (Click
also the word study on the related noun
hupakoe) literally means to listen
under with attentiveness and to respond positively to what is heard. The
sense is that one understands and responds accordingly. Note that
hupakouo implies an inward attitude of respect and honor, as well as
external acts of obedience. (See
Torrey's Topic on Obedience)
Guzik notes...
that this
salvation is extended to all who obey Him. In this sense, all who obey Him
is used synonymously for believing on Him - which simply assumes that
believers will obey! (Hebrews 5)
Faith and
obedience are closely related, C H Spurgeon writing that...
Faith and obedience are bound up in the
same bundle. He that obeys God, trusts God; and he that trusts God, obeys
God.
If you desire Christ for a perpetual
guest, give him all the keys of your heart; let not one cabinet be locked up
from him; give him the range of every room and the key of every chamber.
There are at least
four NT uses of hupakouo that relate to the gospel and salvation -
Acts 6:7,
Ro 6:17,
Ro 10:16
, 2Thess 1:8 and Hebrews 5:9
(See these verses below). These uses of hupakouo are closely related to the
phrase "obedience of faith" Dr Charles Ryrie summarizing the
two main ways one might interpret this phrase explaining that it could refer
to...
Either obedience that leads to
initial faith (as in
Acts 6:7)
or obedience that results from faith. (The
Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Translation: 1995. Moody Publishers)
After some study on
this phrase obedience of faith including review of a balanced, well
written analysis by D. B. Garlington ("The Obedience of Faith in the Letter
to the Romans Part I: The Meaning of hupakoen pisteos Ro 1:5; 16:26" in
the Westminster Theological Journal Vol. 52, Page 223, Fall, 1990),
although I favor this phrase as referring to obedience that emanates from
genuine faith, it may well be that this phrase is deliberately ambiguous and
thus includes both of the primary interpretations Ryrie mentions.
Kenneth Wuest writes
that ...
As to the meaning of the words, “for
obedience to the faith,” scholars differ. Some say that it means obedience
to the Faith, the Christian system of belief, as in
Acts 6:7
where a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. Others say
that obedience is the obedience which springs from and is produced by
faith." (Wuest,
K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans
or
Logos)
A T Robertson writes that
"obedience of faith" in the original Greek text reflects what is referred to
as the...
"Subjective genitive as in
Ro 16:26,
the obedience which springs from faith (the act of assent or surrender). (Word
Pictures in the NT)
Marvin Vincent another
respected Greek scholar writing on the RSV translation "unto obedience of
faith" says that...
"Unto marks the object of the grace and
apostleship: in order to bring about. Obedience of faith is the obedience
which characterizes and proceeds from faith. (Vincent, M. R. Word studies in
the New Testament Vol. 3, Page 1-5) (Bolding added)
Expositor's Bible Commentary
explaining the "obedience of faith" writes that...
The desired response to the gospel
message is "obedience that comes from faith" (Gaebelein,
F, Editor: Expositor's Bible Commentary 6-Volume New Testament. Zondervan
Publishing)
Robert Haldane commenting on
the "obedience of faith" writes that...
Some understand this of the obedience
which faith produces; but the usual import of the expression, as well as the
connection in this place, determines it to apply to the belief of the
Gospel. Obedience is no doubt an effect produced by that belief; but the
office of an Apostle was, in the first place, to persuade men to believe the
Gospel. This is the grand object, which includes the other. The Gospel
reforms those who believe it; but it would be presenting an imperfect view
of the subject to say that it was given to reform the world. It was given
that men might believe and be saved. The obedience, then, here referred to,
signifies submission to the doctrine of the Gospel. (Haldane, R. An
exposition of Romans)
The UBS translator's handbook
comments that
Believe and obey translates “obedience of
faith.” This is not “obedience to the faith” (Moffatt), but obedience that
is caused by faith (NEB “to faith and obedience”; Goodspeed “obedience and
faith”). Although “obedience” and “faith” are nouns in Greek, they describe
events rather than objects, and so are better rendered by verbs. The last
clause in verse 5, introduced by in order to lead, reflects only a
preposition in Greek. However, the relationship between the “apostleship”
and the “obedience of faith” involves obvious purpose. Furthermore, in most
languages one must make explicit the role of Paul with respect to the people
of all nations, and for this reason the TEV makes this relationship explicit
by means of the somewhat expanded rendering in order to lead people of all
nations to believe and obey. (Newman, B. M., & Nida, E. A.. A handbook on
Paul's letter to the Romans. UBS handbook series; Helps for translators Page
12. New York: United Bible Societies)
Life Application Bible Commentary
writes that "obedience of faith" refers to...
"the obedience that comes from faith.
This was the desired response to the gospel message and the goal of Paul’s
ministry to the Roman Christians—that they would obey God because of their
faith in God. The only source for the kind of obedience expected is faith in
the one true God and in Jesus Christ, his Son. Faith and obedience are
inseparable. Where one is lacking, the other will not be found either. Real
faith will always lead to obedience; real obedience comes from faith. (Barton,
B, et al: The NIV Life Application Commentary Series: Tyndale
or
Logos)
THE SOURCE OF ETERNAL SALVATION: aitios
soterias aionios:
(Heb
2:3;
9:12,15;
Psalms 45:17;
51:6,8;
2 Thessalonians 2:16;
2 Timothy 2:10;
1 John 5:20;
Jude 1:21)
(Heb
11:8;
Isaiah 50:10;
55:3;
Zechariah 6:15;
Matthew 7:24-27;
17:5;
Acts 5:32;
Romans 1:5;
Romans 2:8;
6:17;
10:16;
15:18;
2 Corinthians 10:5;
2 Thessalonians 1:8;
1 Peter 1:22)
The source - Compare the writer's other descriptions of Jesus...
"The Captain (author, founder, leader, pioneer, prince leader) of
their salvation" (KJV, see note
Hebrews 2:10)
"as a Forerunner ("scout") for us" (see note
Hebrews 6:20)
"Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith" (see note
Hebrews 12:2)
Source
(159)
(aitios
from
aitéo = ask) describes the relation existing
between two or more objects or events, specifically referring to the cause
or source, the point at which something begins its course or existence.
Aitios means that in which the cause of anything resides. Note that
because of this meaning some translations render aitios
author. “that in which the cause of anything resides.” Messiah in His death
on the Cross is the Source, Author and Cause of our salvation. His death is
the Source from which our salvation proceeds.
In English source is defined as a spring or fountain head from which
a river or stream issues, which is an interesting thought in regard to Jesus
and salvation.
Aitios was a technical, legal term describing the grounds for an
accusation in court or the content of the legal charges brought against
someone (thus an accusation, charge, complaint)
Luke 23:4 And Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, "I
find no guilt in this man...14 and said to them, "You brought
this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold,
having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man
regarding the charges which you make against Him...22 And he said to
them the third time, "Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him
no guilt demanding death; I will therefore punish Him and release
Him.
Acts 19:40 For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in
connection with today's affair, since there is no real cause for it;
and in this connection we shall be unable to account for this disorderly
gathering.
Hebrews 5:9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who
obey Him the source of eternal salvation
Jesus is the Source of Eternal Salvation because He is the...
Purification ("Purifier") (Hebrews 1:3)
Author (Captain, Pioneer, Champion,
Leader) (Hebrews
2:10)
Propitiation ("Propitiator") (Hebrews
2:17)
Anchor (Hebrews
6:19)
Forerunner (Hebrews
6:20)
Torn Veil (Hebrews
10:20)
Great Shepherd (Hebrews
13:20)
Why is He our eternal Source? Because His sacrifice was once
for all and thus He abides a Priest forever according to the order of
Melchizedek. And from a practical standpoint eternal salvation is a
deliverance which keeps the believer safe both in time and in eternity. In
other words "in Christ' (see discussion
in Christ
and
in Christ Jesus)
the believer is safe for ever. There are no circumstances that can pluck him
from Christ’s hand.
Eternal salvation - It is somewhat surprising that there are only
three adjectives used in the New Testament to describe our salvation...
"so great salvation" (see note
Hebrews 2:3)
"eternal
salvation" (see note
Hebrews 5:9)
"the common salvation" (Jude 1:3)
Eternal (166)
(aionios from
aion)
means perpetual eternal, everlasting, without beginning or end (as of God),
that which is always. Eternal is a key word
Hebrews: blood of eternal covenant (see
note Hebrews
13:20).
He offered Himself through His eternal spirit (see note
Hebrews 9:14)
and has become the Author/Source of eternal salvation (see note
Hebrews 5:9).
He has obtained eternal redemption (see note
Hebrews 9:12)
and enables men to receive of the eternal inheritance (see notes
Hebrews 9:15;
13:20).
Salvation (4991)
(soteria from
soter = Savior in turn from
sozo = save, rescue, deliver) (Click
here or
here for in depth discussion of the related
terms
soter and
sozo) describes the rescue or deliverance
from danger, destruction and peril. "Salvation" is a
broader term in Greek than we often think of in English. Other concepts that
are inherent in soteria include restoration to a state of safety,
soundness, health and well being as well as preservation from danger of
destruction.
The idea of salvation is that
the power of God rescues people from the penalty of sin, which is spiritual
death which is followed by eternal separation from the presence of His
Glory. Salvation delivers the believer from the power of sin (see
discussion on Romans 6-8 beginning at
Romans 6:1-3)
Salvation
carried tremendous meaning in Paul’s day, the most basic being “deliverance,”
and it was applied to personal and national deliverance. The emperor was
looked on as a "savior" as was the physician who healed you of illness.
It is interesting that Collin's
(secular) dictionary defines "salvation" as
"the act of preserving or the state of
being preserved from harm...deliverance by redemption from the power of sin
and from the penalties ensuing from it."!
In short, this so great a salvation
(see notes
Hebrews 2:3)
is not just escape from the penalty of sin but includes the ideas of safety,
deliverance from slavery and preservation from danger or destruction. In
addition, this so great a salvation includes the idea of what is
often referred to as the
Three Tenses of Salvation (justification =
past tense salvation = deliverance from sin's penalty, sanctification =
present tense salvation = deliverance from sin's power and glorification =
future tense salvation = deliverance from sin's presence). It follows that
the discerning student will
check the context to determine which of the
three "tenses" a given use of soteria is referring to.
Mankind has continually looked for
salvation of one kind or another. Greek philosophy had turned inward and
begun to focus on changing man’s inner life through moral reform and
self-discipline. The Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus called his lecture
room “the hospital for sick souls.” Epicurus called his teaching “the
medicine of salvation.” Seneca taught that all men were looking ad
salutem (“toward salvation”) and that men are overwhelmingly conscious
of their weakness and insufficiency in necessary things and that we
therefore need “a hand let down to lift us up”. Seneca was not far from the
truth as Scripture testifies
"(Jehovah speaking) Is My hand so short
that it cannot ransom? Or have I no power to deliver?...Behold, the LORD'S
hand is not so short that it cannot save...(Jeremiah speaking) 'Ah Lord GOD!
Behold, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and by
Thine outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for Thee" (Isa 50:2...Isaiah
59:1... Jeremiah 32:17)
Salvation
through Christ is God’s powerful hand extended down to lost souls to lift
them up.
In context of Hebrews 1, this great
salvation has first of all such a great Savior, Who has completed the
purification for our sins (which deserved death) and has furnishe
d us with
His ministering angels to help those who will inherit salvation. This
salvation was first spoken thru the Lord Jesus (it not so clearly spoken in
the OT)
Harry Ironside observes...
How carefully the Holy Ghost guards against the least suggestion of
defilement in Christ's nature while insisting on the reality of His
humanity. Great indeed is the mystery of godliness, for He, the Holy One,
appeared in flesh. And now as the exalted Priest, He enters into all the
sorrows of His people, sympathizing with them in all their infirmities. He
does not
sympathize
with our sins, and indeed we would not wish Him to, but He does feel for us
in all our weakness and is waiting to supply needed strength for every
trial. (Ironside Expository Commentary on Hebrews)
><>><>><>
THE PERFECTING OF CHRIST - FOR
THE long and steep ascent of life, our Father has given us a Companion, a
Captain of the march, a Brother, even Jesus our Lord, who passed through the
suffering of death, and is now crowned with glory and honour (Heb2:9-11). He
has passed along our pathway, and climbed our steep ascents, that He might
become our merciful and faithful Friend and Helper. In this sense He was
perfected, and became unto all them that obey Him the Author of eternal
salvation.
As regards His Nature, it was impossible for Him to be otherwise than
perfect. In Him all the fullness of the Divine Nature dwelt without let or
hindrance. But since the children partook of flesh and blood, He also
Himself partook of the same; it behoved Him in all things to be made like
unto His brethren. To each of us He says: "I have trodden this path before
Thee, and know every inch of the way." Christ is the Great-Heart, the
Companion for all pilgrim souls.
But if we are to walk with Him, and realize His eternal salvation, we must
learn to obey. This is the lesson taught to the scientist by Nature. He must
be exact, minute, microscopic in his attention and obedience to details. If
he should fail in one tiny point, his best-conceived plans and experiments
must fail. Exact obedience is essential to the engineer. The slightest
inadvertence will clog and stop the mightiest machine that human ingenuity
ever invented. It is, however, in the spiritual sphere that disobedience
brings the greatest and most momentous catastrophes. We must learn to obey,
even in the dark! Not ours to make reply, or to question God's dealings. He
withholds His reasons, but demands our obedience.
The strength to obey is God given. There appeared an angel from Heaven to
strengthen Christ, and to each of us treading dark and hard paths, that
angel comes still. But you never know the angel till you reach your
Gethsemane. It is because our Lord learned these things by experience, that
He is perfected to impart eternal salvation to every soul of man.
PRAYER - Eternal Saviour, who knowest each step of this difficult
pathway of life, we come to Thee for Thy gracious help; enable us to obey
Thy promptings, and in every hour of mortal weakness and fear stand beside
us to be our very present help. AMEN. (F B Meyer. Our Daily Walk)><>><>><>
Not Even Close! -
A 33-year-old Frenchman was nailed to a
cross in the patio of a plush hotel in the Dominican Republic as his
"contribution to salvation and peace among mankind." He wanted to hang there
for 3 days, but within 24 hours he was so weak that he was forced to give up
his plan. Even before that, the cross had to be laid horizontally on the
ground to alleviate his suffering. It was obvious to all that he couldn't
continue to endure the terrible ordeal he had imposed on himself.
The failure of this man's "sacrifice" stands in striking contrast to the
unique atoning work of the Lord Jesus, who truly became "the author of
eternal salvation" (Hebrews 5:9). The writer of Hebrews explained that
Christ is our High Priest forever, interceding continually before God's
throne on our behalf (7:25). As God in the flesh, He alone could become our
substitute and offer Himself as a sacrifice for sins "once for all" (10:10).
No other human being is able to take "this honor to himself" (5:4).
Throughout history, many have claimed to be the Messiah. But Jesus Christ is
in a class by Himself—and He died on Calvary's cross for you. Have you
trusted in the crucified and risen Savior? If not, do so today! —Mart De Haan (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Won't you accept this
dear Savior?
For time is swift passing away;
There's no one to save you but Jesus,
There's no other way but His way. —Hunter
Only God's gift can erase man's guilt.
