What does 'made perfect through suffering' mean in Hebrews?

v.10-18The quotation from Psalm 45 in the first chapter has already told us that it is the purpose of God that Christ should have companions to share His coming glory. In the remaining portion of this chapter these companions are referred to as the “sons” of God, and the “brethren” of Christ. Further, we learn all that Christ has passed through to deliver His brethren from death, the devil and sins, as well as His present service to succour and sustain them as He leads them on to glory.

v.10-18All through the latter part of this chapter the Lord is presented in the same light. Whether as Captain of our salvation, or Sanctifier, or High Priest, He is seen as standing on our behalf before God, and not as standing on God's behalf before us; as He is when His Apostleship is in question. As High Priest He acts in things relating to God, as also He is able to succour us in our temptations. Towards us He is ever merciful, while always maintaining the purposes and glory of God with the utmost faithfulness. But while this is so His personal glory and pre-eminence is fully established. He is not ashamed to call us brethren, but nowhere are we encouraged to turn round and use that same term towards Him, as sometimes is done.

v.5-18Having asserted the authority of the word of the Son, and warned us against neglecting His word, the writer continues to unfold to us the glories of Christ. Already he has passed before us His glories as the Son of God in eternity, and as manifest in flesh: now we are to learn His glories as the Son of Man.

v.5-185 For not to angels he subjected the inhabited earth that is to come whereof we speak; 6 but one somewhere testified, saying, What is man that thou rememberest him? or son of man that thou visitest him? 7 Thou madest him some little less than angels; thou crownest him with glory and honour [and didst set him over the works of thy hands]; 8 thou didst subject all things under his feet. For in subjecting all things to him, he left nothing unsubject to him. But now we see not yet all things subjected to him; 9 but we behold Jesus that was made some little less than angels on account of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour; so that by God's grace he should taste of death for every thing (or, one). 10 For it became him for whom [are] all things and by whom [are] all things in bringing many sons unto glory, to perfect through sufferings the leader of their salvation. 11 For both he that sanctifieth and those sanctified [are] all of one; for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, 12 I will declare thy name to my brethren, amidst the congregation (or, church) will I sing thy praise. 13 And again, I will trust in him; and again, Behold, I and the little children which God gave to me. 14 Since then the little children are partakers of blood and flesh, he also in like manner took part of the same, that through death he might annul him that hath the might of death, that is, the devil; 15 and might set free all those who through fear of death were through all their life subject to bondage. 16 For verily not of angels doth he take hold but of Abraham's seed he taketh hold. 17 Wherefore it behoved him in all things to be made like to his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people; 18 for in that himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to help those that are tempted.

v.10-15"For it became Him for whom [are] all things, and by whom [are] all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the leader of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both the sanctifier and the sanctified [are] all of one; for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare thy name to my brethren — in [the] midst of [the] assembly will I sing thy praise. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold, I and the children which God gave me. Since then the children have a common share of blood and flesh,* He also Himself in like manner took part in the same, that through death he might annul him that hath the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver all those that by fear of death were through the whole of their life subject to bondage" (verses 10-15).

The grand truth first before us, and justly, is that it became God — Him for whom and by whom is the universe — in bringing (not everybody but) "many sons" unto glory, to make the Leader of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Where sin is, in God's righteous government there must follow suffering. Undoubtedly in Christ was no sin, not only no sin done but none in Himself. But He became the responsible Man to retrieve God's honour, outraged everywhere by the creature above and below. Satan and his angels had left their first estate. Man was disobedient. All was ruin. The Son of man goes down in obedience and bears all the consequences, glorifying God infinitely even as to sin, and on the road endures sufferings in every shape and decree as none else could, according to His moral perfection and personal glory, till all was exhausted in the cross, so that it was for God's righteousness to exalt Him as now in glory. Thus was His course finished, that He in glory might bring "many sons" to glory; but the path lay through sufferings. Thus was He perfected: not that He was not ever the perfect One, but that so only could it be if God were to be vindicated and Himself the Leader of salvation for the many sons to share that heavenly glory. The work is done which gives Him a title to "everything" by redemption, as He had also the rights of Creator. He died, having made peace by the blood of His cross to reconcile all things, whether the things on the earth or the things in the heavens. But He responded entirely to the gracious purpose of God which would also have "many sons" reconciled to share the glory with Him, and therefore He accepted all the sufferings which were the necessary condition. Judgment must have closed the door irrevocably on all men as on all angels that sinned. Where would grace then have been? The sufferings of Christ made it righteous to have many sons in the same glory as Himself, not derogating from God's glory but enhancing it and giving it a new, larger, and higher form than ever. Where would judgment, have been otherwise? What did the "sons" deserve?

A great contrast will be perceived between verses 9 and 10. In the former, Jesus is presented as crowned with glory and honour at the right hand of God; in the latter we behold Him at the head of the many sons, who were being brought unto glory, being made perfect through sufferings. Three things may be especially noted in this scripture. First, there is the character of God, as set forth in the words, "it became Him." That is, if our blessed Lord, in His grace and devotedness at all costs to the will of God, identified Himself with the "many sons," and undertook their cause, "it was fitting that God should vindicate the rights of His glory, and should maintain it with reference to those who had dishonoured Him, and that He should treat the One who had taken their cause in hand, and who stood before Him in their name, as representing them in that respect." All that God is, His glory, necessitated, for example, that Christ, in dying for His people, should be made sin upon the cross, inasmuch as He was there in their place, and on their behalf. Secondly, we have the objects of God's heart, and the accomplishment of His eternal purpose introduced in the words, "in bringing many sons unto glory." It is very sweet to see the outflow of divine love in this expression - sons on their way to glory; they are His sons at the outset, and His glory is their goal and home. Lastly, the Captain of their salvation is made perfect through sufferings; and it was this, as already explained, that the glory of God required; for it was only in virtue of the sufferings of Christ, His vicarious sufferings, that the many sons could be redeemed from the hand of the enemy, conducted through the wilderness, and brought into the enjoyment of that salvation on which they will enter when He appears the second time. (Chap. 9:28.) The phrase "made perfect" must be carefully guarded. The word so translated is sometimes given as "consecrated," as in chap. 7:28, in the sense of initiation into office. This should be borne in mind in order to exclude from the word any thought of being made morally perfect, which would be utterly inconsistent with the truth of His glorious Person. In fact, "made perfect" here signifies that Christ was perfectly qualified through His sufferings to become the Captain of His people's salvation. The sufferings He went through, in order to this end, will include, therefore, all that He endured, according to the requirements of the glory of God, for their salvation. But it should be added, that it was only after His resurrection and exaltation He became the "Captain." It is from the glory, He is the Leader of the many sons, that He ministers to them the needed mercy and grace, succours them out of temptation, saves them "to the uttermost," and conducts them to glory. Meanwhile, though in the wilderness, He, as the Great Priest over the house of God, having Himself initiated the way "through the veil, that is to say, His flesh," gives them boldness to enter into the holiest in the power and efficacy of His precious blood. But this path can only be trodden through death and resurrection.

Look at the exquisite beauty and grace of this 10th verse: "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." That word "became" means, it was consistent with all that He was, it was suited to the character of God. Let us see what He was going to do. He was going to bring to glory. That was God's great object. And whom is He going to bring to glory? Many sons. He is not satisfied to bring a few men to glory, nor even to bring many; but when brought to glory they are to be in eternal relationship of sonship with Himself. We might easily conceive of God redeeming us without bringing us into the relationship of sons; He might have given us a distant place in His glory; but God's thoughts are far beyond that. He will have a family of children about Himself. Redeemed children they must be, but children in all the nearness and joy of a Father's presence.

How was He to bring many sons to glory? It had to be a work so blessedly complete that it would place us before Him in all the nearness and confidence of the relationship of sons. He had to do it in perfect consistency with His own character, which He could not violate in the least. He could not violate His holiness in dealing with unholy men. He could not violate His righteousness in dealing with those who had broken every law He had ever given to them. He could not violate His wisdom, or any one of His attributes. He could not violate that throne of His glory upon which He sits for evermore. Everything had to be in perfect consistency with His counsels, His glory, and His purposes. But in redemption we see every attribute of God fully vindicated. In bringing many sons to glory God has glorified Himself, He has manifested His character, He has shown every attribute; and He has done it by making the Leader, the Originator, the Prince of salvation perfect through sufferings.

v.10We have said that the writer of the Hebrews will treat of the Lord's association with others of the human race. Now he begins to do that, as he introduces Him in the character of Captain of Salvation. But it is to be remarked, and the reader will do well to bear it in mind, that the Lord's association with men is only here mentioned after His death has been noticed. In perfect character is this with the Lord's own words in John 12:24: "Verily, verily, I say to you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit." Till He had died there could be no such association between Him and His people. Always the Master, or Teacher, and calling His disciples His friends (John 15:15), an association such as Heb. 2:10 speaks of, could not come about simply by His incarnation. He must first descend to where they were morally. He must die. Thenceforth, having made atonement, His people could be associated with Him, and that in different ways.

Captain of Salvation. — Of one of these we now read: "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" (10). Of His sufferings mention has just been made (9), and of His exaltation in consequence — crowned with glory and honour." But here (10) a blessed reason for them is given us. God by the arm of power effected of old the redemption of His people (Ex. 6:6). In another way does He effect deliverance now, associating us and the Lord Jesus in close connection, He the Leader, or Captain of the band, the Captain of our salvation. Now to be that, a fitting Captain, He must be made perfect by sufferings. He entered then the ranks of creatures, and died to become this. Who that witnessed His death on the cross, His death as a malefactor and blasphemer, could have for one moment supposed what Divine purposes were to be accomplished by His dying? Sufferings indeed the saints would be called on to endure. Witness the Apostle Paul (2 Cor. 11:23-33). Witness the Hebrew saints (Heb. 10:32-34). The Captain or Leader of the band must therefore Himself pass through them. A point here should be noticed. David was the captain of his band, and suffered much. But he and his followers suffered together, so from time to time they must have had new experiences. Our Captain suffered all first, in doing which He stopped not short of death. Hence no circumstances, however grave, can His people pass through for Him which He Himself has not already experienced. Now to men His death must have seemed to sever all connection between His followers and Himself. He had left earth. They were still here. And doubtless His enemies counted on breaking up the movement if the Leader was executed. We learn, however, that His death only fitted Him the more to be the Captain of His people. That was the crowning step needed to perfect Him for this office. For the being made perfect means His passing through here all that was needful to initiate Him into this office.

This passage then, which is thus applied to the Lord, presents Him as exalted to heaven when He had undergone the death which gave Him a right to all in a new way while waiting till all is put under His feet. But there is another truth connected with this. He had undertaken the cause of the sons whom God is bringing to glory, and therefore He must enter into the circumstances in which they were found, suffer the consequences thereof, and be treated according to the work He had undertaken. It was a reality; and it was fitting that God should vindicate the rights of His glory, and should maintain it with reference to those who had dishonoured Him, and that He should treat the One who had taken their cause in hand, and who stood before Him in their name, as representing them in that respect. God would bring the captain of their salvation to perfection through sufferings. He was to undergo the consequences of the situation into which He had come. His work was to be a reality, according to the measure of the responsibility which He had taken upon Himself, and it involved the glory of God where sin was. He must therefore suffer; He must taste death. It is by the grace of God that He did so — we, because of sin; He, because of grace for sin.