John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. And being made perfect , etc..] In his obedience, through sufferings; having completed his obedience, gone through his sufferings, and finished his sacrifice, and being perfectly glorified in heaven: he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him ; the salvation Christ is the author of is eternal; it was resolved upon from eternity, and contrived in it; it was secured in the everlasting covenant, in which not only a Saviour was provided, but blessings both of grace and glory: and it is to eternity; and stands distinguished from a temporal salvation, and is opposed to eternal damnation; it is the salvation of the soul, which is immortal; and it takes in both grace and glory, which are of a durable nature; and the continuance of it is owing to the abiding and lasting virtue of Christ's person, blood, and righteousness: and Christ is the cause or author of this salvation, by his obedience and sufferings; by obeying the precept, and bearing the penalty of the law; by the price of his blood, and by the power of his arm; by his death and by his life; by his sacrifice on the cross, and by his intercession in heaven; by bestowing grace here, and glory hereafter: this shows that salvation is done, and that Christ is the sole author of it, and that all the glory of it should be given to him; and those to whom he is the author of salvation, are such as hearken to the voice of his Gospel, and obey hin in his ordinances. Christ is not the author of salvation to all men; all men do not obey him; all those whom Christ saves, he brings them to an obedience to himself; for his obedience for them does not exempt them from obedience to him, though their obedience is no cause of their salvation; Christ himself is the alone author of that.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - The High Priest must be a man, a partaker of our nature. This show that man had sinned. For God would not suffer sinful man to come to his alone. But every one is welcome to God, that comes to him by this Hig Priest; and as we value acceptance with God, and pardon, we must appl by faith to this our great High Priest Christ Jesus, who can interced for those that are out of the way of truth, duty, and happiness; on who has tenderness to lead them back from the by-paths of error, sin and misery. Those only can expect assistance from God, and acceptanc with him, and his presence and blessing on them and their services that are called of God. This is applied to Christ. In the days of his flesh, Christ made himself subject to death: he hungered: he was tempted, suffering, dying Jesus. Christ set an example, not only to pray, but to be fervent in prayer. How many dry prayers, how few wette with tears, do we offer up to God! He was strengthened to support the immense weight of suffering laid upon him. There is no real deliveranc from death but to be carried through it. He was raised and exalted, an to him was given the power of saving all sinners to the uttermost, wh come unto God through him. Christ has left us an example that we shoul learn humble obedience to the will of God, by all our afflictions. We need affliction, to teach us submission. His obedience in our natur encourages our attempts to obey, and for us to expect support an comfort under all the temptations and sufferings to which we ar exposed. Being made perfect for this great work, he is become the Author of eternal salvation to all that obey him. But are we of tha number?
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ τελειωθεις 5048 5685 V-APP-NSM εγενετο 1096 5633 V-2ADI-3S τοις 3588 T-DPM υπακουουσιν 5219 5723 V-PAP-DPM αυτω 846 P-DSM πασιν 3956 A-DPM αιτιος 159 A-NSM σωτηριας 4991 N-GSF αιωνιου 166 A-GSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
9. And being made perfect (kai telewqeiv). Comp. ch. ii. 10. The fundamental idea in teleioun is the bringing of a person or thing to the goal fixed by God. Comp. ch. vii. 11, 19; ix. 9; x. 1, 14; xi. 40; xii. 23. Here of Christ's having reached the end which was contemplated in his divinely-appointed discipline for the priesthood. The consummation was attained in his death, Philip. ii. 8: his obedience extended even unto death.The author of eternal salvation (aitiov swthriav aiwniou). jAitiov, N.T.o , an adjective, causing. Comp. captain of salvation, Heb. ii. 10. The phrase swthria aojwniov eternal salvation N.T.o , but see LXX, Isa. xv. 17. Not everlasting salvation, but a salvation of which all the conditions, attainments, privileges, and rewards transcend the conditions and limitations of time.
Unto all them that obey him (pasin toiv uJpkouousin aujtw). Obey points to obedience, ver. 8, and salvation to save, ver. 7. If the captain of salvation must learn obedience, so must his followers. Comp. 2 Thessalonians i. 8.
