Letter to the Hebrews Volume 18

Jesus Christ' Suffering for Humanities Sin has brought and continues to Bring many sons/daughters to Glory Part 6


Hebrews 2:18 For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted. KJV


The idea that God does not know something is a statement of blasphemy to some and it is simply oxymoronic to others, that is, a complete contradictory statement, however, it is neither of the two for it is a real statement of truth. When Paul began his first letter to Brother Timothy, he declared these words to him at the very beginning of the letter, "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;" (Timothy 1:2) (KJV), therefore, we see that God cannot lie, then we must conclude that He does not know what it is like (experientially) to lie. God did not know what it was like (experientially) to live in a human body (that He created) until He became a Man, therefore, we find the writer of Hebrews making this very comforting statement of truth for all of us who have been redeemed, regenerated, and resurrected by our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, "For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted." (Hebrews 2:18) (KJV).


The temptations of our Lord Jesus Christ by the devil were real, very real, for in his human body He was very hungry for the 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness and then the devil came to Him and whispered this, "And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread." (Luke 4:3) (KJV). However, instead of  decimating, defeating, and destroying the devil right then (as God He could have done just that), He stayed on course for the Cross where He must go to save you and me eternally from our sin, so He defeated, decimated, and destroyed the devil's temptation with the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, "And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." (Luke 4:4) (KJV). Christ not only did not use His Power as God, but instead suffered hunger in His physical body just as any other man would suffer being so long without food.


The little English phrase 'himself hath suffered' is translated by the Greek word penthō apparently a primary verb (the third form used only in certain tenses for it); to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful): - feel, passion, suffer, vex. God did not have to do this, yet love for His lost creation humanity moved Him to do so, as it is written in the Gospels on several occassions when our Lord Jesus Christ came upon the suffering of many He was move with compassion to heal them, as it is written in these cases, "And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick." (Matthew 14:14) (KJV) and "And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth His hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean." (Mark 1:41) (KJV) and "And Jesus, when He came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and He began to teach them many things." (Mark 6:34) (KJV).


The little English phrase 'being tempted' is translated by the Greek word peirazō meaning to test (objectively), that is, endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline: - assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt, try. The little English phrase "He is able' is translated by the Greek word dunamai meaning to be able or to be of power. The English word 'succour' is translated by the Greek word boētheō meaning to aid or relieve: - help, succour. In other words, our loving and merciful Savior Jesus Christ identifies with all of our human weaknesses in this corrupted flesh of ours and knows exactly what we need to fight against every attack from our enemy the devil, because He has lowered Himself below the angels into a human body just like ours and fought victoriously against the devil and his demons depending solely on the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. It is written for us by this same writer of Hebrews a couple of Chapters down these words, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:15-16) (KJV).


Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of this verse 18, "Observe, There was a great breach and quarrel between God and man, by reason of sin; but Christ, by becoming man and dying, has taken up the quarrel, and made reconciliation so far that God is ready to receive all into favour and friendship who come to Him through Christ. In things pertaining to His people, to their support and comfort: In that He suffered, being tempted, He is able to succour those that are tempted, Hebrews 2:18. Here observe, Christ's passion: He suffered being tempted; and His temptations were not the least part of His sufferings. He was in all things tempted as we are, yet without sin, Hebrews 4:15. Christ's compassion: He is able to succour those that are tempted. He is touched with a feeling of our infirmities, a sympathizing physician, tender and skilful; He knows how to deal with tempted sorrowful souls, because He has been Himself sick of the same disease, not of sin, but of temptation and trouble of soul. The remembrance of His own sorrows and temptations makes Him mindful of the trials of His people, and ready to help them. Here observe, First, The best of Christians are subject to temptations, to many temptations, while in this world; let us never count upon an absolute freedom from temptations in this world. Secondly, Temptations bring our souls into such distress and danger that they need support and succour. Thirdly, Christ is ready and willing to succour those who under their temptations apply to Him; and He became man, and was tempted, that He might be every way qualified to succour His people."


If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…