Danger of neglecting so Great Salvation, first spoken by Christ—To whom, not to Angels, the New Dispensation was subjected. Heb. 2:16-18 “Now there is hope and help for the chief of sinners in and through Christ. Here is a price paid sufficient for all, and suitable to all, for it was in our nature.” M. Henry
- 16 verily. ch. 6:16; 12:10, Rom. 2:25, 1Pet. 1:20, he taketh not hold of angels, but of the seed of Abraham. Gen. 22:18, Matt. 1:1, Rom. 4:16, Gal. 3:16, 29.
- Wherefore in all things it behoved him. There was a fitness and propriety in it. See on ver. 11, 14, Phi. 2:7, 8. He calls them brethren; and it was proper that he should show that he regarded them as such by assuming their nature.
- “That he might be a merciful and faithful high priest. ch. 3:2, 5; 4:15, 16; 5:1, 2, (1) That he might be compassionate. That he might know how to pity us in our infirmities and trials, by having a nature like our own. (2.) That he might be faithful; that is, perform with fidelity all the functions pertaining to the office of high priest. That he should experience as we do the infirmities and trials of life, and partaking of all that pertained to man except his sins. Here was a race of sinners and sufferers. They were exposed to the wrath of God, and were liable to everlasting punishment. All now depended on the great high priest. The great purpose was to offer sacrifice and make intercession. Jesus took on himself our nature that he might sympathize with us; that thus he might be faithful to the redemption of the world. Had he been unfaithful, all would have been lost, and the world would have sunk down to woe.” Barnes, Albert, Frew, Robert. To make reconciliation for Dan. 9:24, Rom. 5:10, 2Cor. 5:18–21, Eph. 2:16, Col. 1:21. is used in 1John 2:2; 4:10. He appeased, reconciled, conciliated; and propitiated as to sins.
- 18 He himself hath suffered. ch. 4:15, 16; 5:2, 7–9, Matt. 4:1–10; 26:37–39, Lk. 22:53, “The temptations or trials which Christ suffered here on earth must not be limited to those which came upon Him from Satan, though these are included. Christ suffered bodily hunger (Matt. 4:1, 2), His holy nature suffered acutely from the very presence of the foul Friends, the temptations from the Pharisees and others “grieved” Him (Mk 3:5), the words of His own disciples, which were an “offense” unto Him (Matt. 16:23), and His greatest sufferings were from His Father’s temptings or tryings of Him. (See Jn. 12:27; Matt. 26:38, 39; 27:46). Note how in Luke 22:28, “My temptation,” the Savior spoke of His whole life as one unbroken experience of trial!” Pink, Arthur W. he is able to succour ch. 7:25, 26, Jn. 10:29, Phi. 3:21, 2Tim. 1:12, Jude 24, them that are tempted 1Cor. 10:13, 2Cor. 12:7–10, 2Pet. 2:9, Rev. 3:10. “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. Here observe, First, The best of Christians are subject to temptations, to many temptations, while 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.” M. Henry
