Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. I. HAVING SUFFERED UNDER TEMPTATION, CHRIST KNOWS THE FORCE OF TEMPTATION, AND CAN SYMPATHISE WITH OUR ENDURANCE OF IT. He knows by experience the most thorough, realistic kind of knowledge. 1. He has seen the nature of the evil. 2. He has suffered from the assaults of temptation. II. KNOWING THE FORCE OF TEMPTATION, AND SYMPATHISING WITH THE SUFFERING IT CAUSES, CHRIST IS ABLE TO SUCCOUR THE TEMPTED. 1. His sympathy is itself succour. 2. By His knowledge and sympathy He can give just such grace as is needed. Pathology must precede therapeutics. The diagnosis of disease is the first duty of the physician, and it is the most difficult; when that is successfully accomplished, the prescription follows almost as a matter of course. 3. His knowledge and sympathy encourage our trust. III. BEING THUS ABLE TO SUCCOUR THE TEMPTED, CHRIST IS A FIT MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN. This is not stated in the text, but it is the inference towards which the writer is leading us. And the connection of thought is apparent. The Mediator has a twofold relationship. He represents God to man and man to God as "Apostle" and as "High Priest" (Hebrews 3:1). 1. The ability to succour is, of course, of primary importance in the representative of God to man; for He comes not merely as an ambassador to declare the mind of God, but as a Saviour to redeem the world to God and preserve the redeemed from falling into further sin. 2. It is also important in the representative of man to God. (W. F. Adeney, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.WEB: For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. |
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