The Strand Study Bible

HEBREWS HEBREWS Jesus is the omniscient Second Person of the Triune Godhead, yet in His humanity He learned experientially what it was to obey. 5:9a The “ AUTHOR ” of salvation conveys a slightly different thought than the “ CAPTAIN ” of salvation (Heb 2:10). Whereas CHRIST conducts us by His Word and Spirit as our CAPTAIN , He compensates us by being the grand cause (source) of our salvation as the AUTHOR . 5:9b This word ( obey ) is the Greek word ‘υπακ οXοX σι Q ( hupakouousin ) and means “ to hear ( akouo ) under ( hupo ); to listen ; to give ear with the intent of obeying .” It is translated “hearken” (listen) in Acts 12:13. Hupakouousin is different than the Greek word πει θ ω ( peitho ), which is also translated “obey” (Acts 5:32). Whereas hupakouo suggests “intent” to obey, peitho suggests the actual and outward result of obeying. Thus, here in Hebrews 5:9, CHRIST , who is the grand cause (source) of our salvation ( AUTHOR ), will compensate us as beneficiaries of that glorious salvation, if we “intend” to keep on obeying Him now that we are saved. JESUS said in John 10:10: I am come that they might have life (eternal life in Heaven), and that they might have it more abundantly (more abundantly here on earth). In other words, those of us who wish to benefit from our salvation must keep on listening with the intent on obeying (just like CHRIST did – vs 8) if we are to be the full recipients of that salvation. This verse has nothing to do with meriting Heaven via our good works. The Pulpit Commentary notes: “Unto all them that obey him.” This, of course, does not mean that we merit salvation by obeying the Savior. CONCLUSION. 1. Trust this perfect Saviour . 2. Obey him . Copy his own obedience. 1 5:12 Christians who fail to grow during the Adolescent Stage of the Christian life (the school age; instructional stage; the “teach you again” stage – II Pet 1:5 ) end up returning to the Infancy Stage of the Christian life. Although it’s abnormal to grow backwards, Christians, sadly, seem to be good at it. NOTE – Just as there are three stages to the human life, there are three stages to the Christian life: (1) Infancy Stage (I Pet 2:2); (2) Adolescent Stage ( Heb 5:12 & 6:1-2); and (3) Adult Stage (maturity - Colo 1:28 and Heb 5: 12- 14 & 6:1b ). Abbot Thomas Keating in Crisis of Faith notes: There is an analogy between growing up spiritually and the growing up that takes place in the normal course of human life. In approaching adolescence and adulthood, everyone seems to have to pass through a crisis. Extraordinary changes take place around the time of puberty when a child is about to become an adolescent. Even greater changes occur in adolescents as they approach maturity. 2 5:14 Maturity ( full age ) comes from “accepting responsibility” (obeying God’s Word). Edwin Louis Cole, founder of the Christian’s Men Network and author of over 900 “Coleisms”, once noted: Maturity doesn’t come with age; it comes with acceptance of responsibility. 3 Thus, the more we “obey” (the meaning behind “ even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised ”) the faster we mature. Thus, the exercising of our faith (the accepting of biblical responsibility) leads to maturity. 6:1a Those who “ go on unto perfection ” have a good understanding of the doctrine of CHRIST . The teachings of the promised OT MESSIAH ( doctrine of Christ – Jn 1:41 & 4:25) is twofold: (1) He was 100% God (thus our only Savior - Titus 2:13 , Mt 1:21 and Isa 45:21-22 ); and (2) He was 100% man (thus our only perfect human sacrifice for sin - Jn 1:14 and Phil 2:7a,b ) NOTE - Those who recognized CHRIST as the promised OT MESSIAH (God in the flesh - Jn 1:1,14, I Tim 3:16, I Jn 1:1-2 and II Jn 7-9) also worshipped Him as God (Mt 2:1-11 and Jn 20:24-28,31). Those who rejected His claim to deity refused to worship Him as God (Jn 5:17-18 & 8:24,56-59 & 10:22-39). 6:1 b Believers who move on to perfection (maturity as a believer; adulthood - Colo 1:28 ) and do not shame Jesus do so by understanding six elementary (grade school) teachings (doctrines): (1) The doctrine of CHRIST ( Heb 6:1 a ); (2) The doctrine of salvation ( repentance from dead works - Heb 6:1 c ); (3) The doctrine of baptism ( Heb 6:2 a ); (4) The doctrine of power ( laying on of hands - Ezk 1:3) ( Heb 6:2 b ); (5) The doctrine of resurrections and rewards ( Heb 6:2 c ); and (6) The doctrine of eternal judgment ( Heb 6:2 d ). 6:1 c Those who “ go on unto perfection ” have a good understanding of the doctrine of salvation . The work done to secure salvation was not done through dead works (human effort - Jn 1:13 ). It’s not our works that save us or are saving us (Gal 3:1-3), but Christ’s “ WORK ” of redemption on the cross ( Exo 14:13,30-31 , Hab 1:5 , Rom 13:11 , Titus 3:5 a and Jn 6:28-29 ). Salvation is of the Lord ( Jonah 2:9 ). We are not headed to Heaven because we’re good, but because Christ is good (II Cor 5:21 and Mt 19:16-17). NOTE - Whereas religion says, “Look what I’ve done for Jesus. I’ve been good, baptized, faithful to church, etc.” (religious works), Christianity says, “Look what Jesus did for me. I was headed to Hell and He offered me salvation and I accepted it.” (grace). W.H. Griffith Thomas in How We Got Our Bible notes: 2063

If we want to see the results of Christianity, we should test it by other religions. If we would knowwhat Confucianism has done, let us look at China; if we would know what Buddhism has done, let us look at India; if we would know what Islam has done, let us look at Turkey and Persia. We do not despise any of these religions. Everything that is good in them comes from God. They are what Tennyson calls “broken lights.” But while they are “lights,” they are “broken.” There is one great difference between them and Christianity; in each of these, man is seeking God; in Christianity, God is seeking man. 4

1 The Pulpit Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI, Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1950. Print. 2 Keating, Thomas. Crisis of Faith, Locust Valley, NY, Living Flame Press, 1970. Print. 3 Cole, Edwin Louis. “Coleism” quote , http://tinyurl.com/mfezzls. Web. 4 Thomas, W.H. Griffith. How We Got Our Bible , Dallas, TX, Dallas Seminary Press, 1984. Print.