THE GREATNESS OF OUR GOD
Hebrews 2:10
Notice the first word in
this verse - "For." It is
important. This is a connecting word. It connects verse 10 with what has been
discussed in the previous verses. There the Holy Spirit sets before us the
excellence and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then, in verse 9, he tells us
that Christ "was made a little lower
than the angels for the suffering of death...that he by the grace of God should
taste death for every man.”
Poor Translation
I prefer the King James
Version to all other translations; but the King James gives a very poor
translation of verse 9. The words "every man" simply should not be in
verse 9. A far better reading would be "every
son”. Both the original language and the context will show this. To translate
Paul's words as they stand in the King James Version would imply that Christ
died to redeem and save all men, which is totally contrary to the Word of God.
To the Jews, the death of
Christ on the cross as the sinners' Substitute was a stumbling block and rock
of offense. So when the inspired writer mentioned it, he immediately declared
the necessity for it in our text. That is the connection. In this 10th verse of
Hebrews 2, he is declaring to us the necessity for Christ's suffering and
death.
Divine Sovereignty
The purpose of God is the
salvation of his people. But the declaration of that purpose is meaningless,
until we are assured that the God who has purposed our salvation is able to
perform it. Therefore, we are first assured that the Lord our God, who is determined
to bring us to glory, is that One "for
whom are all things, and by whom are all things.” This is a declaration of
God’s total, universal sovereignty. This is a description of the Triune God;
but it is particularly a description of God the Father, who made his Son
perfect through suffering and death, in bringing many sons unto glory.
The Lord our God is glorious
in his absolute sovereignty. This is what sets him apart from all his creatures
and distinguishes him from all the gods men have invented. He who is God rules
everything absolutely. All things are for him, to do his bidding, to
accomplish his purpose, to set forth his glory. All things are for him because
all things are by him. In their origin, preservation, purpose, and consummate
end, all things are by him. This is what the Scriptures universally declare
(Rom. 8:28; 11:36; 2 Cor. 5:18; Eph. 1:11). And this will be the subject of
God's everlasting praise (Rev. 4:11).
Our Assurance
This declaration of God's
greatness as the sovereign ruler of all things is given to assure us of his
ability to save. In the matter of salvation, we need One "for whom are all things and by whom are all things,” because
no one else can save. Who can create us anew, but the Creator of all things?
Who can keep us from falling, but the Preserver of all things? Who can save us
from the many perils we face in this world, but the Ruler of all things? If
ever we are brought to glory, it must be by that God "by whom are all things.” If you and I enter into glory it will be
by the work of him "for whom are all
things.”