There have been those who have argued that the presence of the words

`in all points', implies the inclusion of every temptation which besets

mankind, and, in consequence, have been driven by the irresistible force of

logic to affirm that He must therefore have had a `fallen nature', even

though He actually `did no sin'.  The seriousness of the subject therefore

will be felt by all.  To most of our readers, the teaching that the Saviour

had a `fallen' nature would come as a shock.  Moreover, the believer himself

is involved, for he cannot be unmoved at the moral consequences that arise

out of the examination of the words `tempted in all points like as we are'.

In order therefore to discover the scope of the argument that contains

these pregnant words, we propose an examination of the passages in the

epistle to the Hebrews where temptation is the theme and, following that, an

examination of other passages where the words `tempt' and `temptation' are

used, so that if possible we may arrive at a Scriptural understanding both of

the range of temptation indicated in Hebrews 4:15 and the meaning, origin,

and different forms of temptation that are indicated by the usage of the word

in Hebrews and in other parts of the New Testament.

The scope of any passage of Scripture is indicated by its literary

structure, and our readers already possess the structure of the epistle to

the Hebrews, which is set out in the article Hebrews2.  For our present

purpose we will lift out two corresponding members only, because in them are

found every occurrence of the words `tempt' and `temptation' in the epistle.

B

3 to 6.

on to perfection

Let us come boldly.

Example of unbelief.

`The Profession'

Perfect v Babes.

No renewal unto repentance.

(3:1; 4:14)

Senses exercised.

Crucify afresh the Son.

B

10:19 to 12:25.

back to perdition

Let us draw near.

Examples of faith.

`The Profession'

Sons v Firstborn.

No place for repentance.

(10:23; 11:13)

Trod under foot the Son.

Discipline exercised.

There can be no question but that these two sections very closely

correspond with one another, and if they contain all the occurrences of

`tempt' and `temptation' that are to be found in the epistle to the Hebrews,

then those temptations must be intimately related to the two ideas of

`perfection' and `perdition'; with `going on', or with `drawing back'.  When

we come to consider the first portion of Hebrews that contains the passage

under review, we discover that its historic background is the story of

Israel's failure in the wilderness; a failure to `go on unto perfection',

with which the words `tempt' and `temptation' are closely interwoven.

A

2:17 to 3:1.

B

3:2 to 4:11.

The Temptation.

They tempted Me.

A

4:12 -16.