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to Christ and His salvation.
(See article entitled Strangers and Sojourners
with Me, p. 302).
Temptation.
With special reference to Hebrews 4:15:
'For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we
are, yet without sin' (Heb. 4:15).
How are we to interpret the words 'in all points'? How are we to
understand the sequel, 'yet without sin'? How does this passage influence
our understanding concerning the sinlessness of the Man Christ Jesus?
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 should 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 by the consequences 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 epistle to
the Hebrews 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 as
indicated by the usage of the word in this epistle and in other parts of the
New Testament.
The scope of any passage of Scripture is indicated by its literary
structure, and most of our readers already possess the structure of the
epistle to the Hebrews, which is set out in full in the article entitled
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
Heb. 3 to 6.
on to perfection
Let us come boldly.
Example of unbelief.
'The Profession'
Perfect v. Babes.
(Homologia)
No renewal unto repentance.
(3:1; 4:14)
Senses exercised.
Crucify afresh the Son.
B Heb.
10:19 to 12:25.
back to perdition
Let us draw near.
Examples of faith.
'The Profession'
Sons v. Firstborn.
(Homologia/eo)
Found no place for repentance.
(10:23; 11:13)
Discipline exercised.
Trod under foot the Son.