verses 2-10 are a practical expansion of the meaning of akakos.  Reins and heart

examined and tried (verse 2). No fellowship with vain persons and dissemblers, but

rather hatred of all wicked works (4, 5). And so throughout the Psalm. All this and more

is true of the Lord Jesus.

As concerning hosios ("holy") Scripture declares, "He knew no sin"; as concerning

akakos ("harmless") Scripture declares, "He did no sin, neither was there guile found in

His mouth". The blessed man of Psa. 1: and the holy one of Psa. 15: & 16: is Christ.

UNDEFILED (amiantos).--This word occurs in Heb. 13: 4; James 1: 27; I Pet. 1: 4.

The difference between akakos and amiantos is that in the former the truth conveyed is

that the Lord did no evil, while in the latter the truth conveyed is that He could not be

contaminated by evil in any one else. He touched a leper, but He needed no cleansing. A

woman with an issue of blood touched Him, and while virtue went out of Him to her, no

contamination passed from her to Him. In the midst of publicans and harlots, called by

the Pharisees, "a gluttonous man and a winebibber, and friend of publicans and sinners",

He ever remained "the lamb without blemish and without spot". Without natural blemish

(the thought in akakos), without contracted spot (amiantos).

In all this the Lord Jesus transcended the type. The tabernacle needed an atonement

by reason of the uncleanness of Israel (Lev. 16: 16), but such cleansing was unnecessary

to the Lord. The Levitical priesthood sinned and needed a sacrifice. The Lord knew no

sin, did no sin, and needed no sacrifice. Earthly priesthood terminates at death. The Lord

liveth and His priesthood is intransmissible. In all these respects the Lord was:--

SEPARATE FROM SINNERS.--This we may see from two points of view.

(1). As to His manhood.--Born of a woman, yet from birth "that holy thing", and

while being made partaker of flesh and blood, nevertheless coming in the "likeness" only

of sinful flesh.

(2). As to His manner of life.--He was truly man. He ate, He drank, He slept,

worked, suffered, died. To the woman of Samaria He was "a Jew" (John 4: 9). To His

fellow-townsmen He was "Joseph's son" (John 6: 42), yet throughout His life He was

never "separate from sinners". Even though a disciple leaned upon the bosom of the

Lord at supper, never once do we find a follower of the Saviour addressing Him as

"Jesus".  Shall His condescension, His sympathy, His fellowship warrant unholy

familiarity? Believers, let us remember that He is our Lord, and let us render the honour

due unto His name.

Thus we have four statements, arranged in two pairs, indicating for our comfort the

high priest that "became us".