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"Tempted in all points like as we are"
(Heb. 4: 15)
(This article and the three that follow are based upon one of the afternoon
expositions given at the Chapel of the Opened Book.)
#1.
pp. 78 - 81
"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 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 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 Heb. 4: 15 and the meaning, origin and different forms of
temptation, as 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 most of
our readers already possess the structure of the epistle to the Hebrews, which is set out in
full in Volume XX, page 128.
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" found in the epistle.