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His sufferings therefore in this context are viewed as having an effect upon Himself,
which is a thought distinct from that of Christ dying for the ungodly.
One more point we must notice; the words "for every man" are literally "on behalf of
all". There are some who take the word "all" in a universal sense, but we must remember
that the word is always limited by the context. Salvation from sin is not in view,
suffering in view of glory is the theme, and the word "all" refers here to the "many sons"
who are being led along the pathway of the fellowship of His sufferings to the glory that
shall be revealed.
Attention has been drawn to the parallels between Hebrews and Philippians, the
epistle of "The Prize". While we must not confuse the two sets of teaching, much light
will be received if we remember that, although on differing planes, the ways of God with
His people are actuated by similar principles, and all find their cause and goal in the same
blessed Son of God.
No.18.
"We see not yet . . . . . But we see . . . . ." (2: 6 - 9).
pp. 35 - 40
We now commence section B | 2: 5-18 of the structure of the epistle, "The Son,
Man, Seed of Abraham, lower than angels". Here suffering and death are prominent,
and the position of the Lord is "for a little lower than angels".
We refer the reader to the structure of Heb. 2: 5-18, which is set out in the article
dealing with Eph. 3:, on p.4 of Volume 41: It so happens, that these two sets of
studies, written a year or more apart, draw together in these adjacent issues.
At first we were inclined to cancel this article on Heb. 2:, but by so doing we should
have ruined the exposition of Hebrews as a whole. On the other hand the fact that the
Apostle did not hesitate to go over the same grounds in three different epistles, reminded
us of his own words:
"To write the same things to you, to me is not grievous (slothful or idle), but for you it
is safe (or makes for certainty)" (Phil. 3: 1).
It may be, that where the argument set forth in one article appears inconclusive, the
second approach may make the matter clear. And we are sure that the intensely sacred
and important nature of the subject justifies any effort on the part of both writer and
reader.
We therefore ask the indulgence of the reader as we try to preserve intact, both sets of
expositions, in view of possible reproduction in book form in the future.