(5) For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. (6) But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? (7) Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: (8) Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. (9) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (10) For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (11) For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, (12) Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. (13) And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
I will not detain the Reader with all the observations that might be made on these verses; for this would lead too far, in a work of this kind. A few of the more prominent points, are all I shall here offer.
And first. What the Apostle saith, of One in a certain place testifying of man; doth not refer to the first man Adam, or to mankind in general; but specially, and personally, to some identical one, and which is evidently Christ. It is a quotation from the 8th Psalm (Psalms 8:1). Jesus himself hath very plainly made application of it to himself: Matthew 21:16. And the words are expressive of the astonishment the child of God finds, when truly regenerated by the Holy Ghost, the infinite condescension of Jehovah, by a means so wonderful as the incarnation of the Son of God, accomplishing redemption.
Secondly. The making him a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death; and yet, at the same time, putting all things, both men, and angels, and devils; yea, the whole creation, both visible, and invisible, under his feet; so that there is nothing left, but what is under the subjection of Christ: these are points, which arrest the mind, and call forth both the astonishment, love, and praise, of all the Church of God!
Thirdly. Christ is said to have tasted death for every man. The phrase is an expression to intimate knowledge of death. It is a figure borrowed from the common circumstances of mankind, such as when, in order to ascertain what a thing is, and to have a personal knowledge of it, we taste it. Such was the case here, in allusion to Christ's death. By the grace of God he tasted it; that is, he endured it. When it is added, for every man, it is not to be supposed, that his death was intended a ransom for every individual of the human race; but for every one of his brethren, the heirs of salvation, as they are called: Hebrews 1:14. And the following verses, of the many sons he is to bring to glory; the persons whom he is not ashamed to call brethren; and the children whom God hath given him: these terms very plainly define, and mark the characters of those, for whom Christ tasted death.
Fourthly. The necessity of Christ's death, in being made perfect through sufferings, is also very blessedly expressed. It became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, so to be perfected. And this sweet Scripture is in exact correspondence to the whole testimony of the written word. For He that is heir of all things, is heir also of death. He is the first born from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence, Colossians 1:18; Revelation 1:5
Fifthly. The oneness of nature, between Christ and his people, is also most blessedly marked in these verses. Both he that sanctified, and they who are sanctified are all of one. Yes! Christ is himself the whole, and sole sanctification of his people. They have no holiness, but what is derived from him. They were first chosen to be holy, and without blame in Christ, before the foundation of the world, Ephesians 1:4. They are redeemed from all iniquity by Him, during the time-state of the Church, Ephesians 1:7. They are regenerated by the Holy Ghost, and made new creatures in Christ Jesus, when born again, 2 Corinthians 5:17. And Christ is made of God to them, during the whole of their time-state upon earth, until grace is finished in glory, and forever; wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 1 Corinthians 1:30. Hence those sweet scriptures which follow, in those verses, and are confirmed throughout the whole word of God, Psalms 18:2; Psalms 18:2; Isaiah 8:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14.