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.
For - reason why "the grace of God" required that Jesus "should taste death."
It became him. The scheme of redemption was (not only not derogatory to, but) highly becoming God, though unbelief considers it a disgrace (Bengel). It harmonizes with His love, justice, and wisdom. An answer to Hebrew Christians, whosoever stumbling at Christ crucified, and impatient at the delay in the advent of Christ's glory, were in danger of apostasy. The Jerusalem Christians especially were liable to this danger.
For whom - God the Father (Rom. 11:86; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11). In Colossians 1:16 the same is said of Christ.
All things, х ta (G3588) panta (G3956)] - 'the universe of things.' "Him, for whom ... by whom are all things" marks the becomingness of Christ's suffering as the way to being 'perfected' as 'Captain of our salvation,' seeing this is the way that pleased Him whose will and glory are the end of all things, and by whose operation all things exist.
In bringing, х agagonta (G71)] - past, 'having brought, as He did;' in His electing purpose having determined to bring (cf. note, Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:4), which is accomplished in Jesus' being 'perfected through suffering.'
Many (Matthew 20:28) - "the church" (Hebrews 2:12; Hebrews 12:23).
Sons - no longer children, as under the old Testament, but sons by adoption (Galatians 4:3; Galatians 4:5).
Unto glory - to share Christ's (Hebrews 2:9: cf. Hebrews 2:7; John 17:10; John 17:22; John 17:24; Romans 8:21). Sonship, holiness (Hebrews 2:11), and glory are inseparable. "Suffering," "salvation," and "glory" often go together (2 Timothy 2:10). Salvation presupposes destruction, our deliverance from which required Christ's "sufferings."
To make ... perfect, х teleioosai (G5048)] - to consummate: to bring to consummated glory through sufferings, as the appointed avenue. 'He who suffers for another not only benefits him, but becomes himself the more perfect' (Chrysostom). Bringing to the end of troubles, and to the goal of glory: a metaphor from contests in the public games (cf. Luke 24:26; John 19:30 х tetelestai (G5055)]). I prefer, with Calvin, 'to perfect as a completed sacrifice:' legal, official, not moral, perfection is meant: 'to consecrate (so the same Greek, Hebrews 7:28, margin), by His finished expiatory death, as our perfect High Priest, so our "Captain of salvation" (Luke 13:32). This agrees with Hebrews 2:11, "He that sanctifieth" - i:e., consecrates them, by being made a consecrated offering for them. So Hebrews 10:10; Hebrews 10:14; Hebrews 10:29; John 17:19: by perfecting His consecration for them in His death, He perfects their consecration, and so opens access to glory (Heb. 10:19-21: 5:9; Hebrews 9:9, accords with this sense).
Captain of ... х Archeegon (G747)] - Prince-leader: as Joshua, not Moses, led the people into the Holy land, so our Joshua-Jesus-leads us into the heavenly inheritance (Acts 13:39). The same Greek, Hebrews 12:2, "Author of our faith." Acts 3:15, "Prince of life (Heb. 2:31). Preceding by example, as well as the originator of our salvation.