Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
He who is thus "Captain (prince, leader) of their salvation" to the "many sons," by trusting and suffering like them, must become man like them, that His death may avail for them as men.
The children - mentioned, Hebrews 2:13: existing in His eternal purpose, though not in actual being.
Are partakers of, х kekoinooneeken (G2841)] - 'have (in His purpose) been in common partakers.'
Flesh and blood. 'Aleph (') A B C Delta have 'blood and flesh.' The inner element, blood, the immediate vehicle of the soul, stands before the palpable element, flesh; also, because of Christ's blood-shedding, with a view to which He entered into community with our corporeal life. "The life of the flesh is in the blood ... it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul" (Leviticus 17:11; Leviticus 17:14).
Likewise, х parapleesioos (G3898)] - 'in a somewhat (though not altogether) similar manner.' He, unlike them, was conceived and born not in sin (Hebrews 4:15): not flesh of flesh, but of the Holy Spirit: not merely man, but taking manhood into union with Godhead: not naturally, but of His own will. [Hence, of men the word is kekoinooneeken (G2841), 'they had the same nature in common;' of Christ, meteschen (G3348), "took part of" in His own special manner. But mainly 'in like manner;' not in semblance of a body, as the Docetae heretics taught.]
Took part of - participated in. The forfeited inheritance (according to Jewish law) was ransomed by the nearest of kin; so Jesus became so to us ( Go'el (H1352): at once kinsman, redeemer, avenger) by His assumed humanity, in order to be our Redeemer.
That through death - which He could not have undergone as God, but only by becoming man: not by Almighty power, but 'by His х tou (G3588)] death.' 'Jesus suffering death overcame: Satan wielding death succumbed' (Bengel): as David cut off Goliath's head with the giant's own sword, wherewith the latter had won his victories. Coming to redeem mankind, Christ made Himself a sort of hook to destroy the devil; for in Him there was His humanity to attract the devourer, His divinity to pierce, apparent weakness to provoke, hidden power to transfix the hungry ravisher. Latin epigram, 'Mors mortis morti mertem nisi morte tulisset, AEternae vitae janua clausa foret'-Had not Death by death borne to Death the death of Death, the gate of eternal life would be closed.
Destroy, х katargeesee (G2673)] - 'render powerless: ' deprive of power to hurt His people (Psalms 8:2). The same verb, 2 Timothy 1:10, "abolished death." Death is not death to believers. Christ plants in them an undying germ of heavenly immortality.
Power. Satan is "strong" (Matthew 12:29).
Of death. Death itself is a power which, though originally foreign to human nature, now reigns over it (Romans 5:12; Romans 6:9). Satan lurking beneath wields death's power, which is manifest. The author of sin is the author of its consequences. Compare "power of the enemy" (Luke 10:19). God's law (Genesis 2:17; Romans 6:23) makes death the executioner of sin, and man Satan's 'lawful captive.' Jesus, by dying, has made the dying His own (Romans 14:9), and taken the prey from the mighty ('Wisdom,' 2: 24).