2:10. For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Those who serve as officers in the armed forces, if they behave in a manner that brings discredit on the force, may find themselves facing charges of “conduct unbecoming an officer.” The understanding is that, the higher the rank, the higher the standard of conduct that is expected, and the more the person concerned is expected to be mindful of the needs and rights of others. There may be some who would argue that trial, torture and death as a common criminal were unbecoming to the One who claimed to be Messiah. After all, the Jews were looking for a political savior, one who would come in manifest victory and sweep away the hated Roman rule once and for all, and establish His earthly throne in Jerusalem.
In response to such arguments, the writer points out that God’s behavior in sending Christ was totally becoming. To demand that His stated penalty for sin be paid in full was in line with the highest standards of His justice and righteousness. To pay that penalty Himself on man’s behalf was completely consistent with the highest standards of His love and mercy. It was fitting that God do this, for He was the only one who could. That He would do so to restore the Kingdom was totally appropriate to his glory and majesty.
for whom are all things, and through whom are all things
Much as we might like to think otherwise, the universe does not exist for man. God created it for His own pleasure. Even man’s redemption is not just for man’s sake. There is a far greater purpose at stake, the purpose of the Kingdom of God. He is the King of the universe, and His retention of that position is essential to the life, the balance, the very existence of all creation. It was fitting that He do whatever was necessary to restore that position on earth, where it had been violated through sin.
At the same time, as the Creator He is the One by whom all things exist. This includes not only the material things we see around us like trees and hills and animals, but the immaterial things like love, mercy and forgiveness. Without God, these things could not be, and as their source it is only fitting that He make them available to mankind.
in bringing many children to glory
The Gospel is about far more than individuals receiving forgiveness for their sins and being able to go to heaven when they die. It is about the restoration of the glory and honor that God gave to mankind in the creation (see verse 7); restoring man to the place of rulership on earth as God’s sub-regent. To achieve this it was necessary for Christ to become so identified with man that He became representative Man, undoing the sin which had lost the Kingdom and taking a position of rulership. In doing so, He opened the way for others to enter into His victory and also be restored to the position for which God first created man.
to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
The word translated “author” means a supreme leader, and is translated in other places as “prince.” In keeping with the military role of princes in the ancient world, it also has the connotation of one who goes ahead of the army in battle. Christ is a prince, but He came as a warrior to take on the forces of darkness and conquer them. By this, He was able to lead the army of God in victory.
The means of that victory, however, was not what we might expect – and certainly not what the ancient Jews expected. He could only win by losing. Only by laying down His life in obedience, could He undo the disobedience of Adam.
“Make … perfect” does not suggest in any way that there was any moral improvement needed in Christ. There was not a moment of His existence when He was not without sin. He was, is, and always will be morally perfect. Nor could there be any increase in His perfection as God, or in the perfection of His knowledge or ability.
However, a perfect substitute for man could only be one who had walked where man had walked. In order to overcome temptation and enter into the victory of that overcoming, He had to truly experience temptation. It was only in the suffering that His identification with man was forged. Through that suffering, He became the perfect substitute – one fully able to represent man, whilst at the same time making those different choices that would undo the effects of man’s rebellion.