ACC ~ Hebrews 2 v18

THE FLESH ITSELF SUFFERED MANY FEARFUL THINGS. CHRYSOSTOM: “For,” he says, “because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.” This seems altogether low and mean and unworthy of God—to suffer and be tempted. “For because he himself has suffered,” he says. But it is of him who was made flesh that he here speaks. This was said for the full assurance of the hearers and on account of their weakness. That is, he would say, he went through the very experience of that which we have suffered. Now he is not ignorant of our sufferings, not only because as God he knows them, but also because as man he knows them through the trial with which he was tested. Since he suffered many things, he knows how to sympathize with suffering. It is certainly true that God is impassible, but the statement here is made of the incarnation, as though it were said, “The flesh of Christ itself suffered many fearful things.” He knows what tribulation is. He knows what temptation is, not less than we who have suffered, for he himself also has suffered. ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS 5.2.

HE EXTENDS ASSISTANCE TO THOSE UNDER ATTACK. THEODORET OF CYR: He presented his saving death as an offering: the body he had assumed he offered for the whole of creation. He included something else as well for their consolation: having learned by experience the weakness of human nature in living under the law and under grace, he extends assistance to those under attack. This is said in respect of humanity: he is our high priest not as God but as human; he suffered not as God but as human; it was not as God that he learned our condition, but as God and creator he has a clear grasp of everything. INTERPRETATION OF HEBREWS 2.

AFFLICTIONS THAT BEFALL US EVERY DAY. CHRYSOSTOM: Even if there is no persecution or tribulation, still there are other afflictions that befall us every day, and if we do not bear these, we should scarcely endure those. “No temptation has overtaken you,” it is said, “that is not common to man.” Let us then indeed pray to God that we may not come into temptation; but if we come into it, let us bear it nobly. For it is indeed a trait of prudent people not to throw themselves upon dangers; but this is the trait of noble persons and true philosophers. Let us not lightly cast ourselves upon dangers, for that is rashness; but, if we are led into them and called by circumstances, let us not yield, for that is cowardice, and, if indeed the gospel calls us, let us not refuse. In a simple case, when there is no reason or need or necessity that calls us in the fear of God, let us not rush in, for this is mere display and useless ambition. But should any of those things which are injurious to religion occur, then, though it be necessary to endure ten thousand deaths, let us refuse nothing. Do not risk trials when you find things that concern godliness prospering as you desire. Why draw down needless dangers that bring no gain?

These things I say because I wish you to observe the laws of Christ, who commands us to “pray that we may not enter into temptation”and commands us to “take up the cross and follow” him. For these things are not contradictory; rather, they are exceedingly in harmony. Do be prepared like a valiant soldier. Be continually in your armor, sober, watchful and ever looking for the enemy. Do not, however, breed wars, for this is not the act of a soldier but of a mover of sedition. But if … the trumpet of godliness calls you, go forth immediately and make no account of your life, and enter with great eagerness into the contests, break the phalanx of the adversaries, bruise the face of the devil, set up your trophy. If, however, godliness is in nowise harmed, and if no one lays waste to our doctrines (those, I mean, which relate to the soul) or compels us to do anything displeasing to God, do not be meddlesome. ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS 5.7.

THE POWER OF JESUS IS THE POWER OF THE CROSS. PHOTIUS: “He is able to help those who are tempted” … should be interpreted as follows. As the sinless body of the Lord was subjected to the evil and the temptations of suffering befell it … therefore, having the sinless body, having been tried and having suffered, he has the just and blessed power over evil, can deliver humans who are dying under sin from the temptations that fall on them, and he can defend from the temptations. If the Lord had righteous and blessed power over the audacious evil that tempted his sinless body, he also is able to release those who are subject to sin and temptations and to be the helper of those who are tempted. FRAGMENTS ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS 2.18.