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NASB | Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. |
Bible Question: That is one of the common answers to this question, but it seems to me to fall short of really answering the question. If Jesus' divine nature prevents His human nature from being "tempted to the point of sin," then would it not also prevent Him from being truly tempted at all? |
Bible Answer: I hold that the reason for his temptation was to outwardly demosntrate what was inwardly true, i.e. the complete obedience and moral perfection of Jesus Christ. Christ could not successfully be tempted to sin because he is eternal God. However, if he was kept from any opportunity to sin, how could he have truly demonstrated perfect obedience to God and thereby be an acceptable sacrifice for OUR sins? A good point of comparison would be Adam. Adam began in moral perfection, and God's only command to him was not to eat of that tree over there. Now if God had a 20-foot high, barbed-wire fence erected around the tree, how could Adam have demonstrated his obedience? For complete and total obedience to God, the avenue to disobedience must be available in some form. Now, while Adam chose to sin, being morally corruptible, Jesus would not and could not. The Father and the Spirit knew this, of course, but obedience without the opportunity to sin is not really obedience, just existence. In this way, Christ demonstrated both inward and outward obedience at every moment, and it is this obedience which was lived out in order that it could be credited to us once we are regenerated as believers. I would love to hear any feedback on this one! --Joe! |