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Hebrews 5:8-9

A Consideration of Meaning

According To

Orthodox Christian
Expositors & Commentators
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him

Hebrews 5:8 A Consideration of Meaning


By Ronnie Bray

The of Book of Hebrews contains this interesting passage: 8: Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9: And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him [Hebrews 5 - AV] Bible Commentaries offer explanations 8: Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; Barnes' Notes on the Bible Though he were a Son - Though the Son of God. Though he sustained this exalted rank, and was conscious of it, yet he was willing to learn experimentally what is meant by obedience in the midst of sufferings. Yet learned he obedience - That is, he learned experimentally and practically. It cannot be supposed that he did not "know" what obedience was; or that he was "indisposed" to obey God before he suffered; or that he had, as we have, perversities of nature leading to rebellion which required to be subdued by suffering, but that he was willing to "test" the power of obedience in sufferings; to become personally and practically acquainted with the nature of

such obedience in the midst of protracted woes.1 The "object" here is, to show how well suited the Lord Jesus was to be a Saviour for mankind; and the argument is, that he has set us an example, and has shown that the most perfect obedience may be manifested in the deepest sorrows of the body and the soul. Hence, learn that one of the objects of affliction is to lead us "to obey God." In prosperity we forget it. We become self-confident and rebellious. "Then" God lays his hand upon us; breaks up our plans; crushes our hopes; takes away our health, and teaches us that we "must" be submissive to his will. Some of the most valuable lessons of obedience are learned in the furnace of affliction; and many of the most submissive children of the Almighty have been made so as the result of protracted woes. Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible Though he were a Son ... The Son of God, as the Vulgate Latin version reads; not by creation, nor by adoption, nor by office, but by nature, being the only begotten of the Father, having the same nature and perfections with him: yet learned he obedience; not to his parents, or civil magistrates, though that is true; nor merely to the precepts of the law, which he did; but unto death: through sufferings he became obedient to death, even the death of the cross: and this he learnt; not that he was ignorant of the nature of it; nor was he destitute of an obedient disposition to it; but the meaning is, he had an experience of it, and effected it; and which was voluntary, and done in our room and stead; and is the rule and the measure of our righteousness before God: and this he learned, by the things which he suffered; from men, from devils, and from the justice of God. Christ's sonship did not exempt him from
1

Compare Philippians 2:8

obedience and sufferings; this shows the dignity of Christ's person, that he is the Son of God, not as Mediator, for as such he is a servant; and it would be no wonder that he should learn obedience as a servant; and this shows also the great humility and condescension of Christ in obeying and suffering for us; though so great a person; and likewise the vile nature of sin, and the strictness of divine justice: and we may learn from hence, not to expect to be exempted from sufferings on account of sonship; nor to conclude we are not sons, because we suffer; and that afflictions are instructive, and by them experience is learned. Vincent's Word Studies Though he were a Son ( ) For were render was. His training for the priesthood involved suffering, even though he was a son. Connect with learned, not with the preceding clause, which would mean that his position as a son did not exempt him from the obligation to godly fear, which is true as a fact,2 but is not the point of emphasis here. Learned he obedience ( ) Omit he, since the subject of learned is who, Hebrews 5:7. Jesus did not have to learn to obey,3 but he required the special discipline of a severe human experience as a training for his office as a high priest who could be touched with the feeling of human infirmities. He did not need to be disciplined out of any inclination to disobedience; but, as Alford puts it, "the special course of submission by which he became perfected as our high priest was gone through in time, and was a matter of acquirement and
2 3

See Hebrews 5:7 See John 8:29

practice." This is no more strange than his growth in wisdom. 4 Growth in experience was an essential part of his humanity. By the things which he suffered (' ) Or from the things, etc. Note the word-play, . So Croesus, addressing Cyrus, says, , , , "my sufferings, though painful, have proved to be lessons"5 ' "mayst thou not learn by suffering." Geneva Study Bible Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; That is, He learned indeed what it is to have a Father, whom a man must obey. People's New Testament 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience. He claimed no special exemptions because he was the Son, but learned and taught obedience in the supremest test that the world ever saw. By the things which he suffered. He learned obedience experimentally. Wesley's Notes
4 5

See Luke 2:52, &c Hdt. i.:207: Soph. Trach. 142

5:8 Though he were a Son - This is interposed,3 lest any should be offended at all these instances of human weakness. In the garden, how frequently did he call God his Father!6 And hence it most evidently appears that his being the Son of God did not arise merely from his resurrection. Yet learned he - The word learned, premised to the word suffered, elegantly shows how willingly he learned. He learned obedience, when be began to suffer; when he applied himself to drink that cup: obedience in suffering and dying. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 8. Though He WAS (so it ought to be translated: a positive admitted fact: not a mere supposition as were would imply) God's divine Son (whence, even in His agony, He so lovingly and often cried, Father),7 yet He learned His (so the Greek) obedience, not from His Sonship, but from His sufferings. As the Son, He was always obedient to the Father's will; but the special obedience needed to qualify Him as our High Priest, He learned experimentally in practical suffering.8 He was obedient already before His passion, but He stooped to a still more humiliating and trying form of obedience then. The Greek adage is, "Pathemata mathemata," "sufferings, disciplinings." Praying and obeying, as in Christ's case, ought to go hand in hand. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 5:1-10 The High Priest must be a man, a partaker of our nature. This shows that man had sinned. For God would not suffer sinful man to come to him alone. But every one is welcome to God, that comes to him by this High Priest; and as we value acceptance with
6 7

Mt 26:39 &c Mt 26:39 8 Philippians 2:6-8, "equal with God, but . took upon Him the form of a servant, and became obedient unto death," &c.

God, and pardon, we must apply by faith to this our great High Priest Christ Jesus, who can intercede for those that are out of the way of truth, duty, and happiness; one who has tenderness to lead them back from the by-paths of error, sin, and misery. Those only can expect assistance from God, and acceptance with him, and his presence and blessing on them and their services, that are called of God. This is applied to Christ. In the days of his flesh, Christ made himself subject to death: he hungered: he was a tempted, suffering, dying Jesus. Christ set an example, not only to pray, but to be fervent in prayer. How many dry prayers, how few wetted with tears, do we offer up to God! He was strengthened to support the immense weight of suffering laid upon him. There is no real deliverance from death but to be carried through it. He was raised and exalted, and to him was given the power of saving all sinners to the uttermost, who come unto God through him. Christ has left us an example that we should learn humble obedience to the will of God, by all our afflictions. We need affliction, to teach us submission. His obedience in our nature encourages our attempts to obey, and for us to expect support and comfort under all the temptations and sufferings to which we are exposed. Being made perfect for this great work, he is become the Author of eternal salvation to all that obey him. But are we of that number? Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary Hebrews Chapter 5 In this chapter the apostle continues his discourse upon the priesthood of Christ, a sweet subject, which he would not too soon dismiss. And here, I. He explains the nature of the priestly office in general (v. 13).

II.

The proper and regular call there must be to this office (v. 46). III. The requisite qualifications for the work (v. 7-9). IV. The peculiar order of the priesthood of Christ; it was not after the order of Aaron, but of Melchisedec (v. 6, 7, 10). V. He reproves the Hebrews, that they had not made those improvements in knowledge which might have made them capable of looking into the more abstruse and mysterious parts of scripture (v. 11-14). Verses 1-9 We have here an account of the nature of the priestly office in general, though with an accommodation to the Lord Jesus Christ. We are told,
1.

Of what kind of beings the high priest must be. He must be taken from among men; he must be a man, one of ourselves, bone of our bones, flesh of our flesh, and spirit of our spirits, a partaker of our nature, and a standardbearer among ten thousand. This implies,
a. b. c. d. That man had sinned. That God would not admit sinful man to come to him immediately and alone, without a high priest, who must be taken from among men. That God was pleased to take one from among men, by whom they might approach God in hope, and he might receive them with honour. That every one shall now be welcome to God that comes to him by this his priest.

2. For whom every high priest is ordained: For men in things pertaining to God, for the glory of God and the good of men, that he might come between God and man. So Christ did; and therefore let us never attempt to go to God but through Christ, nor expect any favour from God but through Christ.

3. For what purpose every high priest was ordained: That he might offer both gifts and sacrifices for sin. a. That he might offer gifts or free-will offerings, brought to the high priest, so offered for the glory of God, and as an acknowledgment that our all is of him and from him; we have nothing but what he is pleased to give us, and of his own we offer to him an oblation of acknowledgment. This intimates, That all we bring to God must be free and not forced; it must be a gift; it must be given and not taken away again. That all we bring to God must go through the high priest's hands, as the great agent between God and man.

b. c.

3. That he might offer sacrifices for sin; that is, the offerings that were appointed to make atonement, that sin might be pardoned and sinners accepted. Thus Christ is constituted a high priest for both these ends. Our good deeds must be presented by Christ, to render ourselves and them acceptable; and our evil deeds must be expiated by the sacrifice of himself, that they may not condemn and destroy us. And now, as we value acceptance with God and pardon, we must apply ourselves by faith to this our great high priest. 4. How this high priest must be qualified, v. 2. a. b. He must be one that can have compassion on two sorts of persons: On the ignorant, or those that are guilty of sins of ignorance. He must be one who can find in his heart to pity them, and intercede with God for them, one that is willing to instruct those that are dull of understanding.

c.

On those that are out of the way, out of the way of truth, duty, and happiness; and he must be one who has tenderness enough to lead them back from the by-paths of error, sin, and misery, into the right way: this will require great patience and compassion, even the compassion of a God.

5. He must also be compassed with infirmity; and so be able from himself feelingly to consider our frame, and to sympathize with us. Thus Christ was qualified. He took upon him our sinless infirmities; and this gives us great encouragement to apply ourselves to him under every affliction; for in all the afflictions of his people he is afflicted.
6.

How the high priest was to be called of God. He must have both an internal and external call to his office: For no man taketh this honour to himself,9 that is, no man ought to do it, no man can do it legally; if any does it, he must be reckoned a usurper, and treated accordingly. Here observe, 1. The office of the priesthood was a very great honour. To be employed to stand between God and man, one while representing God and his will to men, at another time representing man and his case to God, and dealing between them about matters of the highest importance-entrusted on both sides with the honour of God and the happiness of man-must render the office very honourable. 2. The priesthood is an office and honour that no man ought to take to himself; if he does, he can expect no success in it, nor any reward for it, only from himself. He is an intruder who is not called of God, as was Aaron. Observe,

verse 4

a.

b.

God is the fountain of all honour, especially true spiritual honour. He is the fountain of true authority, whether he calls any to the priesthood in an extraordinary way, as he did Aaron, or in an ordinary way, as he called his successors. Those only can expect assistance from God, and acceptance with him, and his presence and blessing on them and their administrations, that are called of God; others may expect a blast instead of a blessing.

7. How this is brought home and applied to Christ: So Christ glorified not himself.10 Observe here, Though Christ reckoned it his glory to be made a high priest, yet he would not assume that glory to himself. He could truly say, I seek not my own glory. 11 Considered as God, he was not capable of any additional glory, but as man and Mediator he did not run without being sent; and, if he did not, surely others should be afraid to do it. 7. The apostle prefers Christ before Aaron, both in the manner of his call and in the holiness of his person.
a.

In the manner of his call, in which God said unto him, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee,12 referring to his eternal generation as God, his wonderful conception as man, and his perfect qualification as Mediator. Thus God solemnly declared his dear affection to Christ, his authoritative appointment of him to the office of a

10 11

verse 5 John 8:50 12 Psalm 2:7

b.

Mediator, his installment and approbation of him in that office, his acceptance of him, and of all he had done or should do in the discharge of it. Now God never said thus to Aaron. Another expression that God used in the call of Christ we have in Psalm 110:4, Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec.13 God the Father appointed him a priest of a higher order than that of Aaron. The priesthood of Aaron was to be but temporary; the priesthood of Christ was to be perpetual: the priesthood of Aaron was to be successive, descending from the fathers to the children; the priesthood of Christ, after the order of Melchisedec, was to be personal, and the high priest immortal as to his office, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, as it is more largely described in the seventh chapter, and will be opened there. Christ is here preferred to Aaron in the holiness of his person. Other priests were to offer up sacrifices, as for the sins of others, so for themselves.14 But Christ needed not to offer for sins for himself, for he had done no violence, neither was there any deceit in his mouth.15 And such a high priest became us.

9. We have an account of Christ's discharge of this his office, and of the consequences of that discharge.16

13 14

verse 6 verse 3 15 Isaiah 53:9 16 Verses 7-9

i.

The discharge of his office of the priesthood:17 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications, etc. Here observe, a. He took to him flesh, and for some days tabernacled therein; he became a mortal man, and reckoned his life by days, herein setting us an example how we should reckon ours. Were we to reckon our lives by days, it would be a means to quicken us to do the work of every day in its day. Christ, in the days of his flesh, subjected himself to death; he hungered, he was a tempted, bleeding, dying Jesus! He body is now in heaven, but it is a spiritual glorious body. God the Father was able to save him from death. He could have prevented his dying, but he would not; for then the great design of his wisdom and grace must have been defeated. What would have become of us if God had saved Christ from dying? The Jews reproachfully said, Let him deliver him now, if he will have him.18 But it was in kindness to us that the Father would not suffer that bitter cup to pass away from him; for then we must have drunk the dregs of it, and been miserable for ever. Christ, in the days of his flesh, offered up prayers and supplications to his Father, as an earnest of his intercession in heaven. A great many instances we have of Christ's praying. This refers to his prayer in his agony,19 and to that before his agony20 which he put up for his disciples, and all who should believe on his name.

b.

c.

d.

17 18

verse 7 Mt. 27:43 19 Matthew. 26:39 & 27:46 20 John 17

e.

f.

The prayers and supplications that Christ offered up were joined with strong cries and tears, herein setting us an example not only to pray, but to be fervent and importunate in prayer. How many dry prayers, how few wet ones, do we offer up to God! Christ was heard in that he feared. How? Why he was answered by present supports in and under his agonies, and in being carried well through death, and delivered from it by a glorious resurrection: He was heard in that he feared. He had an awful sense of the wrath of God, of the weight of sin. His human nature was ready to sink under the heavy load, and would have sunk, had he been quite forsaken in point of help and comfort from God; but he was heard in this, he was supported under the agonies of death. He was carried through death; and there is no real deliverance from death but to be carried well through it. We may have many recoveries from sickness, but we are never saved from death till we are carried well through it. And those that are thus saved from death will be fully delivered at last by a glorious resurrection, of which the resurrection of Christ was the earnest and firstfruits.

ii.

The consequences of this discharge of his office, v. 8, 9, etc.


a.

By these his sufferings he learned obedience, though he was a Son.21 Here observe, 1. The privilege of Christ: He was a Son; the onlybegotten of the Father. One would have thought this might have exempted him from suffering, but

21

v. 8

2.

it did not. Let none then who are the children of God by adoption expect an absolute freedom from suffering. What Son is he whom the Father chasteneth not? Christ made improvement by his sufferings. By his passive obedience, he learned active obedience; that is, he practiced that great lesson, and made it appear that he was well and perfectly learned in it; though he never was disobedient, yet he never performed such an act of obedience as when he became obedient to death, even to the death of the cross. Here he has left us an example, that we should learn by all our afflictions a humble obedience to the will of God. We need affliction, to teach us submission.

ii.

By these his sufferings he was made perfect, and became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him22. a. b. Christ by his sufferings was consecrated to his office, consecrated by his own blood. By his sufferings he consummated that part of his office which was to be performed on earth, making reconciliation for iniquity; and in this sense he is said to be made perfect, a perfect propitiation. Hereby he has become the author of eternal salvation to men; he has by his sufferings purchased a full deliverance from sin and misery, and a full fruition of holiness and happiness for his people. Of this salvation he has given notice in the gospel; he has made a tender of it in the new covenant, and has sent the Spirit to enable men to accept this salvation. This salvation is actually bestowed on none but those who obey Christ. It is not sufficient that we have some

c.

d.
22

verse 9

e.

doctrinal knowledge of Christ, or that we make a profession of faith in him, but we must hearken to his word, and obey him. He is exalted to be a prince to rule us, as well as a Saviour to deliver us; and he will be a Saviour to none but to those whom he is a prince, and who are willing that he should reign over them; the rest he will account his enemies, and treat them accordingly. But to those who obey him, devoting themselves to him, denying themselves, and taking up their cross, and following him, he will be the author, aitios the grand cause of their salvation, and they shall own him as such for ever.

Now we will consider verse 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him Barnes' Notes on the Bible And being made perfect - That is, being made a "complete" Saviour - a Saviour suited in all respects to redeem people. Sufferings were necessary to the "completeness" or the "finish" of his character as a Saviour, not to his moral perfection, for he was always without sin; He became the author - That is, he was the procuring cause ( aitios) of salvation. It is to be traced wholly to his sufferings and death,

"Unto all them that obey him." It is not to save those who live in sin. Only those who "obey" him have any evidence that they will be saved.23 Clarke's Commentary on the Bible And being made perfect - And having finished all having died and risen again. signifies to have obtained the goal; to have ended one's labor, and enjoyed the fruits of it.
[Hebrews 12:23 : The spirits of just men made perfect, , means the souls of those who have gained the goal, and obtained the prize.]

So, when Christ had finished his course of tremendous sufferings, and consummated the whole by his death and resurrection, he became , the cause of eternal salvation unto all them who obey him. He was consecrated both highs priest and sacrifice by his offering upon the cross. "In this verse," says Dr. Macknight, "three things are clearly stated:
1.

2.

3.

That obedience to Christ is equally necessary to salvation with believing on him. That he was made perfect as a high priest by offering himself a sacrifice for sin.24 That, by the merit of that sacrifice, he hath obtained pardon and eternal life for them who obey him."

He tasted death for every man; but he is the author and cause of eternal salvation only to them who obey him.

23 24

See John 14:15 Hebrews 8:3

It is not merely believers, but obedient believers, that shall be finally saved. Therefore this text is an absolute, unimpeachable evidence, that it is not the imputed obedience of Christ that saves any man. Christ has bought men by his blood; and by the infinite merit of his death he has purchased for them an endless glory; but, in order to be prepared for it, the sinner must, through that grace which God withholds from no man, repent, turn from sin, believe on Jesus as being a sufficient ransom and sacrifice for his soul, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, be a worker together with him, walk in conformity to the Divine will through this Divine aid, and continue faithful unto death, through him, out of whose fullness he may receive grace upon grace. Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible And being made perfect .... In his obedience, through sufferings; having completed his obedience, gone through his sufferings, and finished his sacrifice, and being perfectly glorified in heaven: he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him the salvation Christ is the author of is "eternal"; it was resolved upon from eternity, and contrived in it; it was secured in the everlasting covenant, in which not only a Saviour was provided, but blessings both of grace and glory: and it is to eternity; and stands distinguished from a temporal salvation, and is opposed to eternal damnation; it is the salvation of the soul, which is immortal; and it takes in both grace and glory, which are of a durable nature; and the continuance of it is owing to the abiding and lasting virtue of Christ's person, blood, and righteousness: and Christ is the cause or author of this salvation, by his obedience and sufferings; by obeying the precept, and bearing the penalty of the law; by the price of his blood, and by the power of his arm; by his

death and by his life; by his sacrifice on the cross, and by his intercession in heaven; by bestowing grace here, and glory hereafter: this shows that salvation is done, and that Christ is the sole author of it, and that all the glory of it should be given to him; and those to whom he is the author of salvation, are such as hearken to the voice of his Gospel, and obey him in his ordinances. Christ is not the author of salvation to all men; all men do not obey him; all those whom Christ saves, he brings them to an obedience to himself; for his obedience for them does not exempt them from obedience to him, though their obedience is no cause of their salvation; Christ himself is the alone author of that. Vincent's Word Studies And being made perfect ( ) Compare with Hebrews 2:10. The fundamental idea in is 25 the bringing of a person or thing to the goal fixed by God. Here of Christ's having reached the end which was contemplated in his divinely-appointed discipline for the priesthood. The consummation was attained in his death, Philippians 2:8; his obedience extended even unto death. The author of eternal salvation ( )26 Unto all them that obey him ( )

25

Compare Hebrews 7:11, Hebrews 7:19; Hebrews 9:9; Hebrews 10:1, Hebrews 10:14; Hebrews 11:40; Hebrews 12:23 26 , N.T., an adjective, causing. Comp. captain of salvation, Hebrews 2:10. The phrase eternal salvation N.T.o , but see lxx, Isaiah 15:17. Not everlasting salvation, but a salvation of which all the conditions, attainments, privileges, and rewards transcend the conditions and limitations of time

Obey points to obedience,27 and salvation to save.28 If the captain of salvation must learn obedience, so must his followers.29 Geneva Study Bible And being made30 perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; The other part of the first comparison: Christ was consecrated by God the Father as the author of our salvation, and an High Priest for ever, and therefore he is a man, though nonetheless he is far above all men. People's New Testament 5:9 And being made perfect - Fitted in all points to be our high priest by his suffering; made, not a perfect man, for he was that already, but a perfect high priest. He became the author of eternal salvation. Was able to offer the gospel to all nations, and thus to save all them that obey him. He does not save men in disobedience. Wesley's Notes 5:9 And being perfected - By sufferings,31 brought through all to glory. He became the author - The procuring and efficient cause.
27 28

Hebrews 5:8 Hebrews 5:7 29 Compare with 2 Thessalonians 1:8 30 See Hebrews 2:10 31 Hebrews 2:10

Of eternal salvation to all that obey him - By [their] doing and suffering his whole will. Scofield Reference Notes Margin salvation 32 Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 9. made perfect-completed, brought to His goal of learning and suffering through death,33 namely, at His glorious resurrection and ascension. Author Greek, "cause." eternal salvation obtained for us in the short "days of Jesus' flesh,"34 "for ever." 35 unto all . that obey him Even as Christ obeyed the Father, so must we obey Him by faith. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary The High Priest must be a man, a partaker of our nature. This shows that man had sinned. For God would not suffer sinful man to come to him alone. But every one is welcome to God, that comes to him by this High Priest; and as we value acceptance with God, and pardon, we must
32 33

See Romans 1:16 This spake Alford 34 Hebrews 5:7; compare Hebrews 5:6 35 Isaiah 45:17

apply by faith to this our great High Priest Christ Jesus, who can intercede for those that are out of the way of truth, duty, and happiness; one who has tenderness to lead them back from the bypaths of error, sin, and misery. Those only can expect assistance from God, and acceptance with him, and his presence and blessing on them and their services, that are called of God. This is applied to Christ. In the days of his flesh, Christ made himself subject to death: he hungered: he was a tempted, suffering, dying Jesus. Christ set an example, not only to pray, but to be fervent in prayer. How many dry prayers, how few wetted with tears, do we offer up to God! He was strengthened to support the immense weight of suffering laid upon him. There is no real deliverance from death but to be carried through it. He was raised and exalted, and to him was given the power of saving all sinners to the uttermost, who come unto God through him. Christ has left us an example that we should learn humble obedience to the will of God, by all our afflictions. We need affliction, to teach us submission. His obedience in our nature encourages our attempts to obey, and for us to expect support and comfort under all the temptations and sufferings to which we are exposed. Being made perfect for this great work, he is become the Author of eternal salvation to all that obey him. But are we of that number? This salvation is actually bestowed on none but those who obey Christ. It is not sufficient that we have some doctrinal knowledge of Christ, or that we make a profession of faith in him, but we must hearken to his word, and obey him. He is exalted to be a prince to rule us, as well as a Saviour to deliver us; and he will be a Saviour to none but to those whom he is a prince, and who are willing that he should reign over them; the rest he will account his enemies, and treat them accordingly.

But to those who obey him, devoting themselves to him, denying themselves, and taking up their cross, and following him, he will be the author, aitios the grand cause of their salvation, and they shall own [recognise] him as such for ever.

compare Philippians 2:8

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