Once a sinner is saved he is a new creature, 2 Cor. 5:17. The domineering power and authority of sin has been broken and triumphed over, Romans 6. The Christian now practices righteousness as opposed to unrighteousness, 1 John 3. He walks down the narrow and constrained path that leads to life as opposed to the broad path leading to destruction, Matthew 7. However, the Christian walk and life is by no means easy! It will be full of trials and afflictions, all of which are necessary Acts 14:22; 2 Tim. 3:12, 1 Pe. 1:6. He will be hated by all, Matt. 10:22; 24:9; among many other things. Yet one of the most difficult aspects of the Christian pilgrimage on earth is being the prime target and prey of the Enemy who is the Devil, Accuser, and Slanderer, Rev. 12:10. His intent is only to steal, kill, destroy, and devour, Jn. 10:10; 1 Pe. 5:8. He is ruthless and vicious.
The Devil is also a tempter. We know that God does not tempt anyone, Ja. 1:13. This is exclusively the work of the Devil, and he is good at it. He tempted our Lord as a man, Mt. 4, yet every time He shined through victorious and without sin. One of the great comforts which we have as Christians is that our Lord though was tempted and had many trials, He never succumbed nor gave in, but pressed through every instance with complete patience and perfection. Because of His triumph in the face of adversary and temptation, He is able to help those (Christians) who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:18 is usually referenced when speaking of these things, and rightfully so. And yet, two of the best English translations have translated and interpreted the first Greek clause in two very different ways. They read as follows:
ESV For because he himself has suffered when tempted…
NAS For since he himself was tempted in that which he suffered…
Can you see the difference in meaning and implication? Below is the clause in Greek, as well as the two possible translations. Though they may be grammatically possible, only one of them can be correct, and as usual, this is a matter of exegesis and context. So let’s throw all of our presuppositions, ideas, and thoughts out the window and look at the text as it is.
The Devil is also a tempter. We know that God does not tempt anyone, Ja. 1:13. This is exclusively the work of the Devil, and he is good at it. He tempted our Lord as a man, Mt. 4, yet every time He shined through victorious and without sin. One of the great comforts which we have as Christians is that our Lord though was tempted and had many trials, He never succumbed nor gave in, but pressed through every instance with complete patience and perfection. Because of His triumph in the face of adversary and temptation, He is able to help those (Christians) who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:18 is usually referenced when speaking of these things, and rightfully so. And yet, two of the best English translations have translated and interpreted the first Greek clause in two very different ways. They read as follows:
ESV For because he himself has suffered when tempted…
NAS For since he himself was tempted in that which he suffered…
Can you see the difference in meaning and implication? Below is the clause in Greek, as well as the two possible translations. Though they may be grammatically possible, only one of them can be correct, and as usual, this is a matter of exegesis and context. So let’s throw all of our presuppositions, ideas, and thoughts out the window and look at the text as it is.