Hebrews 5:7-10 (WEB) He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, [8] though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. [9] Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation, [10] named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
V7 “He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear…” Jesus had flesh, just like ours except without sin. While on earth he prayed. This is an example of godly prayer that all must do. Prayers is a general term for talking to God. Petitions are presentations of various requests in prayer for ourselves or others. His prayers were so intense that He shed tears. He prayed to God His father for deliverance. He did not seek other sources of assistance, which is another principle for us. Godly fear is a fear of disappointing God and found not doing God’s will (Proverbs 28:14 and Matthew 26:37-39). Jesus, despite His desires, prayed for God’s will to be done. We learn: 1) we must pray, 2) we seek deliverance by praying and seeking God’s wisdom first, 3) we accept God’s will to be done.
V8 “…though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered.” Jesus, God’s Son, did not have to learn anything. Jesus, the Son of Man, had to learn everything just like any human. He had to learn to walk, potty train, talk, read, write, study the Law, and learn a trade. The greatest lessons He had to learn was from testing His faithfulness. It is easier to obey when all is calm and peaceful, but when the afflictions begin, then we learn. For His whole ministry was complete with verbal abuse, physical abuse, spiritual abuse, etc. from telling the truth to temptation and rejection. It seems strange that suffering teaches us about obedience. The reason is this. Will we remain faithful in difficulties? If so, it builds loyalty and tenacity to God and His ways. The lesson for us is to remain faithful in horrible difficulties. The Holy Spirit gives us the grace and strength we need (Zechariah 4:6). Compare Isaiah 50:5-6, Philippians 2:8, and John 4:34.
“W Griffith Thomas has rightly said ‘This is the difference between innocency and virtue. Innocency is life untested, while virtue is innocency tested and triumphant’.”
Vincent writes: “Omit he, since the subject of ἔμαθεν learned is ὃς who, Hebrews 5:7. Jesus did not have to learn to obey, see John 8:29; 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 practice.” This is no more strange than his growth in wisdom, Luke 2:52. Growth in experience was an essential part of his humanity.”
V9 “Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation…” The Greek word for “perfect” is (G5048) τελειόω teleióō, which what was intended has been fully met, complete without flaw. His suffering had a purpose. The sufferings we experience are the opportunity for loyalty, tenacity, and proof of completion. See Hebrews 11:17-19.
V10 “…named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.” Having successfully completed all that the Father wished, He was honored more than any other human. He sits at the right hand of His Father in heaven, He is the eternal High Priest, He is Lord of the Church, He is the chief bishop, He is the King of all kings and Lord of all lords and will be ruling the universe from Jerusalem.