Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 2:18

"For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted." — Hebrews 2:18 (ASV)

For.—The necessity of being in all things made like to His brethren has been shown from the nature of the case; it is now illustrated from the result. The “brethren” and the “people” of Hebrews 2:17 are here “the tempted.”

Through the temptations arose the sins of the people for which He makes propitiation. In His having been tempted lies His special ability to help the tempted: by His sympathy, by His knowledge of the help that is needed, by the position of High Priest which He has gained through suffering.

It is difficult to decide between two translations of the opening words of the verse:

1. “In that He Himself,”
2. “Wherein He Himself has suffered being tempted.”

The first option is simpler, but perhaps less natural as a rendering of the Greek. The second option may indeed at first seem to set a bound to our Lord’s ability to help, but with the recollection of the infinitude of His life , all such limitation disappears.