Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 5:9

"and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;" — Hebrews 5:9 (ASV)

Here we must make a similar comment about Jesus’ being “made perfect.” This does not mean that he was imperfect and that out of his imperfection he became perfect. There is a perfection that results from having actually suffered; it is different from the perfection that is ready to suffer. “He became” indicates a change of relationship that follows the perfecting. The suffering that led to the perfecting did something—Jesus became “the source of eternal salvation.” “Eternal” (GK 173) means “pertaining to an age.” Normally the word refers to the age to come and so means “without end,” though it can also be used of what is without beginning or end (9:14) or simply of what is without beginning (Romans 16:25). It is used of what does not end in connection with redemption (Hebrews 9:12), covenant (13:20), judgment (6:2), and inheritance (9:15). Jesus will bring people a salvation that is eternal in its scope and efficacy, a salvation that brings them into the life of the world to come. It is a nice touch that he who learned to obey brought salvation to those who obey.