V. 14, 15.— Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Having shown that Christ and His people were all of one family— that they were represented as His brethren and His children— the Apostle goes on to prove the incarnation of Christ as essential to perfect the unity which was to subsist between them. The children were partakers of flesh and blood, and he, therefore, took part of the same. As the Captain of their salvation it behoved Him to be made perfect through sufferings. As the great High Priest of His people it was of necessity that He should have somewhat to offer. Chap. 8:3. God had declared that He had no pleasure in the burnt-offerings and sacrifices enjoined by the law, Hebrews 10:6; but He prepared a body for the incarnation of Jesus, who came to do His will by offering up Himself. The children whom God had given Him were partakers of flesh and blood, and He also Himself likewise took part of the same, that He might through death destroy Him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Satan had introduced death, and Christ came that He might despoil Him of His usurped dominion; that He might bruise Him under the feet of His people; and by magnifying the law which they had broken and offering a full atonement for their sins, He might deliver them who were all their lifetime subject to bondage, and give them the answer of a good conscience through His resurrection. Men are said to be, through fear of death, all their lifetime subject to bondage. This fear is natural to us. Children from their earliest age show their apprehension of danger. Indeed, since the fall it is necessary to our preservation. Man in innocence had no apprehension of danger; satisfied with favor and full with the blessing of the Lord,— all animals subject to him,— not liable to pain,— what should he fear? But fear, the inseparable companion of guilt, effected a lodgment in the heart of Adam the moment he sinned, which is conveyed to all his posterity. The mind recoils from death; but in the atonement for sin, offered upon the cross, Christ has given His people the victory. They look to the empty grave of Jesus, and there they see the pledge of their resurrection. “This,” says the Apostle, "is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith;” and here he describes the victory of believers over the god of this world — thus are his plans defeated. His success issued in his destruction. Perhaps he imagined that the death of the Son of God secured the permanence of his dominion; but Christ being crucified in weakness, was the means of the utter subversion of his usurped power. Now, Christ's people are enabled to say,— “ It is God that justifieth, who is he that condemneth? it is Christ that died; yea, rather, that is risen again, who also liveth to make intercession for us.” He committed His spirit to God when about to quit His body; and God showed Him the path of life, and set Him as the first of many brethren at His own right-hand, where there are pleasures for evermore. He has received power over all flesh, that He might give eternal life to as many as His Father had given Him; in other words, to all who by faith should enter His family— thus proving themselves vessels of mercy.