“For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.” —Hebrews 2:10
Hebrews 2:10 is one of those verses that can easily slip by if you're not paying attention. It’s a densely packed theological stick of dynamite—exploding with implications about God’s justice, suffering, salvation, and ultimate glory.
In this one sentence, we are invited into the profound mystery of theodicy—the justice of God in the face of evil and suffering. It’s not just a philosophical puzzle—it’s the question that haunts every hospital room, battlefield, funeral, and sleepless night:
“If God is good and all-powerful… why is there so much pain?”
The skeptics paint it in much darker declarations when looking at suffering and evil-
Either He is NOT good or He is NOT God
Hebrews doesn’t give us a simple answer. Instead, it gives us something far better: a Savior who suffers.
What Is Theodicy?
The word theodicy comes from two Greek words: theos (God) and dike (justice). It refers to the attempt to understand how a just and loving God can allow suffering in the world.
Rather than sidestepping the problem, Hebrews 2:10 places suffering right at the center of salvation history—and shows us that God’s justice is not compromised by pain. In fact, His justice is revealed in how He enters it.
“It was fitting…”
The verse opens with a staggering phrase:
“It was fitting…”
Not just necessary. Not just unavoidable.
But fitting—appropriate, right, consistent with the very character of God.
This turns theodicy on its head. We usually ask, “Why would God allow suffering?” But Hebrews says: This is what makes God so beautifully just and good—He doesn’t exempt Himself from suffering. He embraces it.
The God who is “for whom and by whom all things exist” could have redeemed us any way He chose. And yet He chose to suffer—not because He had to, but because love demanded it.
“He, for whom and by whom all things exist…”
Ok- this is what REALLY made this verse jump off the page to me.... The God of salvation IS the God of creation... He just SPOKE and the universe was created -... BOOM- why couldn't He just speak SALVATION?
And I actually had to wrestle with this.....
Let’s remember who we’re talking about.
This is the Creator—the One who spoke the universe into being. Stars, galaxies, time, space, energy—all at His command.
He created everything by a Word.
But He didn’t speak salvation into being.
He became salvation.
The same power that said “Let there be light” could have said “Let them be saved.” But He didn’t. Instead, He entered into time, pain, and death itself.
That takes us deeper into the mystery—and deeper into the heart of God.
And it made me think... this is a REALLY important verse....
“In bringing many sons to glory…”
Now we arrive at the why. This is the destination of redemption.
God is bringing us—not sending us—from brokenness to glory.
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Bringing — implies leadership, presence, guidance. He walks with us, not just ahead of us.
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Many sons — this is family language. Not just a lone hero on a cross, but a whole family being rescued and restored. Right after this we read the word "brother" or "children" 6 times in just 6 verses.
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To glory — this is not just survival or forgiveness. This is full restoration. The radiance of God’s image in us—renewed, healed, and eternal.
You and I are the recipients of this beautiful salvation.
We’re not climbing to glory. We’re being brought.
“Should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.”
Here lies the core mystery.
Jesus is the founder (Greek: archēgos)—the trailblazer, the pioneer, the one who leads the way.
But what does it mean that He was made “perfect through suffering”?
Not that Jesus lacked moral perfection—but that through suffering, He became the fully qualified Savior. He didn’t save us by remaining above the pain. He saved us by stepping into it.
He wept. He was betrayed. He was pierced. He died.
And in doing so, He showed us what love actually means.
Again, just kept reading this small little verse, pondering it, praying and then it just materialized.
Saying “I Love You” — and Proving It
Saying “I love you” is powerful.
But proving that love—especially through pain or sacrifice—is where love becomes real.
In any deep relationship, we know this:
It’s one thing to say the words.
It’s another thing to give your time, energy, even your life for someone else.
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8
He didn’t just say it.
He proved it—with thorns, nails, and blood.
Creation came by a Word.
Salvation came by wounds.
I'm sorry, but if you are rejecting God because you feel any place to judge Him over "theodicy" - you are totally lost in your elite pride.....
Yes- suffering is still a mystery....
It leaves us not with an answer, but with a person.
Jesus doesn’t explain suffering—He enters it.
He walks with us through it.
And ultimately, He leads us out of it.
He is bringing many sons and daughters to glory.
That includes you.
That includes your pain.
That includes every unanswered question and every sleepless night.
And if you are still mad at the God who in your mind even isn't there (kind of strange isn't it?) it is never to late to be 'brought' to glory.... all it takes is a bowed knee and an honest cry.. 'Jesus I need you'... come home today my son.
