Hebrews 5:8-9 interpretation

I’m writing to explain the true meaning of this scripture as a lot of people take this verse out of context to suggest that this is talking about living a righteous lifestyle or doing good works in order to obtain salvation.

Living a holy life is great and this should be the goal of every believers life so that we can have a more intimate relationship with Jesus, however this is not want grants someone eternal life.

Let’s begin

Hebrews 5:8-9

8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

This is saying that through the perfect obedience or one (Jesus Christ). Eternal life can be imputed onto those who believe and trust in him.

The word “obey” in this scripture means to simply believe the gospel, to believe that you are a sinner and that you can do nothing in your power to change it and that the only way you can receive salvation and true freedom is through Jesus death burial and resurrection as a sufficient payment for your sin.

Once you believe this you have already obtained eternal life.

We can see that in numerous passages that obedience, in the context of receiving eternal life is synonyms with belief.


Romans 6:17-18

17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.


The form of doctrine that was presented to these servants was the gospel of Jesus Christ. Once they obeyed from the heart (believed in their hearts) the true gospel. They were set free from sin and were delivered unto righteousness.


Romans 10:16-17

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath BELIEVED our report?

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Again in this verse obedience is the same as belief.

Romans 1:5-6

5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

>From these passages we can clearly see that the obedience required to obtain eternal life is to simply put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, that he died and rose again as atonement for our sins.

We now live a life of obedience NOT to be saved or to maintain our salvation, but BECAUSE we have been saved, we do this out of the love and gratitude that we have for him because of what he did for us on the cross.

We must understand that salvation is not believe jesus plus anything that we’re doing. Some people think that believing the gospel is not enough and that they have to also try their best to live right or to give tithes, obey the Ten Commandments ect...

If anyone adds the gospel it can be very dangerous and in some cases damnable.

God says our good works is as filthy rags

Isaiah 64:6

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.


Jesus paid it all and the only thing that he requires us to do is believe and trust in his finished work.

All the glory goes to God.


God Bless