For in that he himself hath suffered being
tempted
By Satan, at his entrance on his public ministry, and a little
before his death; which was done, not by stirring up sin in him,
for he had none, nor by putting any into him, which could not be
done, nor could Satan get any advantage over him; he solicited
him one thing and another, but in vain; though these temptations
were very troublesome, and disagreeable, and abhorrent to the
pure and holy nature of Christ, and so must be reckoned among his
sufferings, or things by which he suffered: and as afflictions
are sometimes called temptations, in this sense also Christ
suffered, being tempted, with outward poverty and meanness, with
slight and neglect from his own relations, and with a general
contempt and reproach among men: he was often tempted by the Jews
with ensnaring questions; he was deserted by his followers, by
his own disciples, yea, by his God and Father; all which were
great trials to him, and must be accounted as sufferings: and he
also endured great pains of body, and anguish of mind, and at
last death itself. And so
he is able to succour them that are tempted;
as all the saints, more or less, are, both with Satan's
temptations, and with afflictions in the world, which God suffers
to befall them, on various accounts; partly on his own account,
to show his grace, power, and faithfulness in supporting under
them, and in delivering out of them; and partly on his Son's
account, that they might be like unto him, and he may have an
opportunity of succouring them, and sympathizing with them; and
also on their own account, to humble them, to try their faith, to
excite them to prayer and watchfulness, and to keep them
dependent on the power and grace of God: and these Christ
succours, by having and showing a fellow feeling with them; by
praying for them; by supporting them under temptations; by
rebuking the tempter, and delivering out of them: and all this he
is able to do; he must be able to succour them as he is God; and
his conquering Satan is a convincing evidence to the saints of
his ability; but here it intends his qualification, and fitness,
and readiness to help in such circumstances, from the experience
he himself has had of these things.