Okay, now let me share my take on this.
I believe that, if you look at the context of chapter 5, it speaks of the role, purpose and reasons why there is a human high priest, (vv. 1-2), of the fact that this human high priest is himself not exempt from sin and therefore must offer up sacrifices for his sin as well (v 3), that the high priest is chosen by God for the people (v 4), and even so, Christ, while Himself God, submitted to this sovereign right of God to choose whom He will for the High Priesthood of His people, which choice was pictured in the Old Testament, and made in eternity past (vv 5 and 6, which I quote in these parentheses : So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec).
Continuing, the writer of Hebrews points out that having taken human form, even the eternal Son of God experienced like emotions as normal humans do (think of the Scripture about Elijah being like unto us) and how, though heavily burdened and fearful of the fate that was to befall Him, despite all that He endured, Christ obeyed (and here Philippians 2:6-8 appropriately comes to mind), and given the fact that He is and always was the Eternal Jehovah, who submitted Himself to the will of the great Three in One (some say One in Three. whatever), the salvation He secured for His people is eternal.
Now, why, and what is the reason for the last words of verse 9 ? I quote and highlight the words I am inquiring about:
And being made perfect , he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Is our salvation then conditioned on our obedience to Christ ?
If it is so, then what about those who have not learned of Him ?
Then, if we don't obey, there is no salvation, and obedience is works-based, does it not follow that salvation is indirectly dependent on works of obedience ?
I will welcome all replies.
But let's be respectful of each other.
I want to read your takes, but in fairness to all, you know what my soteriology is, and depending on the way we treat each other here, I will try my best to explain, lovingly, why I believe my soteriology is the correct interpretation, but will not belittle yours.
If we do not remain respectful, then I promise you, I will visit you all in the night whilst you sleep, and thou shalt wake up in the morning with an itchiness on your neck, and two almost indistinghuishable bite marks and thou wilt notice thyself turning pale. (harharharhar).
