Perfect translates a group of related words which are often used in Hebrews (see especially 2.10; 7.28). Between them they express various elements of meaning which usually cannot be translated by the same word or phrase. It is the translator’s task to decide which element in each context is the most important. The following aspects should be considered: (a) “whole,” especially “wholly faithful to God” (compare Deut 18.13 Good News Translation; Revised Standard Version‘s “blameless” is too negative); (b) “mature,” “adult” (see Heb 5.14); (c) in the Septuagint, the ordination of a priest was often called “filling his hand,” the verb for “fill” being related to perfect. The related Greek noun may suggest either (d) death, (e) the reaching of a goal, or both. Outside the Bible, such words are often used to express (f) reaching the goal of a spiritual journey, or being allowed to learn spiritual mysteries. Although these associations are usually less important in Hebrews, translations such as “having reached the end of his journey” fit the context well and may be appropriate in some languages. In the light of 4.15 (but did not sin), the translator should avoid any suggestion that Jesus’ earlier state, before being made perfect, involved sin.
When he was made perfect: see comments on 2.10. Here Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “after he had reached the goal,” Knox “his full achievement reached,” and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible “led to his own fulfillment.” It is through suffering that Christ became mature and fully qualified as a high priest to deal with people’s sins.
A literal translation of the clause When he was made perfect suggests imperfection in Jesus and therefore some degree of sin or guilt. It may therefore be better to avoid such a rendering. In any case, in some languages the passive construction was made would be difficult to render appropriately. The meaning may be expressed as “When he had accomplished his purpose,” “When he had done all that he was supposed to do,” or “When he had become just what he was supposed to become.”
Eternal before salvation suggests a contrast with rescue from physical death, which was mentioned in verse 7; however, the contrast is not emphasized. Salvation is a word used mainly in church circles and is therefore to be avoided in a common language translation. The corresponding verb “save” may still be part of common language. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “now he can save (rescue) forever all who obey him.”
He became the source of eternal salvation must be considerably restructured in some languages, since source is an expression of cause, and salvation is what people experience. Therefore he became the source of eternal salvation may be rendered as “he became the one who causes people to be saved forever” or “… the one who saves people forever.”
Obey, here as in verse 8, involves listening and responding positively to Christ’s call. As in 2.20, what Jesus does as the unique Son benefits the “many sons” who are joined to him by faith. Those who obey him may be rendered as “those who do what he tells them to do”; this is equivalent to “those who follow him” or “those who are loyal to his commands.”
Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Letter of the Hebrews. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .