Source (159) (aitios from aitéo = ask) describes the relation existing between two or more objects or events, specifically referring to the cause or source, the point at which something begins its course or existence. Aitios means that in which the cause of anything resides. Note that because of this meaning some translations render aitios author. “that in which the cause of anything resides.” Messiah in His death on the Cross is the Source, Author and Cause of our salvation. His death is the Source from which our salvation proceeds. In English source is defined as a spring or fountain head from which a river or stream issues, which is an interesting thought in regard to Jesus and salvation. Aitios was a technical, legal term describing the grounds for an accusation in court or the content of the legal charges brought against someone (thus an accusation, charge, complaint) Luke 23:4 And Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, "I find no guilt in this man...14 and said to them, "You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him...22 And he said to them the third time, "Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; I will therefore punish Him and release Him. Acts 19:40 For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today's affair, since there is no real cause for it; and in this connection we shall be unable to account for this disorderly gathering. Hebrews 5:9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation Jesus is the Source of Eternal Salvation because He is the... Purification ("Purifier") (Hebrews 1:3) Author (Captain, Pioneer, Champion, Leader) (Hebrews 2:10) Propitiation ("Propitiator") (Hebrews 2:17) Anchor (Hebrews 6:19) Forerunner (Hebrews 6:20) Torn Veil (Hebrews 10:20) Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20) Why is He our eternal Source? Because His sacrifice was once for all and thus He abides a Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. And from a practical standpoint eternal salvation is a deliverance which keeps the believer safe both in time and in eternity. In other words "in Christ' (see discussion in Christ and in Christ Jesus) the believer is safe for ever. There are no circumstances that can pluck him from Christ’s hand. Eternal salvation - It is somewhat surprising that there are only three adjectives used in the New Testament to describe our salvation... so great salvation (He 2:3-note) eternal salvation (He 5:9-note) the common salvation (Jude 1:3) Steven Cole... Eternal salvation is contrasted with the temporary nature of the Old Testament sacrifices, which could never make perfect those who offered them (He 10:1, 2, 3, 4). The word translated “the source” (NASB, NIV; “author,” NKJV) of eternal salvation means “the cause.” The cause of our salvation is not that God foresaw that we would believe. The cause of our salvation is that the triune God “chose us in Him before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4). (Hebrews 5:1-10 The Kind of Priest You Need) Praise Him, praise Him—Jesus, our blessèd Redeemer, For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died; He our rock, our hope of eternal salvation, Hail Him, hail Him, Jesus the Crucified. (Praise Him, Praise Him) Eternal (166) (aionios from aion) means perpetual eternal, everlasting, without beginning or end (as of God), that which is always. Eternal is a key word Hebrews: blood of eternal covenant (He 13:20-note). He offered Himself through His eternal spirit (He 9:14-note) and has become the Author/Source of eternal salvation (He 5:9-note). He has obtained eternal redemption (He 9:12-note) and enables men to receive of the eternal inheritance (He 9:15-note; He 13:20-note). Vincent comments that an eternal salvation is... a salvation of which all the conditions, attainments, privileges, and rewards transcend the conditions and limitations of time. Phillip Hughes... In this affirmation, too, the thought of Hebrews 2:10-note is recapitulated, for the description of Christ here as "the source of eternal salvation" corresponds to his designation there as "the pioneer of our salvation." He, and no one else, is the cause of man's redemption: it is from him that it flows to us. His bearing of our imperfection, the punishment of which he endured and exhausted, made available his perfection for the rehabilitation of mankind—with the qualification, however, that the eternal salvation of which he is the source is a reality in the experience only of those who obey him. As Westcott observes, "continuous active obedience is the sign of real faith"; and this applies quite pointedly to the recipients of this letter whose obedience shows signs of wavering. Here again, then, they are being reminded, as previously they have more forcefully been reminded (cf. He 2:3-note; He 3:12, 13-note, He 3:14, 15-note, He 3:16, 17-note, He 3:18, 19-note.; He 4:11-note), that this great salvation belongs only to those who persevere in obedience to Christ. (A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews)