Question 16

Why must he be very man, and also perfectly righteous?

Because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which has sinned, should likewise make satisfaction for sin;⁴⁶⁴⁶    Ezek. 18:4, 20; Rom. 5:12, 15, 18; 1 Cor. 15:21; Heb. 2:14–16; 1 Pet. 3:18; Isa. 53:3–5, 10, 11. and one, who is himself a sinner, cannot satisfy for others.⁴⁷⁴⁷    Heb. 7:26, 27; Ps. 49:7, 8; 1 Pet. 3:18.