Hebrews Chapter 2
1 Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away.
2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty,
3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation-which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard,
4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?
5 For he didn't subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels.
6 But one has somewhere testified, saying, "What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him?
7 You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honour.
8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don't see all things subjected to him, yet.
9 But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone.
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11 For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers,
12 saying, "I will declare your name to my brothers. Amongst the congregation I will sing your praise."
13 Again, "I will put my trust in him." Again, "Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me."
14 Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
15 and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For most certainly, he doesn't give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham.
17 Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
Footnotes
- Verse 7
- Textus Receptus adds "and set him over the works of your hands"
- Verse 8
- Psalm 8:4-6
- Verse 11 (Brothers)
- The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
- Verse 12
- Psalm 22:22
- Verse 13
- Isaiah 8:18
- Verse 16 (offspring)
- or, seed
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Hebrews Chapter 2 Guide
Here we have the first of a series of warnings uttered in connection with the arguments. If the ministrations of angels had been of so steadfast a character, how much more the speech of the Son. The danger against which this section utters its warning is drifting away from this final speech. The inevitable answer to the question, "How shall we escape?" is that seeing that the Son has made the way of deliverance for those who have broken the law administered by angels, there is no hope of escape for those who refuse to hear and obey Him.
Continuing the argument concerning the superiority of the Son to the angels, the writer declares that for a period the Son had been made lower than the angels. Through this humiliation, and the victory wrought therein, He passed back to the place of sovereignty, into which He brings man, to whose level He had passed in becoming lower than the angels. Thus He is seen occupying the position of authority as the result of that descent wherein He took human form. Three quotations are given which prove His identification with men, even to the point of calling them brethren. Thus He has taken His seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, resuming His original position of supremacy, with the added right accruing from His humiliation and victory. He had passed angels in His great descent. He had passed them again in His glorious ascent. Thus the superiority of the Son to the angels is supremely established.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Hebrews Chapter 2 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The duty of stedfastly adhering to Christ and his gospel. -- (1-4)
- His sufferings are no objection against his pre-eminence. -- (5-9)
- The reason of his sufferings, and the fitness of them. -- (10-13)
- Christ's taking the nature of man, and not his taking the nature of angels, was necessary to his priestly office. -- (14-18)
Verses 1-4
Christ being proved to be superior to the angels, this doctrine is applied. Our minds and memories are like a leaky vessel, they do not, without much care, retain what is poured into them. This proceeds from the corruption of our nature, temptations, worldly cares, and pleasures. Sinning against the gospel is neglect of this great salvation; it is a contempt of the saving grace of God in Christ, making light of it, not caring for it, not regarding either the worth of gospel grace, or the want of it, and our undone state without it. The Lord's judgments under the gospel dispensation are chiefly spiritual, but are on that account the more to be dreaded. Here is an appeal to the consciences of sinners. Even partial neglects will not escape rebukes; they often bring darkness on the souls they do not finally ruin. The setting forth the gospel was continued and confirmed by those who heard Christ, by the evangelists and apostles, who were witnesses of what Jesus Christ began both to do and to teach; and by the gifts of the Holy Ghost, qualified for the work to which they were called. And all this according to God's own will. It was the will of God that we should have sure ground for our faith, and a strong foundation for our hope in receiving the gospel. Let us mind this one thing needful, and attend to the Holy Scriptures, written by those who heard the words of our gracious Lord, and were inspired by his Spirit; then we shall be blessed with the good part that cannot be taken away.
Verses 5-9
Neither the state in which the church is at present, nor its more completely restored state, when the prince of this world shall be cast out, and the kingdoms of the earth become the kingdom of Christ, is left to the government of the angels: Christ will take to him his great power, and will reign. And what is the moving cause of all the kindness God shows to men in giving Christ for them and to them? it is the grace of God. As a reward of Christ's humiliation in suffering death, he has unlimited dominion over all things; thus this ancient scripture was fulfilled in him. Thus God has done wonderful things for us in creation and providence, but for these we have made the basest returns.
Verses 10-13
Whatever the proud, carnal, and unbelieving may imagine or object, the spiritual mind will see peculiar glory in the cross of Christ, and be satisfied that it became Him, who in all things displays his own perfections in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. His way to the crown was by the cross, and so must that of his people be. Christ sanctifies; he has purchased and sent the sanctifying Spirit: the Spirit sanctifies as the Spirit of Christ. True believers are sanctified, endowed with holy principles and powers, set apart to high and holy uses and purposes. Christ and believers are all of one heavenly Father, who is God. They are brought into relation with Christ. But the words, his not being ashamed to call them brethren, express the high superiority of Christ to the human nature. This is shown from three texts of Scripture. See Ps 22:22; 18:2; Isa 8:18.
Verses 14-18
The angels fell, and remained without hope or help. Christ never designed to be the Saviour of the fallen angels, therefore he did not take their nature; and the nature of angels could not be an atoning sacrifice for the sin of man. Here is a price paid, enough for all, and suitable to all, for it was in our nature. Here the wonderful love of God appeared, that, when Christ knew what he must suffer in our nature, and how he must die in it, yet he readily took it upon him. And this atonement made way for his people's deliverance from Satan's bondage, and for the pardon of their sins through faith. Let those who dread death, and strive to get the better of their terrors, no longer attempt to outbrave or to stifle them, no longer grow careless or wicked through despair. Let them not expect help from the world, or human devices; but let them seek pardon, peace, grace, and a lively hope of heaven, by faith in Him who died and rose again, that thus they may rise above the fear of death. The remembrance of his own sorrows and temptations, makes Christ mindful of the trials of his people, and ready to help them. He is ready and willing to succour those who are tempted, and seek him. He became man, and was tempted, that he might be every way qualified to succour his people, seeing that he had passed through the same temptations himself, but continued perfectly free from sin. Then let not the afflicted and tempted despond, or give place to Satan, as if temptations made it wrong for them to come to the Lord in prayer. Not soul ever perished under temptation, that cried unto the Lord from real alarm at its danger, with faith and expectation of relief. This is our duty upon our first being surprised by temptations, and would stop their progress, which is our wisdom.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.