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| Chapter 2 |
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1 ¶ Therefore we ought to give even more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders and with divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? 5 ¶ For it was not unto angels that He put in subjection the world to come, of which we speak. 6 But one at a certain place testified, saying, "What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that Thou visitest him? 7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crowned him with glory and honor and set him over the works of Thy hands. 8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet." For in putting all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now as yet we see not all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10 ¶ For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of One, for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying, "I will declare Thy name unto My brethren; in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee." 13 And again, "I will put My trust in Him." And again, "Behold I and the children whom God hath given Me." 14 ¶ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same, that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death--that is, the devil-- 15 and deliver those who all their lifetime were subject to bondage through fear of death. 16 For verily He took not on Himself the nature of angels, but He took on Him the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself hath suffered, being tempted, He is able to succor those who are tempted. |
A Warning. See also Heb 3:7-19; Heb 5:11-6:8; Heb 10:26-31; Col 1:21-23; 2 Peter 2:20-22. v1-4 The danger of moving away from Christ. v1 The chapter opens with "Therefore" showing that the following passage is connected to the previous chapter. Because we have just been told the superiority of Jesus then the reader must "give even more earnest heed," take even more notice of the coming facts spoken by the Lord. The letter to the Hebrews was written to Jews who were under pressure from trials and were turning away from the truth of the Gospel. Heb 5:11,12. v2 The writer is talking about the Mosaic Law, under it every wrong doing, disobedience or actually breaking the law received its just punishment. v3,4 The author places himself in the same position by using "we" and gives a question for all "how shall we escape " if we chose to ignore the offer of salvation. Note that a day of judgement was indicated (point out or show). God was the author of this new law, the gospel, which offers salvation not condemnation (punished as by the law). This Gospel came not through angels but by His own Son. This message was also confirmed by God also acting as a witness by allowing signs (confirmed the words preached), wonders (unusual events), many miracles (proving that divine powers were involved) and finally the gifts given through the Holy Spirit. These were given by divine pleasure and not by human choice. 1 Cor 12:1-12. These are not the same as signs, wonders etc as the gifts included gifts of prophecy, wisdom, knowledge and ability to recognize wrong and right spirits. The birth, suffering and death of The Son of God v5-13. Many were thinking that Jesus was just a man who had suffered and died and was therefore inferior (lower) than angels. Angels were between God and man, how then could Jesus, a man, be a mediator (a go between in an argument). Jesus is the author of our Salvation, Heb 2:10-18. v5 The complete and ultimate Man, (Heb 2:5-9). Heb 1:13,14 God has ordered that the angels are to serve the heirs of salvation and not be rulers of the future world. Man has a glorious future. God’s children should be constantly in hope of that coming time. v6 Psalm 8:4. v7,8 By God’s divine purpose Man started out a little lower than the angels, but God’s final purpose is to give him glory and position over everything, including the angels. v9 This is all in the future but right now we can see Jesus, the God Man, who is now crowned with glory because He was made a little lower than the angels, humbled to become a servant, and so allow the Plan of Salvation through His death. Phil 2:6-11. Jesus is the author of our Salvation, (Heb 2:10-18). v10 To the Jew the cross was a problem and to the Gentile just foolishness, but it really was a wonderful act of God. By His eternal nature He has allowed a way back to Him for sinful man, He has provided a saviour, by going through this suffering He has allowed man to come into his true glory. Rom 3:23-26; Rom 8:8-11; Rom 8:29,30. v11 Jesus the Son of God is the "Captain of their salvation" and through His actions has sanctified (made holy) the sons of God who have been brought to glory. Heb 10:10; Rom 5:1,2; Eph 2:8,18 Even though Jesus is higher He is please to call them brothers and be one with Him. v12,13 Three Old Testament verses are used to prove that Christ is not ashamed to call those He has sanctified "My brothers." Psalm 22:22, a Psalm which is closely connected with the passion of Jesus. The second quotation is from Isaiah 8:18. The prophet and Christ have full trust in their God. Christ’s suffering makes no difference to superiority v14-18 v14,15 The children are human, made of flesh and blood, Jesus also willingly became human so that He could be the Saviour of Man. The writer now links two actions with this act of sacrifice for Man, that the act will destroy the Devil, and remove the power of death because of the Devil making man sin from the beginning. The writer does not say that this has removed death, only that His death has removed the power of death, separation from God, natural death still exists 1 Cor 15:55-57. v15,16 The reason for all this was to save Man from the power of sin, not anyone else so Christ did not take on the nature, form of an angel but the nature of mankind, a human nature with all the problems of the "seed of Abraham" Though this appears to only apply to those who were of the direct family of Abraham, it also applies to those who by faith have taken the offer of salvation Gal 3:7,9,29. v17,18 To do all this He became a man, taking on human flesh so that He could become their High Priest, made the required sacrifice for sin and make it possible for people to come back into the presence of God. As part of taking human form He also had to be exposed to all the bad things man is exposed to, suffering and temptation. Having been through all that man can experience He, as High Priest knows how to help those in difficulty. |
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