
Hebrews 2
Hebrews 2 provides a profound exploration of the superiority of Christ's salvation and a stern warning against neglecting such a great salvation. This chapter emphasizes Christ's humanity, His suffering, and His role in defeating death and the devil, highlighting His compassion and qualifications as a high priest who is both approachable and understanding of human weaknesses.
Hebrews 2:1-4 (NKJV)
1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.
2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just 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 to us by those who heard Him,
4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
These verses provide a warning against neglecting the teachings of Christ, contrasting the reliability and consequences of the law given through angels with the superior salvation offered through Christ. The author emphasizes the importance of paying attention to what has been heard about Jesus to prevent spiritual drift. The warning is underscored by the consequences of ignoring this great salvation, which was attested by Jesus, His followers, and God through miracles and the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 2:5-8 (NKJV)
5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.
6 But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him?
7 You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands.
8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.
These verses discusse the role and status of humanity in relation to angels, referencing Psalm 8 to highlight human dignity and destiny. The passage emphasizes that God did not subject the world to come to angels, but to humanity, reflecting God’s care and honor for mankind. It describes humanity as being made “a little lower than the angels” in nature, yet crowned with glory and honor and given dominion over creation. This points to Christ, who, as both fully God and fully human in nature, perfectly fulfills this role. While all things are destined to be subject to Christ, the full realization of this subjection is not yet visible. This underscores the tension between the present reality and the future fulfillment of God’s plan.
Hebrews 2:9 (NKJV)
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, might taste death for everyone.
This verse shifts focus to Jesus, who temporarily became lower than angels to suffer death on behalf of humanity. Through His suffering, Jesus achieved glory and honor, fulfilling God's grace by tasting death for everyone. This demonstrates His unique role in salvation and His solidarity with human beings.
Hebrews 2:10-13 (NKJV)
10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12 saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”
13 And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”
These verses emphasize the appropriateness of Christ's sufferings in God's plan, portraying Jesus as the captain of salvation perfected through sufferings. The unity between Christ and believers is highlighted, showing that Christ considers them brethren and not just followers. This familial relationship is further illustrated through quotations from the Old Testament, underscoring Jesus' identification with humanity and His trust in God.
Hebrews 2:14-18 (NKJV)
14 Inasmuch as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.
17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
These closing verses of the chapter detail the purpose of Christ's incarnation and death: to defeat the devil, who had the power of death, and to free humanity from the fear of death. Christ's solidarity with humans, rather than angels, establishes His role as a compassionate and faithful high priest, capable of empathizing with human weaknesses and effectively interceding for human sins. This profound connection enables Christ to provide aid to those who are tempted, reinforcing His ongoing support and advocacy for humanity.