Hebrews2

Hebrews 2 begins with a solemn warning to give earnest heed to the great salvation, which was first spoken by the Lord and confirmed by God with signs and wonders, lest one neglect it. It establishes Jesus' superiority over angels, noting that humanity, not angels, is destined for the "world to come," a destiny fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus was made lower than angels to suffer death, thereby destroying the devil's power and becoming a merciful High Priest able to succour the tempted.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

The Danger of Drifting Away

1
Therefore we ought to give the 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 stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; ​
3
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; ​
4
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? ​

The Son Rules the World to Come

5
For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. ​
6
But one in 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 crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
8
Thou hast 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 see not yet 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 honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. ​

Jesus Made Perfect Through Suffering

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 which God hath given me.

The Necessity of the Incarnation

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 them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. ​
16
For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. ​
17
Wherefore in all things it behoved 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 succour them that are tempted. ​

Study Notes for Hebrews 2

Verse 1

The chapter begins with a stern exhortation, building upon the argument in chapter 1 that Christ’s revelation is superior to all previous forms of communication (including angels).

Verse 2

The Law (the 'word spoken by angels,' referring to its traditional transmission at Sinai) brought strict accountability; therefore, the greater message of salvation must bring even greater accountability.

Verse 3

This verse emphasizes the gravity of neglecting salvation, which was initially declared by the Lord himself and then verified by the apostles (them that heard him).

Verse 4

The message of salvation was authenticated by God through visible, powerful confirmations, including 'signs and wonders' and the distribution of spiritual gifts.

Verse 5

The author returns to the theme of Christ's superiority over angels, asserting that the new, perfected creation ('the world to come') is not placed under angelic authority.

Verse 6

The author quotes Psalm 8:4-6 to show God’s original intention for humanity to rule creation. The term 'son of man' here refers generally to humanity.

Verse 8

While scripture states 'all things' are subject to humanity, the author notes that this promise is not yet fully realized in the present age. This sets up the transition to Jesus.

Verse 9

Jesus is the fulfillment of Psalm 8. He experienced the temporary humiliation of death ('made a little lower than the angels') in order to achieve the ultimate destiny of glory for humanity.

Verse 10

God designed that Jesus, the 'captain' (pioneer or author, Gk. *archēgos*) of salvation, should be fully qualified ('perfect') for his role through the experience of suffering and death.

Verse 11

The solidarity between Christ (the sanctifier) and believers (the sanctified) is so complete that he is not ashamed to call them 'brethren,' demonstrating his full identification with humanity.

Verse 12

This quotes Psalm 22:22, which is interpreted here as Christ declaring God’s name among his people, emphasizing his role as the worshipper alongside his brethren.

Verse 14

This explains the necessity of the incarnation: by taking on flesh and blood, Jesus was able to confront death on its own ground and thus 'destroy' (render powerless) the devil, who wielded death.

Verse 15

Christ’s victory over death freed humanity from the paralyzing 'fear of death,' which had previously held people in psychological and spiritual slavery.

Verse 16

The author explicitly states that Christ did not assume the nature of angels, but rather the human nature descending from Abraham. This was necessary for him to serve as a representative High Priest.

Verse 17

The incarnation qualified Jesus to be a 'merciful and faithful high priest.' Having shared human experience, he could effectively make atonement ('reconciliation') for human sin.

Verse 18

Because Christ personally experienced suffering and temptation, he is fully equipped and able to provide aid and support (*succour*) to believers facing similar trials.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options