Hebrews 2:15

KJV

And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} deliver {G525} them {G5128} who {G3745} through {G1223} fear {G5401} of death {G2288} were {G2258} all {G3956} their lifetime {G2198} subject {G1777} to bondage {G1397}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and thus set free those who had been in bondage all their lives because of their fear of death.

Berean Standard Bible

and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

American Standard Version

and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 2:15 powerfully articulates a profound benefit of Christ's incarnation and atoning work: the liberation of humanity from the pervasive and enslaving fear of death. It reveals that humanity, apart from Christ, is held captive by the dread of mortality, a fear that dictates choices and limits life, leading to a state of spiritual and existential servitude. Through His shared humanity and victorious conquest over death, Jesus delivers those who were held in this lifelong bondage, offering true freedom and hope.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of a significant theological argument in [Hebrews 2](/hebrews/2 "Hebrews 2 - The Son Made Lower Than Angels"). The author has just established Christ's superiority over angels, emphasizing that He was "made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death" ([Hebrews 2:9](/hebrews/2-9 "Hebrews 2:9 - Jesus Crowned with Glory and Honor")). The immediate preceding verse, [Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Victory Over the Devil"), states that Jesus partook of human nature "that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Verse 15 logically follows, explaining the *result* of this destruction: the deliverance of those enslaved by the fear of death. The passage underscores the necessity of Christ's full humanity for Him to serve as a merciful and faithful high priest, able to empathize with and deliver His people ([Hebrews 2:17-18](/hebrews/2-17-18 "Hebrews 2:17-18 - Christ Our Merciful High Priest")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The audience of the book of Hebrews was primarily Jewish Christians facing persecution and temptation to revert to Judaism. In the ancient world, death was a formidable and often terrifying reality, frequently associated with unknown spiritual realms, judgment, and the power of malevolent forces. Many pagan religions and philosophical systems offered little genuine comfort or assurance regarding the afterlife, often promoting fatalism or a bleak view of existence beyond the grave. Even within Judaism, while there was hope in resurrection, the immediate experience of death remained a profound separation and a subject of deep solemnity. The pervasive fear of death could lead to superstitious practices, compromises in faith, or a life lived in constant apprehension. The author of Hebrews offers a radical counter-narrative, presenting Christ as the ultimate conqueror of this universal human dread.
* **Key Themes:** [Hebrews 2:15](/hebrews/2-15 "Hebrews 2:15 - Deliverance from Fear of Death") contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Hebrews and the broader New Testament. Foremost is the theme of **Christ's Redemptive Humanity**, emphasizing that Jesus had to fully share in human experience to accomplish salvation, becoming a sympathetic and effective High Priest ([Hebrews 2:17](/hebrews/2-17 "Hebrews 2:17 - Christ Our Merciful High Priest")). This verse also highlights the **Victory Over Death and the Devil**, asserting that Christ's death was not a defeat but the means by which He disarmed the one who wielded death as a weapon ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Victory Over the Devil")). Consequently, it powerfully presents the theme of **Deliverance and Liberation**, showing that Christ frees humanity from a specific, profound form of "bondage" – the enslavement to the fear of death. This liberation is a central aspect of the New Covenant, offering true freedom in contrast to the limitations of the Old Covenant ([Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6-13 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - The New Covenant")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Deliver (Greek, _apallássō'_):** From G525, meaning "to change away, i.e. release, (reflexively) remove." This word signifies a complete and decisive act of setting free. It implies a transfer from one state or master to another, emphasizing Christ's active role in liberating those held captive. It's not merely a psychological shift but an actual removal from a state of subjection.
* **Fear (Greek, _phóbos'_):** From G5401, meaning "alarm or fright." This is not a healthy reverence but a paralyzing dread or terror. It points to an intense, overwhelming apprehension that can dominate one's existence, making decisions and shaping life choices based on avoiding the ultimate perceived threat.
* **Bondage (Greek, _douleía'_):** From G1397, meaning "slavery (ceremonially or figuratively)." This term denotes a state of servitude, being owned or controlled. It's a powerful metaphor for the human condition without Christ, where the fear of death acts as a master, dictating the terms of life and robbing individuals of true freedom and peace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And deliver them":** This phrase introduces the glorious outcome of Christ's work described in the preceding verse. The "deliverance" (G525, _apallássō_) signifies a complete release, a setting free from a state of captivity. It is an active, purposeful act on the part of Christ, who intervenes to rescue those who are unable to free themselves. The "them" refers to humanity, universally susceptible to the condition described.
* **"who through fear of death":** This clause identifies the specific mechanism and object of humanity's enslavement. The preposition "through" (G1223, _diá_) indicates the channel or means by which this bondage occurs. It is not death itself that holds people captive, but the *fear* (G5401, _phóbos_) of it. This "fear of death" (G2288, _thánatos_) is a primal, existential dread that permeates human consciousness, influencing decisions, shaping worldviews, and often leading to a life lived in apprehension rather than freedom.
* **"were all their lifetime subject":** This part describes the duration and nature of the bondage. "All their lifetime" (G3956, _pâs_ + G2198, _záō_) emphasizes the pervasive and continuous nature of this fear – it is not a temporary affliction but a constant companion from birth to grave for those without Christ. The phrase "subject" (G1777, _énochos_) implies being "liable to" or "guilty of," suggesting a state of being bound or held accountable to something. Here, it refers to being under the dominion of the fear of death.
* **"to bondage":** This final phrase explicitly names the state resulting from the lifelong fear of death. "Bondage" (G1397, _douleía_) signifies slavery or servitude. It paints a picture of humanity as slaves, with the fear of death as their relentless master. This is not merely a psychological discomfort but a profound spiritual and existential enslavement that limits human potential, joy, and peace.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews employs several powerful literary devices to convey the profound truth of [Hebrews 2:15](/hebrews/2-15 "Hebrews 2:15 - Deliverance from Fear of Death"). **Personification** is evident in the portrayal of "fear of death" as an active agent, a master that holds humanity "subject to bondage." This gives the abstract concept of fear a tangible, oppressive power. Closely related is **Symbolism**, where "bondage" (douleía) symbolizes the spiritual and existential slavery that results from this fear. Death itself is implicitly personified as a power or entity whose "sting" (as in [1 Corinthians 15:55](/1_corinthians/15-55 "1 Corinthians 15:55 - Victory Over Death")) holds people captive. The verse also utilizes **Contrast**, setting the state of human enslavement against the liberating power of Christ. The dark reality of lifelong bondage is sharply contrasted with the promise of "deliverance," highlighting the radical transformation offered by Jesus's redemptive work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 2:15 unveils a foundational theological truth: humanity's deepest enslavement is not to political powers or social structures, but to the existential dread of death, which is ultimately tied to the power of sin and the devil. Christ's work, therefore, is not merely about moral improvement or intellectual enlightenment, but a radical act of liberation from this ultimate master. By entering into human experience and conquering death through His own death and resurrection, Jesus disarmed the devil, who wielded death as his primary weapon. This victory means that for those who are "in Christ," the sting of death is removed, and its power to enslave is broken. This theological reality transforms the human condition from one of perpetual dread to one of confident hope and spiritual freedom, enabling believers to live a life no longer dictated by fear but by faith.

* [Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption, Not Fear")
* [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Death Swallowed Up in Victory")
* [John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - The Son Makes You Free")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 2:15 offers profound comfort and a call to radical trust for believers today. In a world still grappling with mortality, loss, and the unknown, this verse reminds us that the ultimate fear has been disarmed. We are no longer compelled to live in apprehension, make choices out of dread, or compromise our faith to avoid the inevitable. Instead, because Christ has conquered death, we are free to live boldly, sacrificially, and joyfully for God's purposes. This freedom empowers us to face life's challenges, including suffering and even our own mortality, with an unshakable hope. It transforms our perspective from one of finite existence to eternal life, enabling us to serve God and love others without the paralyzing grip of fear. This verse encourages us to trust fully in Christ's finished work, allowing His victory to permeate every aspect of our lives, turning anxiety into peace and dread into confident hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might the fear of death, even subtly, still influence my decisions or limit my freedom in Christ?**
* **How does understanding Christ's victory over death empower me to live more boldly for God's purposes today?**
* **What specific anxieties or "bondages" in my life can I surrender to Christ, trusting in His ultimate deliverance from fear?**
* **How can I share the liberating truth of Christ's victory over death with those who are still subject to its fear?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that humanity was "subject to bondage" through the fear of death?**

Answer: The phrase "subject to bondage" (G1777 _énochos_ and G1397 _douleía_) means that humanity was enslaved or held captive by the fear of death. This wasn't merely a psychological discomfort but a deep, existential state of servitude. The fear of death acted as a master, dictating human choices, leading to anxiety, superstition, and a life lived in apprehension. It implies a lack of true freedom and peace, as individuals were constantly under the shadow of their inevitable end, unable to escape this pervasive dread on their own.

**How did Jesus "deliver" people from this fear of death?**

Answer: Jesus delivered people from the fear of death by directly confronting and conquering death itself. As stated in [Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Victory Over the Devil"), He "partook of the same [flesh and blood]" as humanity, and "through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." By dying and rising again, Jesus broke the power of sin, which gives death its sting ([1 Corinthians 15:56](/1_corinthians/15-56 "1 Corinthians 15:56 - The Sting of Death is Sin")), and disarmed the devil, who used death as a tool of oppression. His resurrection is the ultimate proof that death does not have the final word for those who believe in Him, thereby removing the basis for fear.

**Is it wrong to have any fear of death?**

Answer: While the verse speaks of a lifelong, enslaving "fear of death" (G5401 _phóbos_), it's important to distinguish between a natural, healthy respect for the gravity of death and a paralyzing, debilitating dread. A healthy respect for death can lead to wise decisions and a recognition of life's preciousness. However, the fear described in [Hebrews 2:15](/hebrews/2-15 "Hebrews 2:15 - Deliverance from Fear of Death") is one that holds people in "bondage" (G1397 _douleía_), preventing them from living fully and freely. For believers, while the physical process of dying may still be daunting, the ultimate terror and enslaving power of death are removed because our eternal destiny is secure in Christ ([Philippians 1:21](/philippians/1-21 "Philippians 1:21 - To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 2:15 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the divine Son who, out of boundless love, "partook of the same" flesh and blood as humanity ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Victory Over the Devil")), precisely so that He could enter the realm of human mortality and conquer it from within. As the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), Jesus's death was not a defeat but a strategic victory that disarmed the devil, who held the power of death. His resurrection serves as the irrefutable proof that death's sting has been removed ([1 Corinthians 15:55-57](/1_corinthians/15-55-57 "1 Corinthians 15:55-57 - Victory Over Death")). Through His finished work on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Christ has broken the chains of the "lifelong bondage" to the fear of death, offering true freedom and the promise of eternal life to all who believe in Him. He is our life ([Colossians 3:4](/colossians/3-4 "Colossians 3:4 - Christ Our Life")), our resurrection ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")), and our ultimate deliverance from every form of spiritual and existential slavery.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 8:15

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Luke 1:74

That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

Luke 1:75

In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

2 Corinthians 1:10

Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver [us];

Romans 8:21

Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Psalms 55:4

My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.