Hebrews 2

Appeal to remain faithful to the truth 1
Neglect means eternal loss 3
Christ was made lower than angels in taking on humanity 5
He tasted death for all and will have all things under His feet 8
Christ is qualified by suffering to identify with us 10
Victory over Satan for us 14
He is a faithful high priest accepting us as brothers and sisters 17
Text
Comments
.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.
  1 - Therefore ... more earnest In chapter 1 we see angels as ministering spirits but Christ is better.
  2 - Spoken by angels The Lord has used angels to speak for Him he0107.
.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;
 3 What will come on us, if we do not give our minds to such a great salvation? a salvation of which our fathers first had knowledge through the words of the Lord, and which was made certain to us by those to whom his words came; (BBE)
 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?
  3 - Spoken by the Lord In contrast to "angels" in v2. Compare he0101
.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:
  6 - What is man? Quoting ps00804-6 from the Septuagint (Translation into Greek).
.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.
  8 - All things ... under his feet He had "all power," mt2818. But all is "not yet" under Him because not until He returns in the clouds or or at the end of the thousand years will He assume full power. See note on re1201, also re1117.
  9 - Lower than the angels But we learned that He was better he0104. He took a lower status to take our place in tasting death as seen in the present verse. Also ph0205.
.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.
 10  For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering. (RSV)
  10 - Became him Christ worked in willing subjection to the Father who willed that things exist. 1co0806, ro1136.
  10 - To make their captain ... perfect Was He at first an imperfect sinner? "Perfect" is from teleioo which also means "to be complete." He had to fully accept the consequences of our sinful nature in life as well as in death to remove all doubt that we could become complete and saved by His grace. We cannot fully understand how He could physically be the perfect sacrifice ex1205, 1pe0119 and fulfill this needed experience. Compare he0801.
.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.
  11 - He that sanctifieth This is Christ he1010, 1co0102. Those who have accepted God's work in them – who are committed to loyalty – have the same type of human nature as Christ has.
  11 - Those who are sanctified Christ was their brother made like the born-again Christian ro0622, Compare he1014. See on mt0548. A few verses down they are called "holy brothers." he0301. Of course He was thinking of both men and women. Jesus explained his relationship to us while on the way to Gethsemane jn1723. After Judas left, He called His disciples "friends" jn1514. What a privilege we may have in closeness to our Lord as we make a total commitment to Him! Obedience is simply the way of happiness.
.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.
 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. (NKJV).

   14 - Flesh and blood ... destroy Here is why Christ's death opened the way for our salvation. Christ was victorious over Satan who had claimed that obedience was impossible for fallen humans. Christ could bring them sanctification (make them holy) and help them remain holy. In forgiving our sins, He took the responsibility of our guilt on Himself. He then died as our substitute. And Satan's argument was lost. Praise God! Praise His holy name! Our sincere choice of Christ gives Him more freedom to help us without being misunderstood.
  15 - Deliver ... fear ... bondage Masses of the earth's population live in fear of what will happen to them after death because of unbiblical concepts. Some worry about reincarnation. Some worry about purgatory. Many believe in unending torture. Some worry that they have not sacrificed to all the right gods. Christ's victory over Satan is good news. By trusting Christ and following His pattern we may enjoy the world to come.
  16 - Seed of Abraham Indeed He assists us who are the spiritual seed of Abraham as seen in the NKJV  translation above and clarified in the notes above. Giving us aid does not mean ignoring our sin ez3313. It means power as we pray and the Holy Spirit provides wisdom for us and urges those who hear us to listen.
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.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.
 3:1 ¶ Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
   17 - Made like his brethren Some take this to mean that He had a sinful nature or even that He was sinful! The "brethren" were "sanctified" or made holy v11. They are those who are born again. In the first verse of the next chapter we see that they are "holy brethren." Of course the word, brethren, is generic applying to both men and women. The term for "brothers" (brethren) is used 217 times in the NT, all meaning members of the same covenant and not blood brothers.
   The explanation continues into the next chapter.
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