Hebrews2
New International Version
1We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
2For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,
3how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
4God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
5It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking.
6But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him?
7You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor
8and put everything under their feet.” In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.
9But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
10In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.
11Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.
12He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.”
13And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.”
14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—
15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.
17For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Hebrews 2.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The duty of stedfastly adhering to Christ and his gospel. (1–4). His sufferings are no objection against his pre-eminence. (5–9). The reason of his sufferings, and the fitness of them. (10–13). Christ's taking the nature of man, and not his taking the nature of angels, was necessary to his priestly office. (14–18).
vv1-4
Christ being proved to be superior to the angels, this doctrine is applied. Our minds and memories are like a leaky vessel, they do not, without much care, retain what is poured into them. This proceeds from the corruption of our nature, temptations, worldly cares, and pleasures. Sinning against the gospel is neglect of this great salvation; it is a contempt of the saving grace of God in Christ, making light of it, not caring for it, not regarding either the worth of gospel grace, or the want of it, and our undone state without it. The Lord's judgments under the gospel dispensation are chiefly spiritual, but are on that account the more to be dreaded. Here is an appeal to the consciences of sinners. Even partial neglects will not escape rebukes; they often bring darkness on the souls they do not finally ruin. The setting forth the gospel was continued and confirmed by those who heard Christ, by the evangelists and apostles, who were witnesses of what Jesus Christ began both to do and to teach; and by the gifts of the Holy Ghost, qualified for the work to which they were called. And all this according to God's own will. It was the will of God that we should have sure ground for our faith, and a strong foundation for our hope in receiving the gospel. Let us mind this one thing needful, and attend to the Holy Scriptures, written by those who heard the words of our gracious Lord, and were inspired by his Spirit; then we shall be blessed with the good part that cannot be taken away.
vv5-9
Neither the state in which the church is at present, nor its more completely restored state, when the prince of this world shall be cast out, and the kingdoms of the earth become the kingdom of Christ, is left to the government of the angels: Christ will take to him his great power, and will reign. And what is the moving cause of all the kindness God shows to men in giving Christ for them and to them? it is the grace of God. As a reward of Christ's humiliation in suffering death, he has unlimited dominion over all things; thus this ancient scripture was fulfilled in him. Thus God has done wonderful things for us in creation and providence, but for these we have made the basest returns.
vv10-13
Whatever the proud, carnal, and unbelieving may imagine or object, the spiritual mind will see peculiar glory in the cross of Christ, and be satisfied that it became Him, who in all things displays his own perfections in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. His way to the crown was by the cross, and so must that of his people be. Christ sanctifies; he has purchased and sent the sanctifying Spirit: the Spirit sanctifies as the Spirit of Christ. True believers are sanctified, endowed with holy principles and powers, set apart to high and holy uses and purposes. Christ and believers are all of one heavenly Father, who is God. They are brought into relation with Christ. But the words, his not being ashamed to call them brethren, express the high superiority of Christ to the human nature. This is shown from three texts of Scripture. See Ps 22:22; 18:2; Isa 8:18.
Key Words
ἡμᾶς (hēmâs): us
δεῖ (deî): also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)
περισσοτέρως (perissotérōs): more superabundantly
προσέχω (proséchō): (figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e. pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to
ἀκούω (akoúō): to hear (in various senses)
μήποτε (mḗpote): not ever; also if (or lest) ever (or perhaps)
παραῤῥυέω (pararrhyéō): to flow by, i.e. (figuratively) carelessly pass (miss)
γάρ (gár): properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
εἰ (ei): if, whether, that, etc.
λόγος (lógos): something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ)
Cross References
Hebrews 2Directly quoted to demonstrate Christ's temporary humiliation below angels and subsequent universal exaltation.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Directly quoted to show Christ's identification with believers, calling them His 'brethren' in praise.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Directly quoted to show the Messiah presenting Himself and His spiritual children together before God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Confirms the New Testament teaching that the Mosaic Law was ordained and spoken through angels.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the description of the old covenant law being received by the disposition of angels.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Quoted to illustrate the Messiah's genuine human dependence and trust in God the Father.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Elaborates on Christ's ability to sympathize and succor because He was tempted in all points.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Expresses the same corporate solidarity where Christ is the firstborn among many brethren.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The foundational prophecy of Christ destroying the power of the devil through His suffering.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Corroborates Christ abolishing the power of death and bringing immortality to light through the Gospel.
Supported by JFB