Hebrews Chapter 2
By
Jim Bomkamp
1. VS 2:1 - “2:1 For this reason we must pay
much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” - We need to pay close attention to what we
have heard
1.1.
This verse should actually be
included in chapter 1 since the previous thought is continued: that since Jesus is superior to angels we
must give more earnest heed to what He says than even what the Old Testament
says.
1.2.
"What we have
heard" refers to the things we have heard from and about Jesus, the
principles of the Christian religion.
All Christians are expected to and commanded to consider deeply and with
utmost regard those things written about Jesus in the scriptures.
1.3.
The phrase
"lest we drift away from it" creates the picture of a mariner
steering a ship headed for harbor, but because of a storm or the tide he
actually ends up drifting past his harbor.
1.3.1. This seems to be the equivalent of the phrase found later in the book
"lest we come short of the rest of God" and turn back to perdition.
The Christian who does not give earnest heed to the things of Christ may fall
away from Christ or be saved but “saved as by fire” at best (see 1 Cor.
3).
1.3.2. The “true Christian” is the one who perseveres unto the end. The author later writes that a true
Christian, "holds fast the beginning of His confidence steadfast unto the
end."
1.3.3. The “true Christian” also does something with the talents (from the
Parable of the Talents) with which he has been invested.
1.4.
We Christians must never be satisfied
with general precepts, but push on to the deepest and meatiest areas concerning
the Christian life.
1.4.1. People in our day are unaccustomed to such mental discipline as that
which is required in carrying this out.
1.4.2. We cannot properly give heed to a command of God until we first
understand exactly what the command is, and unless we give earnest
consideration of the scripture.
1.4.3. Let me ask you if you know what you as a Christian believe and
why?
1.4.3.1. If you do not know the answer to this question then you could come to
be led astray and end up following the precepts of men.
1.4.3.2. In 1 Cor. 3, Paul rebuked the Corinthians for still only being able to
take in the milk of the Word.
1.5.
We Christians cannot rely on
the doctrine of “Eternal Security” as our fire insurance protecting us against
hell. God’s Word says that now that we
are in Christ we are a “new creation and all things are become new,” therefore
if we aren’t walking uprightly (in a state consistent with repentance) with God
then we are revealing that we may not
have ever received salvation into our life.
1.6.
A person may never get to
heaven except by giving earnest heed to His word, otherwise he just may drift
with the currents right past heaven.
1.7.
The Christian who remains
inattentive, ignorant, or unbelieving of the things of God will suffer
shipwreck of faith and eventually either silently abandon or openly renounce
his faith in Christ.
2. VS 2:2 - “2 For if the
word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and
disobedience received a just recompense,” - The word of angels proved unalterable
2.1.
The author here is making a
point recognizing that the Israelites were very proud of their heritage as
Jews.
2.2.
The Israelites knew and were
proud of the fact that God had given them the law through the administration of
angels and that angels had been instrumental in every phase of the Old
Testament revelation.
2.3.
Every sin in Old Testament
times in which a true believer sinned required a sacrifice for atonement. The Israelites during that time who disobeyed
blatantly, refused to admit their sin, and bring a sacrifice for their sins,
were destroyed, consumed with fire, etc.
3. VS 2:3-4 - “3 how
shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first
spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also
bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles
and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.” - The author asks the
rhetorical question of how anyone shall ever escape God’s judgment if he
neglects so great a salvation as that which Jesus has procured for us upon
3.1.
The author tells them that
if God’s only unique Son (far above angels, being divine) has revealed God to
us, we must give the utmost attention to that revelation.
3.2.
The phrase "so great a
salvation" simply refers to the gospel message which brings to us the
means of obtaining salvation through Christ's atonement for our sins.
3.3.
There are many witnesses to this gospel of
Christ.
3.3.1. 1 Cor. 15:1-9 gives a list of the human witnesses of the gospel, “1 Now I make known to you,
brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which
also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the
word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I
delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died
for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried,
and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and
that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He
appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain
until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James,
then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely
born, He appeared to me also. 9 For I am the least of the apostles,
and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the
3.3.2. Here and in the book of Acts (Acts 14:3 for example, “3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with
reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace,
granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.”) we are given another witness to testify to
the gospel, GOD, He bore witness of the gospel by giving the apostles many
signs and wonders to attest to their authenticity (just as Christ performed
many attesting miracles).
3.3.3. Not only did God perform many signs and wonders He also gave the gifts
of the Holy Spirit to the church to attest to the authenticity of the gospel.
3.3.4. In Romans 1:18-20 Paul writes that anyone who does not profess Christ
and then dies is without excuse because the creation itself attests to God's
divine power and godhead, “18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in
unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident
within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the
creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine
nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so
that they are without excuse.”
3.4.
To "neglect" so
great a salvation is in reality the same as not to give earnest heed to it.
3.5.
In our day how shall we
escape if the word spoken by the only begotten Son of God who is superior to
angels is disregarded by us? We must
realize that we too will be more accountable to God since His Son is the one
who has spoken to us.
3.6.
If we who have heard the
gospel of Christ, reject it (having once believed or not at all) we must
realize that we shall suffer greater punishment in the afterlife:
3.6.1. 2 Thess. 1:6-9, “6 For after all it is only just for God to
repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief
to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be
revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing
out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the
gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal
destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.”
3.6.2. Heb. 10:28-31, “28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies
without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How
much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under
foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by
which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For
we know Him who said, “Vengeance is
Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The
Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a terrifying thing to
fall into the hands of the living God.”
4. VS 2:5-8 - “5 For He
did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking.
6 But one has testified somewhere, saying,“What is man, that Thou rememberest
him? Or the son of man, that Thou art concerned about him? 7 “Thou hast made him for a little while lower
than the angels; Thou hast crowned him
with glory and honor, And hast appointed him over the works of Thy hands; 8 Thou hast put all things in subjection
under his feet.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is
not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him.” - Thou has made him for a
little while lower than the angels
4.1.
(QUOTE: Psalm 8:4-6, “4 What is man that
You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? 5 Yet
You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and
majesty! 6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You
have put all things under his feet,”) - The problem of
interpretation with these verses (5-18) concerns the general object to which
they refer.
4.1.1. First of all, note in Heb. 2:7 that the author quoted the Septuigint
(the Greek translation of the Old Testament completed a couple of hundred years
before Christ) and thus the word “angels” is found rather than “God,” which we
read in Psalm 8:5.
4.1.2. The exaltation of Jesus over all creatures and the concept that through
Him Christians as Joint-heirs are to likewise be over all after they are
glorified, is primary to understanding the rest of the second chapter.
4.1.3. Jesus’ condescending and becoming a man, His submitting to suffering and
death and thus obtaining that transcendent dignity and honor, has placed Him
over all creatures of creation.
4.1.4. These verses as written by David in the Psalms were originally intended
by David to refer to mankind and the fact that mankind today as flesh and blood
are lower in stature than angels, but that in the future mankind will be
exalted to rule over angels. However,
the author reveals here that the Holy Spirit had embedded in these verses a
Messianic theme and that they prefigured Jesus in His the humility of His
incarnation as being in a lower stature than angels, however that after His
being raised up from the dead He has now been placed at the right hand of God
and rules as king over all creation.
4.2.
Verse 5 simply says that
angels, those ministering spirits, will not have the world to come subjected to
them, rather the prophets foresaw that it would be subjected to mankind.
4.3.
Verse 6 describes the humble
undeserving condition of man in his fallen state as he to whom the new world
will be subjected.
4.3.1. As was stated, Jesus condescended to be the son of man, in order to
suffer and overcome evil once and for all, and thus He has been lifted up.
4.4.
Verse 7 in the original
language implies that man originally was not lower than angels but was brought
from a higher position to one lower. In
his original state man was on a level with angels. But for a short time, a "little while,”
man shall be in his current humble condition.
4.4.1. Likewise, Jesus left the Throne of Glory to taken on human flesh.
4.5.
Man’s being "lower than
angels" refers to his being made of clay as well as his mortality and
suffering, which are conditions of fallen humanity. However, man's ultimate appointment is to be
over all creatures, crowned with glory and honor.
4.6.
Verse 8 shows the fact that
man, under Christ of course, shall be for eternity over all things. In the world to come even angels are to be
subordinate to man.
4.7.
We do not currently see all
things put under man, but since Christ has upon
4.8.
How can we not praise and
rejoice in God for all that He has promised to give us in our inheritance in
Christ? How can we not be obedient servants
of His, seeing as how He has promised that we shall reign with Him?
5. VS 2:9 - “9 But we do
see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely,
Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by
the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” - Jesus was made for a little
while lower than angels for the suffering of death
5.1.
This verse in the original
language refers to Jesus as originally not being in a state lower than angels,
but condescending to be lower in order to suffer death, the death which we
deserved for the sin we have committed.
Then, as a result of His being perfected through suffering Jesus is
crowned with glory and honor.
5.2.
To taste death simply means
to die, not that Jesus had just a small sample of death.
6. VS 2:10 - “10 For it
was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things,
in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation
through sufferings.” - It was fitting for the Lord in bring many
sons to glory to perfect the author of their salvation through suffer
6.1.
"Him" refers to
God the father.
6.2.
"For whom are all
things" refers to God being the final cause of every event and for
creation itself. All things created
exist for His glory.
6.3.
"Through whom are all
things" refers to God as creator and sustainer of all things material and
immaterial.
6.3.1. All things occur in consequence of His will.
6.3.2. In many other verses Christ is described as being the One for whom are
all things and through whom are all things, which becomes then an evidence of
the divinity of Christ and of the Trinity.
6.4.
Jesus was created perfect
and never sinned, but his work here on earth to be the atoning sacrifice for
man's sin was perfected through His suffering, and thus it was in this way that
Jesus (or His work) was perfected through suffering.
6.5.
Jesus is the
"author" of salvation, our "captain," or our
"leader," and, He is here depicted as such in this area of bearing up
under the hardship and trial of sufferings.
6.6.
The sharing in the
sufferings of Christ mark the highway to glory for the Christian in this
world.
6.7.
Jesus our leader keeps us
safe and secure through His power, grace and faithfulness.
6.8.
The perfecting that comes
through suffering is meekness and gentleness, patience and perfect resignation
to God's will. Though Jesus was holy and
without sin, He was perfected through suffering as we are perfected through
suffering.
6.9.
Throughout all of time there
are "many" sons whom God is bringing to glory, one of every tribe and
nation.
6.10.
In Christ becoming our
faithful high priest who was perfected by suffering, He now can effectively
sympathize with us and minister to us since He has suffered all that we suffer
in this world, and in all His suffering
He was an overcomer. This is mostly what
is involved in His being a faithful high priest.
6.11.
The words, "it became
Him," show the tremendous love and mercy of God toward us by His being
willing to condescend to our level taking on the form of humanity.
6.12.
There are many applications
for our lives as Christians which we can make from Jesus being the “captain” or
“leader” of our salvation:
6.12.1.
Since Jesus our leader has
lead the way, passing through all its difficulties and dangers, He knows and
will show to those who follow Him the way to proceed in victory.
6.12.2.
We who follow Jesus must
yield ourselves wholly to His guidance, walking even as He walked.
6.12.3.
We must realize that Jesus
must take charge of His followers, seeing that all hindrances for having
victory in their walk are removed, and that He has provided for all their
needs.
6.12.4.
Jesus watches over all of us
Christians, even the most feeble, and cares for us. Jesus is responsible for us. Take Him and trust Him as your leader.
6.12.5.
Having a teachable spirit
that is what we need to work on as His followers.
7. VS 2:11-13 - “11 For
both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father;
for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying, “I will
proclaim Thy name to My brethren, In the midst of the congregation I will sing
Thy praise.” 13 And again, “I will put
My trust in Him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children whom God has given
7.1.
(Quotes: Psalm 22:22, “22 I will tell of
Your name to my brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.”
and Isaiah 8:17-18, “17 And I will wait for the Lord who is hiding His face from the
house of Jacob; I will even look eagerly for Him. 18 Behold, I and
the children whom the Lord has
given me are for signs and wonders in
7.2.
Verse 11 says that Jesus and
the redeemed sons of God share human nature and thus are of one race, sons of
God. Therefore, He is not ashamed to
call the redeemed sons of God brethren.
7.3.
It is a wonder to angels and
men that the Sanctifier who "is the brightness of the Father's glory, and
the express image of His person," the Creator and Lord of the universe,
should not be ashamed, even when He became incarnate, to call us guilty,
depraved, self-ruined men and women brethren.
Such kindness will never be fathomed.
We can do nothing but exclaim with the apostle, "Oh the depth of
the love of God."
7.4.
Verse 12, which is a quote
from Psalm 22 seems to refer to Jesus after His atonement proclaiming the true
character of God by His Gospel, accompanied by the effectual working of His
Spirit, to all His brethren that the Father has given Him. As High Priest of the redeemed family of God,
Jesus is seen here leading the worship of us all, offering up our sacrifice of
praise and thanksgiving to His Father and our Father, to His God and our God.
7.4.1. Can you imagine how awesome it will be like in eternity at that time
when Jesus shall lead all of redeemed humanity in worship of God the
Father?
7.5.
Verse 13 reveals that Jesus
is one with us in that He too had to live by faith not by sight when upon
earth.
7.6.
Jesus often spoke of His
people as having been given to Him by His and their Father, see John
6:37,39. Being the children of God we
are His brethren.
8. VS 2:14-18 - “14 Since
then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of
the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of
death, that is, the devil; 15 and might deliver those who through fear of death
were subject to slavery all their lives. 16 For assuredly He does not give help
to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. 17 Therefore, He had
to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and
faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the
sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has
suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.” - Since the children of God
partook of humanity, so Jesus had to also partake of humanity in order that He
might be able to redeem us
8.1.
In Verse 14 the phrase
"flesh and blood" is a common expression for mankind or human
nature.
8.2.
The word
"likewise" seems to suggest that not only did He assume our nature,
but also our condition, consisting of mortality and suffering: The degraded state of our humanity with all
the physical infirmities which are the result of sin (though He Himself never
sinned).
8.3.
Though He was without sin,
He appeared in "the likeness of sinful flesh."
8.4.
The language of the writer
also suggests the idea of the pre-existence of the Deliverer before He became a
man.
8.5.
And, of course the ultimate
purpose of sharing in our human nature was to destroy all of our enemies, all
the power of the enemy. Indeed, the last
enemy, "death," shall one day likewise be destroyed.
8.6.
Verse 15 describes one of
the victories obtained by his conquering the power of the Evil One, Jesus
conquers the fear of death in His people.
8.7.
Verse 16 says that Jesus in
His conquering of the Evil One, gives help (present tense) not to angels since
evil angels (for some reason) are beyond help, but to the seed of Abraham.
8.8.
This "seed of
Abraham" must refer to those who are Abraham's spiritual descendants
"born again" by faith in their redeemer and His redeemer.
8.9.
Verse 17 says that in order
for Him to make propitiation, or full payment, for our sins He had to be made
like us in all things: All aspects of
our human condition (mortality and suffering).
8.9.1. Jesus can be merciful and is faithful because He himself has
experienced all of the trials and suffering which men in their human condition
experience. Poverty, reproach, hunger,
thirst, weariness, pain even to agony, unkind treatment from relations and
friends, temptation in the strict sense of the term (especially from the great
enemy of God and man), and the loss of the blessings arising from close
communion with His Father. These are
some of the ways He suffered and was tried.
8.9.2. One who has experienced something we our experiencing can sympathize in
a unique way.
8.9.3. The mercy of God is beyond comprehension here.
8.10.
Verse 18 says that when we
are tempted He can help us because He was tempted in all ways as are we yet He
also overcame every temptation.
8.11.
It is one thing to
sympathize, another to act as our leader pointing the way to victory over
temptation. Truly we can "do all
things through Him who strengthens us."
8.12.
It is worth noting that the
word "tempt" is the same word as "trial" and only the
context of a passage reveals which word is to be used. There is a trial in every temptation and a
temptation in every trial. Every
temptation or trial Jesus has experienced to the greatest degree, and in doing
so He has been an overcomer.
8.13.
When we Christians are
tempted, we need to realize that we can recklessly and openly talk to Jesus
about all of our temptations, since we know that He truly understands what we
are going through during those times.
8.14.
We Christians need to
realize that Jesus is a merciful and faithful high priest and that if we will
bring our failures and problems to Him He will give us the help we need in
order to get right with God and walk victorious over sin.