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.
For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
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;
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?
For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
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?
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:
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.
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.
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.
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,
Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
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;
And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
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.
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
The book of Hebrews is meticulously crafted to demonstrate the absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ. Chapters 1 and 2 lay the foundation by establishing Jesus's superiority over angels, a crucial point for the original Jewish Christian audience who might have been tempted to revert to older traditions. This chapter not only reinforces Jesus's divine nature but also explores the profound implications of His humanity for our salvation. Hebrews 2 serves as both a warning against neglecting God's grace and an encouragement to embrace the complete and compassionate Savior we have in Jesus.
A Stern Warning Against Drifting (Hebrews 2:1-4)
Hebrews 2:1-4 presents a serious warning against spiritual apathy. The author urges us to "pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it" (Hebrews 2:1). This "drifting" isn't necessarily a dramatic rejection of faith, but a subtle, gradual departure from the truth. Like a boat untethered, we can slowly and imperceptibly move away from the anchor of God's Word.
The consequences of neglecting God's message are significant. If the Old Testament law, delivered through angels, carried weight and consequences for disobedience (Hebrews 2:2), how much more serious is it to disregard the message of salvation brought by God's own Son? The author emphasizes the confirmation of this message through signs, wonders, and gifts of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 2:4), highlighting the undeniable evidence supporting the gospel. There are no good excuses for drifting when God has gone to such lengths to reveal Himself.
Jesus, Humanity, and the Plan of Salvation (Hebrews 2:5-9)
The author turns again to the Old Testament to further illustrate Jesus's position. Quoting Psalm 8, he highlights God's original intention for humanity: to be crowned with glory and honor and to have dominion over creation (Hebrews 2:6-8). However, this dominion was lost through Adam's sin. We do not yet see everything subjected to humanity, but we do see Jesus, "who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone" (Hebrews 2:9).
This passage reveals a crucial aspect of God's plan. Humanity, though constitutionally inferior to angels, was given dominion. When humanity failed, God didn't abandon His plan. Instead, He sent His Son, Jesus, to become human, to experience death, and to reclaim what was lost. Jesus's temporary "lowering" was the very means by which He achieved ultimate victory and was crowned with glory and honor. Even now, though we await the full manifestation of Christ's kingdom, He already reigns in victory.
Jesus, Our Brother and Perfecter (Hebrews 2:10-13)
The author continues to expound upon the purpose of Christ's suffering and the implications for believers. God made "the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering" (Hebrews 2:10) to bring many sons and daughters to glory. Jesus, in His divinity, was already perfect. But as a man, He learned obedience through suffering (Hebrews 5:8-9), demonstrating the path to glorification for His followers.
This suffering is not arbitrary but is a necessary part of God's process of sanctification, conforming us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). We are now part of God's family, brothers and sisters of Jesus. He is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters (Hebrews 2:11-12), proclaiming our names within the family of God.
The Victory Over Death and the Devil (Hebrews 2:14-18)
Because we are human, made of flesh and blood, Jesus also shared in our humanity. This was for two primary reasons. First, to defeat the devil, who held the power of death (Hebrews 2:14). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus disarmed the devil, freeing us from the fear of death that held us captive (Hebrews 2:15). Satan's power is limited to what we allow him. Jesus Christ emptied the chamber of death's gun.
Second, Jesus became human so He could perfectly relate to us. "For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants" (Hebrews 2:16). God's help is offered to us, the children of Abraham, and He became like us in every way to be a merciful and faithful high priest, making atonement for our sins (Hebrews 2:17). Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted (Hebrews 2:18).
Jesus understands our struggles because He experienced them. He knows our pain, our temptations, and our hardships. He is not a distant, detached deity, but a compassionate high priest who can empathize with our weaknesses. This is why He is able to offer genuine comfort, encouragement, and ultimately, deliverance from sin and our circumstances (John 16:33). He is a merciful and faithful high priest. He has truly felt our pain, and he can empathize with us. Moreover, he can deliver us from sin and enable us to overcome our circumstances.
Hebrews 2 provides a powerful reminder of the greatness of our salvation. It is a call to attentiveness, a warning against drifting, and an encouragement to embrace the compassionate and victorious Savior who understands our struggles and offers us hope and deliverance.
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.
For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
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;
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?
For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
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?
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:
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.
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.
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.
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,
Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
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;
And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
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.
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
The book of Hebrews is meticulously crafted to demonstrate the absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ. Chapters 1 and 2 lay the foundation by establishing Jesus's superiority over angels, a crucial point for the original Jewish Christian audience who might have been tempted to revert to older traditions. This chapter not only reinforces Jesus's divine nature but also explores the profound implications of His humanity for our salvation. Hebrews 2 serves as both a warning against neglecting God's grace and an encouragement to embrace the complete and compassionate Savior we have in Jesus.
A Stern Warning Against Drifting (Hebrews 2:1-4)
Hebrews 2:1-4 presents a serious warning against spiritual apathy. The author urges us to "pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it" (Hebrews 2:1). This "drifting" isn't necessarily a dramatic rejection of faith, but a subtle, gradual departure from the truth. Like a boat untethered, we can slowly and imperceptibly move away from the anchor of God's Word.
The consequences of neglecting God's message are significant. If the Old Testament law, delivered through angels, carried weight and consequences for disobedience (Hebrews 2:2), how much more serious is it to disregard the message of salvation brought by God's own Son? The author emphasizes the confirmation of this message through signs, wonders, and gifts of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 2:4), highlighting the undeniable evidence supporting the gospel. There are no good excuses for drifting when God has gone to such lengths to reveal Himself.
Jesus, Humanity, and the Plan of Salvation (Hebrews 2:5-9)
The author turns again to the Old Testament to further illustrate Jesus's position. Quoting Psalm 8, he highlights God's original intention for humanity: to be crowned with glory and honor and to have dominion over creation (Hebrews 2:6-8). However, this dominion was lost through Adam's sin. We do not yet see everything subjected to humanity, but we do see Jesus, "who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone" (Hebrews 2:9).
This passage reveals a crucial aspect of God's plan. Humanity, though constitutionally inferior to angels, was given dominion. When humanity failed, God didn't abandon His plan. Instead, He sent His Son, Jesus, to become human, to experience death, and to reclaim what was lost. Jesus's temporary "lowering" was the very means by which He achieved ultimate victory and was crowned with glory and honor. Even now, though we await the full manifestation of Christ's kingdom, He already reigns in victory.
Jesus, Our Brother and Perfecter (Hebrews 2:10-13)
The author continues to expound upon the purpose of Christ's suffering and the implications for believers. God made "the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering" (Hebrews 2:10) to bring many sons and daughters to glory. Jesus, in His divinity, was already perfect. But as a man, He learned obedience through suffering (Hebrews 5:8-9), demonstrating the path to glorification for His followers.
This suffering is not arbitrary but is a necessary part of God's process of sanctification, conforming us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). We are now part of God's family, brothers and sisters of Jesus. He is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters (Hebrews 2:11-12), proclaiming our names within the family of God.
The Victory Over Death and the Devil (Hebrews 2:14-18)
Because we are human, made of flesh and blood, Jesus also shared in our humanity. This was for two primary reasons. First, to defeat the devil, who held the power of death (Hebrews 2:14). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus disarmed the devil, freeing us from the fear of death that held us captive (Hebrews 2:15). Satan's power is limited to what we allow him. Jesus Christ emptied the chamber of death's gun.
Second, Jesus became human so He could perfectly relate to us. "For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants" (Hebrews 2:16). God's help is offered to us, the children of Abraham, and He became like us in every way to be a merciful and faithful high priest, making atonement for our sins (Hebrews 2:17). Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted (Hebrews 2:18).
Jesus understands our struggles because He experienced them. He knows our pain, our temptations, and our hardships. He is not a distant, detached deity, but a compassionate high priest who can empathize with our weaknesses. This is why He is able to offer genuine comfort, encouragement, and ultimately, deliverance from sin and our circumstances (John 16:33). He is a merciful and faithful high priest. He has truly felt our pain, and he can empathize with us. Moreover, he can deliver us from sin and enable us to overcome our circumstances.
Hebrews 2 provides a powerful reminder of the greatness of our salvation. It is a call to attentiveness, a warning against drifting, and an encouragement to embrace the compassionate and victorious Savior who understands our struggles and offers us hope and deliverance.