Hebrews 2 (NIV)
In this chapter Paul is laying out the doctrine of the previous chapter concerning the excellency of the person of Christ. He expands further on the pre-eminence of Christ above the angels and proceeds to remove the scandal of the cross. Paul asserts the incarnation of Christ taking on the nature of man (Abraham) and gives the reason for his doing so. Salvation.
Warning to Pay Attention
2 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
The lesson of chapter one is applied and Paul urges that they listen and not drift away. The greek phrase for drift away comes from the idea “to slip’, as an arrow slips from a quiver or snow slipping off a cliff. Slipping, or backsliding, usually comes from a slow drifting, not a sudden departure. So with this understanding we see that Paul is not exhorting unbelievers here, rather this letter is written to Christians.
The use of therefore in Hebrews makes us pay attention to the point the book is making. The scriptural fact of Jesus’ superiority over the angels and the life-changing effects of applying this knowledge.
Paul urges that they heed the words of Jesus. To pay attention to, or hear, what He says, as matters of great importance, and diligently recognize all the opportunities therein. To read His word frequently and meditate on them and mix them with faith. They must embrace the words of Jesus in their hearts, retain them and finally change their words and lives according to them.
2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how 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. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
The word spoken through angels describes the Mosaic Law (Acts 7:53). It is the concept that the law was delivered to Moses by the hands of angels (Deuteronomy 33:2, Acts 7:53 and Galatians 3:19). Paul describes The Mosaic Law as steadfast; steadfast meaning promise, truth and faithfulness. The law was steadfast; it would be enforced whether men obeyed it or not. If men disobeyed the law they would receive their just recompense of reward. The law was to be taken seriously. Therefore Paul continues, if the word that came by the angels must be taken seriously, then, in turn, the word that came by the Son of God must be taken even more seriously; as the Son is proven to be greater than the angels. Therefore His message must be regarded as greater. A greater word brought by a greater person would bring greater condemnation should it be disregarded.
“ignore (neglect) so great a salvation”, Paul uses the Greek word for neglect, amelesantes, also used in Matthew 22:5 (made light of). It refers to those who disregard an invitation to the marriage supper, it means to ignore or disregard the opportunity.
Remember that Hebrews is written to believers. The danger here isn’t rejecting salvation, the danger here is neglecting salvation. Hebrews was written as an encouragement and warning to discouraged Christians.
“So great a salvation”, Paul knows that when something is considered great it is naturally adhered to, not neglected. And he knew just how great our salvation was, therefore he exhorted the Hebrew people.
This word spoken by Jesus was confirmed by eyewitnesses (those who heard him) and was confirmed, by God, with signs, wonders, miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, given by God. In saying “was confirmed to us by those who heard Him” Paul is showing that he was not one who physically “heard Him”. Paul had heard the message through apostles and eyewitnesses of Jesus’ ministry. Because Paul clearly set himself on equal level with the apostles and other eyewitnesses of Jesus is why some believe Paul did not write The Book of Hebrews. Paul encourages them that the Gospel was written by men who heard the words of Jesus, first hand, that they were inspired by his Spirit and confirmed by God Himself. That it was the will of God that they have a firm foundation of faith and for receiving the Gospel.
Jesus Made Fully Human
5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But 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?
7
You made them a little[a] lower than the angels;
you crowned them with glory and honor
8
and put everything under their feet.”[b][c]
In putting everything under them,[d] God left nothing that is not subject to them.[e] Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.[f] 9 But 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.
In Chapter one Paul demonstrated, from Scripture the deity of Jesus and His superiority over all angels. In this chapter Paul demonstrates Jesus’ humanity, also from Scripture.
Paul begins by pointing out that it is not the angels that he has subjected the church (the world to come) to, but rather that the church is subject to Christ Himself. God never gave the angels the dominion over the earth, that man originally had (Genesis 1:26-30).
“What is man…” (Psalm 8:4-6) shows the smallness of man in relation to God and the dominion that God gave man, even though man was made a little lower than angels. The psalmist points out that all things were put under the subjection of man. And yet at present not everything is subject to man … But we see Jesus, who was made human for a short time, to redeem man. It is biblical that Jesus is fully God and fully man. That human nature was added to His divine nature and both exist in the person, Jesus Christ.
“But 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.” Paul uses this verse to show Jesus, becoming man to fulfill the promise of salvation. Through Jesus man will regain the dominion God intended for man.
10 In 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. 11 Both 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.[g] 12 He says,
“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the assembly I will sing your praises.”[h]
13 And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”[i]
And again he says,
“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”[j]
Here Paul explains that Jesus became man so that he could redeem us. “For it was fitting …” more than necessary, it was fitting for Jesus to save us at the cost of His own agony. God’s love for us showed through the sacrifice of the man Jesus. God’s sacrifice could only be a sacrifice if humanity was joined with His deity allowing for suffering and sacrifice.
Jesus’ humanity is also shown here when he refers to man ad brothers and sisters. He could not be our brother unless he was also human. Paul points out that Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters and also that Jesus sang praises to His Father among them.
“Here I am, and the children God has given me.” (Isaiah 8:18) Paul uses this verse to prove, absolutely, Jesus’ humanity, for parents and children are of the same nature. And Jesus shows how precious those children are to Him by presenting them to God as His own.
14 Since 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— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them,[k] 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. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Here, again, Paul points out Jesus’ humanity by relating that parents and children are of the same nature, flesh and blood, and points to the cross. Jesus becoming truly man, by taking on human nature in union with his divine nature. Jesus had to take on flesh and blood, entering into a prison of sorts, to save man.
Paul, in this chapter, proves the humanity of Jesus. That He took on flesh and blood to sacrifice for man’s redemption. That He lived as a human, was tempted as a man and died a man, so that all could have salvation.
Footnotes:
a Hebrews 2:7 Or them for a little while
b Hebrews 2:8 Psalm 8:4-6
c Hebrews 2:8 Or 7 You made him a little lower than the angels;/ you crowned him with glory and honor/ 8 and put everything under his feet.”
d Hebrews 2:8 Or him
e Hebrews 2:8 Or him
f Hebrews 2:8 Or him
g Hebrews 2:11 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 12; and in 3:1, 12; 10:19; 13:22.
h Hebrews 2:12 Psalm 22:22
i Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:17
j Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:18
k Hebrews 2:17 Or like his brothers
end of footnotes end of crossrefs
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