CHAPTER TWO

OVERVIEW:

Commentary on Hebrews, by John Gill

this chapter the apostle, from the superior excellency of Christ, by whom the Gospel revelation is come, discoursed of in the preceding, urges the believers he writes to, to a more diligent attention to the Gospel, and the doctrines of it; to which he adds another motive inducing thereunto, lest those things should be let slip, and be lost (v. 1), and then, by another argument from the less to the greater, that if the law, which was given by angels, could not be broke with impunity, then how should such escape divine punishment that neglected and despised the Gospel, which is the doctrine of salvation, was delivered by the Lord himself, and confirmed by various testimonies and miracles (vv. 2, 3, 4).

And besides the Gospel dispensation is not put into the hands of angels, but into the hands of Christ, to whom all things are subject, which is proved out of Psalm 8:4,5,6, and which proof shows that though Christ, on account of his sufferings and death, was for a while crowned with glory and honor, he is above them, and they are subject to him, since all things are (vv. 5-9). And this anticipates an objection that might be taken from hence against what the apostle had asserted in the foregoing chapter, concerning the superiority of Christ to angels; and this leads him to observe the reason of the sufferings and death of Christ, and also of his incarnation; that the moving cause of Christ’s sufferings and death was the grace and good will of God; that he did not suffer for himself, but for others, for every one of those described in the context; that inasmuch as he was the surety of those persons, it was agreeable to the justice of God, and it could not be otherwise, but he must be made perfect through suffering; and this was the way to bring many sons to glory (vv. 9, 10).

As for his incarnation, or his becoming a man, that was necessary, that the sanctifier and the sanctified might be of the same nature, that he might be able to call them brethren and children (vv. 11,12,13), as he does, for which are cited Psalm 22:22 and 18:2. Isaiah 8:18 and because the children he engaged to bring to glory were partakers of flesh and blood; and also that he might be capable of dying, and by dying destroy the devil, and deliver his timorous people, who, through fear of death, lived in a continual state of bondage (vv. 14,15), for which reason he did not take upon him the nature of angels, but of the seed of Abraham (v. 16).

And besides, it was necessary he should be merciful to them, and faithful to God, and be in a state and condition capable of sympathizing with them, and succcouring them under their temptations, which he was able to do by suffering through temptation himself (vv. 17,18).

Hebrews 2:1‑18

INTRODUCTION: Hebrews 2:1-4

The “author” of Hebrews was concerned about the spiritual well-being of his initial recipients. They were fellow Jews who had become Christians and his concern was that they not drift back into Judaism. As a result of this concern, he deals with the problem in two ways.

1.      By emphasizing the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant.

2.      By a series of exhortations for them to remain steadfast.

As review, Chapter 1 showed the superiority of Christ to the prophets (Heb. 1:1-3) and the superiority of Christ to the angels (Heb. 1:4-14).

Now we come to the first of several exhortations (Heb. 2:1-4) in which we find a warning about the danger of “drifting.” The figure that the “writer” uses is that of a boat drifting along at an almost imperceptible pace being carried along in the wrong direction by a subtle current.

In this chapter we should examine the (1) the reasons behind such an exhortation; (2) various “currents” that can cause us to “drift away”; and (3) the key to avoiding “drifting away.”

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.

·                    “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed” - Therefore it behooves or becomes us more abundantly (even more diligently) to give heed (attention); that is to give heed to the Law and to the Word of the Lord, as it implies to each of us! Since God has spoke in these last days by His Son, who is infinitely above the angels the greater regard to the Gospel ought to be given. The final expression of God’s love and mercy has been given through Jesus Christ, his Son, to be esteemed in word and deed more highly than any man or angel.

Þ      Luke 8:12-15 12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

There should be no doubt or question in the mind of the believer why we should “give the more earnest heed.” It is a matter of the dignity of the One through whom God has spoken. As previously noted in Chapter 1, God now speaks through His Son. We have seen that this Son is;

1.      Superior to the prophets (Heb. 1:1-3)

2.      Superior to the angels (Heb. 1:4-14)

3.      The appointed Heir of all things.

4.      The brightness of God’s glory, the express image of His person.

5.      Our Sustainer and Redeemer.

6.      The “Firstborn” who is worthy of worship.

7.      “God” enthroned and anointed.

8.      The Lord (Yahweh) who is the eternal creator.

9.      The “Sovereign,” reigning at God’s right hand.

Oh! The indictment that we have as a people of God when we take ever so lightly our Savior Jesus Christ. If this is true, the church as Christ’s official earthly representative has a awesome responsibility both within and without the walls of the Church. But be it far more worse for those that stand unclothed in the Day of Judgment!

·                    “To the things which we have heard,” - to the things which have been spoken to us...men are not only to take heed “what” they hear, but also “how” they hear...when Paul preached on Mars Hill there were basically three hearing responses,

Þ      Acts 17:32-34: 32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. 33 So Paul departed from among them. 34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

1.      Some believed;

2.      Some mocked;

3.      Some procrastinated

These things heard were none other than the truths of the Gospel...these are the very things that their forefathers had desired to hear and which the carnal ear cares not to hear. Scripture constantly reminds those the have an “ear” to listen and to be obedient to those important truths contained therein.

·                    “Lest at any time we should let [them] slip” - the people of God are subject to some slips:

1.      Lot did!

2.      David did!

3.      the Prodigal son did!

4.      the Rich man in hell did (this “drifting” ended in eternal damnation!)

Men should give heed to the Word of God...for the Gospel, duly attended to, is a preservative from falling...we should give heed to the doctrines of the gospel, lest we let them slip out of us, through us, or besides us. The word for slip in the Greek was used of something slipping from one’s memory or of a ring slipping from one’s finger or of a crumb going down the wrong way...it also indicated a ship drifting away. Therefore without proper attention the Gospel may be lost to some that hear it, as to any real benefit and advantage by it.

One day the Master shall return and require an accounting of life’s decisions and deeds. Of that our Lord warned:

Þ      Luke 21:24— “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”

2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;

·                    “For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast,” - For if the word (logos-which means authority) spoken through angels (the Law) was firm or confirmed...and if Jesus is so much superior than the angels, the Son of God through whom God now speaks, the apostle argues to a stricter regard is to be applied to the Gospel...as from the lesser to the greater.

Bebaios (bebaioV) means to be firm, dependable, reliable, guaranteed...it is the word of God which cannot pass away until it is fulfilled...it still continues as a cursing Law, the judicial and ceremonial parts are abrogated and the whole of it has been abolished as a covenant of works but remains as a means of conviction to sinners in the hands of the Spirit.

·                    “And every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;” - every precept of the Law had a penalty annexed to it and every breach of it was punished as that penalty required...none escaped, but all suffered the punishment due to the violation of the precept either in themselves, or in their surety

1.      transgression parabasis (parabasiV) stepping beside

2.      disobedience parakoe (parakwe) hearing beside

Both expressions here involve an expressed rejection of the divine will. Now that God as spoken through that which is superior to anything previously employed, does not His word prove steadfast? Will not every unrepented transgression and disobedience receive its just reward? Dare we neglect the Word of God spoken through His Son?

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];

·                    “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;” - how shall we avoid punishment corresponding to our offense against or neglect of the word of the Son of God who is greater than the angels...as the Gospel is that which is called salvation...it is great because the Son of God, Christ Jesus, is the author of it. “Neglect” to be unconcerned about. If the greater message is neglected will there not be a greater punishment than the one mediated by angels? The words are emphatic...those who live in the final age of human history when God himself was revealed in the Son...how shall then we escape?

            What is it that may be lost through “Neglect.”

1.      We lose “so great a salvation”!

2.      Which includes:

a)      The forgiveness of sin.

b)      Transformation of character by providing power over sin.

c)      Assurance of God’s fatherly presence.

d)      A clear and peaceful conscience.

e)      A glorious hope for all eternity.

·                    “Which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord,” - the Gospel was first preached by Christ (See Gen 3:15-24) in the Garden of Eden to Adam...by the Word of the Lord or the essential Son of God...the doctrines of grace came by him in all their fulness and glory.

Þ      Genesis 3:15-24— “15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. 20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. 21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. 22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”

·                    “And was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him];” - through the prophets and the apostles.

            Confirmation of the Revelation Given:

1.      The word spoken was confirmed by the Apostles.

a)      These were individual eyewitnesses:

Þ      Acts 10;39-41— “39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.”

Þ      2 Peter 1:16— “16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

b)      These men endured much to serve their Lord!

Þ      1 Corinthians 4:9-13— “9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; 12 And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.”

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?

·                    “God also bearing [them] witness,” - means “With God bearing witness”...it was God testifying to the mission and commission, of the apostles of Christ, the truth of the doctrine that they preached.

·                    “Both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles,” - all of which were the confirmation of the Gospel preached by the apostles...a marvelous work done before men wrought by the very power of God to confirm the divine truth (Acts 2:43)...these certified that the testimony of the witnesses was beyond any reasonable dispute, true or trustworthy.

Þ      Acts 2:43— “ And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.”

·                    “And gifts of the Holy Ghost,” - These gifts were divers in kind and distributed among the church body, or church assembly, until the Bible was completed, as a perfect rule and word of confirmation or certification of the Lord’s free salvation.

Þ      1 Corinthians 12:8-10;— “8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:”

Þ      1 Corinthians 12:12-31— “12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked. 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”

·                    “According to his own will?” - either according to the will of God or the wisdom of God, who bore testimony by these miracles and gifts; or according to the will of the Holy Spirit, who distributed them to men as He pleased. .

1.      The word spoken was confirmed by even more.

a)      By God Himself: through signs, wonders, and miracles.

Þ      John 10:38-38— “37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.”

b)      By the Holy Spirit, with gifts according to His will.

Þ      1 Corinthians 12:7-11— “7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”

Just as those who neglected the word spoken through the angels [the Law of Moses] lost their “promised land,” so there are grave consequences for those who neglect the salvation spoken of by the Son of God!

The question that must be answered by each saint is, “What are the ‘currents’ that can cause one to ‘drift away’”? [The following examples are not inclusive of the many problems that can be faced by the saint of God. Furthermore, these examples are not intended to indicate or suggest that there is even the remote possibility of the saint falling or drifting from a state of grace and returning to the state of total depravity. However, these are intended to be used as an evaluation tool and even as a warning against the possible problems that the saint is subjected to.]

I.        “Currents” that can cause us to drift.

A.     The Current of “Time”:

1.      In which we grow weary of doing good, a concerned expressed in…

Þ      Galatians 6:9— “ 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

2.      As time passes by…

a)      We can gradually lose some of the fervor of our devotion…

Þ      Revelation 2:4— “4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”

b)      We may begin to rest on past accomplishments, and cease pressing forward.

Þ      Philippians 3:13-14— “13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

B.     The Current of “Familiarity”:

1.      As we become familiar with the truth, it may seem common place to us and we may lose its sense of novelty or take it for granted…

2.      Like the Ephesians we my lose our “first love.”

Þ      Revelation 2:4— “4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”

C.     The Current of “Society”:

1.      The tides of modern opinion can easily induce us…

Þ      1 Corinthians 15:33— “ 33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”

2.      Bombarded by secular humanism, false religions, and even plastic counterfeit “Christianity” offered as “truth,” it is hard to maintain a true course if one is not founded in the WORD that directs life.

3.      Such things can move the saint away from the simplicity and wisdom of our Lord.

Þ      2 Corinthians 11:2-3— “2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

D.     The Current of the “Flesh”…

1.      Our warfare is not only without, but also within.

Þ      1 Peter 2:11— “11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”

2.      Our flesh is constantly waging war against our souls, and against the Spirit who desires that we follow Him…let us not deceive ourselves…we are at war!

Þ      Galatians 5:16-17— “16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”

E.      The Current of “Daily Concerns”:

1.      The constant pressure of daily cares, anxieties, and duties can distract us.

2.      Jesus warned against this on several occasions.

Þ      Luke 8:14— “14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”

Þ      Luke 21:34— “34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”

Any or all of the aforementioned things can slowly move us away from the Lord and His great salvation if we are not careful.

II.     The Key to Prevent “Drifting Away”

A.     We must give “the more earnest heed”…

1.      We can follow the analogy of the previous verses and imagine ourselves in a canoe, in a river with a slow moving current. Failure to pay attention leads to a drifting that in itself may be subtle and yet by the time we realize it, it is too late! Last minute corrections may be attempted, but even then we may run into the brush, crash into the rocks, or go over the falls. Only by giving earnest heed can that be avoided.

2.      So it is with our salvation.

a)      We must be “diligent” to the task at hand.

Þ      2 Peter 1:5, 10— “ 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”

b)      There is no place for the Christian to be half-hearted.

Þ      Philippians 3:12-15— “12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”

3.      Note that we must give the “more” earnest heed (Heb 2:1). We are to be more earnest than those who heard the word of God spoken through angels [the Israelites], because we have the word of God spoken through the Son which pertains to a salvation greater than that enjoyed by them (the operative word being “enjoyed” for salvation is through Christ alone).

B.     We Must Give Heed to the “Things we have Heard”…

1.      The “things we have heard” refer to the Word of God spoken through His Son or the Great Salvation through the gospel of Christ in all its aspects.

2.      The Bereans provide a good example.

Þ      Acts 17:11— “ 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

The Bereans “received the word with all readiness” and they followed up and “searched the Scriptures daily…” They displayed an earnest attention whenever God’s Word was proclaimed, they studied the Word, and prepared themselves for study.

3.      With this as a pattern we may then;

a)      Enter into a prayerful devotion to the Word and to God.

Þ      Psalm 119:18— “ 18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”

b)      After which we may have a prayerful desire to please God.

Þ      Psalm 119:10-11— “ 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

CONCLUSION: Hebrews 2:1-4

We have been blessed to receive so Great a Salvation…a salvation first spoken to “us” through God’s own Son and then confirmed by God Himself, the Holy Spirit, and those that heard Him. This salvation is much greater in enjoyment than any ever offered. Yet, we must note carefully that one need not “reject” or “actively fight” against this great salvation to “receive a just reward.” Those who simply “drift away” through “neglect” will also not escape the pitfalls of passiveness and indifference. We must continue to run the good race and to fight the good fight!

INTRODUCTION: Hebrews 2:5-18

Following the warning against drifting (Heb. 2:1-4), the “writer” of Hebrews continues to illustrate Jesus’ superiority to angels [in Chapter 1 the emphasis was on the deity of Christ but now the focus shifts to the humanity of Jesus].

One can imagine the sort of objections that would be raised about the humanity of Jesus (i.e., didn’t the humanity of Jesus make Him lower than the angels and if so, how can He be said to be superior to them?) The response is that Jesus’ humanity provided several advantages. It contributed in (1) regaining man’s lost dominion; (2) bringing many sons to glory; (3) in disarming Satan, and delivering us from the fear of death; and (4) in becoming our sympathetic High Priest. Therefore, becoming flesh did not prove to be a handicap or a mark of inferiority, rather, it served to make Him the perfect sacrifice and to act on our behalf!

5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

·                    “For unto the angels” - though God has used the angels in the giving of the law and in giving messages to men in the old economy, it is not to them that the subjection of the world has been given...

·                    “Hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.” -but the world to come, as opposed to this world, is not at all subject to them.

Þ      Jude 5:6 — “5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”

Þ      Hebrews 2:9-14— “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. 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. 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. 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;”

Such dominion, both now, and in “the world to come” was never given to angels. Man had it and lost it. Becoming a man and suffering death enabled the sinless Jesus to regain that dominion.

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?

·                    “But one in a certain place testified,” - (probably David; Psalm 8:4-8)...the name of David was probably not mentioned here because the Jews were familiar with the author of the Psalm...this was another way of saying, “Scripture says.”  These words should be taken as serious.

Þ      Psalm 8:4-8— “4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: 7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

·                    “Saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?” -

1.      “What is man,” - Man is so unworthy of Divine care, mercy, compassion and love, yet when ungodly, God loved him, and his Son gave himself for him.

Þ      John 3:18— “18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Þ      Romans 5:6-8— “6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

2.      “That thou art mindful of him?” - God remembers man by taking him into union with His Son...His providential care...raising him from the dead...and glorifying him.

3.      “or the son of man that thou visitest him?” - not in a way of wrath but in a way of favor, with His presence, with the gifts and graces of His Spirit, with Divine supports and spiritual peace and joy...all of which is not deserving and therefore are the favors of God visited to man.

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:

·                    “Thou madest him a little lower than the angels;” - Christ was made a little lower than the angels, through the assumption of the human nature...Christ was made unto the law which was given by angels and sometimes He stood in the ministry and support of angels...the word “little” has a temporal force and should be understood to say “for a little while.”

·                    “Thou crownedst him with glory and honour,” - with that glory that Christ had with the Father before the foundation of the world...after Christ ascended unto the Father He was honored by sitting on the right hand of God...which none of the angels have and, therefore, is now above them.

·                    “And didst set him over the works of thy hands:” - over angels, principalities, and power; over the kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of it, and all things in it, and made Him higher than the heavens, and gave Him a name above every name.

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.

·                    “Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet.” -

Þ      1 Peter 3:22— “Who is gone to heaven and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”

·                    “For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing [that is] not put under him.” - there is no one person or thing that Christ is made subject to. God has put all under the power of the Son.

·                    “But now we see not yet all things put under him.” - although this subjection is not seen by us it does not mean that it is not so. Though it is not yet visible...it will be.

How idiotic it is for man to say that he is in control of his own destiny…if this verse is true, then man is subject to the control of God. It is God that carries out His plan throughout the ages. It is God’s providence that ensures that His eternal plan is consummated. How else could God know or determine the beginning from the end?]

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.

·                    “But we see Jesus,” - we see Jesus in our understanding that He is indeed the Jesus that has had all things made subject to Him and that although He was humbled He is now exalted.

·                    “Who was made a little lower than the angels” - In the state of His humiliation.

·                    “For the suffering of death,” - the angels suffer not death, however, Christ in stead of His people, humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. By the same suffering and death, Jesus was able to “taste death” in His humanity for everyone.

·                    “Crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” -

1.      Due to Christ’s obedient death, He is crowned with glory and honor;

Þ      Philippians 2: 8-9— “8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9. Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.”

2.      Christ was made a little lower than the angels by becoming man that he might die for His church and His people.

3.      “should taste death” - signifies the bitterness of the death of Christ...receiving in Himself the very wrath of God, the curse of the law.

4.      Christ died as a surety for every man that is His...as such, Christ secures for them what they could not secure for themselves.

5.      “grace” chariti (cariti)...by the “joy” of God...Christ saved His people.

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.

·                    “For it became him, for whom [are] all things,” - the “him” here mentioned is none other than God himself who delivered His Son unto death...it is God who is the final cause of all things for all things are made for His pleasure and for His glory.

·                    “and by whom [are] all things,” - all the works of grace and providence.

·                    “in bringing many sons unto glory,” - not to worldly glory but to heavenly glory...which they are undeserving of but of which was long ago prepared for them...although it is at present hidden from us it shall be ours for eternity. God gave Christ the task of restoring man to his position of glory and honor…

·                    “to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” - Christ is the Captain of our salvation because He is the Author of it...we are committed to His charge...He is our leader who has gone on before us to prepare a mansion for us. Christ is made perfect [the word “perfect” means to be “complete,” “effective,” “adequate.”] (he has brought to maturity or made complete our salvation) because He has suffered all that the law required and therefore, became perfectly acquainted with the sufferings of His people. Christ is the “perfect” Savior. God’s design was to bring His adopted sons to glory by the suffering of His own Son [to be the complete perfect Savior Jesus’ sufferings were necessary].

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,

·                    “For both he that sanctifieth” - Those that are the Son’s, those whose Captain of their salvation is Christ, are sanctified (positional) are made holy and are set aside to belong to the Father...We are sanctified in Him for He has been made sanctification for us...by His blood that expiates us from our sins and by His spirit that is ever working holiness in us.

·                    “And they who are sanctified” - we are not naturally holy...we have been made holy...therefore, God has adopted us into the family.

·                    “[are] all of one:” - we are of one God and Father...our Savior’s God is our God...Christ’s Father is now our Father...we are all of one new nature or new creation in Christ Jesus; we are all one in Christ.

Þ      Ephesians 2:10, 11— “ 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

Þ      John 20:17— “17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.”

·                    “For which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,” - Christ is now our near-kinsman...our brother...and we are adopted into the family of God when our regeneration is made manifest...therefore, we are to do the Father’s will even as Christ did.

12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

·                    “Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren,” - This passage is not for the Jews alone but for the entire congregation or that which Christ has sanctified...to all Christ’s disciples and followers shall God declare the name of Christ.

Þ      Psalm 22:22— “I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.”

·                    “In the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.” - That is, the church of this age...there is a song of praise to be offered for the saving of the brethren.

13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

·                    “And again, I will put my trust in him.” - Both the prophet and Christ put their trust in God, the prophet and his children as well as Christ and His brethren stand before God. Christ is in the midst of His people as was the prophet in the midst of his people.

Þ      Isaiah 8:17— “And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.”

·                    “And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.” - The children are saints of God because they have been adopted by God with respect to Christ...the saints were given to Christ as His spiritual seed...as his portion...therefore, Christ and His people are one.

Þ      Isaiah 8:18 “Behold I and the children that the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of Hosts, which dwelleth in Mount Zion.”

[The idea of Jesus as the One whose suffering in the flesh makes Him the Author of our salvation, and not ashamed to call us brethren, is expanded even further in the remaining verses of the chapter.]

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;

·                    “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood,” - “children” are all the children given to Christ that are partakers of flesh and blood...those with a human nature...frail and mortal men.

·                    “He also himself likewise took part of the same;” - Christ became man or assumed a human nature like ours which was in union with the Divine nature that Christ possessed before His incarnation...this is seen as a voluntary act on the part of Christ...He chose to participate to show that He faced those things that we face...yet He was without sin.

·                    “That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;”  - Christ took away from the devil the power of death...therefore, the Messiah has truly destroyed the effects that Satan has...not as to his being...but as to his power.

1.      Through His own death and resurrection Jesus destroyed the devil! Nevertheless, the devil is still very active!

Þ      1 Peter 5:8-9— “8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

2.      But though he once “had” {past tense} the power of death, no more!

Þ      Revelation 2:18— “ 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:”

3.      His power greatly weakened by Jesus’ victory over death, Satan will be destroyed for all time at the time of our own resurrection!

Þ      Revelation 20:10-12— “ 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”

15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

·                    “And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” - we (Jews probably meant here) are under the bondage of sin until delivered by the power of God in Christ. Yet, now we should suffer no fear of death for we have been delivered...delivered from the bondage of the law and the fear of death that accompanied the law. This “fear” keeps many in bondage throughout their lifetime. But the faithful Christian need not fear death.

Þ      Romans 8:38-39— “38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Þ      1 Corinthians 3:21-23— “ 21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your’s; 22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your’s; 23 And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.”

Þ      Philippians 2:21— “ 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.”

16 For verily he took not on [him the nature of] angels; but he took on [him] the seed of Abraham.

·                    “For verily he took not on [him the nature of] angels;” - an angelic nature is not capable of death...therefore, Christ’s nature had to be different...an angel’s nature is not redemptive.

·                    “But he took on [him] the seed of Abraham.” - Christ assumed human nature from the line of Abraham...therefore, the spiritual seed of Abraham are the children of the promise...Christ laid hold of this nature to bring into union with himself those that he would bestow grace upon [the “seed of Abraham” may be understood to mean “faithful Christians.” The promise was given to “faithful Christians” and not to angels…this is the reason that angels seek to look at the mystery of the gospel].

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.

·                    “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren,” - Before the foundations of the earth we were adopted as sons through our surety, Jesus Christ. It was only for those that were adopted that Christ took on human nature.

·                    “That he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God,” - Christ could not have become our high-priest unless he had assumed the nature of man...he would not be able to sympathize with his people in their sorrows...every high priest is taken from among men. Christ’s priestly work is perpetual, continuous, or unceasing for his children.

·                    “To make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” - that is, the people that God has chosen for himself and given to Christ by whom we are saved from our sins...Christ has made satisfaction for us...to the law and to the justice of God...which is the definition of reconciliation.

18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

·                    “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted,” - by Satan at the beginning of His ministry, and sometime before His death.

Þ      Matthew 4:10— “10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

Þ      Matthew 26:37-41— “ 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

·                    “He is able to succour them that are tempted.” - Therefore, Christ is able to sympathize with us...through temptations our faith is tried, we are incited to prayer and watchfulness, and to ever be dependent on the power and the grace of God.

CONCLUSION: Hebrews 2:5-18

What angel has accomplished such things as to regain man’s lost dominion, bring many sons to glory, disarm Satan and deliver us from the fear of death and become a sympathetic High Priest. All these things Jesus has done by virtue of becoming man. Jesus was also tempted, suffered and tasted death for everyone, and is not ashamed to call us “brethren.” Are we ashamed to call Him “Lord”? Are we willing to serve Him as Lord?