Hebrews Chapter 2
Jesus Became A Man In Order to Save Men
Hebrews 2:1, ҦTherefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let [them] slip.
The “Therefore” is telling us that given that we have now been spoken to by the Son of God, The Messiah, Jesus Christ Himself, above all who came before in the Old Testament, we must be all the more diligent in our hearing of Him. We must remember His Words and hide them in our hearts. Psalm 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
Hebrews 2:2, “For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;”
The Old Testament that included the Law of Moses was irrefutable and just, and the breaking of them led to swift judgment as we read in Numbers 15:30-32, “But the soul that doeth [ought] presumptuously, [whether he be] born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity [shall be] upon him.” This is immediately exemplified in the next verses in Num 15:32-36 where the man who gathered sticks on the sabbath was stoned to death.
Hebrews 2:3, “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];
In this verse, we are reminded of the swift and sure punishment for disobedience. In Hebrews 10:28, we read, “He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:” And that was in the Old Testament, but now we have Jesus Himself declaring and preaching this great salvation in His Gospel. In Matthew 4:17, we read, “¶From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.“
The confirmation reported in Luke 1:2, “Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;”
And a side note regarding neglect, 1 Corinthians 10:13,”There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it] .”
Hebrews 2:4, “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?
Acts 1:3, “To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:“
Acts 5:32, “And we are his witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.“
In the last verse of the book of Mark, Mark 16:20, we read, “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.“
In Peter’s sermon on Pentecost 33 AD, in Acts 2:22, we read, “¶Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:“
In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, we read about the gifts of the Holy Spirit of God beginning with “¶Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.“
Ephesians 1:5, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,“
Ephesians 1:9, “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:“
Hebrews 2:5, “¶For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.”
2 Peter 3:13 reminds us of the world to come, “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.“
One in a “Certain Place” Testified
In the next three verses, we are again sent back to the Old Testament, specifically to Psalm 8:4-6 which is that “certain place” mentioned below.
Hebrews 2:6, “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?
Psalm 8:4, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” Note to the reader how similar this is to Job 7:17, “What [is] man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?” And the basis for the question comes in Psalm 103:14, “For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we [are] dust.“
Hebrews 2:7, “Thou madest him a little lower than (a little while inferior to the ) the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
This verse is a direct reference back to Psalm 8:5, “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.”
NOTE to the Reader: There is one key thing that can be easily missed in the translation when correlating back to the original Hebrew. In the Book of Hebrews, which was written originally in Greek, the word translated into English as “angels” in the King James is the word, ἄγγελος (angelos)G32 which indeed means “angels”. HOWEVER, the word that is translated as “angels” in Psalm 8:5 was in the original Hebrews as אֱלֹהִים (‘ĕlōhîm)H430 which is translated as God 2,346x in the Bible, and as “angels” only this one time! For example, in Genesis 1:1, we read “In the beginning God H430 created the heaven and the earth.” אֱלֹהִים (‘ĕlōhîm)H430 is the plural form of אֱלוֹהַּ (ʾĔlōah) which means “God”. We get a clearer understanding of this a bit later when we read in Genesis 1:26, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” The important takeaway for us being that Psalm 8:5 is really telling us that Jesus was made “a little while inferior to God” (plural…as in God in Three Persons).
It should also be noted by the reader that being “made (for) a little (while) lower than the angels, or “a little while inferior to the angels” must be understood in the context of the subsequent verses, Hebrews 2:9&10, which make clear that Jesus Christ had to become man to taste death for sinful creatures. We see this corroborated in Philippians 2:7, where we read, “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:“, and which adds this—that Jesus made Himself of no reputation. There we find the Greek word κενόω (kenoō)G2758, which in 1 Corinthians 1:17, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” is translated to be made of none effect or ineffectual or void. This supports the idea that Christ did not diminish His deity, but rather added to it, His “humanity”, in order to make the atonement effectual (man sinned and therefore man must pay).
Hebrews 2:8, “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.”
This is a direct reference back to Psalm 8:6, “Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all [things] under his feet:”
The last Words of Jesus in the Book of Matthew, after His Resurrection, in Matthew 28:18, we read, “¶And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.“
Also in Ephesians 1:17-23, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places], Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: ¶And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.“
Moreover, the “not yet” in Hebrews 2:8 is explained here in 1 Corinthians 15 :24-28, “Then [cometh] the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy [that] shall be destroyed [is] death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under [him, it is] manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”
Jesus Briefly Humbled, Died, But Now in Glory and Honor in Heaven
Hebrews 2:9, “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.“
Philippians 2:7-9, “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:”
Acts 2:32, “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.“
Regarding tasting death for “every ‘man'” we think of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” and 2 Corinthians 5:15, “And [that] he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” and 1 Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” Note to the reader…the first “all” is universal, while the second “all” is particular in that it only pertains to the elect of God.
Hebrews 2:10, “¶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.“
Romans 11:36, ҦFor of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.
Acts 5:31, “Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”
Sons of God
Remember that all the believers are considered to be “sons of God” as we read in John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” And also 1 John 3:1&2, “¶Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
The Believers are also “heirs according to the promise” as we read in Galatians 3:29, “And if ye [be] Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.“and in Romans 8:16, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.“
Please see more in the study on Mephibosheth.
Perfected
Luke 13:32, “¶And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third [day] I shall be perfected.”
Hebrews 2:11, “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,”
Hebrews 10:10, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all].
Acts 17:26, “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;“
Called Jesus’ Brethren
Notice how AFTER the resurrection, Jesus refers to the disciples as “my brethren“, in Matthew 28:10, “Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.” and John 20:17, “¶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.“
Another reference is in Matthew 23:8, “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, [even]”Christ; and all ye are brethren.”
Hebrews 2:12, “Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.“
This is a direct reference back to Psalm 22:22, “I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.”
And note also Zephaniah 3:17, “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.“
Hebrews 2:13, “And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.“
The Believers Trust in God
Psalm 18:2, “The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.” and in Psalm 91:2, “I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Agin in Isaiah 12:2, “Behold, God [is] my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH [is] my strength and [my] song; he also is become my salvation.”
God The Father Gives His Elect to Jesus
The second part of the verse refers directly back to Isaiah 8:18, “Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me [are] for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.” and John 10:29, “My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father’s hand.“
Jesus Triumphed Over Death, the Devil, and Hell
Hebrews 2:14, “¶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;“
Isaiah 53:12, “Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.“
John 1:14, “¶And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” and Philippians 2:7, “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”
Colossians 2:15, “[And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
Revelation 1:18, “I [am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Hebrews 2:15, “And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.“
Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.“
Luke 1:74, “That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,“
2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.“
Hebrews 2:16, “For verily he took not on [him the nature of] angels; but he took on [him] the seed of Abraham.
Genesis 22:18, “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.“
Galatians 3:16, “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.”
Jesus Is Our High Priest
Hebrews 2:17, “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.“
Philippians 2:7, “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:“
Hebrews 4:15, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.“
Romans 5:19, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”
Hebrews 2:18, “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.“
Hebrews 4:15, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.“
Isaiah 53:3, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our]faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”
Finally, remember what Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” What a Friend we have in Jesus!
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