Bible Commentaries
Hebrews 2

Verse 1

Hebrews 2:1

Therefore -- A conclusion, drawn from ch. 1. "on this account."

Give heed -- must pay close attention since Christ is at God’s hight hand!

Slip -- ASV "drift" or float away;

Verse 2

Hebrews 2:2

Angels -- Deuteronomy 33:2, Acts 7:53, Acts 7:38

Just recompence -- Appropriate penalty prescribed for violations, cf. Numbers 15:30.

Verse 3

Hebrews 2:3

We -- the church,

Great -- Great because it is through Christ the Son.

At the first -- In vs. 3-4 the writer seems to place himself into the position of the early Christians who heard the apostles, (cf. Acts 8:15-18), but Paul claimed to have received his message directly from Christ, Galatians 1:11-12.

John 12:48

Confirmed -- Mark 16:20, Acts 2:22

Three witnesses:

1) Lord

2) Them that heard him

3) The confirmation evidence

Verse 4

Hebrews 2:4

God bearing -- witness -- Notice that the Holy Spirit is a "witness" to the things the apostles were preaching, thus the reference is to the evidential value of the miracles and signs worked by the Spirit through the messengers of God, (Mark 16:20; Acts 5:32. )

Verse 5

Hebrews 2:5

Humiliation and glory of Christ.

The world to come -- the Messianic age, cf. 1:2 Hebrews 1:2

We -- Seen from the dispensation give by angels and now proclaimed by the apostles.

Verse 6

Hebrews 2:6

From Psalms 8:4-8

Vs. 6-8 Think of man’s advantages over the brutes:

1) man can worship; 2) can laugh; 3) be embarrassed; 4) appreciate art; 5) man is higher than anything in the field.

Verse 7

Hebrews 2:7

While quoted from Psalms 8:4-8 this statement about man’s dominion over all the works of God’s hand applies here to Christ. (Is the Psalms statement prophet of Christ, or does Man have dominion over all other creatures in the univers{life on other planets?} or is the limitation specified in the last part of quote from Psalms, vs. 7-8 ?).

Vs. 7-9 Man has dominion - if there are other creatures in the universe. v. 9 Hebrews 2:9 Christ died for man; cf. Colossians 1:23; Christ is over all the works of God! [Are there any other creatures in the universe? cf note Hebrews 2:16]

Verse 8

Hebrews 2:8

see not yet -- Some subjection to Christ was still yet future. [? man’s death?]

Verse 9

Hebrews 2:9

Crowned -- Natural ref would be in resurrection and ascension.

Taste -- = drink the cup. Chrysosten likened Jesus to physician who tastes of the preparation to encourage his patients.

Reasons WHY Jesus was made lower than the angels:

1) v.9 to taste death and suffering

2) v.11-13 to become a "brother" to man

3) v.14 to destroy the devil and his works (1Jo 3:8)

4) v.17 to reconcile man to God (make atonement)

Verse 10

Hebrews 2:10

Captain -- RSV Pioneer; ASV Author; The founder of a city or group; John 1:1, Hebrews 1:1-4,

Perfect -- mature, full grown, complete.

Verse 11

Hebrews 2:11

Brethren -- thus, they are "sons" also. Emphasis on fellowship.

Verse 12

Hebrews 2:12

Psalms 22:22

Verse 13

Hebrews 2:13

Verse 14

Hebrews 2:14

Destroy -- "render powerless" NASV. [i.e. hope of resurrection and redemption.] 1 John 3:8

Revelation 20:2

Verse 15

Hebrews 2:15

Verse 16

Hebrews 2:16

Nature of angels -- Cf. ASV - Christ’s death not for angel’s benefit, but for man’s salvation. [Last reference to "angels" in Hebrews.]

Seed of Abraham -- Incarnation, flesh. [Are there any other creatures in the universe? cf. Hebrews 2:7 I conclude there are NO intelligent creatures - WG Otherwise it does not seem that Christ’s death benefits them. [?]

Verse 17

Hebrews 2:17

Made like unto -- to help man, he came like a man.

Merciful -- because of his own suffering and trials.

Faithful -- trustworthy.

High priest -- What are the functions of a High Priest?

Reconciliation -- ASV, propitiation, answer, atonement, conciliation, to give satisfaction.

Verse 18

Hebrews 2:18