Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, November 21st, 2024
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Commentaries
The Bible Study New Testament Bible Study NT
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
These files are public domain.
Bibliographical Information
Ice, Rhoderick D. "Commentary on Hebrews 2". "The Bible Study New Testament". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ice/hebrews-2.html. College Press, Joplin, MO. 1974.
Ice, Rhoderick D. "Commentary on Hebrews 2". "The Bible Study New Testament". https://www.studylight.org/
Whole Bible (50)New Testament (19)Individual Books (14)
Verse 1
1.
That is why. Because God speaks to us through his Son. We must hold on. “We must seize the Truth spoken through the Son, and firmly hold on to it!” So that. The symbolism is a swiftly flowing flood. In our boat, we must make some effort to row against the flood to keep from being swept away by it.
Verse 2
2.
The message given by angels. This is the Law of Moses. See note on Hebrews 1:4. Those who did things which the Law prohibited, or who failed to do all that the Law commanded, were severely punished!
Verse 3
3.
How, then, shall we escape? “Christ is greater than the angels; and this means the Good News is greater than the Law. If those who did not pay attention to the Law were punished severely, how can we expect to escape if we pay no attention to the message and salvation given through the Son?” The Lord himself. The Good News is the message spoken by Christ (see John 14:26). See also Luke 9:31 and notes. And those who heard him. Eyewitnesses (especially the apostles) verified the message of the Good News as they spread this throughout the world. (Colossians 1:23). Us = Christians in general. See 1 John 1:1-4.
Verse 4
4.
God added his witness. The Law of Moses was authenticated by miracles (Hebrews 12:18-21). The gospel was equally authenticated by the miracles which went side by side with the preaching of Christ and his apostles. Compare Romans 15:18-19.
Verse 5
5.
God did not. The TEV is clearer here. Christ created the earth (see Hebrews 1:10), and he did not create it for angels, but for mankind, as the next verse shows. Remember: Christ in his incarnation is the representative man, the Second Adam. [Johnson sees in this the difference between the Jewish Age (which they called the present world) and the Christian Age (which the Jews called the world to come). See also Matthew 19:28 and note.]
Verse 6
6.
Instead. This is from Psalms 8:4-6 Septuagint. What is man? MacKnight says this is Adam, who represents all mankind. Mere man = the son of man = all the descendants of that first man (so Mac-Knight says). On “Son of Man” as a messianic title, see notes on Luke 22:69-70. God’s valuation of the worth of mankind is shown in Christ on the Cross!!!
Verse 7
7.
For a little while. Mankind, in this world which is under the curse, is for a little while lower than the angels. Christ, in taking our human nature (Romans 8:3; Hebrews 10:5; Hebrews 2:14), became, like us, a little lower than the angels. But in his Resurrection, he became higher than the angels (Hebrews 2:9; Philippians 2:6-11). Lower than the angels. This is the way it reads in the Septuagint. The Hebrew says: “lower than God (Elohim).” You crowned him. This speaks of mankind, as the next verse shows. Compare Genesis 1:28.
Verse 8
8.
Ruler over all things. This is the point of the quotation. All things (except God, 1 Corinthians 15:27) were placed under man’s rule in Genesis 1:28. But we do not see our human race in control over all things now. Compare Genesis 3:16-19. In the Incarnation (John 1:14), Christ took our human limitations.
Verse 9
9.
But we do see Jesus! The TEV correctly makes this the climax of the apostle’s reasoning. The hope of mankind is not angels, but Jesus!!! He is the Second Adam who brings us life!!! See Romans 5:14-18. For a little while. Jesus had to share our humanity to die for all men. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:22-23; Matthew 25:31-33. Every man and woman has the right to be put right with God through Christ (Revelation 22:17; John 6:45). We see him crowned. “We do not see man in control, but we do see Jesus crowned with glory and honor by his raising from death and his going up to heaven to sit at God’s right side. His death is not a thing of disgrace, but rather the means of our being made the friends of God (Colossians 1:18-20 :1 Corinthians 1:23-24 and notes).”
Verse 10
10.
It was only right. “You should not be surprised that God would save man by means of the death of Christ.” Should make Jesus perfect. Not perfectly holy, since he was already sinless. But perfectly prepared to be our Savior. The rest of this chapter explains this. For Jesus is the one. “In the guided tour of life, Jesus is the one who leads us to our destination, which is salvation and life eternal! Jesus is the Pioneer because he opened a new way through his body of flesh (Hebrews 10:20).”
Verse 11
11.
He makes men pure. He makes men pure when they reach out through faith to seize his sacrifice and make themselves part of it. He continually is making men pure, on the basis of the one sacrifice which he made on the Cross. All have the same Father. Christians are twice-born (John 3:5 and note). Our New Birth makes us part of God’s Family (Romans 8:15-17). That is why. “Christ does not act like a “doctor among lepers,” but he calls men his brothers!!! Because of the Incarnation, He is one of us!!!”
Verse 12
12.
As he says. This is from Psalms 22:22 Septuagint. I will praise you. HUMNEO: to praise; to sing; to keep talking about. See note on Ephesians 5:19. The point is that Jesus is not ashamed to share humanity or humanness, and call men (including women) his brothers!
Verse 13
13.
He also says. This quotes Isaiah 8:17. He shows his brotherhood with man as he speaks his trust in God. And he also says. This quotes Isaiah 8:18. This shows both that He was to come in human form, and that He makes himself the brother of the saved.
Verse 14
14.
Jesus himself. As mankind are all people of flesh and blood, Jesus the Logos shared the human nature that we all have in common. He did so. He took flesh and blood, to destroy the Devil by means of his own death on the Cross. Destroy the devil by canceling his power. He did this through his raising from death. See John 10:17-18.
Verse 15
15.
And so set free. In sharing death, the final horror which all must face, Christ completely shared the human experience. By raising from death he added a new dimension of hope. Not only does he make it possible for us to be forgiven our sin and be changed from the enemies of God into the friends of God, but he also is the GUARANTEE that we shall survive death!!! See 1 Corinthians 15:20.
Verse 16
16.
It is not the angels. MacKnight understands this: “Moreover, by no means doth he take hold of the angels who sinned, to save them; but of those who are the seed of Abraham by faith he taketh hold, to deliver them from death, and to conduct them to heaven.” The scripture says. “He helps the descendants of Abraham” is a quotation from Isaiah 41:8-9 Septuagint.
Verse 17
17.
This means. He had to share completely our human nature and experience. See Hebrews 4:15; Romans 8:3. Would be forgiven. See Hebrews 2:14. As High Priest, he offered the sacrifice of his own death so that the people’s sins would be forgiven.
Verse 18
18.
Because. Because he has experienced all these things himself, he is able to help those who are tempted. Compare Matthew 4:1-11 and notes. Note that temptation itself is not sin, but it can lead into sin.