Hebrews 2:16

Heb. 2:16. For verily he took not on (him the nature) of angels; but he took on (him) the seed of Abraham.

The Blank Bible:

The particle "for" connects the verse with the 14th with these words for as much as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also partook of the same. The apostle mentions the angels here because he had been speaking in the foregoing part of the chapter of Christ's being made lower than the angels, and of the privilege of the saints above the angels in the latter part of the foregoing chapter in that and this being united to Christ that was so much above the angels. The angels were all their ministering spirits. What the apostle says in this verse shows that unspeakable and infinite privilege so that 'tis the elect angels that the apostle has the most direct respect to in this verse.

In October of 1745 Edwards preached an outlinish sermon on Hebrews 2:16 the subject of which was: "Christ's taking on the seed of Abraham." In September of the next year this text and theme are a part of the installation sermon for the Rev. Mr. Samuel Buell as pastor at East Hampton in Long Island:

The mutual joy of Christ and his church is like that of bridegroom and bride, in that they rejoice in each other, as those that they have chosen above others, for their nearest, most intimate, and everlasting friends and companions. The church is Christ's chosen: Isaiah 41:9, "I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away:" chap. Isaiah 48:10, "I have chosen thee, in the furnace of affliction." How often are God's saints called his elect or chosen ones? He has chosen them, not to be mere servants, but friends: John 15:15, "I call you not servants, but I have called you friends." And though Christ be the Lord of glory, infinitely above men and angels, yet he has chosen the elect to be his companions; and has taken upon him their nature; and so in some respect, as it were, levelled himself with them, that he might be their brother and companion. Christ as well as David, calls the saints his brethren and companions: Psalms 122:8, "For my brethren and companions' sake I will now say, Peace be within thee." So in the book of Canticles, he calls his church his sister and spouse. Christ hath loved and chosen his church as his peculiar friend, above others: Psalms 135:4, "The Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure." As the bridegroom chooses the bride for his peculiar friend, above all others in the world, so Christ has chosen his church for a peculiar nearness to him, as his flesh and his bone, and the high honor and dignity of espousals above all others, rather than the fallen angels, yea, rather than the elect angels. For verily, in this respect, "he taketh not hold of angels, but he taketh hold of the seed of Abraham;" as the words are in the original, in Hebrews 2:16. he has chosen his church above the rest of mankind, above all the Heathen nations, and those that are without the visible church, and above all other professing Christians: Song of Solomon 6:9, "My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her." Thus Christ rejoices over his church, as obtaining in her that which he has chosen above all the rest of the creation, and as sweetly resting in his choice. Psalms 132:13; Psalms 132:14, "The Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it. This is my rest forever."

Heb. 2:17-18