HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 2:1 This warning calls the reader to pay heed to the greater salvation which was declared by the Lord himself, attested by human eyewitnesses, and authenticated by God’s power. The warning proceeds from the lesser (punishments under the Mosaic law; v. Hebrews 2:2) to the grea... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 2:2 The MESSAGE DECLARED BY ANGELS is the Mosaic law (see Deuteronomy 33:2; Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19). RELIABLE. Even though the revelation in Christ is superior, the author does not diminish the importance of the Mosaic law. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 2:3 HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE? If the Mosaic law came with “retribution” for failure to obey it (v. Hebrews 2:2), then surely the greater salvation announced by the Lord comes with more dangerous retribution for those who NEGLECT it. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagNam... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 2:4 The terms SIGNS, WONDERS, and MIRACLES overlap in meaning. They appear together in Acts 2:22 and 2 Corinthians 12:12 (contrast 2 Thessalonians 2:9). The Greek word for GIFTS can mean “distributions.” DISTRIBUTED ACCORDING TO HIS WILL probably refers to the spiritual gifts... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 2:5 Jesus is also superior to angels since, as Son of Man, the world is subjected to him, though this has yet to be fully revealed (vv. Hebrews 2:5). Jesus’ sacrificial suffering and death required him to partake of humanity (vv. Hebrews 2:10). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.ge... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 2:7 YOU MADE HIM. Some think the author of Hebrews 1:1, quoting Psalms 8:1, refers to the human race in general. Others think he refers to Jesus, the true Son of Man. FOR A LITTLE WHILE LOWER. If this refers to mankind in general, then it means that believers, during their ea... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 2:8 PUTTING EVERYTHING IN SUBJECTION TO HIM echoes Genesis 1:28, where God put everything under the stewardship of Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:26). But if Jesus, the true representative of humanity, is specifically in view, then it means that the “world to come” (Hebrews 2:5) is... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 2:9 BUT WE SEE HIM. All interpreters agree that this refers to Jesus (compare notes on vv. Hebrews 2:7, Hebrews 2:8). The phrase LITTLE WHILE and the sequence of events in vv. Hebrews 2:7 (compare Psalms 8:5) show that, after first being MADE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS, Jesus was... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 2:10 HE, FOR WHOM AND BY WHOM ALL THINGS EXIST. God the Father. MANY SONS. The followers of the one unique Son of God are adopted into the newly redeemed human family (see “brothers,” vv. Hebrews 2:11; and “children,” v. Hebrews 2:13; also Hebrews 12:5). FOUNDER. The Greek ca... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 2:11 THOSE WHO ARE SANCTIFIED. Jesus’ true followers, who are set apart for his purposes by his sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 10:14; Hebrews 13:12). HE IS NOT ASHAMED TO CALL THEM BROTHERS. Since they share a common source of life, they are members of the same family. ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 2:12 This verse quotes from Psalms 22:22. The psalm speaks of Jesus’ death (Psalms 22:1, Psalms 22:16) and resurrection (Psalms 22:19). CONGREGATION. All the redeemed in heaven. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 2:13 The second citation in this verse clearly comes from Isaiah 8:18. The first likely is adapted from Isaiah 8:17. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 2:14 A human Savior was necessary, because human beings (CHILDREN) need a sacrifice that bears God’s wrath and turns it to favor (see note on v. 17). They also need a sympathetic high priest (vv. Hebrews 2:17). SHARE IN FLESH AND BLOOD. Jesus was fully human, just like the “c... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 2:17 HAD TO BE. Unless Jesus became fully human in EVERY RESPECT (except for sin), he could not represent believers as their high priest. Jesus must be human in order to serve as HIGH PRIEST on behalf of humanity. PROPITIATION. An atoning sacrifice that cancels sin and satisf... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 2:18 SUFFERED. Jesus’ sufferings as a human, especially his death (vv. Hebrews 2:9). TEMPTED. Jesus, as high priest, was tempted in every way and yet did not sin (Hebrews 4:15; also Hebrews 7:26). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]