The Epistles · Chapter 2 of 13

Hebrews 2

Because the Son is so great, the writer warns that we must not neglect so great a salvation. Then he turns to the wonder of the incarnation: Jesus was made a little lower than the angels to taste death for everyone. By sharing our flesh and blood, He destroyed the power of death and became a merciful and faithful high priest who can help those who are tempted.

What happens in Hebrews 2

The chapter opens with a warning flowing from chapter one: since God has spoken by His Son, we must give the more earnest heed lest we neglect so great a salvation, first spoken by the Lord and confirmed by signs and gifts of the Spirit. The writer then explains why the Son became human. Quoting a psalm that asks what man is that God is mindful of him, he notes that all things are put under mankind's feet, though we do not yet see this.

But we do see Jesus, made lower than the angels for the suffering of death, now crowned with glory and honor, tasting death for every person. Because the sanctifier and the sanctified are all of one, Jesus is not ashamed to call them brethren. Sharing our flesh and blood, He took part in the same, so that through death He might destroy the devil and free those enslaved by fear, becoming a merciful high priest.

Hebrews 2 in context

Continuing to warn Jewish believers against drifting from Christ, the writer now addresses an apparent problem: if the Son is so exalted, why did He become a lowly, suffering human? Chapter two answers that the incarnation was necessary for salvation.

To rescue human beings, the Son had to become one of us, share our death, and serve as our sympathetic high priest, a theme the letter will develop at length.

Main themes of Hebrews 2

Hebrews 2 (KJV)

1Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3How 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; 4God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? 5For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. 6But 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? 7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: 8Thou 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. 9But 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. 10For 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. 11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. 14Forasmuch 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; 15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17Wherefore 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. 18For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Verses to carry from Hebrews 2

“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.”Hebrews 2:9

“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;”Hebrews 2:14

“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.”Hebrews 2:17

Reflection

The fear of death casts a long shadow over human life. Hebrews says Jesus entered that darkness Himself and broke its power, freeing those held captive by fear. And He knows temptation from the inside. Whatever pressure you face, you have a high priest who understands and is able to help.

A prayer from Hebrews 2