Hebrews 2 Explained
Hebrews 2 is the second chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The author is anonymous, although the internal reference to "our brother Timothy" causes a traditional attribution to Paul, but this attribution has been disputed since the second century and there is no decisive evidence for the authorship. This chapter contains the implications for responding to God's Son, the Son's subjection and glorification, to the believers' benefits.
Text
The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 18 verses.
Textual witnesses
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:
Old Testament references
The Implications for Responding to God's Son (2:1–4)
This paragraph, the first of several warning passages, gives the direct practical consequences of the previous chapter, which can be a positive encouragement (pay more careful attention to what we have heard or a negative attitude (drift away) as stated in verse 1. The writer and readers were not part of the first generation of Christians when the gospel of salvation was first announced by the Lord (that is, Jesus Christ) and was confirmed by those who heard him (2 Hebrews), but they certainly received it from those who had obtained it from Jesus with the affirmation from God by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will (2 Hebrews).
Verse 1
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.[3]
- "Drift away": like people in a boat moving rapidly towards a waterfall; the manner of this drifting away will be explored in latter chapters, but here the disastrous consequences are stressed.
The Subjection and Glorification of the Son (2:5–9)
The text centers on 2 Psalm in connection to the catena or 'chains' of the scriptures in the first chapter.
Verse 5
For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.[4]
- "The world to come": recalling Israel's hope for "a glorious age to come", with the renewal of creation through the establishment of 'new heavens and new earth' (cf. 65:17-25 KJV) which is sometimes specifically associated with the work of the Messiah (cf. 11:1-9 KJV).
Verse 6
But someone testified somewhere, saying,
“What is man, that you remember him, or the son of man, that you care for him?[5]
The Benefits of the Believers (2:10–18)
Verse 12
saying:
“I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You."[6]
Verse 17
Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.[8]
- "High Priest": the first time this title is given to Jesus in this epistle, to be the theme of the next major division (3:1–5:10), here is linked closely with the teaching that he had to be made like his brothers in every way.
Verse 18
For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.[9]
- "He Himself has suffered, being tempted": at the entrance of his public ministry and a little before his death, Jesus was tempted by Satan; also throughout his life he endures poverty, with slight from his own relatives, a general contempt among men, often tempted by the Jews with ensnaring questions, later was deserted by his followers, by his own disciples, even by his God and Father; enduring great pains of body, anguish of mind, then lastly death itself.[10]
- "To aid those who are tempted": that only because he shared human nature, experienced human frailty and suffered when he was tempted, so Jesus is able to provide the appropriate help.
See also
- Angel
- High priest
- Jesus Christ
- Related Bible parts: Job 7, 2 Samuel 22, Psalm 8, Psalm 22, Psalm 144, Isaiah 8, Isaiah 11, Matthew 4, Luke 4, Luke 22, John 10, 1 Corinthians 10, 2 Corinthians 12, Philippians 3, 2 Timothy 1, Hebrews 4, Jude, Revelation 3
Sources
- Book: Attridge, Harold W.. Harold W. Attridge . 75. Hebrews . The Oxford Bible Commentary . John. Barton . John. Muddiman . Oxford University Press . first (paperback) . 2007 . 1236–1254 . 978-0199277186 . February 6, 2019.
- Book: deSilva, David A. . Hebrews . Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: John's Gospel, Hebrews-Revelation. Evans . Craig A. . Craig A. Evans . illustrated . 2005 . The Bible Knowledge Series . Victor . Colorado Springs, Colo.. 9780781442282 . 199–256.
- Book: Peterson, David . David G. Peterson . Hebrews . Carson . D. A. . New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. D. A. Carson. France . R. T. . R. T. France . J. A. . Motyer . J. Alec Motyer. G. J. . Wenham . Gordon Wenham. 4, illustrated, reprint, revised. Inter-Varsity Press . 1994. 9780851106489 . 1321–1353.
External links
Notes and References
- Book: Kirkpatrick, A. F. . Alexander Kirkpatrick. The Book of Psalms: with Introduction and Notes . The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges . Book IV and V: Psalms XC-CL . Cambridge . At the University Press . 1901 . 838 . February 28, 2019.
- Web site: Biblical concordances of Hebrews 2 in the 1611 King James Version.
- 2 Hebrews NKJV
- 2 Hebrews NKJV
- 2 Hebrews LEB
- 2 Hebrews NKJV
- Note on Hebrews 2:12 in MEV
- 2 Hebrews NKJV
- 2 Hebrews NKJV
- [John Gill (theologian)|Gill, John]
