HEBREWS • CHAPTER 2

Hebrews 2

Jesus as high priest, covenant, sacrifice, faith, perseverance, temple imagery, warning passages, and hope.

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Hebrews 2

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Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away.

For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty,

how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation—which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard,

God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?

For he didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels.

But one has somewhere testified, saying,
“What is man, that you think of him?
Or the son of man, that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the angels.
You crowned him with glory and honor.

You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don’t see all things subjected to him, yet.

But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone.

For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

saying,
“I will declare your name to my brothers.
Among the congregation I will sing your praise.”

Again, “I will put my trust in him.” Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.”

Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham.

Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.

For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

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Scripture text: World English Bible.

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GENERAL LETTER

Where this chapter fits

Hebrews is an early Christian letter written into specific community circumstances; reading it well requires distinguishing the original audience from later universal application.

Chapter numbers were added long after the biblical books were written.

Read this chapter together with what comes immediately before and after it.

ANCIENT TEXT, MODERN QUESTIONS

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Moral claims should be examined morally.

Theological claims require theological and philosophical argument.

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Narrative, poetry, prophecy, law, letters, wisdom, and apocalypse communicate differently.

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