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Hebrews 2 Commentary

Please choose a passage:

Hebrews 2:1-4

Christians have received the greatest salvation, better than the law of the Old Testament. We should take Christ’s teachings seriously or else we will wander from them, and suffer consequences.

Hebrews 2:5-8

God gave the earth to man, not angels, for him to rule over it. Man has failed to rule over the earth because he fell into sin, through Adam. But that will change.

Christ humbled Himself lower than angels by becoming a man and living the life of a man. Christ suffered death, out of obedience to God, and was rewarded with the glory and honor first bestowed to Adam, meaning that Christ has inherited the earth to rule over it. He experienced death so we wouldn’t have to, in accordance with God’s merciful plan.

Hebrews 2:10-13

Christ, the Son of God, created the universe and has inherited the earth as a possession as well as being its King. Jesus wants to mature Christians through sanctification and suffering so that they can become sons as well, and serve as co-rulers with Him in the future. He has already saved us to be children of God, and He considers us brothers. He wants many brothers to also share His glory.

Hebrews 2:14-18

Christ had to become a human to save humankind from the power of sin and death. By becoming a human and liberating us, He now acts as a high priest. He knows and has experienced the temptations humans suffer, and He is available to help those who ask for it.

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Chapter Context

In this chapter, Paul admonishes the believing Jews to consider the severe negative consequences for neglecting the salvation provided for us under the New Covenant. Jesus’s work has paved the way for humanity to be restored to its original design, to rule the earth in perfect harmony. Jesus humbled himself to become a human so that He could experience and conquer death, thus freeing us from condemnation and defeating death. Because He sacrificed Himself in faithful obedience to God, He was given the earth as His dominion to rule one day, restoring man’s place as rulers over the earth like God designed at the start of creation. Since Jesus lived life as a man, He can now act as our compassionate High Priest and intercede for us before the throne of God. But the reward of sharing in His inheritance is only given to those who live faithfully.