Tyndale Open Study NotesHebrews 2

The author argues from a smaller example to a larger one. In the Old Testament era, people who rejected God’s word delivered by angels were punished. If that was true, then the punishment will be even greater for those who now reject the message of salvation. This message has been given by the Son himself and confirmed by the Holy Spirit.

• What we have heard is the message of salvation delivered through Christ (Hebrews 2:3).

• So that we do not drift away is like a ship going off course. Here, it means losing spiritual focus by not paying close attention to the Good News.

• According to Jewish tradition, God gave the law on Mount Sinai through angelss (see Acts 7:38; Galatians 3:19).

• Breaking the law led to punishment (see Exodus 22:19; Leviticus 20:10; Numbers 35:16–21). The punishment could not be escaped (see Proverbs 1:24–31; Jeremiah 11:11).

• Why do we think we can avoid consequences? The author emphasizes the serious danger of rejecting Christ and his salvation. There is no escape from punishment for those who turn away, and the punishment will be very severe (see Hebrews 6:4–12; 10:26–31; 12:29; Romans 2:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:16).

• Salvation means God's actions to help his people. For example, God saved his people when he brought them out of Egypt in the exodus (Deuteronomy 26:5–9). In the New Testament, salvation generally refers to Christ's sacrificial death on the cross. This action saved people from the consequences of sin and gave them new life (Hebrews 5:9–10). Jesus first announced this salvation himself (for example, Matthew 4:17; 9:35; Mark 1:15; Luke 13:1–5). He then confirmed the message through those who heard him speak (for example, Mark 6:12; Acts 2:38; 3:19–20).

affirmed by God: God himself proved the truth of Christ's message and his followers. He provided signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:22; Romans 15:19; 2 Corinthians 12:12).

The author of Hebrews uses Psalm 8:4–6 to shift from discussing Christ's divine nature in Hebrews 1:5–14 to his human nature in 2:10–18. Psalm 8 is often paired with Psalm 110:1 (see Hebrews 1:13) to describe how all creation submits to Christ (see 1 Corinthians 15:25–27; Ephesians 1:20–23). Christ is the perfect human. In his exaltation, he achieves true dominion over creation, something humanity could not do.

it is not to angels: Compare Hebrews 1:13.

These verses quote Psalm 8:4–6. Psalm 8 talks about the position God has given to humanity. The author of Hebrews uses the verse to predict Christ, who fulfills and represents humanity.

• What is man: These lines of the psalm highlight God's special care for humans.

• the son of Man: The term son of man refers to human life and is similar to man in the previous line. In the Gospels, Jesus often used this phrase to describe himself.

• him: This refers to all of humanity and specifically to Christ (see study note on 2:6–8).

• Christ became a little lower than the angels (or a little while lower). In other words, Christ became like other humans (see also Philippians 2:5–8).

• crowned him with glory and honor: Because of his suffering, he was given the highest honor and praise (see Hebrews 2:9; Philippians 2:9–11).

• placed everything under his feet: See study note on 2:6–8.

• He left nothing outside of his control: All things are ultimately under the authority of Christ and the church. However, we have not yet seen this fully happen. Only at the end of the age (the final period of time when Jesus returns) will it be completed.

But we see Jesus: How can the church continue when evil and death exist? We look to Jesus in his human life, where he was "a little lower than the angels." We also look to him in his exaltation, where he is now "crowned with glory and honor." His suffering as a human led to his exaltation (see Philippians 2:5–11; compare Isaiah 52:13–53:12). See also Hebrews 12:1–13.

This passage suggests at least four reasons why the Son of God became human.

1. It was appropriate: It aligns with God's character to achieve salvation this way (Hebrews 2:10).

2. Jesus needed to become human to die (2:14).

3. According to Old Testament law, high priests had to be chosen from among God's people (2:17).

4. Jesus became a compassionate priest by experiencing human suffering and challenges (2:18).

• sons: The author uses the title Son for Jesus and refers to God's people as sons. The translation children clarifies that it includes all of God's people, both male and female.

• The term author had many meanings in the ancient world. It could also mean founder, hero, champion, prince, captain, leader, or scout. Jesus is called the author because he began the work of salvation and guides people to glory.

• of the same family (literally are all out of one): In this context, "Father" likely refers to God. However, the author might have been thinking of Abraham as a shared ancestor (see Hebrews 2:16) or of human nature as a shared experience (out of one nature).

• brothers: The Greek word adelphoi is a general term for family members, both male and female.

This verse quotes Psalm 22:22 and discusses the term brothers and sisters in Hebrews 2:11. Psalm 22 includes important prophecies about Christ's suffering (Psalm 22:1, 7–8, 16–18; see Matthew 27:35, 43; John 19:23–24, 31–36). Psalm 22:22 highlights how the righteous sufferer (Jesus) joins God's people in praising God for His help.

• This verse quotes Isaiah 8:17–18, which is part of a larger context about the Messiah (compare Isaiah 8:14 with Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:8).

• "I will put my trust in Him.": This shows that Jesus trusts God the Father.

• "I, and the children God has given Me.": This shows the close relationship between Jesus and God's children.

• The death of the Son of God as a sacrifice for sin weakened the devil's power. It made the devil's power over death ineffective (1 Corinthians 15:56).

• Philo, a first-century Jewish philosopher, wrote that "nothing enslaves the mind like fearing death" (Philo, That Every Good Person Is Free 3.22). Through his sacrificial death, Christ freed those who were slaves to the fear of dying.

descendants of Abraham: Jesus died on the cross for those who inherit God's promises to Abraham, not for the angels.

• These verses introduce Jesus as our kind and loyal high priest, a role fully explained in the main part of Hebrews (Hebrews 4:14–10:25).

• He needed to share our human experience (see 5:1).