Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)
Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
HEBREWS 2
Warning to Pay Attention
1We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Jesus Made Fully Human
5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified:
“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
a son of man that you care for him?
7 You made them a little lower than the angels;
you crowned them with glory and honor
8 and put everything under their feet.”
In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. 9 But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. 12 He says,
“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the assembly I will sing your praises.”
13 And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”
And again he says,
“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Application Notes
2:1 These early believers were in danger of falling away from following Jesus. They had heard the gospel, but it had not sunk in. People raised in believing families and churches risk the same danger today. They hear the words and more or less agree, but intellectual assent to Christ's leadership does not make a person a disciple of Christ. Are you a Sunday school teacher, a small group leader, or a youth leader? Don't assume that people who comply and conform are truly committed to Christ. Get to know each person who attends your group, and challenge each one with the truth and implications of commitment to Christ. Don't surrender anyone to casual belief.
2:2-3 "The message spoken through angels" reflects the teaching that angels, as messengers for God, had brought the law to Moses (see Galatians 3:19). A central theme of Hebrews is that Christ is infinitely greater than all other proposed ways to God (and, in fact, the only way). Just as Christ is greater than the angels, Christ's message exceeds what the angels had brought to Moses. No one will escape God's punishment if they disregard the salvation offered by Christ.
2:3 Eyewitnesses to Jesus' ministry had handed down his teachings to the readers of this book. These readers were second-generation believers who had not seen Christ in the flesh. We also have not seen Jesus personally. We base our belief in Jesus on the eyewitness accounts recorded in the Bible. (See John 20:29 for Jesus' encouragement to those who believe without ever having seen him.)
2:4 "God also testified to it" continues the thought from 2:3. Those who had heard Jesus speak and then had passed on his words also had the truth of their words confirmed by "signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit." In the book of Acts, miracles and gifts of the Spirit authenticated the gospel wherever it was preached (see Acts 9:31-42; 14:1-20). Paul--who discusses spiritual gifts in Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12-14; and Ephesians 4--taught that they were given to build up the church, making it strong and mature. When we see the gifts of the Spirit in an individual or congregation, we know that God is truly present. As we receive God's gifts, we should thank him for them and put them to use for the good of the church.
2:8-9 God put Jesus in charge of everything, and Jesus revealed himself to us. We do not yet see Jesus reigning on earth, but we can picture him in his heavenly glory. When you are confused by present events and anxious about the future, remember Jesus' true position and authority. As Lord of all, who will one day rule on earth as he does now in heaven, he can be counted on to give you stability and insight regarding your daily decisions.
2:9-10 God's grace to us led Christ to his death. Jesus did not come into the world to gain status or political power but to suffer and die so that we could have eternal life ("bringing many sons and daughters to glory"). If we find difficulty in identifying with Christ's servant attitude, perhaps we need to evaluate our own motives. Are we more interested in power or participation? Dominating or serving? Getting or giving?
2:10 Jesus was made the perfect leader, or pioneer, of our salvation through his suffering as the complete sacrifice for us (see the notes on 5:8-9). Jesus did not need to suffer for his own salvation because he was God in human form. He perfectly obeyed God through his own painful crucifixion to finalise our salvation. When we suffer, we carry on Jesus' work. Our suffering can make us, as servants of God, more sensitive to the needs of others. People who have dealt with pain are able to reach out with compassion to others who hurt. If you have suffered, ask God to use your experience to help others.
2:11-13 We who have been set apart for God's service, cleansed, and made holy (sanctified) by Jesus now have the same Father he has; Jesus has made us his brothers and sisters. Various psalms look forward to Christ and his work in the world. Here, the writer quotes a portion of Psalm 22, one of these messianic psalms. Because God has adopted all believers as his children, Jesus calls them his brothers and sisters. We all share God as our Father. In his sight, we are all equally his children, so we must never look down on or mistreat any of his other children.
2:14-15 It was a necessary part of God's plan that Jesus become human ("flesh and blood") to die and rise again in order to destroy the devil's power over death (Romans 6:5-11). By doing this, Christ delivered us from eternal death and freed us to live with him. When we belong to God, we need not fear death, because we know that death opens the doorway into eternal life (1 Corinthians 15). Jesus defeated death, so all who dread death can find the hope that Christ's victory brings. How can you share this certainty with those close to you?
2:16-17 In the Old Testament, the high priest was the mediator between God and his people. His job was to regularly offer animal sacrifices according to the law and to intercede with God for forgiveness of the people's sins. Now we have Jesus Christ as our High Priest. He bridges the gap between us and our holy Father. Having lived as a human being, he understands our weaknesses. He has once and for all paid the penalty for our sins by his own sacrificial death (atonement), and he has restored our broken relationship with God. We are released from sin's domination and controlling power when we commit ourselves fully to Christ, trusting completely in what he has done for us. (For more on Jesus as the great High Priest, see the note on 4:14).
2:18 Knowing that Jesus suffered pain and faced temptation helps us face our trials. Jesus understands and empathises with our struggles because he faced them as a human being. We can trust Christ to help us survive suffering and overcome temptation. When you face trials, go to Jesus for strength and patience. He knows your needs and will help you (see 4:14-16).
Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)