Hebrews chapter 2

Pay attention, so you do not drift away from such a great salvation. Jesus Christ is the author of our salvation.

 


 

DO NOT DRIFT AWAY FROM SUCH A GREAT SALVATION

 

VERSE 1. Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away.

Therefore. This section builds on the argument in the previous chapter.

 

VERSE 2. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty,

 

VERSE 3. 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,

so great a salvation. The eternal salvation we have been given is unimaginably great. Yet many of us Christians get bored with it.

 

VERSE 4. 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?

NIV translation: God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

God also testifying. God the Father provides us with even more evidence of our eternal salvation:

signs. The Greek word is σημείοις (“sēmeiois”). It means a sign, typically miraculous. It is given especially to confirm, corroborate or authenticate.

wonders. The Greek word is τέρασιν (“terasin”). It means a marvel, a portent. It is an extraordinary event that leaves an effect upon its observers.

works of power. That is, miracles (NIV translation). The Greek word is δυνάμεσιν (“dynamesin”). It means miraculous power, might, strength.

gifts of the Holy Spirit. These also attest to our eternal salvation, as we learned in our exploration of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

 

JESUS CHRIST IS THE AUTHOR OF OUR SALVATION

 

VERSE 5. For he didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels.

 

VERSE 6. But one has somewhere testified, saying, “What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him?

one has somewhere testified. If you feel a little lost in remembering the “address” of Scripture passages, take comfort!

Even the biblical author couldn’t remember every biblical citation:

Hebrews 4:4. For he has said this somewhere about the seventh day, “God rested on the seventh day from all his works;”

the son of man. The Lord Jesus refers to himself as the Son of Man. Read more »

 

VERSE 7. You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor.

Psalm 8:5. For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor.

 

VERSE 8. 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.

 

VERSE 9. 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.

 

VERSE 10. 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.

it became him. It was appropriate. It was fitting.

in bringing many children to glory. Jesus Christ brings many people to the glory of eternal salvation.

the author of their salvation. Jesus Christ is the Savior. Our eternal salvation is from him. He “authored” it.

perfect through sufferings. Jesus Christ fulfilled his ministry as Savior by means of suffering. He suffered and died on the cross.

 

VERSE 11. 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,

not ashamed to call them brothers. Even though Jesus is the Messiah and the Second Person of the Trinity, he calls us his brothers and sisters.

 

VERSE 12. saying, “I will declare your name to my brothers. Among the congregation I will sing your praise.”

 

VERSE 13. Again, “I will put my trust in him.” Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.”

 

VERSE 14. 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,

 

VERSE 15. and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

 

VERSE 16. For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham.

he doesn’t give help to angels. Angels do not need eternal salvation.

he gives help to the offspring of Abraham. Jesus Christ ministers eternal salvation to us humans.

 

VERSE 17. 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.

to be made like his brothers. Jesus was like us in all things but sin. He was a real human being, and not a ghost.

a merciful and faithful high priest. This is one of the great lessons from the Letter to the Hebrews. Jesus Christ is our High Priest. As our High Priest, Jesus is merciful and faithful.

to make atonement for the sins of the people. This is the essence of the ministry of Jesus Christ. He made atonement for our sins.

 

VERSE 18. For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Letter to the Hebrews and from the entire Bible.

 


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HEBREWS

CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13

RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize

Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.