Hebrews 2

1-4 Warning to Pay Attention

• Therefore (because the Son is greater than the angels), we must pay greater attention to him so we don't fall away.
• Because if the angels' messages from God were important, his Son's messages are that much more important.
• And we know they are true, because his message was affirmed:
• by the Son himself,
• by those who heard him,
• by God himself, through signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit

5-9 Lower than Angels

• We are not subject to angels, but (according to Psalm 8:4-6):
• For a little while God has made human beings lower than the angels, making all things subject to them.
• We don’t see everything in subjection to men, but we see Jesus, made lower than the angels for a little while, being crowned with glory and honor because of his death.

Note: Following their decision to be “gender neutral,” the NRSV renders verse 5 “human beings” and “mortals” (Greek anthrōpos). The ASV, KJV, NASV and other equally reliable versions translate it “man” and “the son of man,” then use the singular pronoun “him.” In verse 9, the NRSV uses the singular pronoun, referring to Jesus. At first, this didn’t make sense to me, because I thought the “son of man” must refer to Jesus. But in context, I can see how understanding it to mean “mankind” makes sense.

10-18 Exaltation through Abasement

• The “pioneer of [our] salvation” was made “perfect” through sufferings. I love the use of the word picture pioneer of salvation. “Perfect” here refers to his being made complete: Only one who suffers can fully empathize with others who suffer.
• We (who have been made holy) have a Father in common with Jesus (who makes us holy), which causes him to call us his brothers and sisters.
• He came to earth not to help angels, but we who are flesh and blood, who previously lived in fear of the power of Satan, i.e. death.
• This makes (completes) him, qualifies him to be a merciful high priest – both priest and the sacrificial lamb.