Hebrews 2

King James Version

Full text for Hebrews Chapter 2

1¶ Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let [them] slip.

2For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him];

4God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

5¶ For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

6But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

8Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing [that is] not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

10¶ For it became him, for whom [are] all things, and by whom [are] all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified [are] all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

12Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

13And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

14¶ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

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

16For verily he took not on [him the nature of] angels; but he took on [him] the seed of Abraham.

17Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

18For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Hebrews 2 begins with a solemn warning to give earnest heed to the great salvation, which was first spoken by the Lord and confirmed by God with signs and wonders, lest one neglect it. It establishes Jesus' superiority over angels, noting that humanity, not angels, is destined for the "world to come," a destiny fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus was made lower than angels to suffer death, thereby destroying the devil's power and becoming a merciful High Priest able to succour the tempted.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with an urgent admonition to pay close attention to the message of salvation, emphasizing that if the law given by angels brought just recompense, neglecting the salvation spoken by the Lord and confirmed by divine signs will incur greater judgment. It clarifies that the "world to come" is not subjected to angels, but rather to humanity, as indicated in Psalm 8, though this dominion is not yet fully realized. This human destiny is perfectly embodied in Jesus, who, though made temporarily lower than angels to suffer death, is now crowned with glory and honour, having tasted death for every man. It was fitting for God to perfect Jesus, the captain of their salvation, through suffering, to bring many sons to glory. Jesus, sharing in flesh and blood, destroyed the devil's power over death and delivered those enslaved by its fear. By taking on the seed of Abraham, He became a merciful and faithful High Priest, making reconciliation for sins and providing succour to the tempted, having Himself endured temptation.

Long Summary

Hebrews 2 commences with a profound exhortation to give more earnest heed to the things heard concerning salvation, cautioning against drifting away from such a vital message. The author argues that if the word spoken by angels was steadfast and brought just recompense for every transgression, then neglecting the "great salvation"—which began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed by those who heard Him, with God bearing witness through signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost—will surely lead to a more severe judgment. The text then transitions to demonstrate Christ's preeminence over angels, asserting that the "world to come" is not placed under the subjection of angels. Instead, it cites Psalm 8, highlighting humanity's destined dominion over creation, though currently this is not fully seen. This promise finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, who, for a brief time, was made "a little lower than the angels" for the suffering of death. Through this, He is now crowned with glory and honour, having, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man. It was deemed fitting for God, the source and end of all things, to make Jesus, the "captain of their salvation," perfect through sufferings, thereby bringing many sons unto glory. The chapter emphasizes the unity between Jesus, the sanctifier, and those who are sanctified, declaring them to be "all of one," which is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them "brethren." Furthermore, because humanity shares in "flesh and blood," Jesus Himself likewise partook of the same nature. His primary purpose in doing so was to destroy the devil, who held the power of death, through His own death. This act liberates those who, throughout their lifetime, were held in bondage by the fear of death. The chapter concludes by explaining that Jesus did not take on the nature of angels but rather the "seed of Abraham," becoming fully human. This was essential for Him to be a "merciful and faithful high priest" in matters pertaining to God, enabling Him to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Moreover, having personally suffered and been tempted, Jesus is uniquely able to provide aid and comfort to those who are likewise tempted.

Core Concepts

  • Warning Against NeglectThe chapter issues a solemn warning to pay close attention to the message of salvation, implying severe consequences for those who disregard or drift away from it, contrasting it with the strictness of the law given by angels.
  • Christ's Superiority and Humanity's DominionIt is affirmed that the "world to come" is not subjected to angels, but rather to humanity, a destiny ultimately fulfilled and exemplified in Jesus, who, though made temporarily lower than angels, is now crowned with glory and honour.
  • Jesus' Incarnation and SufferingJesus willingly took on human flesh and blood, being made "a little lower than the angels," specifically to suffer death and be perfected through these experiences, thereby becoming the captain of salvation.
  • Destruction of the Devil's PowerThrough His own death, Jesus destroyed the devil, who held the power of death, liberating those who were held in bondage by the fear of death throughout their lives.
  • Jesus as Merciful High PriestBy becoming fully human and experiencing suffering and temptation, Jesus is uniquely qualified to be a compassionate and faithful High Priest, making reconciliation for sins and providing succour to the tempted.
  • Unity with BelieversJesus is not ashamed to call those He sanctifies "brethren," emphasizing that both the sanctifier and the sanctified are "all of one," sharing a common nature and purpose in God's plan.
  • Perfection Through SufferingIt was fitting for God to make Jesus, the "captain of their salvation," perfect through suffering, demonstrating that even the leader of salvation experienced hardship to achieve His redemptive and sanctifying purpose.