Exegesis of Hebrews 2:5-18

The Crucial Importance of the Incarnate, Suffering Son

John R. Neal

NT9331A – New Testament Text Hebrews

October 7, 2013

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Outline

I. Introduction ………………………………………………………. 1-2II. Provisional Translation ………………………………………….. 2-3III. Exegesis ……………………………………………………….. …4-19

A. What is Man (2:5-9) …………………………………………..4-10B. The Savior of Men (2:10-13) …………………………………11-14C. Being Made Like the Brethren (2:14-18) ……………………. 14-19

IV. Conclusion ……………………………………………………….. 19V. Bibliography ………………………………………………………20VI. Appendix ………………………………………………………….22

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Exegesis of Hebrews 2:5-18

The Crucial Importance of the Incarnate, Suffering Son

Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to give an exegesis of Hebrews 2:5-18. The title of this

section of Hebrews is “The Crucial Importance of the Incarnate, Suffering Son.” The

introduction will start off by dealing with the structure and outline of the passage as part of the

larger context of the epistle to the Hebrews. How does Hebrews chapter two lay the groundwork

or foundation for the rest of the epistle? If one does not grasp the humanity of the Son in

Hebrews two, then the rest of the book will make little sense to the reader (ancient or modern).

Following the introductory matters, a provisional translation will be provided, followed by an

exegesis of 2:5-18, and finally some concluding remarks.

The passage under consideration falls under the first of three main sections in the book of

Hebrews. According to Cockerill, the basic structure of Hebrews falls under three main

headings. The first section, 1:1-4:13, deals with the Superiority of Christ’s Person. The second

section, 4:14-10:18, is the Superiority of Christ’s Work. The third section, 19:19-12:29, we find

the Superiority of the Christian’s Walk of Faith.1 There are variations to the outline or rhetorical

structure applied to the epistle to the Hebrews (some simple and others very complex). O’Brien

considers Hebrews 1:5-2:18 as a “single unit” that can be sub-divided into four different

paragraphs. These four divisions are: 1:5-14; 2:1-4; 2:5-9; and 2:10-18.2 Guthrie also views

1Garreth Lee Cockerill, The Epistle to the Hebrews, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2012), 61-62.

2Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Hebrews, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010), 63.

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Hebrews 1:5-2:18 as one unit that falls under the heading of the Son’s Superiority over angels3.

Cockerill gives the following simple outline of Hebrews chapters one through four. He entitles

the theme of this section, “A Very Short History of the Disobedient People of God” (1:1-4:13).

Under point A, Cockerill refers to this as “Sinai Revisited: God Has Spoken in the Eternal,

Incarnate, Now Exalted Son (1:1-2:18). Under this heading, he lists four sub-points. First, God

Has Spoken Through His Son (1:1-4). Second, the Incomparable Majesty of the Eternal, Exalted

Son (1:5-14). Third, the Urgency of Attending to God’s Son-Mediated Revelation (2:1-4).

Fourth, the Crucial Importance of the Incarnate, Suffering Son (2:5-18). 4 The Incarnation

passage (2:5-18) can further be sub-divided into three distinct “sub-sections.” They are 2:5-9;

2:10-13; and 2:14-18.5

Here in Hebrews 2:5-18, the author finishes up his depiction of the superiority of God’s

“eternal, exalted Son” over angels (1:5-14) by arguing that Christ’s “incarnation and suffering” is

the means by which the Son becomes exalted to his right hand as our “all-sufficient Savior.” The

first four verses of chapter two give a stern warning of what happens when we reject the “word”

or message of God.

Provisional Translation

5For he subjected not to the angels the world to come (which is coming), concerning which we speak. 6But somewhere someone testified, saying,

‘What is man that you remember him,

Or the Son of Man that you take care of him?’

3Donald Guthrie, Hebrews, The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (London/Grand Rapids: Inter-Varsity/Eerdmans, 1983), 75.

4Cockerill, 79. 5Ibid., 125.

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7’You made him lower for a short time than the angels,

You crowned him with glory and honor.’8’You subjected all things under his feet’,

For when he subjected all things he left (permitted) nothing not subject to him. But now not yet we see all things having been made subject to him.

9But having been made lower for a short time than the angels we see Jesus through the suffering of death having been crowned with glory and honor, in order that by the grace of God he should taste (experience) of death in behalf of everyone.

10For it was fitting (proper) for him, on account of whom are all things and through whom are all things, having lead many sons into glory, the originator (prince) of their salvation to be made perfect through sufferings.

11For both the one who sanctifies and the ones who are being sanctified are all of one; for which/this cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

12saying,

‘I will announce your name to my brethren,

In the midst of the congregation (assembly) I will sing your praise,’13and again,

‘I (myself) will be persuaded (convinced) in him,’

And again,

‘Behold I and the children which God gave to me.’ 14Therefore since the children of God participate (share) in the blood and flesh, and

likewise he himself share with them, in order that death might nullify the one having power (control) over death, that is the devil.

15And he might release these, as many as fear death through all the living they were subject to bondage (slavery).

16For surely he did not lay hold of angels, but the seed of Abraham he took hold of.17Wherefore it was owing in all things to be made like to the brethren that he might

become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to god to make atonement for the sins of the people.

18For because he himself has suffered having been tempted (he himself was tested by what he suffered), he is able to help those who are tempted.

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Exegesis

What is Man (2:5-9)

The theme in this section of Hebrews two is entitled by Lightfoot as the “Humiliation

and Glory of Christ,”6 or as Ellingworth refers to this as the “Path to Glory.” Attridge says that

after a “hortatory interlude” in vv. 1-4, the writer then “returns to exposition.”7 The author of

Hebrews begins by stating that God (who is the subject here, or technically the understood

subject) did not “subject the angels the world to come” (Ou) ga\r a)gge/loij u(pe/taken

th\n oi)koume/nhn th\n me/llousan). The structural layout of this section begins in

verse 5 with angels (‘For he subjected not to the angels’) and ends in verse 16 likewise with

angels (‘For he is surely not concerned with angels’). Then in vv. 17-18 one notices these

passages are “structurally transitional” and extremely important, according to Ellingworth,

because these two verses “explicitly introduce for the first time the theme of Christ’s high

priesthood.”8 The ga/r in vs. 5 is not as “emphatic as the dia\ tou=to back in vs. 1. Yet

there are places in Hebrews where the simple ga/r does “mark” major transitions. The

combination of ou) ga/r, although not “particularly emphatic” here, appears again in Heb 2:16;

4:15; 6:10; 9:24; 12:18; and 13:14.9 The verb u(pota/ssw is a first aorist active indicative,

third person singular, meaning to “subject” or “subordinate,” to place in order. This verb is used

four times in this passage and a related term, ‘disobedient,’ is found in vs. 8. This verb is

6Neil R. Lightfoot, Jesus Christ Today, A Commentary On The Book of Hebrews (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1976, Repr. 1980), 72.

7Harold W. Attridge, The Epistle to the Hebrews: A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Hermenia, ed Helmut Koester (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1989), 69.

8Paul Ellingworth, The Epistle to the Hebrews: A Commentary on the Greek Text, The New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993), 143.

9Ibid., 145.

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frequently used by Paul to describe the mutual submission Christians have to one another “in

Christ” (Eph 5:21), the wives to their husbands (Eph 5:22, 24, verb is implied in vs. 22), and the

church is to be in submission to Christ (Eph 5:24). However only in this section of Hebrews

(2:5) does the verb u(pota/ssw possess the “active voice meaning” of to “subject” or to

“subordinate.” In 12:9 there is the “passive” meaning of “human submission to God,” as well as

“cosmically in 2:8c.” Due to the author’s statement in 2:8b-9, one may understand this as

referring to a “firm decision by God not to place angels in control of the world to come.”10

The phrase, the “inhabited” (oi)koume/nh) world to come (me/llw, present active

participle, accusative feminine singular, to be about) is a realm to be in submission to the Son,

not to the angels (see 1 Cor 15:24-28 and Heb 1:13-14, the quote from Ps 110:1, where the

enemies will be put under his feet). This term is “common in apocalyptic and rabbinic

tradition.”11 Guthrie notes that the phrase for the ‘world to come’ can be viewed in different three

ways: (1) referring to the afterlife; (2) referring to the new age or new “order” brought about by

Christ, the kingdom, or (3) “the end of the present age.” Guthrie notes that there may be some

truth to all three views, but views number two is most likely what the writer has in mind.12

Ellingworth disagrees with Guthrie and notes that this phrase most likely references back to

oi)kume/nh in Heb 1:6 and that both occurrences probably refer to the “world to come.”13

Ellingworth also argues that the view espoused by the Early Church Fathers that for Christians

this refers to the “present reality” cannot be the correct interpretation since 2:8b states that “we

do not yet see everything in subjection to him.”14

10Ibid. 11Attridge, 70. 12Guthrie, 84. 13Ellingworth, 144. 14Ibid., 146. This does not mean there is no future (1:14), yet present (2:3) eschatological view in Heberws.

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Attridge notes there is a reason for this reference to the inhabited world or the

“eschatological consummation of the Son’s reign.” The author mentions this not only because of

the “eschatological dimension” in the Old Testament passages he quotes, but also to reassure his

readers that the “reality” of this age has been “inaugurated in Christ’s exaltation.” His

“inauguration” was confirmed by “signs and wonders.” Here we see the “tension” that exists

between the “present and future elements in eschatology.”15

Then vv. 6b-8a, the author quotes from Psalm 8. The use of Palm 8 here by the author of

Hebrews is understood from a Christological standpoint. The passage deals with the

“incarnation” and “exaltation” of Christ. This leads to a smooth “transition to the discussion of

the Son’s solidarity with humanity in vv. 10-18.”16 Psalm 8 is composed as a praise hymn for

Yahweh’s marvelous act of creation. Two themes emerge in this psalm: the marvel of the

universe and how “insignificant” man is in comparison to the vastness of the universe. The

“lofty position” mankind is given includes his dominion over the creatures. According to the

passage he quotes from (Psalm 8:3-8), man is made a little lower than God or the “heavenly

beings.”17 This idea of angels rather than God may also go back to the idea of the angels as

mediators of the old covenant (Heb 2:2; Acts 7:53; Gal 3:19), which Ellingworth and others

argue may be based upon the LXX rendering of the MT of Deut 32:8 (“Angels of God” rather

than “sons of Israel”).18

The importance of angels in 1:5-14 are contrasted with the man/son of man quotation in

2:5b-8 (from Ps 8:4-6). The humanity of Jesus is an important theological note, especially in

15Attridge, 70. 16O’Brien, 93. 17Ibid., 94. 18Ellingworth, 146.

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2:14 (‘flesh and blood’). The Son is divine and he alone deserves our worship.19 The palmist

raises question, “What is man,” in Ps 8:4-6 (Heb 2:6b), using the interrogative pronoun ti/ or

what.20 The “subject” of this psalm is obviously “man,” who is depicted by the inspired writer as

having “all things at the time of creation” under his dominion and “jurisdiction.” According to

Lightfoot, the expression son of man is simply a Semitism, a way of saying “man.” We have

here in these two lines from Psalm 8 “examples of synonymous parallelism” which is

“characteristic of Hebrew poetry.”21 The question is raised whether or not the psalmist originally

intended “son of man” to be interpreted in a “heightened” or spiritual sense? Some would argue

that sense son of man (ui(o\j a)nqrw/pou) does not contain the definite article that the author

is not making a Christological claim here. Normally the article is used when referencing the

“messianic title.”22 While this may be viewed as Messianic, the Hebrew writer seems to leave

the decision to the reader to identify Jesus with the son of man in the eighth psalm.23 Guthrie

argues that this quote from Psalm 8 “was never considered to be Messianic,” for the original

context is man, yet not in his ordinary state but in his ideal state,” which “is indicated by the use

of the title ‘son of man.’”24 Could the Hebrew writer be leaving out the definite article to stress

quality rather than definiteness? Robertson sees this phrase “son of man” similar to the same

phrase used by God to refer to the prophet Ezekiel.25 Yet Leupold says that this passage is

Messianic when we see that the New Testament “gives us our full authorization for classifying

19Cockerill, 126. 20Attridge, 71. Attridge notes that ti/j (who) is found in some Greek manuscripts such as p46 and in “one

important witness (A) to the LXX.” He believes this variant reading is probably a “scribal correction to bring the verse into conformity to the LXX text-type represented in A.”

21Lightfoot, 73. 22 O’Brien, 96.23Lightfoo, 73. 24Guthrie, 84. 25A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures In The New Testament, Vol V, The Fourth Gospel, The Epistle To The

Hebrews (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1932), 344.

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this Psalm as messianic by the consistent use” the Hebrew writer makes of this psalm.26 That

there may be Christology in the fact that the phrase “Son of Man” is supported by the fact that

Jesus is often referred to as such in the “Synoptic Gospels,” in the Gospel of John, from the lips

of Stephen in Acts 7, and in the book of Revelation. Some connect the New Testament usage of

Son of Man with the vision of Daniel in 7:1327 who say one ‘like or as the son of man’

().28

Then in vv. 7-8 we encounter the statement about man being created a “little lower than

the angels.” The expression “little” here from both the Greek Old Testament and Hebrew Bible

can mean “either position or time, and the exact sense here is difficult to discern.” The Hebrew

writer is quoting here from the LXX (which reads angels) rather than the MT (which reads

God).29 The translators of the LXX interpreted to mean angels (a)gge/loj) or

heavenly beings rather than God.30 The Hebrew epistle depends upon this particular Greek

translation of the Old Testament to support his argument here. A similar situation can be found

in John 10:34, where Jesus is probably quoting from Psalm 8:6, and here rendered as “you are

gods, ‘and “was probably understood as “angels.”” The author obviously benefits here from the

“LXX reading at this point,” even though could also be “understood” to prove the

point he is making. Even though the Hebrew of Psalm 8:5 “refers to the smallness of degree to

26H.C. Leupold, Exposition of the Psalms (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1972), 100. 27Attridge, 73. 28Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, ed K. Elliger and W. Rudolph (Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft,

1987), 1399. 29Lightfoot, 73. Attridge, 71.30O’Brien, 94. While the LXX, Vulgate, and Syria read angels, the later Greek translations of the Old

Testament (Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion, as well as Jerome) follow the MT elohim. A.F. Kirkpatrick, The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: The Book of Psalms With Introduction And Notes, Book I, Psalms I-XLI (Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1901), 40.

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which man is inferior, … the LXX quoted in Heb. 2:7 can be understood in a temporal sense,”

which would read, “you made him for a little while lower.”31

In 2:7a-8a, the preacher interprets Psalm 8 by centering on these three quotes: (1) Ps

8:5a/Heb 2:7a – “You have made him a little lower than the angels.” (2) Ps 8:5b/Heb2:7b –

“You crowned him with glory and honor.” (3) Ps 8:5b/Heb 2:8a – “You have subjected all

things under his feet.” The second quote refers to Jesus’ exaltation, while the third quote has

reference to the Son’s “second coming.” These thoughts from Psalm 9 also parallel with Psalm

110:1 (Heb 2:13-14).32 Then in 2:8b-9, the writer brings out an important theological concept

here in Hebrews. The author’s point of view is not about mankind’s “lofty status,” but rather to

“the humiliation and exaltation of Jesus in relation to the world to come.”33 The focus of these

verses then is not on the lofty estate of man in the “created order, but an oracle that describes the

humiliation and exaltation of Jesus.”34 In verse 8, the Hebrew writer states that “everything” is

under the son of man’s control. “Jesus is not mentioned until the following verse, and then by

the way of contrast.” The phrase, “we do not yet see” (ou)/pw o(rw=men), the “not yet”

refers to an “unfulfilled promise.” The point here is that we are unable to see here and now

everything made subject to the Son. This is reserved for the world to come.35

The author of Hebrews follows the LXX translation of Psalm 8 “closely” with the

exception of omitting the clause, “You have set him over the works of your hands.” Perhaps the

writer leaves this phrase out “because the clause refers quite clearly to the mastery of humanity

over the present world” rather than Christ. This would make his whole argument of interpreting

31Donald A. Hagner, Hebrews, A Good News Commentary, ed W. Ward Gasque (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983), 27-28.

32Cockerill, 130. 33O’Brien, 96. 34Attridge, 72. 35Lightfoot, 74.

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Christ in light of “his temporary subjection, and his eschatological reign” much more difficult.36

There is a definite theological motivation for how the writer quotes from the LXX.

The purpose for the Son coming to this earth and being ‘made lower for a short time than

the angels’, according to v. 9, is so that we would ‘see Jesus through the suffering of death

having been crowned with glory and honor, in order that by the grace of God he should taste of

death in behalf of all.’ The conclusion to this “clause” seems to be written “rather awkwardly

and the precise relationship with what precedes is unclear.” Yet the “context” of v. 9 points out

that the crowning of the Son takes place after his death on the cross. This this clause clearly

“relates to the whole of what precedes and indicates the basic purpose” of the Son’s “mission”

which concludes with his death on the cross and ascension back to the Father. There is a textual

variant here in v. 9 (‘by the grace of God’). The textual variant reads “apart from God” (xwri\j

qeou=) rather than ‘by the grace of God’ (xa/riti qeou=). This textual variant finds only

late attestation in manuscripts and different versions, but “was known to patristic authors,

including Origen,” and thus is found in some copies of Hebrews from the third century. While

the normal rule of textual criticism is to prefer the more difficult reading over the easier one, yet

“apart from God” does not seem to “fit well” the context of Psalm 8 nor the argument of the

author here in Hebrews 2:9.37

The Savior of Men (2:10-13)

Made Perfect By Suffering (2:10). This verse serves three different purposes. First, vs.

10 “marks the beginning” of a new paragraph (vv. 10-18) where there is no mention of the 36Attridge, 71. 37Ibid., 76-77.

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audience he is addressing and deals with two important Christological themes: (1) Christ sharing

in the “suffering” and “trials” of Christians, and (2) Christ is the one who “leads them to

salvation.”38 Second, vs. 9 is a lead in to vs. 10 in that the former sets the stage for discussion

about suffering that leads to salvation. Third, while the reference to Christ’s atoning death here

is based upon the teaching of the apostolic preaching (Acts 2:23), there may also be some

connection to the “first part of Ps. 22 (vv.1-18), the second part of which (v. 22) is soon to be

quoted in Heb. 2:12.”39

“For it was fitting,” 2:10 - comes from the verb pre/pw, which means to be fitting or

proper (Imperfect Active Indicative, third person singular). God is the understood subject here.

It was fitting “for him,” that is God. What made God’s actions proper? The Father’s act of

saving grace (vs. 9) led to the suffering and death of Christ.40 The usage of ui(oi/ only occurs

here in 2:10 and again in 12:5-8, and is always without the article. The author of Hebrews does

not use the typical Pauline phrase “sons of God” (ui(oi/ tou= qeou=) found in Rom 8:14, 19;

Gal 3:26; 2 Cor 6:18, nor the phrase used by John (children of God, te/kna tou= qeou=).

While the phrase “many sons” does not specifically say “sons of God,” the implication is that we

are indeed God’s sons. Yet the “sonship of Christians is so different from, and dependent on,

that of Christ that the author passes quickly on to the complementary thought of believers as

brothers of Christ (vv. 11, 12, 17).”41

The Son came to ‘become the prince or originator of their salvation.’ The word

a)rxhgo/j is used in the New Testament only of Christ and carries the idea of “pioneer,” the

originator, leader, ruler, or prince (see Acts 3:15; 5:31; Heb 12:2). The term always refers to the 38Ellingworth, 157-58. 39Ibid., 210. 40Lightfoot, 75. 41Ibid., 160.

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“death”, “resurrection”, and the “exaltation” of Christ.42 The term appears in “secular Greek” to

refer to the founder and “hero” of a city (who usually wore his name and became the city

“guardian”). The term also refers to a family “head” or “founder” of a “school,” a “colony,” or

even a “nation.” The term also refers to a military “commander” who went ahead and “blazed

the trail” for his men. This term is also found in the LXX version “with a similarly wide

semantic range.” In the New Testament this term occurs only twice.43 Each one of these terms

fits the New Testament description of Jesus. Yet the “idea of a leader who opens up a new way

seems to be uppermost in the author’s mind.” The Son as a “pioneer” blazes the trail ahead of

the “saved” in order to open up the “path” to heaven.44

O’Brien argues that vv. 11-13 centers around the “Son’s solidarity” with his brethren

“whom God is leading to glory,” while v. 11 in particular “deepens the argument of the

preceding.”45 Here in v. 11, there are two things are said about the nature of God the Father,

literally, ‘on account of (or for) whom are all things and through whom are all things.’ This

same phrase is found in two parallel passages (Rom 11:36 and 1 Cor 8:6); the argument made in

all three passages is that God the Father is the “basis and cause of all existence.” Everything

finds purpose and “reason” in him.46 Ellingworth finds in this phrase, ‘on account of whom are

all things and through whom are all things,’ a “doxology” which “suggests a liturgical setting.”

In support of this being a doxology is similar to passages such as Col 1:16, 1 Cor 1:9, Gal 1:1,

and Rev 4:11.47 The purpose of the Father: ‘having brought many sons into glory.’ “Brought”

comes from a)gago/nta (a)gw/, second aorist active participle, accusative masculine

42Lightfoot, 76. Ellingworth, 160. 43Attrodge, 87. 44Lightfoot, 76. 45O’Brien, 108. 46Lightfoot, 75. 47Ellingworth, 159.

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singular), indicating purpose. Ellingworth says the context here “suggests an ingressive aorist.”

This participle “expresses the main action, and the main verb subordinate action.”48 The idea of

many sons can be understood as referring to being the seed of Abraham down in v. 16. Paul says

in Gal 3:26-29 that being in Christ is equated with being Abraham’s seed spiritually.49 If many

sons is to be understood as being the spiritual children of Abraham, then perhaps this also has in

mind the original promises made to Abraham back in Gen 12:1-3. This phrase could also refer to

the number of Christians who are still faithful to Christ as opposed to those who are unfaithful

(6:4-6; 10:26-29).50

In the Old Testament God (the Father) is depicted as the one who “sanctifies” or makes

his people holy.51 The theme of Leviticus is how God provides a way for unholy man to

approach a holy God (Lev 8:11-12, “be holy, for I am holy”). Here the Hebrew writer shows

that the Son fulfills this role (showing the Son’s unity with Deity). Because we are sanctified,

we are called his sons and daughters, as well as brethren.52 The “full meaning” of becoming holy

is not yet revealed in the book of Hebrews. This revelation will not take place until 9:13-14,

where sanctification “signifies” being brought into the very “presence of God through Christ’s

self-sacrifice.” For the author of the Hebrew epistle, sanctification is closely “linked with the

establishment” of that new covenant (Jer 31; Heb 8-9) “between God and man.” Both covenants

were sealed by blood.53

In 2:12-13, the Son gives a “threefold answer” to the Father’s series of questions laid out

in 1:5-14. Here the Son of God “acknowledges his relationship” with God’s people and at the

48Ibid., 160. 49Ibid. 50Ibid., 159-60. 51O’Brien, 108. Cockerill, 141. 52O’Brien, 108. 53Ibid.

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same time “affirms his willingness to identify” himself with them by becoming flesh. The Son

makes a three part response to the Father’s “overture” (1:5-14). First, there is the quote in 2:12

from Ps 22:22 (21:23 in LXX) where the Son proclaims that the people of God are also his own

“brothers and sisters.” Second, the Son declares in 2:13a his “human faithfulness” (a quote for 2

Sam 22:3 and Isa 8:17) to the brethren, which “complements God’s declaration of the Son’s

divine Sonship in 1:8-12.” Third, there is in 2:13b a quote from Isa 8:18 where the “Son accepts

the Father’s invitation” to sit at his right hand (see 1:13) given “on his behalf” and also on behalf

of the children given to him by God the Father.54

Being Made Like the Brethren (2:14-18).

In the context of 2:14-18, the Hebrew writer builds upon the fact that the Son’s suffering

and death is the proper “expression of God’s faithfulness” (according to 2:10-13) towards those

who powerless because of sin (vv. 16-18) to the point they have a “fear of death” (vv. 14-15).

There is a “remarkable degree of parallelism between vv. 14-15 and vv. 16-18,” which is

justifiable in “treating them together as a subsection that explains the benefits of the Son’s

identification with and suffering for his people.”55 According to 2:14-15, since God’s children

share the same humanity as the Son (flesh and blood), then there was a necessity for the Son of

God “to assume the same human nature” so that he might become victorious over death and the

devil. The only way this could be made possible is through the “incarnation” (God made flesh)

and death of the Son in behalf of the people.56 Some scholars argue that the author here is using

as a model for the incarnation a “Gnostic redeemer myth, a Hellenistic hero myth, a Hellenistic 54Cockerill, 142. 55Ibid., 145. 56O’Brien, 113.

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Jewish speculative system,” or some theme from the Old Testament that is being “filtered

through apocalyptic tradition.” What one reads here is the typical “Christian model” of God

made flesh made known through early preaching and teaching. There is the possibility that such

a “mythic scheme did become so common” in the first century world that this concept became

the “standard way of conceiving or discussing “salvation” in a variety of philosophical and

religious contexts …”57 The purpose for Christ’s death is so that the children would be

“glorified” (2:10), “sanctified” (2:11), “liberated” (2:15), and finally “purified from sins”

(2:17).58 He understands the brethren because he was tempted as we are (2:18).

An important term in v. 14 is the verb koinone/w (a perfect active indicative, third

person singular), which means to share, to fellowship, or participate in something. We normally

think of fellowship in the sense of Christian togetherness, but here the idea is that the “children”

(paidi/a) share in the same flesh and blood as the Son. As Lightfoot states, “Since they are

men, He had to become man.” The importance of using the perfect tense here is that the tense

express past action with abiding results. Thus the human race has shared the fleshly body with

the Son in the past and continues to do so today. Christians also share in the “sufferings of

Christ,” according to 1 Pet. 4:13.59 Yet the contrast is, ‘and he likewise shared the same with

them.’ The verb “shared” (mete/xw – to share, have a share in, to participate with) is a second

aorist active indicative, third person singular. The aorist, being the simple past tense, would

mean that Christ shared with mankind in the past flesh and blood, but no longer. 60 Flesh and

blood cannot enter the kingdom of God (1 Cor 15:50), but on earth without the shedding of blood

57Attridge, 79. He adds that this would help explain “much of the similarity among Greco-Roman, Jewish, Christian, and Gnostic soteriologies that have been cited as sources of Hebrews.”

58O’Brien, 113. 59Attridge, 91. 60Cockerill, 146-47.

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there can be no forgiveness (9:22).61 The reason for God becoming flesh: ‘in order that through

death he might destroy the one who has power over death, that is, the devil.’ The verb ‘destroy’

(katage/w) is a first aorist active subjunctive, meaning to nullify, “to make ineffective” or

“render powerless.” Jesus rendered powerless the power Satan had over mankind, death. Other

passages bear out this same reason for Jesus’ death on the cross (1 Jn 3:8; 2 Tim 1:10; 1 Cor

15:26; Rev 20:14), to defeat sin and death. This is all made possible by his atoning death

(9:28).62

The two-fold purpose of Jesus incarnation and sacrifice, as recorded in 2:14b-15, is so

that: (1) the Son might abolish Satan’s power he held “over death” (2:14b) and (2) “that through

this same death he might rescue those who had been enslaved” (2:15). Sin is what held mankind

captive or enslaved to the devil. Thus the Son defeated the “power of death” (Satan) and

liberated those who ‘as man as through fear of death through all their lifetime were subject to

slavery.’ Those are powerful words. We were (h)=san, imperfect indicative of ei)mi/)

subject or liable to (e)/noxoj-nominative masculine plural) bondage, slavery (doulei/a).63 We

are freed from sin to no longer live as slaves under sin (Rom 6:12-14, 19-22). There remains no

more sacrifice (or forgiveness) for those who continually sin willfully (10:26).

According to 2:16, God promises to “lay” or “take hold of )/pilamba/nomai, present

middle indicative) the seed/descendants of Abraham. This promise is not given to angels, but

only to God’s children. This same term is used over in 8:9 where the Hebrew writer says that

God took or laid hold of his children and led them out of Egyptian bondage. The promise is that

God helps deliver us out of our times of distress.64 The statement in 8:9 goes back to Jer 31:32 61Ibid., 147. 62Lightfoot, 78. 63O’Brien, 114. Lightfoot, 78. 64Lightfoot, 79.

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(38:32 LXX).65 There is also similar “exodus imagery” found in Isa 41:8-10 (LXX), which may

suggest a “typological relationship” between the Christian community Hebrews is addressing

and the descendants of Abraham in Isa 41. This passage from Isa 41 which the Hebrew epistle

“echoes” these same “elements” from the prophet Isaiah: (1) “God’s child” (2:13-14), mention of

Abraham’s seed (2:16), Abraham’s seed being “taken hold of by God” (2:16), the command “not

to fear” (2:15), but to “trust” in God’s help (2:18). In the passage from Isa 41, the prophet

describes the community as Abraham’s seed – Israel. In the book of Hebrews, Abraham’s seed

“include not only Israel’s ancestors but also the Christian community” (whether one believes the

epistle is written to Jewish-Christians only or also including Gentile Christians).66 This reference

to Abraham would appear to be more significant to a Jewish audience than to a purely Gentile

one.

According to 2:17, there is another reason why the Son comes in fleshly form. This is so

that he would become a ‘merciful’ and ‘faithful’ high priest ‘in things pertaining to God’

(adverbial accusative, ta\ pro\j to\n qe\on). What things are pertaining to God? The making

atonement (i(la/skomai-to propitiate, expiate, to make atonement, a present middle infinitive).

Bruce argues that to "expiate” best captures the sense of the verb.67 The author of Hebrews deals

with the teaching on atonement because of the fact that sin separates one from God and the

sinner “incurs his wrath” (see 2:2; 3;16-19; 12:12-17, 29; 19:31). The Bible often mentions the

specific “sin for which” (see Ex 32:30; Lev 5:10) and the person or person “for whom” (see Lev

1:4; 16:11) “atonement is made.” Cockerill notes that while this term is used in the writings of

Josephus, Philo, and even “Gentile writers” of trying to appease or conciliate someone, “in

65O’Brien, 117. 66Ibid. 67F.F. Bruce, The Epistle to the Hebrews, The New International Commentary On The New Testament

(Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990), 78, note 57.

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Scripture human beings do not “conciliate” God.” God is always the one who “makes

atonement” for our sins, and in 2:9 Christ is the one who offers atonement through his death and

God’s children “receive” full “benefits.”68

This section ends with v. 18, where God’s children are given assurance of how Christ is a

“merciful and compassionate” high priest. The passage states that Jesus himself ‘had suffered’

(pa/sxw-perfect active indicative), ‘having been tempted’ (peira/zw-aorist passive participle,

temporal participle). While the word here for ‘tempt’ can refer to trials in the sense of struggles

in general (Jms 1:2, 12) or tempting to sin (Jms 1:13-14), the context seems to favor temptation

to sin, since sin and the need for sanctification takes up much of 2:10-18. Because of what Jesus

went through, he is able (du/namai, present active indicative) to help (bohqe/w, aorist active

infinitive) those who are tempted (peira/zw-present middle or passive participle). This theme

is picked up again in 4:14-16. Not only does the Son care, he can help us when we are tempted.

Conclusion

The context of Hebrews 2:5-18 is an important juncture in the book as a whole. Chapter

two ties the first chapter with the rest of the author’s arguments. Here in the second chapter, the

author builds upon Christ’s deity from the beginning and his superiority over angels in chapter

one. This chapter also establishes the human side of Christ. He was flesh and blood, he

suffered, he was tempted but remained faithful. The human Christ overcame death and sin by

defeating the devil. The Son of God is the example for everyone to strive to model their life

68Cockerill, 149.

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after. In the context of Heb. 2:5-18, this passage also follows the first great warning (2:1-4) to

pay attention to the things the audience has heard.

The audience learns of the Son’s glorification is made possible through his submission to

the Father (vv. 5-9). The Son stands as a model for Christian behavior, through humility, if we

want to receive glory one day. The life to glory is paved through suffering. Then in vv. 10-18,

the writer focuses even more upon the humanity of Christ. He deals with that great Christian

doctrine of the incarnation (God made flesh). The purpose for God becoming flesh is so that he

could defeat death and offer us forgiveness of sins. This chapter is pivotal because this paves the

way for his arguments about the suffering and atoning death of Christ throughout the rest of the

epistle. This also sets the stage for the larger question about apostasy in the book, ‘why would

anyone want to shrink back and return to the old law?’

Bibliography

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Barbara and Kurt Aland, Johannes Karavidopoulos, Carlo M. Martine, and Bruce Metzger, ed. The Greek New Testament. 4th Revised Ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Biblegesellschaft, 1994.

Bauer, Walter, William F. Arndt, F. Wilbur Gingrich, and Frederick W. Danker. A Greek-English Lexicon Of The New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Second Edition Revised And Augmented By F. Wilbur Gingrich and Frederick W. Danker From Walter Bauer's Fifth Editionm 1958. Translated by William F. Arndt and F. WIlbur Gingrich. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1979.

Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Edited by K. Elliger and W. Rudolph. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1987.

Bruce, F.F. The Epistle to the Hebrews. The New International Commentry On The New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990.

Cockerill, Garreth Lee. The Epistle to the Hebrews. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2012.

Ellingworth, Paul. The Epistle to the Hebrews. The New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993.

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Guthrie, Donald. Hebrews. The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. London/Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983.

Hagner, Donald A. Hebrews. A Good News Commentary. Edited by W. Ward Gasque. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983.

Kirkpatrick, A.F. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: The Book of Psalms With Introduction And Notes, Book I, Psalms I-XLI. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1901.

Leupold, H.C. Exposition of the Psalms. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1972.

Lightfoot, Neil R. Jesus Christ Today, A Commentary On The Book Of Hebrews. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1976, Repr. 1980.

O'Brien, Peter Thomas. The Letter to the Hebrews. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010.

Robertson, A.T. Word Pictures In The New Testament, Vol V, The Fourth Gospel, The Epistle To The Hebrews. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1932.

Septuaginta, Second Revised Edition.. Edited by Alfred Rahlfs. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2006. www.academic-bible.com.

Barbara and Kurt Aland, Johannes Karavidopoulos, Carlo M. Martine, and Bruce Metzger, ed. The Greek New Testament. 4th Revised Ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Biblegesellschaft, 2001. www.academic-bible.com.

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All of these Biblical quotes comes www.academic-bible.com

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http://www.academic-bible.com/