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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Heb_2:10-13
10For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. 11For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12saying,
"I will proclaim Your name to My brethren,
In the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise."
And again,
"I will put My trust in Him."
13And again,
"Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me."
Heb_2:10 "For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things" Again, the pronouns are ambiguous. This could refer to God the Father (cf. Rom_11:36) or the Son (cf. Heb_1:2-3; Col_1:15-17). Because Jesus is referred to as "the author" in the latter part of this verse, the earlier pronoun must refer to the Father. However, Jesus was the Father's agent in creation (cf. Heb_1:2; Joh_1:3; 1Co_8:6; 1Co_15:25-27) as He was in redemption and will be in judgment.
▣ "in bringing many sons to glory" The family aspect of the new covenant is fully revealed in the remaining verses of chapter 2. Notice the number of family terms used. The goal of the new covenant is the restoration of the image of God in fallen mankind. The term "many" does not mean "some" as opposed to "all" (cf. Heb_2:9, "everyone"). The terms "all" and "many" are used synonymously in the Bible (compare Isa_53:6 with 11,12 and Rom_9:18 with 19). Therefore, Mar_10:45; Mar_14:24 must refer to "all," not "some"! This cannot function as a proof-text for radical Calvinism (i.e., supra-lapsarian).
NASB "to perfect the author of their salvation"
NKJV "to make the author of their salvation perfect"
NRSV "should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect"
TEV "should make Jesus perfect"
NJB "make perfect. . .the leader of their salvation"
The term "perfect" (aorist active infinitive) meant "to be complete, mature, equipped for the assigned task" (cf. Eph_4:12). The author of Hebrews uses "perfect" three times to describe Jesus (cf. Heb_2:10; Heb_5:9; Heb_7:28) and three times to describe His followers (cf. Heb_10:14; Heb_11:40; Heb_12:23). See Special Topic at Heb_7:11.
Jesus was a true human being (cf. Luk_2:40; Luk_2:52). He grew in faith and obedience (cf. Luk_2:40; Luk_2:52). He was tested by adversity (cf. Heb_5:8-9). He faced and overcame every spiritual obstacle (cf. Heb_4:15). He became mankind's great example (cf. 1Pe_2:21).
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▣ "through suffering" Jesus was perfected, humanly speaking, by suffering (cf. Heb_5:8-9). Jesus often spoke of the trials and persecution His followers would face (cf. Mat_5:10-12; Joh_15:18-19; Joh_17:14).
The early church faced much opposition from the Jews, the pagans, the Roman government, and the evil one, but God took this opposition and turned it into a tool for producing trust and Christlikeness (cf. Rom_8:17; Php_1:29; 2Ti_3:12; Jas_1:2-4; and 1Pe_4:12-19). The truth can be illustrated from (1) the OT (cf. Hebrews 11) and (2) Paul's ministry (cf. 1Co_4:9-12; 1Co_6:4-10; 1Co_11:24-27).
Heb_2:11
NASB, NRSV "for both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified"
NKJV "for both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified"
TEV "He purifies people from their sins, and both he and those who are made pure"
NJB "For consecration and consecrated"
This is a play on the term "holy" or "sanctified" (cf. Heb_10:10; Heb_10:14). The first usage is a present active participle (Jesus) and the second is a present passive participle (His people, cf Joh_17:19). Jesus is identified with His people (cf. Heb_1:14; Heb_2:6-18).
Believers are sanctified by the Father (cf. Joh_17:17; 1Th_5:23); through the agency of the Son (cf. 1Co_1:2; Eph_5:26; Heb_10:10; Heb_10:14; Heb_10:29; Heb_13:12); these aspects are united in Heb_2:11.
1. a Holy Father
2. a Holy Son
3. holy believers (cf. 1Pe_1:13-25)
This is true both positionally and experientially. We are holy in Christ and we are called to be holy like Christ.
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▣ "are all from one Father" "Father" is not in the Greek text (cf. NASB, NRSV, TEV). The pronoun "He" in the next phrase refers to Jesus (cf. NRSV, TEV, NIV). Therefore, perhaps the NJB's translation, "all of the same stock" or NIV's "are of the same family" fits the context best. If so, it is an emphasis on the humanity of Jesus (cf. Heb_2:14).
▣ "for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren" Jesus identifies Himself completely with believing mankind. Through His suffering the image of God is restored in them. The next three OT quotes (cf. Heb_2:12-13) seem somewhat out of context, but they are from Messianic passages using rabbinical word plays. The context of Heb_2:10-18 identifies Jesus completely with His followers:
1. they both proclaim the Father
2. they both praise the Father
3. they both put their trust in the Father
4. Jesus (cf. the "I" of Heb_2:13 b) and His followers ("children" of Heb_2:13 b) are linked by God the Father's gift to the Son
5. both Jesus and His followers share a human nature
6. both Jesus and His followers are tempted
Heb_2:12-13 This series of OT quotes describes how Jesus identifies with believers using these OT texts.
Heb_2:12 "I will proclaim your name to my brethren" This is from Psa_22:22 which relates prophetically to the crucifixion.
▣ "congregation"
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Heb_2:13 "I will put my trust in him" This phrase is a quote from Isa_8:17. At this point let me add just a word about the author's continuing use of the Septuagint which is different, sometimes very different, from the Hebrew (Masoretic) text. There seems to be much controversy in our day related to different English translations. Some prefer one over another, sometimes even questioning the motives and Christianity of translators. If God's Spirit can use the Greek translation to communicate the gospel to the ancient near east, He can surely use the differing translations to do the same in our day. It is not a question of translation theory but the will of God that humans hear and believe the good news about Christ.
▣ "Behold, I and the children whom god has given me" This is a quote from the Septuagint of Isa_8:18. The whole point is to emphasize the unity of Jesus with believers (cf. Heb_2:17).