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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Hebrews 2:14 - 2:18
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Heb_2:14-18
14Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and 15might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 16For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendants of Abraham. 17Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Heb_2:14 "since" This is a first class conditional sentence which is assumed to be true from the author's perspective or for his literary purpose.
▣ "the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same" The verb "share," (koinônia) perfect active indicative]) speaks of the initial and continuing full humanity of Jesus Christ. Heb_2:14; Heb_2:17 emphasize the true humanity of Jesus which was the theological problem of the early gnostic heretics (cf. 1Jn_4:1-6).
The phrase in Greek is literally "blood and flesh." This is exactly opposite from the normal use of the phrase. The rabbis used this phrase for the frailty of man. The author of Hebrews possibly reversed the phrase to show that although Jesus was human, He was not affected by mankind's sinful fall (cf. Rom_8:3; Php_2:7-8).
Hebrews emphasizes both the deity (cf. Heb_1:1-3; Heb_4:14) and humanity of Jesus.
1. Heb_2:14 took on human nature
2. Heb_4:15 tempted in all ways as humans are
3. Heb_5:7 prayed to the Father with loud crying and tears
4. Heb_5:8-9 perfected by suffering
▣ "through death" By Jesus' death, death died! This is the Jewish corporate theology of sacrifice (cf. Leviticus 1-7). One innocent One died on behalf of all (cf. Rom_5:12-21; 2Co_5:14-15; 2Co_5:21).
Heb_2:15 "might render powerless him" This is the very same term (katargeo) that the King James Version translates "destroy" both here and in Rom_6:6. It certainly has this connotation in 2Th_2:8. It is often difficult, even in context, to know if this verb should be translated "destroy/abolish" or "make null and void" (cf. 1Co_15:24; 1Co_15:26; Eph_2:15). However, the term also has the connotation of "to bring to naught, to make null and void, to render inoperative" (cf. Rom_3:3; Rom_3:31; Rom_4:14; Rom_6:6; 1Co_2:6; 1Co_13:8; 2Co_1:7).
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▣ "who had the power of death, that is, the devil" Satan does not have the absolute power over death (cf. Job_2:4-6; 1Co_5:5), but he does hold the power of the fear of death (cf. Heb_2:15) which he holds over all mankind (cf. 1Co_15:54-57). There is a personal force of evil who is out to thwart all of God's will in this world (cf. Joh_12:31; Joh_14:30; Joh_16:11; 2Co_4:4; Eph_2:2; 1Jn_4:4; 1Jn_5:19). Jesus has abolished death (cf. 2Ti_1:10) and He has the keys of hades and death (cf. Rev_1:18).
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Heb_2:16
NASB "For assuredly"
NKJV "For indeed"
NRSV, TEV "For it is clear"
NJB --omitted--
The NRSV and TEV express the idea best.
▣ "He does not give help. . .He gives help" These are both present middle (deponent) indicatives. The "not" is placed first in the Greek sentence for emphasis. The verb is epilambanô, which is from the root lambanô, "to take" or "to grasp" with either positive or negative purposes. In this context it refers to Jesus' positive actions (cf. Heb_8:9) on behalf of believing humans, which are never directed toward angels. Again Jesus and His followers are contrasted to the angelic world.
▣ "to the descendants of Abraham" This is literally "the seed of Abraham." YHWH promised childless Abram that he would be the father of a great nation with many descendants (cf. Gen_12:2; Gen_15:2-6; Gen_17:4-7; Gen_18:10; Gen_18:18). The term "seed" can be plural or singular. Therefore, it refers to both the nation of Israel and the coming Messiah. From other NT Scriptures we realize that it relates to faith, not race or performance (cf. Joh_8:31-59; Gal_3:7; Gal_3:9; Gal_3:29; Rom_2:28-29). The Abrahamic promises are unconditional (cf. especially Gen_15:12-21; Romans 4), while the Mosaic covenant is conditional on obedience.
Heb_2:17 "He had to be made like His brethren in all things" Jesus' intercessory work on mankind's behalf is related to His complete understanding of our nature (cf. Heb_2:11; Heb_2:18; Heb_4:15) so He could be our great high priest.
▣ "so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest"
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▣ "to make propitiation for the sins of the people" The term "propitiation" is used in the Septuagint for the mercy seat (lid) over the ark of the covenant in the Holy of Holies. However, its Greek connotation was to placate an angry deity, thereby removing the barriers between "the gods" and mankind. Because of this usage of the term modern translations are nervous about this connotation referring to YHWH (cf. RSV and NJB) and translate it as "expiation." Jesus brings together YHWH's justice and mercy (cf. 1Jn_2:2; 1Jn_4:10). However, we must not see this as an angry OT deity and a loving Jesus. The Father sent the Son (cf. Joh_3:16). The son represents and mimics the Father.
Heb_2:18 "For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered" "He has suffered" is a perfect active indicative which speaks of the ongoing trials that Jesus faced. The term "tempted" (peirazô) has the connotation to tempt with a view toward destruction (cf. Heb_4:15; Mat_4:1). The evil one tried to destroy Him at Calvary, but God turned this into the great victory of redemption.
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▣ "He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted" This same truth is repeated in Heb_4:15. Jesus fully identifies with His needy people (cf. Heb_2:17)!
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