Hebrews 2:1-18 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

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Bible Comments

Here we have the first of a series of warnings uttered in connection with the arguments. If the ministrations of angels had been of so steadfast a character, how much more the speech of the Son. The danger against which this section utters its warning is drifting away from this final speech. The inevitable answer to the question, "How shall we escape?" is that seeing that the Son has made the way of deliverance for those who have broken the law administered by angels, there is no hope of escape for those who refuse to hear and obey Him.

Continuing the argument concerning the superiority of the Son to the angels, the writer declares that for a period the Son had been made lower than the angels. Through this humiliation, and the victory wrought therein, He passed back to the place of sovereignty, into which He brings man, to whose level He had passed in becoming lower than the angels. Thus He is seen occupying the position of authority as the result of that descent wherein He took human form. Three quotations are given which prove His identification with men, even to the point of calling them brethren. Thus He has taken His seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, resuming His original position of supremacy, with the added right accruing from His humiliation and victory. He had passed angels in His great descent. He had passed them again in His glorious ascent. Thus the superiority of the Son to the angels is supremely established.

Related Commentaries of Hebrews 2:1

Hebrews 2:1-18

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.a

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

3 How 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;

4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and giftsb 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.

6 But 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?

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

8 Thou 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.

9 But 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.

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

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

13 And 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;

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

16 For verily he took notd on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

17 Wherefore 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.

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