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Warning to Pay Attention

Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the message declared through angels was valid, and every transgression or disobedience received a just penalty, how can we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? It was declared at first through the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, while God added his testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will.

Exaltation through Abasement

Now God[a] did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. But someone has testified somewhere,

‘What are human beings that you are mindful of them,[b]
    or mortals, that you care for them?[c]
You have made them for a little while lower[d] than the angels;
    you have crowned them with glory and honour,[e]
    subjecting all things under their feet.’

Now in subjecting all things to them, God[f] left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower[g] than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God[h] he might taste death for everyone.

10 It was fitting that God,[i] for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.[j] For this reason Jesus[k] is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,[l] 12 saying,

‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,[m]
    in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.’

13 And again,

‘I will put my trust in him.’

And again,

‘Here am I and the children whom God has given me.’

14 Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters[n] in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 2:5 Gk he
  2. Hebrews 2:6 Gk What is man that you are mindful of him?
  3. Hebrews 2:6 Gk or the son of man that you care for him? In the Hebrew of Psalm 8.4–6 both man and son of man refer to all humankind
  4. Hebrews 2:7 Or them only a little lower
  5. Hebrews 2:7 Other ancient authorities add and set them over the works of your hands
  6. Hebrews 2:8 Gk he
  7. Hebrews 2:9 Or who was made a little lower
  8. Hebrews 2:9 Other ancient authorities read apart from God
  9. Hebrews 2:10 Gk he
  10. Hebrews 2:11 Gk are all of one
  11. Hebrews 2:11 Gk he
  12. Hebrews 2:11 Gk brothers
  13. Hebrews 2:12 Gk brothers
  14. Hebrews 2:17 Gk brothers

Warning Against Drifting Away

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken through angels[a] proved to be so firm that every violation[b] or disobedience received its just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first communicated through the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard him, while God confirmed their witness[c] with signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed[d] according to his will.

Exposition of Psalm 8: Jesus and the Destiny of Humanity

For he did not put the world to come,[e] about which we are speaking,[f] under the control of angels. Instead someone testified somewhere:

What is man that you think of him[g] or the son of man that you care for him?
You made him lower than the angels for a little while.
You crowned him with glory and honor.[h]
You put all things under his control.”[i]

For when he put all things under his control, he left nothing outside of his control. At present we do not yet see all things under his control,[j] but we see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while,[k] now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death,[l] so that by God’s grace he would experience[m] death on behalf of everyone. 10 For it was fitting for him, for whom and through whom all things exist,[n] in bringing many sons to glory, to make the pioneer[o] of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For indeed he who makes holy and those being made holy all have the same origin,[p] and so[q] he is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,[r] 12 saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers;[s] in the midst of the assembly I will praise you.”[t] 13 Again he says,[u] “I will be confident in him,” and again, “Here I am,[v] with[w] the children God has given me.”[x] 14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, he likewise shared in[y] their humanity,[z] so that through death he could destroy[aa] the one who holds the power of death (that is, the devil), 15 and set free those who were held in slavery all their lives by their fear of death. 16 For surely his concern is not for angels, but he is concerned for Abraham’s descendants. 17 Therefore he had[ab] to be made like his brothers and sisters[ac] in every respect, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, to make atonement[ad] for the sins of the people. 18 For since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 2:2 sn The message spoken through angels refers to the OT law, which according to Jewish tradition was mediated to Moses through angels (cf. Deut 33:2; Ps 68:17-18; Acts 7:38, 53; Gal 3:19; and Jub. 1:27, 29; Josephus, Ant. 15.5.3 [15.136]).
  2. Hebrews 2:2 tn Grk “through angels became valid and every violation.”
  3. Hebrews 2:4 tn Grk “God bearing witness together” (the phrase “with them” is implied).
  4. Hebrews 2:4 tn Grk “and distributions of the Holy Spirit.”
  5. Hebrews 2:5 sn The phrase the world to come means “the coming inhabited earth,” using the Greek term which describes the world of people and their civilizations.
  6. Hebrews 2:5 sn See the previous reference to the world in Heb 1:6.
  7. Hebrews 2:6 tn Grk “remember him.”
  8. Hebrews 2:7 tc Several witnesses, many of them early and significant (א A C D* P Ψ 0243 0278 33 1739 1881 al lat co), have at the end of v 7, “You have given him dominion over the works of your hands.” Other mss, not quite as impressive in weight, lack the words (P46 B D2 M). In spite of the impressive external evidence for the longer reading, it is most likely a scribal addition to conform the text of Hebrews to Ps 8:6 (8:7 LXX). Conformity of a NT quotation of the OT to the LXX was a routine scribal activity, and can hardly be in doubt here as to the cause of the longer reading.
  9. Hebrews 2:8 tn Grk “you subjected all things under his feet.”sn A quotation from Ps 8:4-6.
  10. Hebrews 2:8 sn The expression all things under his control occurs three times in 2:8. The latter two occurrences are not exactly identical to the Greek text of Ps 8:6 quoted at the beginning of the verse, but have been adapted by the writer of Hebrews to fit his argument.
  11. Hebrews 2:9 tn Or “who was made a little lower than the angels.”
  12. Hebrews 2:9 tn Grk “because of the suffering of death.”
  13. Hebrews 2:9 tn Grk “would taste.” Here the Greek verb does not mean “sample a small amount” (as a typical English reader might infer from the word “taste”), but “experience something cognitively or emotionally; come to know something” (cf. BDAG 195 s.v. γεύομαι 2).
  14. Hebrews 2:10 tn Grk “for whom are all things and through whom are all things.”
  15. Hebrews 2:10 sn The Greek word translated pioneer is used of a “prince” or leader, the representative head of a family. It also carries nuances of “trailblazer,” one who breaks through to new ground for those who follow him. It is used some thirty-five times in the Greek OT and four times in the NT, always of Christ (Acts 3:15; 5:31; Heb 2:10; 12:2).
  16. Hebrews 2:11 tn Grk “are all from one.”
  17. Hebrews 2:11 tn Grk “for which reason.”
  18. Hebrews 2:11 tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” as here (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelphoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited). The context here also indicates both men and women are in view; note especially the collective τὰ παιδία (ta paidia) in v. 14.
  19. Hebrews 2:12 tn Here, because of its occurrence in an OT quotation, τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς (tois adelphois) has been translated simply as “brothers” rather than “brothers and sisters” (see the note on the latter phrase in the previous verse).
  20. Hebrews 2:12 sn A quotation from Ps 22:22.
  21. Hebrews 2:13 tn Grk “and again,” as a continuation of the preceding.
  22. Hebrews 2:13 tn Grk “behold, I,” but this construction often means “here is/there is” (cf. BDAG 468 s.v. ἰδού 2).
  23. Hebrews 2:13 tn Grk “and.”
  24. Hebrews 2:13 sn A quotation from Isa 8:17-18.
  25. Hebrews 2:14 tn Or “partook of” (this is a different word than the one in v. 14a).
  26. Hebrews 2:14 tn Grk “the same.”
  27. Hebrews 2:14 tn Or “break the power of,” “reduce to nothing.”
  28. Hebrews 2:17 tn Or “he was obligated.”
  29. Hebrews 2:17 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 2:11.
  30. Hebrews 2:17 tn Or “propitiation.”

Warning to Pay Attention

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.(A) For since the message spoken(B) through angels(C) was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,(D) how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?(E) This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord,(F) was confirmed to us by those who heard him.(G) God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles,(H) and by gifts of the Holy Spirit(I) distributed according to his will.(J)

Jesus Made Fully Human

It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone(K) has testified:

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    a son of man that you care for him?(L)
You made them a little[a] lower than the angels;
    you crowned them with glory and honor
    and put everything under their feet.”[b][c](M)

In putting everything under them,[d] God left nothing that is not subject to them.[e] Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.[f] But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor(N) because he suffered death,(O) so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.(P)

10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists,(Q) should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.(R) 11 Both the one who makes people holy(S) and those who are made holy(T) are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.[g](U) 12 He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
    in the assembly I will sing your praises.”[h](V)

13 And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”[i](W)

And again he says,

“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”[j](X)

14 Since the children have flesh and blood,(Y) he too shared in their humanity(Z) so that by his death he might break the power(AA) of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil(AB) 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear(AC) of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.(AD) 17 For this reason he had to be made like them,[k](AE) fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful(AF) and faithful high priest(AG) in service to God,(AH) and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.(AI) 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.(AJ)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 2:7 Or them for a little while
  2. Hebrews 2:8 Psalm 8:4-6
  3. Hebrews 2:8 Or You made him a little lower than the angels;/ you crowned him with glory and honor/ and put everything under his feet.”
  4. Hebrews 2:8 Or him
  5. Hebrews 2:8 Or him
  6. Hebrews 2:8 Or him
  7. Hebrews 2:11 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 12; and in 3:1, 12; 10:19; 13:22.
  8. Hebrews 2:12 Psalm 22:22
  9. Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:17
  10. Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:18
  11. Hebrews 2:17 Or like his brothers

Peligro de la negligencia

Por tanto, debemos prestar mucha mayor atención a lo que hemos oído[a], no sea que nos desviemos(A). Porque si la palabra hablada(B) por medio de ángeles(C) resultó ser inmutable[b], y toda transgresión y desobediencia(D) recibió una justa retribución(E), ¿cómo escaparemos nosotros si descuidamos(F) una salvación(G) tan grande? La cual, después que fue anunciada[c](H) primeramente por medio del Señor, nos fue confirmada(I) por los que oyeron, testificando Dios juntamente con ellos, tanto por señales[d](J) como por prodigios(K), y por diversos milagros[e](L) y por dones[f] del Espíritu Santo(M) según su propia voluntad(N).

Cristo coronado de gloria y honor

Porque no sujetó a los ángeles el mundo venidero[g](O), acerca del cual estamos hablando. Pero uno ha testificado en cierto lugar(P) diciendo:

¿Qué es el hombre para que de Él te acuerdes,
o el hijo del hombre para que te intereses en Él(Q)?
(R)Le has hecho un poco inferior a los Ángeles;
le has coronado de gloria y honor,
y le has puesto sobre las obras de tus manos[h];
todo lo has sujetado bajo sus pies(S).

Porque al sujetarlo todo a él, no dejó nada que no le sea sujeto. Pero ahora no vemos aún todas las cosas sujetas a él(T). Pero vemos a aquel que fue hecho un poco inferior a los ángeles(U), es decir, a Jesús, coronado de gloria y honor(V) a causa del padecimiento de la muerte(W), para que por la gracia de Dios(X) probara la muerte(Y) por todos(Z). 10 Porque convenía que aquel(AA) para quien son todas las cosas y por quien son todas las cosas(AB), llevando muchos hijos a la gloria, hiciera perfecto(AC) por medio de los padecimientos al autor[i] de la salvación de ellos(AD). 11 Porque tanto el que santifica(AE) como los que son santificados(AF), son todos de un Padre(AG); por lo cual Él no se avergüenza de llamarlos hermanos(AH), 12 diciendo:

Anunciaré tu nombre a mis hermanos,
en medio de la congregación[j] te cantaré himnos(AI).

13 Y otra vez:

Yo en Él confiaré[k](AJ).

Y otra vez:

He aquí, yo y los hijos que Dios me ha dado(AK).

14 Así que, por cuanto los hijos participan de carne y sangre[l](AL), Él igualmente participó también de lo mismo(AM), para anular mediante la muerte el poder(AN) de aquel que tenía el poder de la muerte, es decir, el diablo(AO), 15 y librar a los que por el temor a la muerte, estaban sujetos a esclavitud(AP) durante toda la vida. 16 Porque ciertamente no ayuda a los ángeles, sino que ayuda a[m] la descendencia[n] de Abraham. 17 Por tanto, tenía que ser[o] hecho semejante a sus hermanos(AQ) en todo, a fin de que llegara a ser un misericordioso y fiel(AR) sumo sacerdote(AS) en las cosas que a Dios atañen(AT), para hacer propiciación(AU) por los pecados del pueblo. 18 Pues por cuanto Él mismo fue tentado(AV) en el sufrimiento, es poderoso para socorrer a[p] los que son tentados.

Footnotes

  1. Hebreos 2:1 Lit., a las cosas que se han oído
  2. Hebreos 2:2 O, firme
  3. Hebreos 2:3 Lit., hablada
  4. Hebreos 2:4 O, milagros
  5. Hebreos 2:4 O, diversas obras de poder
  6. Hebreos 2:4 Lit., distribuciones
  7. Hebreos 2:5 Lit., la tierra habitada venidera
  8. Hebreos 2:7 Algunos mss. antiguos no incluyen: y...manos
  9. Hebreos 2:10 O, líder
  10. Hebreos 2:12 O, iglesia
  11. Hebreos 2:13 Lit., pondré mi confianza en Él
  12. Hebreos 2:14 Lit., sangre y carne
  13. Hebreos 2:16 Lit., no toma a los ángeles, sino que toma a
  14. Hebreos 2:16 Lit., simiente
  15. Hebreos 2:17 Lit., estaba obligado a ser
  16. Hebreos 2:18 O, para acudir al socorro de