Bible Commentaries

The things which we have heard, in respect to the gospel, as is shown in Hebrews 2:3.

The word spoken by angels, the law proclaimed through the instrumentality of angels.--Was steadfast; was fully maintained.

To be spoken; to be announced. The gospel was first made known by Jesus himself, and afterwards by those to whom he committed it.

The world to come; the kingdom of Christ.

Hebrews 2:6-8; Psalms 8:4-6.

There is some obscurity in the original, in respect to the connection of the several clauses of this verse, which has given rise to somewhat varied interpretations. The general idea is, that, although Jesus, being made man, took a station somewhat lower than that of the angels, and suffered death in it, yet this was in the fulfilment of the divine designs to provide an atonement for human guilt; and Jesus, after accomplishing this object, was then crowned with glory and honor.--Taste death; suffer it.

The Captain of their salvation; their Head and Leader, and the Author of their salvation. To make him perfect through sufferings, is to conduct him through sufferings to his final and perfect state of glory. A similar expression is used in Hebrews 5:8,9.

He that sanctifieth; that is, by the expiation referred to in the close of Hebrews 2:9.--Of one; of one father.

Hebrews 2:12; Psalms 22:22.

These expressions seem to be taken from Hebrews 2:13; Isaiah 8:18. Considered as language used by the Messiah, they show a feeling of dependence on God, characteristic of the human condition, thus conspiring with the other considerations presented in this passage, (Hebrews 2:10-18,) to show that the promised Messiah, according to the representations of the Old Testament, was to share in his own person the nature of those whom he came to redeem.

Took part of the same; that is, he was constituted human.--Destroy him, &c.; conquer him,--destroy his power.--That had the power of death. Satan is so designated, as it was through his agency that death was brought into the world.

Subject to bondage, in a wretched and miserable condition.

The seed of Abraham, the nature of the seed of Abraham, that is, the nature of man. Such is the meaning, as the passage stands translated. There is reason to believe, however, that the original import of the passage is, He did not come to rescue and redeem the angelic race, but the seed of Abraham, that is, men.

Being tempted; being tried; severely afflicted.--Them that are tempted; those that are in a state of suffering and trial.