Catholic Commentary on Hebrews 2

"Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death." (Hebrews 2:14)

So Great a Salvation

The author issues the first of Hebrews' solemn warnings: we must pay the most careful attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away. If the message spoken through angels was binding and every violation met with punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, confirmed by those who heard him, and attested by signs and wonders and gifts of the Holy Spirit. The rhetorical structure of Hebrews moves through theological argument and pastoral warning in alternating movements, each doctrinal section followed by an urgent application.

The Incarnation as Solidarity

The Son, for whom and through whom everything exists, is making many sons and daughters holy by bringing them to glory. In doing so, it was fitting that the one who leads them should be made perfect through what he suffered. He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are of the same family, so he is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. The Incarnation is not merely a condescension from above. It is a complete entry into the human condition, including suffering, temptation, and death, so that from the inside Christ could destroy the power of death. The Catechism calls this the recapitulation of the whole of humanity in the person of the Son: he takes everything on so that everything can be redeemed (CCC 518).

He had to be made like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. The high priest who intercedes for you at the right hand of the Father is not a being who experienced temptation from a safe distance. He was in it. The hunger was real. The loneliness was real. The pressure of the tempter was real. He knows. Bring your temptation to the one who went through it first and came out the other side.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you shared our flesh and blood so that by your death you might break the power of death. You were made like us in every way, a merciful and faithful high priest. Because you suffered when tempted, you are able to help us when we are tempted. Help us now. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

2
Salvation Confirmed
1 We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?
 
This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.
Jesus like His Brothers
 
5 For it is not to angels that He has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But somewhere it is testified in these words:
 
“What is man that You are mindful of him,
or the son of man that You care for him?
7 You made him a little lower * 2:7 Or a little while lower; also in verse 9 than the angels;
You crowned him with glory and honor † 2:7 WH and TR include and set him over the works of Your hands.
8 and placed everything under his feet.”‡ 2:8 Psalms 8:4–6 (see also LXX)
 
When God subjected all things to him, He left nothing outside of his control. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.
 
10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting for God, for whom and through whom all things exist, to make the author § 2:10 Or pioneer or founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12 He says:
 
“I will proclaim Your name to My brothers;
I will sing Your praises in the assembly.”* 2:12 Psalms 22:22 (see also LXX)
 
13 And again:
 
“I will put My trust in Him.”† 2:13 Isaiah 8:17
 
And once again:
 
“Here am I, and the children God has given Me.”‡ 2:13 Isaiah 8:18
 
14 Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
 
16 For surely it is not the angels He helps, but the descendants of Abraham. 17 For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement § 2:17 Or to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

*2:7 2:7 Or a little while lower; also in verse 9

†2:7 2:7 WH and TR include and set him over the works of Your hands.

‡2:8 2:8 Psalms 8:4–6 (see also LXX)

§2:10 2:10 Or pioneer or founder

*2:12 2:12 Psalms 22:22 (see also LXX)

†2:13 2:13 Isaiah 8:17

‡2:13 2:13 Isaiah 8:18

§2:17 2:17 Or to make propitiation

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