Hebrews 2
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 2
The Oneness of Christian Salvation.[a] 1 Therefore, we should pay much closer attention to what we have heard so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message delivered by angels proved to be so valid that every transgression and disobedience brought a proper punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?
It was first announced by the Lord and then confirmed for us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Christ Our Brother.[b] 5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But someone has offered this testimony somewhere:
“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 than the angels,
yet crowned him with glory and honor
8 and put everything under his feet.”
Now in putting everything under his feet, he left nothing that is not subject to his control. Right now we do not yet see everything under his feet. 9 However, we do 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 completely fitting that he, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 Both the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all proceed from one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying,
“I will proclaim your name to my brethren;[c]
in the midst of the assembly I will praise you.”
13 And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”
And again,
“Here I am,
together with the children God has given me.”
14 Therefore, since the children are all made of flesh and blood,[d] Jesus likewise shared in the same flesh and blood, so that by his death he might destroy the one who has the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and set free those who throughout their lives had been held in slavery by the fear of death.
16 For clearly he did not come to help angels but rather he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, he had to be made like his brethren in every way in order that he might become a compassionate and faithful high priest before God and expiate the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself was tested by suffering, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 2:1 The Law of Sinai, which according to rabbinic tradition was communicated by angels, binds humanity to live in a certain way. Much greater is the authority of the voice of Christ transmitted to the Church by the Apostles with the evident guarantee of the Spirit (see Mt 10:1; Mk 16:20; Acts 1:8). This is the first of five warnings scattered throughout the Letter (the other four are: Heb 3:7—4:13; 5:11—6:12; 10:19-39; and 12:4-29).
- Hebrews 2:5 The Son of God, who became a human being and was crucified, is Lord of the universe (see Phil 2:6-11); all human beings have been brought into solidarity with him. To throw light on this destiny of Christ, the author gives a free interpretation of Ps 8:5-7. Angels and institutions are incapable of establishing a bond between God and humanity; in Christ humanity is given one of its own, but one who is the true high priest (v. 17) and capable of being its guarantor in heaven. The principal theme of the Letter is here announced.
- Hebrews 2:12 I will proclaim your name to my brethren: a quotation from Ps 22:23, a psalm that describes the sufferings of the Servant of God. The key phrase is “my brethren” (i.e., the Septuagint text; the Hebrew has “the community”), which is spoken by the triumphant Messiah.
- Hebrews 2:14 Flesh and blood: i.e., the human condition.
