1Therefore, we must pay more earnest attention to what we have heard, that we do not drift away from the gospel message.
2For since the message that God delivered by angels was binding, and each violation and act of disobedience has received its just punishment,
3How then shall we escape, if we ignore or reject so great salvation, which was first announced by the Lord Jesus, and was confirmed to us by those that heard Him,
4God also attested to it with signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
5For it was not to the angels He has given control of the world to come, about which we speak.
6But in a certain place in Scripture, it is said “What is man, that You are mindful of him? Or the son of man, that You visit him?
7You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor, and did set him over the works of Your hands;
8You have put all things in subjection under his feet” (Ps.8:4-6). For in that God put everything in subjection under his (mankind’s) feet, He left nothing that is not put under his authority. But for now we do not yet see all things put under him.
9But we see Jesus, Who was for a brief period made a little lower than the angels, that He, by the grace of God, might suffer death for everyone, now crowned with glory and honor. In verses 8 we read that God put everything (with no exceptions) under mankind’s control. But then it says “But for now we do not yet see all things put under him.” And while God has given man control over many things in His creation, we can clearly see that many things are not – nor ever were - put under man’s control. The idea expressed in the quoted psalm still awaits fulfillment. And we Christians will find its complete fulfillment in Jesus, Who, having become a man like us, and having been made like us "a little lower than the angels" for a brief time, is then, as man, and for man, "crowned with glory and honor". This absolute dominion over creation will be fulfilled when Christ shall return to be glorified in His saints, when we shall reign with Him.
10God, for Whom and through Whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that He should make Jesus, through His suffering, a perfect Captain leader of their salvation.
11For both He that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one family, and so He is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,
12Saying, “I will declare Your name to My brothers and sisters, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto You” (Ps. 22:22).
13And again, “I will put My trust in Him” (Is.12:2). And again, “Behold I and the children that God has given Me” (Is.8:18).
14Because God’s children are of flesh and blood, He also became flesh and blood, because only as a mortal could He die, that through His death He might destroy the one that had the power of death - the devil,
15And in this way free those who were slaves to the fear of death.
16For surely, He did not come to help angels, but He came to help the descendants of Abraham (mankind).
17For this reason, it was necessary for Him to be made in all respects like His mortal brothers and sisters, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in serving God in this way, to atone for the sins of the people and make reconciliation.
18And because He, Himself has suffered when He was tested, He is able to help us when we are tested. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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