Hebrews 2 Study Notes

2:10-18 In these verses the author showed why it was necessary that the eternal Son became a man. First, it was appropriate that the Son should have a ministry completed in suffering, which all humans experience, so that he might identify with us and bring many sons and daughters into the presence of God. People who have accepted Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf can be referred to as “children” of God because the Son of God has made them his brothers and sisters. The author quoted three OT verses to show that the Son is present in the gathered church (Ps 22:22), that the Son trusts the Father (Is 8:17), and that the church can come before the Father because it is united with Christ (Is 8:18). Second, the Son became a man and suffered death so that he could destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil. It is by virtue of Christ’s death on our behalf that we are freed from the fear of death. Third, the Son became a man and suffered death so that he could serve as a faithful high priest in service to God. The only person who can serve as a mediator between God and man is the one who is both God and man. It is by reason of his faithfulness as a man who was tempted and suffered that he could make atonement for the sins of the people. Not only did he suffer divine retribution on our behalf, but he is able to help us because he is like his brothers and sisters in every way except sin.

The verb teleioo (perfect) has several meanings in the NT. In certain texts, teleioo sometimes means to complete, finish, or accomplish in the sense of fulfilling a task by bringing it to a desired end. In this sense, Jesus was sent to finish the works of his Father (Jn 4:34), a task he faithfully completed (Jn 17:4). Paul, in his speech to the Ephesian elders, expressed a desire to finish the ministry he had received from God (Ac 20:24). In other texts, teleioo speaks of bringing something to an end or perfecting something. In this sense, teleioo refers to the process or action of overcoming an imperfect or incomplete state with a more perfect or complete one. By virtue of his earthly sufferings, Jesus has been perfected (qualified, brought to his goal) to minister as high priest forever (Heb 2:10; 5:9; 7:28). Abraham’s faith was perfected by means of his works (Jms 2:22). The old covenant law could never perfect the worshipers who continually offered sacrifices (Heb 7:19; 10:1).