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| 1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them. |
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| 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; |
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| 3 how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard; |
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| 4 God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will. |
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| 5 For not unto angels did he subject the world to come, whereof we speak. |
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6 But one hath somewhere testified, saying,What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
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7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels;
Thou crownedst him with glory and honor,
And didst set him over the works of thy hands:
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| 8 Thou didst put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he subjected all things unto him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we see not yet all things subjected to him. |
All things ... under his feet – Man was designed to have dominion over all the earth.
But now ... not yet – Paul is reminding us of the obvious, i.e., that even though this was God's purpose for man, man has not yet attained to that purpose. |
| 9 But we behold him who hath been made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for every man. |
But we see – In vs 8 he tells us that we do "not yet" see man having fulfilled God's purpose for him. But what do we see?
Jesus – "The author and finisher of our faith."
Made a little lower than the angels – Exactly the same description given of Adam. In other words, 'We see Jesus made a perfect human being.'
For the suffering of death – This was His purpose in taking such a lowly position (in comparison to His position as the Archangel.)
Crowned with glory and honour – The glory and honor of the perfect human nature. Exactly the same description given of Adam in vss. 6,7.
Grace of God – Amen!
Taste death for every man – Not just for the true believers but for every man. |
| 10 For it became him for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. |
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| 11 For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, |
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12 saying,I will declare thy name unto my brethren,
In the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise. |
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| 13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold, I and the little children whom God hath given me. |
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| 14 Since then the little children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought the one having the dominion of death, that is, the devil; |
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| 15 and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. |
Fear of death – Of the sacrificial death. This has reference to the Great Company.
All their lifetime – The implication here might be that the decision to relegate one to the Great Company may not be made until about the time of their death. If so, this becomes a precious promise to any who have had prior doubts but are now running a good race and not at all under the 'Fear of death.' [* As near as can be determined, this is NOT Pastor Russell's view of the Great Company's attitude. His thought seems to be expressed in Q24:3.] |
| 16 For truly not to angels doth he give help, but he giveth help to the seed of Abraham. |
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| 17 Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, in order to make propitiation for the sins of the people. |
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| 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. |
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