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| 1 For this reason we should give heed more abundantly to the things we have heard, lest in any way we should slip away. |
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| 2 For if the word which was spoken by angels was firm, and every transgression and disobedience received just retribution, |
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| 3 how shall *we* escape if we have been negligent of so great salvation, which, having had its commencement in being spoken of by the Lord, has been confirmed to us by those who have heard; |
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| 4 God bearing, besides, witness with them to it, both by signs and wonders, and various acts of power, and distributions of the Holy Spirit, according to his will? |
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| 5 For he has not subjected to angels the habitable world which is to come, of which we speak; |
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| 6 but one has testified somewhere, saying, What is man, that thou rememberest him, or son of man that thou visitest him? |
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| 7 Thou hast made him some little inferior to the angels; thou hast crowned him with glory and honour, and hast set him over the works of thy hands; |
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| 8 thou hast subjected all things under his feet. For in subjecting all things to him, he has left nothing unsubject 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 see Jesus, who was made some little inferior to angels on account of the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; so that by the grace of God he should taste death for every thing. |
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 by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make perfect the leader of their salvation through sufferings. |
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| 11 For both he that sanctifies and those 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 to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly will I sing thy praises. |
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| 13 And again, I will trust in him. And again, Behold, I and the children which God has given me. |
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| 14 Since therefore the children partake of blood and flesh, he also, in like manner, took part in the same, that through death he might annul him who has the might of death, that is, the devil;
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| 15 and might set free all those who through fear of death through the whole of their life were 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 he does not indeed take hold of angels by the hand, but he takes hold of the seed of Abraham. |
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| 17 Wherefore it behoved him in all things to be made like to his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people; |
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| 18 for, in that himself has suffered, being tempted, he is able to help those that are being tempted. |
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