Teaching Notes HEBREWS Chapters 1 and 2
&&&
&&&
HEBREWS
Chapter 1:1-4. Deity of Jesus
This opening sentence is one of the most magnificent passages
in the Bible, for grandeur taking its place alongside the opening
sentences of Genesis and John's Gospel. Jesus, "His Deity, His‚
Ineffable Glory, Creator, Preserver and Heir of the Universe.
By an Eternal Act of God, Once For All, Jesus made Purifi-
cation of Man's Sin, and brought him Eternal Salvation.
Chapter I :4-14. Jesus Compared to Angels
The main argument of the Epistle is that Christ is the Fulfil-
ment, rather than the Administrator, of the Mosaic System.
Christ is compared to Angels, through whom the Law was given.
Acts 7: 53; and to Moses, the Law-Giver; and to the Levitical
Priesthood, through whom the Law was Administered.
The language seems to indicate that Human Beings are a Higher
order of Creation than Angels. Human Spirits and Angels are not
the same. We do not become Angels when we die. Angels are
now, and in Heaven will be, our Servants. 14. Angels Worship
Christ, as we do, 6.
Chapter 2:1-8. Man, Not Angels, Lord of Future World
In verse 7 Man is spoken of as a little Lower than Angels, although
in 1:14 Angels are called Servants of Heirs of Salvation. In
2 Pet 2:11 Angels are spoken of as Greater in Might and Power.
In verse 9 Jesus - was made a Little Lower than Angels. The marginal
rendering in RSV, in - verse 7 and verse 9, is, For a Little While Lower than
Angels. Whatever the nature of Angels, by way of comparison
with Man, the passage is a sidelight on the Ultimate Grandeur
of God’s Redeemed Human Creation.
Note the Fearful Warning, in verses 2 and 3, that if Disobedience to
the Word of Angels was Dangerous. How Much More Dangerous
to be Neglectful of Words Spoken by Jesus.
Chapter 2:9-18. Christ's Unity with Man
God Created Man to have Lordship Over All Things, verses 6-8. But
Not Yet. Meantime Christ has become One with Man, sharing
with Man his Temptations, and Sufferings, even Death itself,
that He might Enable Man to Become one With Him, to Share
With Him His Nature and His Dominion. And because of this,
Christ has now been Crowned with Glory and Honor.
And now Man, in his effort to become One With Christ, and
thus Qualify for his Glorious Inheritance, yet to be, has Assur-
ance that Christ is Gracious, and" Kindly, and Understanding,
and will be Helpful to those who Love Him. Verses 17,18.
&&&
&&&
Chapter 1
Hebrews 1 New International Version (NIV)
God’s Final Word: His Son
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
The Son Superior to Angels
5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father”[a]?
Or again,
“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son”[b]?
6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”[c]
7 In speaking of the angels he says,
“He makes his angels spirits,
and his servants flames of fire.”[d]
8 But about the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.”[e]
10 He also says,
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
11 They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
12 You will roll them up like a robe;
like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,
and your years will never end.”[f]
13 To which of the angels did God ever say,
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet”[g]?
14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Footnotes:
Hebrews 1:5 Psalm 2:7
Hebrews 1:5 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13
Hebrews 1:6 Deut. 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint)
Hebrews 1:7 Psalm 104:4
Hebrews 1:9 Psalm 45:6,7
Hebrews 1:12 Psalm 102:25-27
Hebrews 1:13 Psalm 110:1
& & &
CHAPTER 2
Hebrews 2 New International Version (NIV)
Warning to Pay Attention
2 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Jesus Made Fully Human
5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified:
“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
a son of man that you care for him?
7 You made them a little[a] lower than the angels;
you crowned them with glory and honor
8 and put everything under their feet.”[b][c]
In putting everything under them,[d] God left nothing that is not subject to them.[e] Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.[f] 9 But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, 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 and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.[g] 12 He says,
“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the assembly I will sing your praises.”[h]
13 And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”[i]
And again he says,
“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”[j]
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them,[k] fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Footnotes:
Hebrews 2:7 Or them for a little while
Hebrews 2:8 Psalm 8:4-6
Hebrews 2:8 Or 7 You made him a little lower than the angels;/ you crowned him with glory and honor/ 8 and put everything under his feet.”
Hebrews 2:8 Or him
Hebrews 2:8 Or him
Hebrews 2:8 Or him
Hebrews 2:11 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 12; and in 3:1, 12; 10:19; 13:22.
Hebrews 2:12 Psalm 22:22
Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:17
Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:18
Hebrews 2:17 Or like his brothers
& & &
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Some content adapted from Halley, Henry H., Bible Handbook, Grayson Publishing, Minneapolis, MN. © 1927 - 1959.
& & &
Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia
END
No comments:
Post a Comment