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Commentary
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 Hebrews Chapter 2 Therefore since the Son, Jesus Christ has spoken of these things, much attention should be shown them because it is not true that a person is once saved, always saved. (v1) For Jesus spoke of judgement as well as God's wrath. The second coming of Christ spoken of by angels at his ascension, (v2) will bring the judgement of God upon the ungodly at His return. It is of utmost importance then that the same gospel should be preached at all times. Therefore, if we neglect to strive to be obedient under the grace that is extended to us we will likewise be judged as ungodly, This salvation must be the same gospel as that preached by Jesus and later His disciples. (v3) For with the true gospel the Holy Spirit works and showed them as being His ministering apostles, and He shown as physically present in ministering through and to them. When the ungodly have received God's wrath and the world and the heavens are made new, it will not be put under angels, but under Christ - therefore we should always hold fast to that which was preached by Christ, and not by any other ministering spirit, angelic or human. (v5) Christ came to fulfill the law, and was obedient to death to show that not only is it possible to be able to live to God's standards for us; but that all can do so under grace with the same Holy Spirit ministering through them, (and to them). So we shall answer that God is mindful of man, and of Christ (v6). For Christ came to display a perfect example of obedience and faith (v7) and was resurrected victorious over death and sin, and is made the heir of all things, for His is the victory that justifies the making new of the world to come without evil. Now that everything will be made new, everything old has been put under Him - now not for the sake of the world (as is it still here), but for our sake, for both the godly and the ungodly both exist at present. (v8) Thus we see only that which is put under His authority so far. For Christ's obedience was even to death, and so we know that likewise we should expect death as part of our obedient lives, for there may yet be the end after we have died. (v9) For Jesus Christ's example is made perfect by obedience to death through all His sufferings. (v10) Christ Himself was made as a man, and we are the Father's creations - so that in being obedient within a completely human life, Jesus Christ shows that both we, and He, are the Father's children. (We now, since we have the Holy Spirit also.) Christ then is God made a kinsman to us. (v11-v13) Christ Himself was made as flesh and blood, so that through a perfect display of obedience and faith, the resurrection could be shown to be an attainable salvation. (v14) Attained by all those who had been in fear of damnation, or subject to sin under the law, that grace may be extended to their eventual perfection into the likeness of His obedience. (v15) For Christ did not come as of His own self, but to display obedience to the law of God as given through Moses, to fulfil the promises to Israel, the seed of Abraham. (v16) Then in all things Christ dealt with life as we were to deal with it, obediently and with great faith so that by His example grace might be extended to us so that Christ's righteousness should intercede for our lack. (v17) In reconciling us to God under grace, Christ is well acquainted with our sins, being tempted Himself when He was here - though he remained without any sin. (v18) So what is man? Man is he to whom God is willing to suffer death to release him from the bondage of the law's condemnation; not to release from obedience, but from sin. Therefore we should fear all the more the Lord if we neglect that grace, as we know the wrath of God will come upon the ungodly. Quite literally, Jesus came for us, gave Himself for us and restored us to His Father by Himself. In this way He has given the Holy Spirit to minister to us to bring us into His likeness, His obedience. The righteousness of Christ that is extended us is as that of one making reconciliation, a high priest of our kinship and God's also. |
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