Fathers

Hebrews 2

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Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

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What the Fathers say

Hebrews 2:11

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"For," he says, "both He that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified, are all of one, for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren." Behold again how he brings them together, honoring and comforting them, and making them brethren of Christ, in this respect that they are "of one." Then again guarding himself and showing that he is speaking of that which is according to the flesh, he introduces, "For He who sanctifieth," that is Christ, "and they who are sanctified," ourselves. Dost thou see how great is the difference? …

Homily on Hebrews 4 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Here again he shows that we are brothers of Christ and are so greatly honored. For, he says, "He who sanctifies," that is, Christ, and "those who are sanctified," that is, we, "are all from One," that is, the Father. But He is truly the genuine Son and from the very essence of the Father, while we are creatures. Notice also the superiority in the expressions. He sanctifies, we are sanctified. Hence both the identity and the superiority. "Therefore He is not ashamed to call them brethren" — look, here too is His superiority. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗

Oecumenius

"For both he who sanctifies," that is, Christ, "and those who are sanctified," that is, humans, are all from one God and Father. But Christ, as the Son and true offspring and of the essence of the Father, we, however, are as creature ones and have been made worthy of sonship by grace. See in these words the superiority. He who sanctifies, and we are sanctified. Therefore, both unity and superiority. "I will proclaim your name to my brothers." — [PHOTIUS] For as he united the flesh to himself, he also put on brotherhood. …

The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

Insofar as he is the only begotten, he is without sibling, but insofar as he is the "firstborn" he has deigned to call all those his siblings who, subsequent to and in virtue of his being first, are born again unto God's grace through filial adoption, in accordance with the teaching of the apostle.

On Faith and the Creed 4.6 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

129. – Then (v. 11) he proves what he had said. Here he does two things: first, he proves his conclusion on the part of the Father sanctifying; secondly, on the part of the Son sanctified (v. 14). In regard to the first he does two things: first, he states his conclusion; secondly, he proves it by an authority (v. 11b). 130. – He says, therefore: For both he that sanctifies and they that are sanctified have one origin. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗