Fathers

Hebrews 2

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Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation—which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will? For he didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels. But one has somewhere testified, saying, “What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don’t see all things subjected to him, yet. But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone. For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, “I will declare your name to my brothers. Among the congregation I will sing your praise.” Again, “I will put my trust in him.” Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.” Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

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What the Fathers say

Hebrews 2:16

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Paul wishing to show the great kindness of God towards man, and the Love which He had for the human race, after saying: "Forasmuch then as the children were partakers of blood and flesh, He also Himself likewise took part of the same" - follows up the subject in this passage. For do not regard lightly what is spoken, nor think this merely a slight matter, His taking on Him our flesh. He granted not this to Angels; "For verily He taketh not hold of Angels, but of the seed of Abraham." What is it that he saith? …

Homily on Hebrews 5 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

"For He does not take hold of angels" — that is, the Lord did not unite Himself with the angelic nature, nor did He assume it. This shows the great love of God for the human race. What He did not grant to the angels, he says, He gave to men — to assume flesh from them. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗

Oecumenius

"but he took hold of the seed of Abraham." The term "he took hold" [ἐπιλαμβάνεται] indicates that we, as humans, flee from him, but Christ pursues, and by pursuing, he reached and took hold. He did not take hold of the nature of angels nor did he assume it, but of human nature. Then, wishing to signify that Christ came according to the flesh from Judah, he says, "the seed of Abraham."

The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

147. – Then (v. 16) the Apostle proves the benefits which Christ's death obtained. In regard to this he does three things: first, he shows that by His death Christ freed us by reason of the condition of the nature he assumed; secondly, he concludes a likeness (v. 17); thirdly, he shows the benefit of the likeness (v 17b). 148. – He says, therefore: So I have stated that Christ by His death freed us from sin and death. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗