Fathers

Hebrews 2

Tap a verse to read the Fathers. Press and hold, then drag, to make a card.

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.

About · Privacy · Credits · Support VRSZ

What the Fathers say

Hebrews 2:5

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"For not to angels," he says, "did He put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak." Is he then discoursing concerning some other world? No, but concerning this. Therefore he added "whereof we speak," that he might not allow the mind to wander away in search of some other. How then does he call it "the world to come"? Exactly as he also says in another place, "Who is the figure of him that was to come," (Rom. v. …

Homily on Hebrews 4 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Showing further the superiority of the Son over the angels, he says that God subjected the universe, that is, this world, not to them but to the Son. He calls it "the world to come," because the Son of God always existed, while it was yet to appear, since obviously it did not exist before. Therefore, in relation to the eternal existence of the Son, the universe was indeed the world to come. "Of which we speak" — that is, about the universe, of which it was said above: "when He brings the Firstborn into the world" (Heb. 1:6). …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗

Oecumenius

"For it was not to angels that He subjected the world." This is a consequence of the comparison with the angels that was previously stated. For it was necessary for the chief creature, namely the angelic one, by consulting Christ according to the flesh, to show Him to be greater as the Lord. He speaks of the future world when He says the world to come. "of which we are speaking." That is, concerning which we said above that, When he brings in the firstborn into the world. …

The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

100. – Having made a comparison to show that it is more necessary to observe the commandments of Christ than those of the Law delivered by angels, the Apostle now confirms the consequence. First, he confirms this consequence by showing that Christ's power is greater than that of the angels; secondly, he proves this on the authority of Scripture (v. 6). 101. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗