Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Hebrews Ch.2 / 13 Ch.s
HEB:2
* The duty of stedfastly adhering to Christ and his gospel.
(1-4) His sufferings are no objection against his pre-eminence.
(5-9) The reason of his sufferings, and the fitness of them.
(10-13) Christ's taking the nature of man, and not his taking
the nature of angels, was necessary to his priestly office.
(14-18)
#1-4 Christ being proved to be superior to the angels, this
doctrine is applied. Our minds and memories are like a leaky
vessel, they do not, without much care, retain what is poured
into them. This proceeds from the corruption of our nature,
temptations, worldly cares, and pleasures. Sinning against the
gospel is neglect of this great salvation; it is a contempt of
the saving grace of God in Christ, making light of it, not
caring for it, not regarding either the worth of gospel grace,
or the want of it, and our undone state without it. The Lord's
judgments under the gospel dispensation are chiefly spiritual,
but are on that account the more to be dreaded. Here is an
appeal to the consciences of sinners. Even partial neglects will
not escape rebukes; they often bring darkness on the souls they
do not finally ruin. The setting forth the gospel was continued
and confirmed by those who heard Christ, by the evangelists and
apostles, who were witnesses of what Jesus Christ began both to
do and to teach; and by the gifts of the Holy Ghost, qualified
for the work to which they were called. And all this according
to God's own will. It was the will of God that we should have
sure ground for our faith, and a strong foundation for our hope
in receiving the gospel. Let us mind this one thing needful, and
attend to the Holy Scriptures, written by those who heard the
words of our gracious Lord, and were inspired by his Spirit;
then we shall be blessed with the good part that cannot be taken
away.
#5-9 Neither the state in which the church is at present, nor
its more completely restored state, when the prince of this
world shall be cast out, and the kingdoms of the earth become
the kingdom of Christ, is left to the government of the angels:
Christ will take to him his great power, and will reign. And
what is the moving cause of all the kindness God shows to men in
giving Christ for them and to them? it is the grace of God. As a
reward of Christ's humiliation in suffering death, he has
unlimited dominion over all things; thus this ancient scripture
was fulfilled in him. Thus God has done wonderful things for us
in creation and providence, but for these we have made the
basest returns.
#10-13 Whatever the proud, carnal, and unbelieving may imagine
or object, the spiritual mind will see peculiar glory in the
cross of Christ, and be satisfied that it became Him, who in all
things displays his own perfections in bringing many sons to
glory, to make the Author of their salvation perfect through
sufferings. His way to the crown was by the cross, and so must
that of his people be. Christ sanctifies; he has purchased and
sent the sanctifying Spirit: the Spirit sanctifies as the Spirit
of Christ. True believers are sanctified, endowed with holy
principles and powers, set apart to high and holy uses and
purposes. Christ and believers are all of one heavenly Father,
who is God. They are brought into relation with Christ. But the
words, his not being ashamed to call them brethren, express the
high superiority of Christ to the human nature. This is shown
from three texts of Scripture. See #Ps 22:22; 18:2; Isa 8:18|.
#14-18 The angels fell, and remained without hope or help.
Christ never designed to be the Saviour of the fallen angels,
therefore he did not take their nature; and the nature of angels
could not be an atoning sacrifice for the sin of man. Here is a
price paid, enough for all, and suitable to all, for it was in
our nature. Here the wonderful love of God appeared, that, when
Christ knew what he must suffer in our nature, and how he must
die in it, yet he readily took it upon him. And this atonement
made way for his people's deliverance from Satan's bondage, and
for the pardon of their sins through faith. Let those who dread
death, and strive to get the better of their terrors, no longer
attempt to outbrave or to stifle them, no longer grow careless
or wicked through despair. Let them not expect help from the
world, or human devices; but let them seek pardon, peace, grace,
and a lively hope of heaven, by faith in Him who died and rose
again, that thus they may rise above the fear of death. The
remembrance of his own sorrows and temptations, makes Christ
mindful of the trials of his people, and ready to help them. He
is ready and willing to succour those who are tempted, and seek
him. He became man, and was tempted, that he might be every way
qualified to succour his people, seeing that he had passed
through the same temptations himself, but continued perfectly
free from sin. Then let not the afflicted and tempted despond,
or give place to Satan, as if temptations made it wrong for them
to come to the Lord in prayer. Not soul ever perished under
temptation, that cried unto the Lord from real alarm at its
danger, with faith and expectation of relief. This is our duty
upon our first being surprised by temptations, and would stop
their progress, which is our wisdom.