Hebrews 2 is the second chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The author is anonymous, although the internal reference to "our brother Timothy" causes a traditional attribution to Paul, but this attribution has been disputed since the second century and there is no decisive evidence for the authorship. This chapter contains the implications for responding to God's Son, the Son's subjection and glorification, to the believers' benefits.
The Implications for Responding to God's Son (2:1–4)
This paragraph, the first of several warning passages, gives the direct practical consequences of the previous chapter, which can be a positive encouragement as stated in [|2:1]. The writer and readers were not part of the first generation of Christians when the gospel of salvation was first announced by the Lord and was confirmed by those who heard him, but they certainly received it from those who had obtained it from Jesus with the affirmation from God by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Verse 1
"Drift away": like people in a boat moving rapidly towards a waterfall; the manner of this drifting away will be explored in latter chapters, but here the disastrous consequences are stressed.
The text centers on in connection to the catena or 'chains' of the scriptures in the first chapter.
Verse 5
"The world to come": recalling Israel's hope for "a glorious age to come", with the renewal of creation through the establishment of 'new heavens and new earth' which is sometimes specifically associated with the work of the Messiah.
The Benefits of the Believers (2:10–18)
Verse 17
"High Priest": the first time this title is given to Jesus in this epistle, to be the theme of the next major division, here is linked closely with the teaching that he had to be made like his brothers in every way.
Verse 18
"He Himself has suffered, being tempted": at the entrance of his public ministry and a little before his death, Jesus was tempted by Satan; also throughout his life he endures poverty, with slight from his own relatives, a general contempt among men, often tempted by the Jews with ensnaring questions, later was deserted by his followers, by his own disciples, even by his God and Father; enduring great pains of body, anguish of mind, then lastly death itself.
"To aid those who are tempted": that only because he shared human nature, experienced human frailty and suffered when he was tempted, so Jesus is able to provide the appropriate help.
