Four Blessings
Hebrews 2:14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. (NKJV)
The early Eastern Church (Dionysius and Clement, both of Alexandria), from the very beginning, claimed Paul was the writer of Hebrews. The Western Church later agreed.
Luke translated the letter to the Hebrews into Greek, according to Clement in the second century. Luke was with Paul during his second Roman imprisonment and was his amanuensis during Paul’s final days (2 Timothy 4:11). It is logical to assume that Luke was also Paul’s amanuensis for this letter.
The anonymity of the letter could have been on purpose, because of Luke’s (and possibly Timothy’s and Mark’s) contributions. Or, the anonymity may have been because of Paul’s unpopularity among Jews, or because of the persecution of Paul, and other Christians, by Nero in Rome.
My conclusion is that this was Paul’s last writing, written in late 67-early 68 A.D.
However, the identity of the writer is not crucial. The author of all Scripture is God, the Holy Spirit.
The subject of the Book of Hebrews is two-fold. The first part, Heb. 1:1-10:18, references the superiority of Christ. The second part, Heb. 10:19-13:25, references exhortations to obedient living..
Prior to this passage Paul wrote of the superiority of Christ over the prophets, the angels, and man. In this passage he continues to proclaim the superiority of Christ over man.
In this passage, Paul identifies four blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon man. He writes “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same” (v. 14a). Christ came down from Heaven, became flesh and blood, incarnate, sharing in the humanity of God’s children, in order to provide these four blessings.
Paul continues “that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (v. 14b). The first blessing is that Christ destroyed the devil, the one who holds the power of death.
The word translated “destroy” is the Greek word “katargeo” which means to nullify or abolish. Christ has not destroyed Satan, as in ending his being.
Satan is still around wreaking havoc wherever he goes. But rather, Christ nullified his power.
The story of Job shows us that Satan only has the power that is given to him by Christ. Through his death on the cross Christ defeated Satan.
Satan has no power of his own. He only has the power of death if Christ gives it to him.
Next, Paul writes “and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (v. 15). The second blessing is that Christ destroyed the fear of death.
Through His resurrection Christ showed mankind that they no longer need to fear death. Mankind now knows that they can be raised from the dead, like Christ, and have eternal life in Heaven.
Paul continues by writing “For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham” (v. 16). Here, Paul makes it clear that Christ accomplished this not to help angels, but to help the children of God, all those who have the faith of Abraham.
Next, Paul writes “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren” (v. 17a). Christ had to be made like his brothers in every way in order to carry out these blessings, another reference to His incarnation.
He continues with “that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God” (v. 17b). As High Priest, Christ showed mercy to mankind and faithfulness to God.
Next, Paul writes “to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (v. 17c). This was Christ’s third blessing.
Christ showed mercy through providing forgiveness for the sins of the people and faithfulness to God by fulfilling his calling, to be a sin sacrifice. He provided for “propitiation“, the Old Testament term for the New Testament term “atonement”. This is the reconciliation of mankind with God, making them “at one” with God.
Paul concludes this passage by writing “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (v. 18). Christ’s fourth blessing was to help those who are being tempted.
Christ suffered the pain of temptation, just as we do. Since Christ is incapable of sin, He is incapable of harboring sin internally, like we are.
But He was tempted externally, by Satan. Even though his temptation was different from ours, he still experienced temptation, and is therefore “able” to help us when we are tempted.
The word translated “able” is the Greek word “dunamai”, which when used in the context of God means “to be able and willing”. So not only is Christ able to help us resist temptation, but He is also willing. He accomplishes this through the work of His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, who indwells every Christian.
This passage represents another example of the Love of Christ, and how that divine love is superior to even the greatest love of mankind. God is love. He created it, and only He can define it.
Human beings try to define love in many different ways, but their definitions all fall short of God’s. God showed His love by dying a painful death on the cross for each of us.
His sacrifice gave us the four blessings described in this passage. These blessings are ours, only if we are Christians.
But Christians can claim these blessings. Thank you, Jesus!
Art Toombs Ministries
Online Bible Commentary