Hebrews 2:5-9

Understanding the Book of Hebrews

Anytime you approach a book of Scripture, it is important to understand several key things about it. For the book of Hebrews, we do not know the human author. There is much speculation—some say Paul, others Apollos or Luke—but ultimately, the Holy Spirit inspired every word.

The book provides clues about its date. Hebrews 1:3 mentions Christ sitting at the right hand of the Majesty on high after making purification for sins, pointing to after Christ's ascension around AD 33. Hebrews 10:13 refers to priests still offering sacrifices daily, indicating before the temple's destruction in AD 70.

The author writes as a pastor to Jewish Christians in a mixed congregation: genuine believers experiencing salvation, professors who have not truly converted, and perhaps some non-believers attending out of custom. The central theme is the superiority of Christ over the old covenant—superior prophet, priest, and king.

Context from Hebrews 1

God spoke in various ways through the prophets in progressive revelation over about 2,000 years. But in these last days, He has spoken through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). This full revelation centers on salvation, showing Christ as superior prophet.

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person...after he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high (Hebrews 1:3).

This declares Christ's deity. Isaiah 42:8 and 48:11 affirm God shares His glory with no other, so Christ must be Yahweh. As superior priest, Christ atoned for sins (the Greek echoes kippurim) and sat down—His work finished, unlike Levitical priests who stood daily (Hebrews 10:11-13).

Verse 5 quotes Psalm 2:7, installing Christ as superior king. He is also superior to angels, who are merely ministers serving heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14). Angels point to Christ, refuting any worship of them.

The Warning in Hebrews 2:1-4

Chapter 2 introduces the first of four warnings against drifting from the great salvation spoken by the Lord, confirmed by signs and miracles. Neglect it, and there is no escape.

Hebrews 2:5-9: Man's Former Position and Christ's Salvation

For he has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone (Hebrews 2:5-9).

Quoting Psalm 8, the text refers first to Adam's pre-fall position: sinless, crowned with glory and honor, ruling creation. But man fell, spreading death to all (Romans 5:12; Romans 3:9-18). Total depravity leaves us unable to please God apart from Christ.

Yet we see Jesus, made lower than angels for death's suffering, crowned with glory and honor—not given as Adam's, but earned through perfect obedience to all 613 commandments of the Torah. He fully experienced death's wrath—“taste” means to wholly consume—for everyone, imputing His righteousness to believers in the divine exchange (2 Corinthians 5:21).

This points to the world to come, inherited by the saved (v. 14). The gospel—Christ crucified, buried, raised (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)—is central. Live worthy of it (Philippians 1:27), hold fast (Hebrews 10:23-25), for Christ's work secures perseverance.