From: ljmorly@polaris.utu.fi (Laura Johanna Manninen)
Subject: Hebrews 2
Organization: University of Turku
Distribution: alt
Date: 24 Jan 93 18:46:50

              Warning to Pay Attention
              ========================

1:  We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard,
    so that we do not drift away. 

2:  For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation 
    and disobedience received its just punishment,

3:  how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation ? This salvation,
    which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who
    heard him.

4:  God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts
    of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

              Jesus Made Like His Brothers
              ============================

5:  Is it not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which
    we are speaking.

6:  But there is a place where someone has testified:

      "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you 
       care for him ?

7:     You made him a little [1] lower than the angels; you crowned him
       with glory and honour

8:     and put everything under his feet."[2]

    In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to
    him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.

9:  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned
    with glory and honour because he suffered death, so that by the grace of
    God he might taste death for everyone.

10: In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and
    through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation
    perfect through suffering.

11: Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the 
    same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

12: He says,

      "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the 
       congregation I will sing your praises."[3]

13: And again,

      "I will put my trust in him."[4]

    And again he says,
 
      "Here am I, and the children God has given me."[5]

14: Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity
    so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death --
    that is, the devil --

15: and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of
    death.

16: For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants.

17: For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in 
    order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service
    to God, and that he might make atonement for [6] the sins of the people.

18: Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those
    who are being tempted.


[1] Or "him for a little while"; also in verse 9
[2] Psalm 8:4-6
[3] Psalm 22:22
[4] Isaiah 8:17
[5] Isaiah 8:18
[6] Or "and that he might turn aside God's wrath, taking away"
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
- Laura
--
"Who has gone up to heaven and come down ?
 Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands ?
 Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak ?
 Who has established all the ends of the earth ?
 What is his name, and the name of his son ?
 Tell me if you know !"      - Mishlei 30:4
Newsgroups: alt.messianic