Hebrews 2:14 - Meaning and Application

Here the apostle goes on to show that Christ became truly human. He did not take on the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham, and he gives the reason and purpose for this. Christ was God from all eternity, yet in the fullness of time he joined our nature to his divine nature and became fully man.

He did not take hold of angels, but he took hold of the seed of Abraham. The fallen angels were left in their sin, guilt, and misery, with no hope of rescue. Christ never planned to save fallen angels. Their fall remains fixed for all eternity, so he did not assume their nature. Also, angelic nature could not be an atoning sacrifice, that is, a sacrifice that pays for sin, on behalf of mankind.

Christ chose to recover the seed of Abraham, those descended from Abraham and belonging to the promise. He took human nature from one of Abraham’s descendants so that the same nature that sinned might also suffer, and so human nature could be restored to a state of hope and testing. All who accept mercy are brought into special favor and salvation. So there is hope and help for the worst of sinners through Christ, because the payment he made is enough for all and suitable for all. Let us recognize the time of God’s gracious visitation and make use of the special mercy shown to fallen people, not to fallen angels.

The first reason for Christ’s coming in the flesh is that the children shared flesh and blood, so he had to share the same. He was made like his brothers and sisters (Heb 2:14, Heb 2:15). No nature higher or lower than human nature, which had sinned, could suffer for human sin in a way that would satisfy God’s justice, raise people into hope, and make believers children of God, and thus brothers and sisters of Christ.

He also became man so that he could die. As God, he could not die, so he took on another nature and condition. This shows the amazing love of God. Christ knew what he would have to suffer in our nature, and how he would die in it, yet he willingly took it on. God could not accept the old legal sacrifices and offerings as a true payment for sin. A body was prepared for Christ, and he said, “I have come; I delight to do your will.”

Another reason was that through death he might destroy the one who had the power of death, that is, the devil (Heb 2:14). The devil was the first sinner and the first to tempt others to sin. Since sin brought death, he can be said to have the power of death in several ways. He draws people into sin, whose paths lead to death. He is often allowed to frighten consciences with the fear of death. He also acts as an instrument of divine justice when he drags souls from their bodies to stand before God for judgment, and then torments them, as he once tempted them.

In these ways he may be said to have had the power of death. But Christ has broken that power so far that the devil cannot keep anyone under spiritual death. He cannot draw people into sin unless they choose to serve him. He cannot take the soul from the body, and he cannot carry out the sentence on anyone except those who continue as willing slaves in their hatred of God.

Christ also came to free his people from the slavish fear of death, which often troubles them. This may especially refer to Old Testament believers, who lived with a stronger sense of bondage because life and immortality were not yet as fully revealed as they are in the gospel. But it also applies to all God’s people, both before and after Christ, who are often troubled by fears about death and eternity.

Christ became man and died to free them from those troubled fears. He teaches them that death is not only a defeated enemy, but also a reconciled servant. It is not sent to harm the soul or cut it off from God’s love. Instead, it ends all their griefs and brings them into eternal life and blessedness. For those who are in Christ, death is no longer in Satan’s hand, but in Christ’s hand. It is no longer Satan’s servant, but Christ’s servant, and it does not lead to hell for them, but to heaven.

Christ had to be made like his brothers and sisters so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in matters that concern God’s justice and his people’s comfort. A high priest is one who represents others before God. Christ had to be faithful to God and merciful to people.

In matters concerning God, he works for justice and honor by making peace for the sins of the people, bringing together all the truths about God’s nature and all the persons of the Godhead in the recovery of man, and fully reconciling God and man. There had been a great break and quarrel between God and man because of sin. But Christ, by becoming man and dying, has settled the quarrel so far that God is ready to receive all who come to him through Christ into favor and friendship.

In matters concerning his people, he supports and comforts them. Because he suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted (Heb 2:18). His passion, or suffering, included his temptations, and they were no small part of what he endured. He was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin (Heb 4:15).

Christ’s compassion is just as important. He is able to help those who are tempted. He is touched by our weakness. He is a sympathizing physician, both tender and wise. He knows how to deal with tempted and sorrowful souls because he has felt the same kind of pressure himself, though not from sin, but from temptation and inward trouble. His own sorrows and temptations make him mindful of his people’s trials and ready to help them.

We should notice three things. First, the best Christians are subject to many temptations while in this world, so we should never expect complete freedom from temptation here. Second, temptations bring such distress and danger that our souls truly need support and help. Third, Christ is ready and willing to help those who come to him in their temptations, and he became man and was tempted so that he might be fully fitted to help his people.