Verses 5-18 present eight reasons for the incarnation of the Son: to fulfill God's purpose for man (vv. 5-9a), to taste death for all (v. 9b), and to bring many sons to glory (vv. 10-13). He also came to destroy the devil (v. 14), to deliver those in bondage (v. 15), to become a priest for men (vv. 16-17a), to make propitiation for sins (v. 17b), and to provide help for those tested (v. 18).82
Some of the original Jewish readers of Hebrews felt inclined to abandon the Christian faith because of Jesus' humanity. The writer stressed His deity in chapter one because some Jews failed to appreciate that. In this chapter he showed why Jesus was not inferior because He was a man. Jesus' humanity enabled Him to regain man's lost dominion (vv. 5-9) and to bring many sons to glory (vv. 10-13). It also equipped Him to disarm Satan and deliver us from death (vv. 14-16) and to be a sympathetic high priest to His people (vv. 17-18).83
The writer returned to his main argument (ch. 1). He did so to develop the destiny of Jesus Christ more fully so his readers would strengthen their commitment to continue following Him.
2:5 "The world to come"refers to the inhabited earth under Jesus Christ's reign (during the Millennium and from then on; cf. 1:8-9, 11-13). Some branches of Judaism believed Michael and his angels would rule over it.84The angels administer the present world (Deut. 32:8; Dan. 10:20-21; 12:1), but the Son will administer the world to come.
"This will occur at His second advent when He returns to this earth to sit as David's Son on David's throne and rule over David's kingdom in fulfillment of God's covenants and promises."85
In this respect, too, Jesus is superior to the angels.
The phrase "concerning which we are speaking"indicates that the writer was resuming his exposition and continuing his thought from 1:5-14.
2:6-8a The writer interpreted this passage (Ps. 8:4-6) as Messianic.86"Son of Man"is a Messianic title (Dan. 7:13-14). As a man Jesus was temporarily lower than the angels during His earthly ministry. His crowning took place at His ascension as did His receiving authority over all creation. The time when all things now under His authority will bow to that authority awaits His return to earth at His second advent and the judgments that will follow His coming.
2:8b-9 Even though believers do not yet see Jesus glorified on earth, we do see Him with the eye of faith glorified in heaven. God has crowned Jesus with glory and honor because He endured death. He suffered death because it was God's will for Him to taste death for every person. This was God's purpose in the Incarnation.
Jesus Christ's death was for everyone in that by dying He paid the penalty for the sins of every human being, elect and non-elect (cf. 1 John 2:2; 2 Peter 2:1; John 3:16). His death was sufficient for all, but it is efficient only for those who rest their confidence in it as what satisfied God.
"There is a profound note of anticipation in the OT teaching about humanity. The words of the psalmist look forward into the future, and that future is inextricably bound up with the person and work of Jesus. His condescension to be made for a brief while lower than the angels' set in motion a sequence of events in which abasement and humiliation were the necessary prelude to exaltation. His coronation investiture with priestly glory and splendor provide assurance that the power of sin and death has been nullified and that humanity will yet be led to the full realization of their intended glory. In Jesus the hearers are to find the pledge of their own entrance into the imperial destiny intended by God for them."87
