Chapter two verses 14-18: In these verses the Apostle Paul presents the Hebrew Christians with a number of facts. Here he assures them that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed a man like any other man, that He had no more access to God than any other man. He assured the Hebrew Christians that Jesus died as will all men, but that, because He was resurrected from the dead, they would also be resurrected so that they should no longer fear death. Jesus’ resurrection meant that they, as did He, would enter into the Father’s presence where they would remain forever. Paul also, in other passages, confirmed the Lord’s message to His followers that obedience on their part was absolutely necessary for the promise of eternal life to become reality for them. Verse 15 voiced the fear held by many that the Sadducees were right–that there would be no resurrection of the dead, that there was no life following this one. By His resurrection Jesus proved that there would be life after death, but that entrance into the Father’s presence was not guaranteed, that one must “walk as He walked” and “purify himself even as He is pure” in order to join Him in the next life (1 Jn. 2:6;3:3).

Verses 16 through 18 Paul address those who believe that Jesus had an advantage over them in terms of obedience to God’s commands, that obedience was easier for Him because He had divine powers that they do not have, thereby making sin unavoidable for them. This deadly Satanic lie gave rise to a group of people who claimed (and continue to claim) that, because sin is inevitable, and because grace-ladened Jesus died for their sins, that they could therefore sin with impunity. By calling themselves “sinners saved by grace” they shout to the world that everything Jesus, the prophets and apostles said and wrote about God’s requirements for salvation are lies.

Jesus, we are told in verse 16, was a descendant (seed) of the man Abraham, that He was not an angel, but was created “a little lower than the angels” (2:7,9). By suffering testings, trials and temptations as do all men, could therefore become God-seeking man’s High Priest, his Messiah/Savior/Brother. But, as with all Scriptural promises, there is a caveat–man has to obey God’s Word in order to appropriate those promises. Read Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 which prove this fact beyond question. For those who claim that the Old Testament plays no part in the life of a New Testament Christian, read The God of the Old Testament.

For those earnestly seeking entrance into God’s eternal kingdom, verse 18 is vitally important, especially for “sinners saved by grace.” Here Paul tells us that, because Jesus was tempted as are all of mankind, He is therefore able to “succor” those who are so tempted. The word “succor” in the Greek is boetheo, which means to help, to come to the aid of on in need. Notice the words “help” and “aid.” These words mean to give assistance to one attempting to accomplish something, not to do it for them. The Lord’s aid comes in the forms of His personal example and Holy Spirit power which He gives to all who are truly converted. Jesus does not obey the Father’s Words for us. He does, however, set the example of such obedience and supplies the power to follow His example. “Jesus is my righteousness” is a true statement, but only if the speaker “overcomes (Satan) even as I (Jesus) overcame” (Rev. 3:21). We have the Example and the power. What we do with them is our individual decision. L.J.