Historical

The Nature of the Son

1 Long ago God spoke^(A) to our ancestors by the prophets^(B) at different times and in different ways.^{(C) 2} In these last days,^(D) he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things^(E) and made the universe^[a](F) through him. ³ The Son is the radiance^[b] of God’s glory and the exact expression^[c] of his nature,^(G) sustaining all things by his powerful word.^(H) After making purification for sins,^[d] he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.^{[e](I) 4} So he became superior to the angels, just as the name he inherited is more excellent than theirs.^(J)

The Son Superior to Angels

⁵ For to which of the angels did he ever say,

or again,

⁶ Again, when he^[i] brings his firstborn into the world,^(L) he says,

⁷ And about the angels he says:

⁸ but to^[n] the Son:

¹⁰ And:

¹³ Now to which of the angels has he ever said:

¹⁴ Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?^(U)

Warning against Neglect

2 For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.^{(V) 2} For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding^[t](W) and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment,^{(X) 3} how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?^(Y) This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him.^{(Z) 4} At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will.^(AA)

Jesus and Humanity

⁵ For he has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about. ⁶ But someone somewhere has testified:

For in subjecting everything to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to him.^{(AB) 9} But we do see Jesus – made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death^(AC) for everyone – crowned with glory and honour^(AD) because he suffered death.^(AE)

¹⁰ For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God – for whom and through whom all things exist – should make the pioneer^[w] of their salvation perfect through sufferings.^{(AF) 11} For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.^[x] That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,^{(AG) 12} saying:

¹³ Again, I will trust in him.^[z] And again, Here I am with the children God gave me.^[aa](AI)

¹⁴ Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death – that is, the devil^(AJ) –  ¹⁵ and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death.^{(AK) 16} For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring.^{(AL) 17} Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters^[ab] pertaining to God, to make atonement^[ac](AM) for the sins of the people.^{(AN) 18} For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Our Apostle and High Priest

3 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.^{(AO) 2} He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was in all God’s household. ³ For Jesus is considered worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder has more honour than the house. ⁴ Now every house is built by someone, but the one who built everything is God.^{(AP) 5} Moses was faithful as a servant^(AQ) in all God’s household, as a testimony to what would be said in the future. ⁶ But Christ was faithful as a Son over his household. And we are that household if we hold on to our confidence and the hope in which we boast.^[ad](AR)

Warning against Unbelief

⁷ Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:

¹² Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away^(AT) from the living God. ¹³ But encourage each other daily,^(AU) while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened^(AV) by sin’s deception.^{(AW) 14} For we have become participants in Christ if we hold firmly until the end the reality^[af] that we had at the start.^{(AX) 15} As it is said:

¹⁶ For who heard and rebelled? Wasn’t it all who came out of Egypt under Moses?^{(AZ) 17} With whom was God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?^{(BA) 18} And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who disobeyed? ¹⁹ So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

The Promised Rest

4 Therefore, since the promise to enter his rest remains, let us beware^[ah] that none of you be found to have fallen short.^{[ai] 2} For we also have received the good news just as they did. But the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith.^{[aj](BB) 3} For we who have believed enter the rest, in keeping with what^[ak] he has said,

even though his works have been finished since the foundation of the world. ⁴ For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in this way: And on the seventh day God rested from all his works.^{[am](BD) 5} Again, in that passage he says, They will never enter my rest.^{[an] 6} Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience,^{(BE) 7} he again specifies a certain day – today. He specified this speaking through David after such a long time:

⁸ For if Joshua^(BG) had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. ⁹ Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people. ¹⁰ For the person who has entered his rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from his.^{(BH) 11} Let us, then, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.

¹² For the word of God is living and effective^(BI) and sharper than any double-edged sword,^(BJ) penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.^{(BK) 13} No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom^(BL) we must give an account.

Our Great High Priest

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens – Jesus the Son of God – let us hold fast to our confession.^{(BM) 15} For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are,^(BN) yet without sin.^{(BO) 16} Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

Christ, a High Priest

5 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed in matters pertaining to God for the people, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. ² He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he is also clothed with weakness.^{(BP) 3} Because of this, he must make an offering for his own sins as well as for the people.^{(BQ) 4} No one takes this honour on himself; instead, a person is called by God, just as Aaron was.^{(BR) 5} In the same way, Christ did not exalt himself to become a high priest, but God who said to him,

⁶ also says in another place,

⁷ During his earthly life,^[as] he offered prayers and appeals^(BU) with loud cries and tears^(BV) to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. ⁸ Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.^{(BW) 9} After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, ¹⁰ and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

The Problem of Immaturity

¹¹ We have a great deal to say about this, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand. ¹² Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food.^{(BX) 13} Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature – for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.^(BY)

Warning against Falling Away

6 Therefore, let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God,^{(BZ) 2} teaching about ritual washings,^[at] laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgement.^{(CA) 3} And we will do this if God permits.

⁴ For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, who shared in the Holy Spirit,^{(CB) 5} who tasted God’s good word and the powers of the coming age, ⁶ and who have fallen away. This is because,^[au] to their own harm, they are crucifying the Son of God again and holding him up to contempt.^{(CC) 7} For the ground that drinks the rain that often falls on it and that produces vegetation useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God. ⁸ But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and at the end will be burned.^(CD)

⁹ Even though we are speaking this way, dearly loved friends, in your case we are confident of things that are better and that pertain to salvation. ¹⁰ For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love^[av] you demonstrated for his name by serving the saints – and by continuing to serve them.^{(CE) 11} Now we desire each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end, ¹² so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.^(CF)

Inheriting the Promise

¹³ For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself: ¹⁴ I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply you.^{[aw](CG) 15} And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise. ¹⁶ For people swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. ¹⁷ Because God wanted to show his unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, he guaranteed it with an oath,^{(CH) 18} so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us.^{(CI) 19} We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.^{(CJ) 20} Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner,^(CK) because he has become a high priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.^(CL)