This was the text for my first sermon assignment in my preaching class this semester. I’ll put the passage after the jump, so you may want to go read it and then come back for my reflections. I’ve included two translations, because the differences highlight an important
Clearly the author of Hebrews thinks very highly of Christ. The account of creation and the Son’s eternal nature follow the same pattern seen in the prologue to the Gospel of John, although it’s unlikely the two authors would have been familiar with one another.
One of the trickiest parts of the passage is how to handle the psalm quoted in the middle. Hebrews 2:6b-7 is actually Psalm 8:4-6. The vagueness of the Hebrew in the psalm creates some interesting questions. The pronouns are masculine singular, which is why the author reads this psalm as looking towards Christ. However, Jewish tradition read this text as referring to humanity in general, which is why the NRSV translation opts for the plural pronouns. Both readings are accurate but unfortunately the NRSV’s use of pronouns clouds how one could read the psalm as Christ centered.
One of the phrases sure to give theologians throughout history fits comes in 2:9. Jesus was “lower than the angels,” if only for a period of time. Given the church’s early history of fighting against viewing the Son as lesser than the Father, this passage can be uncomfortable. It has been explained in various ways over the years, usually in reference to Jesus’s suffering and death since the other eternal beings do not experience such things. In order to faithfully portray Christ’s nature, this part of the passage must be carefully examined.
NRSV Translation
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
10 It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12saying,
‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.’
NIV translation
1In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
5It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6But 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?
7You made him a little lower than the angels;
you crowned him with glory and honor
8 and put everything under his feet.”
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. 9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
10In 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. 11Both 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. 12He says,
“I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.”
Good thinking.
I learned a new vocabulary word reading it too-eschatological.
Yeah, I fell into the trap of using “churchese.” Same thing happened in my sermon. Hopefully I’ll read with a closer eye for that in the future.