Understanding God’s Word Ministry

Take Heed Brethren, Lest There Be in You an Evil Heart of Unbelief.

8 Harden not your hearts (as Israel hardened their hearts against God in the wilderness, it is likewise possible for modern Christians to do the same), as in the provocation (Israel provoked God), in the day of temptation in the wilderness (the Lord didn’t tempt Israel, they tempted Him!):9 When your fathers tempted Me (they tempted God through unbelief and rebellion), proved Me (registered unbelief toward God), and saw My works forty years. (The proof was all around them regarding the miracle-working Power of God that was exhibited daily, even for forty years, but they still wouldn’t believe.)10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation (and because of their unbelief), and said, They do always err in their heart (proclaims the seat of obedience or disobedience); and they have not known My Ways. (They could have known, but had no desire to know.)11 So I swore in My wrath (is figurative, and denotes a determined purpose), They shall not enter into My rest.) (This refers here to a particular “rest,” which pertained to the land of Canaan, but was undoubtedly regarded as emblematic of the “rest” afforded by Salvation.)12 Take heed, Brethren (proclaims Paul warning Believers by the examples of Israel’s failures in the wilderness), lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief (the Greek order of words is, “a heart evil with reference to unbelief”), in departing from the Living God. (As stated, the problem is unbelief, and in modern terminology it refers to unbelief in Christ and the Cross.)13 But exhort one another daily (proclaims a constant frequency, which means the Preacher should preach the Cross, and do so constantly), while it is called Today (it must be done today; in other words, start now talking and speaking about the Cross, which is the only answer [1 Cor. 1:17; Gal. 6:14]); lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (This actually says, “the deceitfulness of the sin,” which refers to a rejection of the Sacrifice of Christ.)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 2122). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.

Partners With Christ to Enter Our Heavenly Rest (Caanan)

Partakers With Christ

Hebrews 3

Jesus Leading Many Sons to Glory

Hebrews 2

Christ Identifies with the Human Race in Order to Extend Mercy

Hebrews 2
11 For both He Who Sanctifies and they who are Sanctified are all of One (of Christ): for which cause He is not ashamed to call them Brethren (refers to the fact that Jesus became one of us, but only in the sense of humanity, not in the sense of sin),
12 Saying, I will declare Your Name unto My Brethren ([Ps. 22:22] meaning that Christ will declare the Name of God to all the Brethren, in effect, owning them), in the midst of the Church will I sing praise unto You. (Christ will praise God because of this great Victory, which has brought many sons into the Kingdom, all made possible by the Cross.)
13 And again (2 Sam. 22:3), I will put My trust in Him. (Christ puts His Trust totally in God.) And again (Isa. 8:18), Behold I and the Children which God has given Me. (The Cross makes it possible for us to become a Child of God.)
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood (refers to the fact that this Creation has a human, not Angelic, nature), He (Jesus) also Himself likewise took part of the same (the Incarnation, God becoming man); that through death (the Cross) He (Jesus) might destroy him (Satan) who had the power of death, that is, the Devil (the wages of sin is death, which speaks of separation from God; Jesus atoned for all sin at the Cross, thereby removing the cause of spiritual death, at least for all who will believe [Jn. 3:16]);
15 And deliver them (speaks of mankind held in captivity by Satan) who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (It has been well said that the two terrors from which none but Christ can deliver men are guilt of sin and fear of death. The latter is the offspring of the former.)
16 For verily He took not on Him the nature of Angels (Christ did not come to be the Saviour of fallen Angels; they are of another creation); but He took on Him the seed of Abraham. (This refers to His Humanity, which He became and was the manner in which Redemption would be brought about.)
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His Brethren (refers to our Lord laying hold of the human race for the purpose of saving those who would accept Salvation by Faith), that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God (as our High Priest, He is our Representative to God, which He could be by becoming a Man and going to the Cross as well, which He did), to make reconciliation for the sins of the people (to make an atoning Sacrifice in order to regain the favor and goodwill of God on behalf of the human race).
18 For in that He Himself has suffered being tempted (in His Incarnation as the last Adam, our Lord was put to the test, and was also solicited to do evil [Mat. 4:1–11]), He is able to succour them who are tempted. (The Cross alone is the answer to temptation and sin. We overcome temptation by placing our Faith strictly in Christ and the Cross, which is the only way it can be overcome, thus giving the Holy Spirit latitude to strengthen us, as He always stands ready to do [Rom. 8:2, 11].)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 2121). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.

Jesus the Captain of Our Salvation Bringing Sons Unto Glory

9 But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the Angels (the Incarnation) for the suffering of death (unequivocally proclaims the fact that Jesus came to this world for one specific purpose—to die upon a Cross, which was planned even before the foundation of the world [1 Pet. 1:18–20]), crowned with glory and honour (the mission was accomplished, and now Christ is exalted); that He by the Grace of God should taste death for every man. (This proclaims the fact that He needed the Grace of God to accomplish this task, because He was a man, “the Man, Christ Jesus.”)10 For it became Him (refers to God’s Way, as it concerns the Redemption of mankind), for Whom are all things (God is the final reason for all things), and by Whom are all things (through Whose agency), in bringing many sons unto Glory (speaks of the Divine Purpose), to make the Captain of their Salvation perfect through sufferings. (This carries the idea that Christ had to suffer the Cross in order to bring about Redemption for humanity.)11 For both He Who Sanctifies and they who are Sanctified are all of One (of Christ): for which cause He is not ashamed to call them Brethren (refers to the fact that Jesus became one of us, but only in the sense of humanity, not in the sense of sin),
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 2120–2121). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
2:9 Jesus The author identifies the Son as Jesus. Here, he reveals what his argument has been building up to—the one who fulfills these prophecies is Jesus of Nazareth.
suffering of death The teaching that the Son of God suffered and died appears in the earliest Christian confessions (1 Cor 15:3–8; compare Heb 5:7–8). Jesus’ suffering death on a cross (Phil 2:8) provides the basis for His being crowned with glory and honor. Throughout Hebrews, the mention of Jesus’ suffering alludes to His death (Heb 2:10, 18; 5:8; 9:26, 27; 13:12).
with glory and honor This expression recalls the appointment of Israel’s high priest (Exod 28:2, 40). Here, it anticipates the theme of Jesus as high priest that is emphasized throughout Hebrews (see Heb 2:17–18; 13:10–13).
        Doxa Word Study
he might taste death This expression means “experience death” and refers to Jesus’ crucifixion (9:15, 28; compare Isa 53:12).
2:10 bringing many sons to glory Enacted by Jesus’ exaltation (compare Isa 53:12 and note). This language also echoes God’s action in bringing His people out of Egypt into the promised land (Exod 3:8, 17; 6:6–7; 7:4–5).
originator This title connects Jesus’ death and resurrection (Acts 3:15; 5:31; Heb 12:2). Like Moses, who led God’s people out of Egypt (Exod 12:50–51), Jesus leads the way to salvation (Heb 3:16).
to perfect the originator The idea here is that Jesus was made whole (or complete) through His suffering and death; He already was sinless (4:15; compare Isa 53:12 and note).
2:11 one who sanctifies Refers to the work Christ does to remove sin from believers’ lives. Jesus can sanctify believers (Heb 13:12) because He offered Himself (10:10; compare Isa 53:10 and note). His sacrificial work far exceeds animal sacrifices that the old covenant demanded (Heb 9:13–14).
all from one Indicates the unity of Jesus and believers. The Greek text does not supply a referent, so some English translations insert “family” or “Father.” The author could be referring to Jesus sharing in humanity (v. 14).
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Heb 2:9–11). Lexham Press.
 

Hebrews 2 - Neglecting So Great A Salvation

 
CHAPTER 2(A.D. 64)
COVENANT
THEREFORE we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard (actually refers to the New Testament Message of the Cross), lest at any time we should let them slip. (In the Greek Text, it carries the idea of a ring slipping from a finger. Regrettably, the Church presently has let the Message of the Cross slip and, as a result, the Church hardly knows where it’s been, where it is, or where it’s going.)2 For if the word spoken by Angels was stedfast (actually refers to the Law of Moses, which had many Angels in attendance), and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward (sin is either addressed at the Cross, or else it is addressed in Judgment; so, each person has a choice);3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great Salvation (if we neglect the Cross, we have destroyed ourselves); which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord (announced by Christ when He said, “repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” [Mat. 4:17]), and was confirmed unto us by them who heard Him (confirmed by healings and miracles which were witnessed by the original Twelve, plus untold numbers of others);4 God also bearing them witness (presents the highest evidence of all, actually that which is absolutely indisputable), both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles (which began with Christ, and continued on through His Apostles), and Gifts of the Holy Spirit (has to do with those listed in 1 Cor. 12:8–10), according to His Own Will? (These things were the Will of God then, and are the Will of God now!)
REDEMPTION
5 For unto the Angels has He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. (The Lord hasn’t given the Angels dominion and rulership as He has Christ.)6 But one in a certain place testified, saying (Ps. 8:4–6), What is man, that You are mindful of him? (This delves into the reason God has given man so much notice.) or the son of man, that You visit him? (This refers to looking upon in order to help or benefit. This clearly indicates the “son of man” spoken of here is the human race and not Christ.)7 You made him a little lower than the Angels (should have been translated, “You made him a little lower than the Godhead”; the Hebrew word translated “Angels” is “Elohim” which means “God,” and should have been translated accordingly); You crowned him with glory and honour (proclaims that which was never said of Angels), and did set him over the works of Your hands (some of that dominion is retained despite the Fall; however, as would be obvious, much has been lost; but to be sure, it has all been regained in Christ, and will ultimately be realized in Christ):8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet. (This speaks of Adam before the Fall, but more particularly it speaks of Christ and what He did at the Cross on our behalf.) For in that He (God) put all in subjection under him (man), He (God) left nothing that is not put under him. (Once again speaks of the original Adam, but more than all speaks of the “Last Adam,” the Lord Jesus Christ.) But now we see not yet all things put under him. (Due to the Fall, we do not now see what was originally intended for man, but through Christ it will ultimately be seen.)9 But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the Angels (the Incarnation) for the suffering of death (unequivocally proclaims the fact that Jesus came to this world for one specific purpose—to die upon a Cross, which was planned even before the foundation of the world [1 Pet. 1:18–20]), crowned with glory and honour (the mission was accomplished, and now Christ is exalted); that He by the Grace of God should taste death for every man. (This proclaims the fact that He needed the Grace of God to accomplish this task, because He was a man, “the Man, Christ Jesus.”)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 2120). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.

Hebrews 2 -Life by the Spirit, Death by the Efforts of the Flesh

Romans 8
5 For they who are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh (refers to Believers trying to live for the Lord by means other than Faith in the Cross of Christ); but they who are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit (those who place their Faith in Christ and the Cross, do so exclusively; they are doing what the Spirit desires, which alone can bring Victory).
CONTRAST
6 For to be carnally minded is death (this doesn’t refer to watching too much Television, as some think, but rather to trying to live for God outside of His Prescribed Order; the results will be sin and separation from God); but to be Spiritually minded is life and peace (God’s Prescribed Order is the Cross; this demands our constant Faith in that Finished Work, which is the Way of the Holy Spirit).7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God (once again, this refers to attempting to live for God by means other than the Cross, which places one “against God”): for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be (in its simplest form means that what is being done, whatever it may be, is not in God’s prescribed order, which is the Cross).8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God (refers to the Believer attempting to live his Christian Life by means other than Faith in Christ and the Cross).9 But you are not in the flesh (in one sense of the word is asking the question, “since you are now a Believer and no longer depending on the flesh, why are you resorting to the flesh?”), but in the Spirit (as a Believer, you now have the privilege of being led and empowered by the Holy Spirit; however, He will do such for us only on the premise of our Faith in the Finished Work of Christ), if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you (if you are truly saved). Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His (Paul is saying that the work of the Spirit in our lives is made possible by what Christ did at Calvary, and the Resurrection).10 And if Christ be in you (He is in you through the Power and Person of the Spirit [Gal. 2:20]), the body is dead because of sin (means that the physical body has been rendered helpless because of the Fall; consequently, the Believer trying to overcome by willpower presents a fruitless task); but the Spirit is life because of Righteousness (only the Holy Spirit can make us what we ought to be, which means we cannot do it ourselves; once again, He performs all that He does within the confines of the Finished Work of Christ).11 But if the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of Him (from God) who raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you (and He definitely does), He who raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies (give us power in our mortal bodies that we might live a victorious life) by His Spirit Who dwells in you (we have the same power in us, through the Spirit, that raised Christ from the dead, and is available to us only on the premise of the Cross and our Faith in that Sacrifice).
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 1984). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.