What does Hebrews 2:15 mean?

Explanation

Hebrews 2:15 discusses the human condition of fear, especially the fear of death, and the promise of deliverance through faith.

This verse suggests that, before Christ, people lived in a perpetual state of bondage due to the fear of death. The author of Hebrews proposes that through Christ’s death and resurrection, believers are freed from this fear and the resulting bondage.

The verse underlines the notion that death is a profound source of dread that can dominate and restrict one's life. The "deliverance" described here points towards a liberation not just from physical death, but from the psychological and spiritual chains associated with the fear of mortality.

Historical Context

Hebrews is a book in the New Testament, and the exact identity of its author remains unknown, though it has been traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle.

The letter was likely written before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and was addressed to a group of Jewish Christians.

The author's objective was to demonstrate the superiority of Christ over the old covenant and the Judaic system of priests and sacrifices.

At that time, new believers, especially those converted from Judaism, faced pressure to renounce their Christian faith and revert to Judaism.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, Hebrews 2:15 is rich with soteriological (pertaining to salvation) implications. It communicates that Christ's work sets believers free not only from sin but also from deeply ingrained fears.

Many Christian theologians argue that this "bondage" is representative of a life lived under the Law of the Old Testament, which could not provide a permanent solution to sin and therefore left people in fear of judgment and death.

Christ's sacrifice, in this light, is seen as a completion and fulfillment of the law's intent, offering assurance of salvation and eternal life.

Practical Applications

Hebrews 2:15 offers several applications to the lives of individuals.

It encourages them not to live in constant fear of death, an event which is both inevitable and beyond human control.

Instead, believers are advised to place their trust in the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

The verse underlines a fundamental Christian tenet - to live life in a manner that reflects this freedom and hope, rather than being paralyzed by fear of the end.

Cross-References

• Romans 8:15 - "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
• 1 Corinthians 15:55 - "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"
• 2 Timothy 1:7 - "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
• John 8:36 - "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
• Revelation 1:18 - "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

Language Study

Key words in this verse from the original Greek text include "deliver" (ἀπαλλάξῃ - apallaxē), which carries the sense of removing or releasing from something; and "bondage" (δουλείᾳ - douleia), which means slavery or subjection.

The term "fear" (φόβῳ - phobō) is where we derive the English word phobia from, suggesting an intense dread or terror.

Understanding these Greek terms helps clarify the impact Jesus's deliverance has according to the verse, freeing individuals from a life-long state of crippling fear and enslavement.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In religions and cultures of the ancient world, concepts of the afterlife and the fear of death were pervasive.

For instance, the Egyptians prepared elaborately for the afterlife, hoping to secure a peaceful existence beyond death, which indicates their preoccupation with mortality.

Meanwhile, in Greek mythology, the story of Sisyphus illustrates eternal punishment after death, hinting at a fear of the consequences that follow life.

Hebrews 2:15 stands in contrast to these views with its message of deliverance from the fear of death.

Scientific Perspectives

The fear of death is a phenomenon well-documented in psychological sciences.

It's considered a fundamental anxiety that affects human behavior in numerous ways.

Researchers have explored the concept of "terror management theory," which examines how humans respond to the knowledge of their mortality.

Hebrews 2:15, when approached from a psychological perspective, seems to acknowledge this deep-rooted fear and provides a religious solution for overcoming it through belief in Christ's victory over death.

commentaries

Most biblical commentaries view Hebrews 2:15 as emphasizing Christ's role in liberating believers from the fear of death.

Matthew Henry's Commentary, for instance, notes the profound impact of Christ's redemptive work on the human psyche, changing the nature of death for believers from a horrifying endpoint to a transition into eternal life.

The Expositor's Bible Commentary agrees, adding that Jesus’s death invalidated the devil's power to keep people in lifelong slavery through the fear of death.

Other commentators like John Calvin have echoed these sentiments, viewing this verse as a central piece in the argument for Christ's supreme role in salvation.