The writer of Hebrews continues teaching about the family of God. Jesus is the sanctifier; we are the sanctified. All was revealed by the prophets in the Old Testament period. The necessity of the redeemer to be fully human. The devil was destroyed by Jesus’s death and resurrection. The fear of death is gone. Jesus is the believers High Priest, and the one who has atoned for our sins. Jesus knows what temptation is like having suffered from it and overcame it, and He is able to help us.
My translation and notes on Hebrews 2:11-18
11 For both the one who sanctifies and those being sanctified are all from one, for this reason he is not ashamed to call them brothers.
[The sanctifier is God. All three persons of the Trinity are involved. God the Father as initiator, God the Son as Redeemer, and God the Holy Spirit as one who brings conviction. The Holy Spirit is the encourager and the one who brings God’s ways to our remembrance through the Scriptures. Compare Hebrews 9:14, Ephesians 2:18, John 14:16, John 15:26, and 2 Corinthians 13:14. We believers are being sanctified. Sanctification is separation from what is evil to what is good, from what God abhors to what God approves. It is also renovation; ‘all things have become new’ and transforming us into the image of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18 and Colossians 3:10). The cornerstone, foundation, and standard of holiness is God (Isaiah 6:3, Exodus 15:11, Psalm 47:8). Christians have three phrases of sanctification—positional (justification), experiential (spiritually maturing), and ultimate (glorification). Positional is the perfect sanctification of our salvation. Believers are fully justified and declared righteous and conformed to the person of Jesus (Romans 8:29, Leviticus 20:7-8, 2 Corinthians 5:21, and 1 Corinthians 6:11). Experiential is a progressive work of God (1 Peter 1:14-16 and Hebrews 13:21). As we live our life, God works in us molding us, teaching us, rebuking us, chastening us, and encouraging us to be holy as He is holy (Romans 8:13, Romans 8:5-9, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Philippians 1:6). We progress in sanctification when we read and study the Scriptures (1 Peter 2:2-3, Psalm 1:2, Psalm 77:12, and 1 Timothy 4:15). Note, some translations use the word ‘meditate’ in these references. Meditate means active thinking about the words, their meaning, and application. It is not a passive or mindless activity (see note at 1 Timothy 4:15). Ultimate sanctification (glorification) is the complete salvation when we enter heaven (Corinthians 5:6-8, Revelation 21:27, Philippians 3:21, and 1 Corinthians 15:35-39). ‘All from one’ refers to the new birth and brought forth by God. God has one family—the only begotten Son of God and those who are adopted (1 John 3:1-2, Romans 8:14-17, Romans 8:29, and John 1:12. The brothers are the many ‘children’ of verse 10 both brothers and sisters].
12 He says, “I will declare yours name to my brothers. In the midst of the church, I will sing praise to yous.” [Psalm 22:22]
[The ‘brothers’ are those of verses 10-12. Psalm 22:22 is the proof text. The Scriptures are inspired works. It is an announcement that Jesus has overcome sin and temptation, overcome enemies, and overcome death. Jesus had not only human adversaries but spiritual ones as well (Matthew 4:1-11)].
13 Again, “I will put my confidence in him.” [Psalm 31:5] And again, “Look, I and the children whom God has given me.” [Isaiah 8:17-18]
[Another proof text from the prophets. God’s word was given to us through the prophets and prophetesses. ‘My confidence’ compare Luke 23:46. This is an illustration of confidence in God. The Father adopts believers. Believers are His children. These children have been gifted to His Son—Jesus Christ. The (THE BIBLE KNOWLEDGE COMMENTARY) adds: Like an elder brother in the midst of a circle of younger children, the Captain of their salvation can teach them the lessons of faith along the pathway of suffering].
14 So then, as the children have flesh and blood in common, so he also likewise took of the same, so that through death he might inactivate the one who had the power of death, that is, the Devil
[Flesh and blood are characteristics of humans. The Lord Jesus needed to be fully human to be an acceptable redeemer for humans. The purpose of taking of human flesh and blood was through His death He would inactivate the devil who had the power of death. The Greek word for ‘inactivate’ is καταργέω katargéō (G2673). It means to stop influence, activity, and abolish. The Greek word for ‘power’ is κράτος krátos (G2904). It means the strength and power of a world-class warrior or leader and is usually used of God (Ephesians 6:10, Colossians 1:11, and 1 Timothy 6:16). The devil is a murderer from the beginning. His power is to murder (John 8:44). Jesus is the Redeemer (1 Peter 1:18-19), The Victor (John 16:33), The only God (Isaiah 45:21) and King of all kings (1 Timothy 6:14-15). The devil can kill by lies—lies that breed hate in one individual who then kills, lies that a person is not worth anything who then kill themselves, lies that certain activities are harmless who then end of dying from it, etc.].
15 And deliver those who through fear of death were all their lifetime held in bondage. [Romans 8:15 and Galatians 5:1]
[Of all fears a person could face, the fear of death is usually the greatest. But the person who meets the Gospel’s conditions and places faith in Jesus alone has a promise from Jesus of life everlasting. There is physical death but eternal life. Compare Luke 23:39-43].
16 Truly, he didn’t come to help angels. He came to help the descendants of Abraham.
[There is no redemption for fallen spirits. They made their decision early in creation, and it is not reversible. They are doomed. The descendants of Abraham are all those who had similar faith in God alone. See Genesis 15:6, Acts 13:39, Genesis 22:18, Romans 4:16, and Galatians 3:29].
17 Therefore, it was necessary in all things to become like his brethren, so that he could be a merciful and faithful high priest before God, to make atonement for the sins of the people,
[Jesus is 100% God, and He is also 100% man (Philippians 2:7-8) in all things except He never sinned. Note Jesus’s mercy and faithfulness. Jesus is the High Priest of the order of Melchizedek. See Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews chapter 5, and 2 Corinthians 5:18-21].
18 Because he has himself suffered from being tempted, he is able to help those who are now tempted.
[We have sufferings in this life, so did our savior. He suffered from temptation (Matthew 4:1-11), just like we do. He helps us to recognize temptation, provides a way out, gives strength to not yield, gives blessings for not yielding, and we gain endurance. Recognition through knowledge of God’s ways (reading and studying the Bible—2 Timothy 3:16-17), the Holy Spirit brings His Scriptures to mind (John 14:26), and pastoral teaching (teaching the ways of God and the Law of Christ). He provides a way out to not sin (1 Corinthians 10:13 and Jude 1:23). He gives blessings for not yielding to temptation (James 1:12). We gain endurance (James 1:3-4). See also 1 Peter 5:8-11, Psalm 119:11, and 1 Corinthians 15:33].