Hebrews 2:14-18 (WEB) Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
V14 “Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil…” The “children” refers to verse 13 and is a quote from Isaiah 8:17-18. These given children are those who after God’s grace opened their hearts and minds, they accepted, they believed, they trusted. Since the Lord Jesus, in his incarnation, assumed humanity, to be the perfect savior, the perfect Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7 and John 1:36), the perfect and lasting sacrifice for all who believe (1 Peter 1:18-19 and Hebrews 10:8-10). The devil and the power of death: consider the first chapter of Job where the devil stirred up the Sabeans to kill (Job 1:13-19. God wants life; satan wants death. God loves life, since it is a character trait of God and a blessing. The devil loves death, since it is his character trait to destroy. See John 8:44 and John 10:10.
V15 “…and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” A common fear of all humanity is the fear of death. See Psalm 55:4-5, Psalm 23:4, and Ezekiel 32:10. The deliverance is an eternal deliverance because of the once for all time sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the Cross. There is deliverance from the fear of death, from God’s wrath, from the power of sin, from our sin nature, from lies to truth, from guilt to peace, from no fellowship with God to fellowship with God. The Lord Jesus saves from the power, sting, fear, of physical death and eternal torments in hell (2 Timothy 1:10). Humanity, because of our sin nature and our personal sins, are in bondage (Colossians 2:13).
V16 “For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham.” Faith could not be a means of salvation for fallen angels, because they knew God existed, did not trust Him, did not believe Him, but rebelled against Him knowingly (James 2:19). There is no savior who is qualified except that Jesus is qualified for He is God (John 1:1 and Titus 2:13), He is man (Hebrews 10:5), He is a volunteer (John 4:34 and John 18:37), He is sinless (so He does not need to die for His own sins, for He has no sins–Hebrews 4:15), He is called (John 17:18), He obeyed (Luke 22:42), He trusted (Psalm 22:8 and Luke 23:46), He died (John 19:34-37), buried (John 19:38-42), resurrected from the dead (Mark 16:6), ascended into heaven (Acts 1:6-11), and waits to return for the church (John 14:1-2), and 7 years later to rescue Israel (Zechariah 14). For Jesus, His mission was to the Jews first then Gentiles (Luke 24:47).
V17 “Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.” Because of God’s desire to save, Jesus came as a Jew, to the elected nation of God–Israel. His brothers are the Jews. The High Priests of the order of Aaron had some who were faithful and others not. All those High Priests had their own sins. So, God the Father sent His son to be the faithful (to God) High Priest (Hebrews 5:5, etc.). Jesus is merciful (Hebrews 8:12). Jesus is the only mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). Atonement is needed, since if we die for our own sins, we will be punished for our own sins. Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, died for all humans, so through faith in Him, we will have eternal life.
V18 “For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.” Jesus was tempted not only one time (Luke 4:1-13) but continuously (Luke 4:13 and Luke 22:42).