Heb. 2:14. Since then the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise partook of the same,
So let those be put to shame who say that He came as a phantom and an apparition. For the apostle did not merely say that He partook of flesh and blood, as the children, that is, the rest of mankind — though even if he had said it that way, it would have been sufficient to affirm that He was truly incarnate — but he also added "likewise," in order to confirm His identity with us and His true incarnation.
Heb. 2:14. that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
He presents the reason for the economy [of salvation]. So that, he says, by His own death, which He assumed, having evidently partaken of flesh and blood, He might destroy the devil, who holds the power of death. In what way? — through sin. Since he caused people to sin as a result of that first disobedience, he was the author of death and wielded it like some soldier and powerful weapon against human nature. Therefore Christ also used that very same weapon against him. Truly, it is a matter of great power and wisdom to slay the enemy with the weapon by which he had slain many. Some have understood it this way: the one who holds, they say, sin, that is, the devil, since sin constitutes the power and strength of death.
Heb. 2:15. And deliver those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
That is, to deliver those who were slaves of death, feared it, and were subject to it, that is, were held in bondage to it, since it had not yet been destroyed. Or, that the ancient people lived in constant fear, always expecting that they would die, and in such fear they could feel no pleasure. This is what the apostle hints at when he says, "through all their life." So they were subject to bondage, that is, they always trembled before death, like slaves of a cruel master, enjoying nothing joyful. From this, understand that whoever fears death is not free and is a slave of everything. And this is a consolation for suffering believers, if now those who are persecuted and bound in chains lead a more pleasant and freer life than the ancients who seemed to live in luxury when death had power. Those, shaken by the fear of death, were slaves, but you are free from this fear.
Heb. 2:16. For He does not take hold of angels,
That is, the Lord did not unite Himself with the angelic nature, nor did He assume it. This shows the great love of God for the human race. What He did not grant to the angels, he says, He gave to men — to assume flesh from them.
Heb. 2:16. But He takes on the seed of Abraham.
He did not say "took hold of," but "takes hold of," to show that He overtook our nature, which was fleeing and had gone far away; and, having overtaken it, He took hold of it and clothed Himself in it, uniting it with Himself and stopping it as it fled from Him. He did not say "the nature of men," but "the seed of Abraham," partly wishing to exalt them and show that their lineage is honorable, and that they have in this an advantage over the Gentiles, since the Lord is from them; for Paul always gratifies them in whatever is harmful to no one; and partly reminding them of the promise: "for all the land which you see, to you will I give it, and to your seed forever" (Gen. 13:15).
Heb. 2:17. Therefore He had to be made like His brethren in all things,
Since, he says, He was pleased to accept our nature, it was entirely consistent for Him to become like us in all things, that is, to be born, to be brought up, to grow, to endure all that was necessary, and finally, to die; this is what it means — to become like us in all things.
Heb. 2:17. To be a merciful and faithful high priest before God,
It was for nothing other, he says, than to through it have mercy on us and restore the deeply fallen that He assumed our flesh. In what way? By becoming our high priest and bearing that flesh which He received from us, in place of some other sacrifice, in order to cleanse us from sins and to be our mediator before God; for we were at enmity with Him. "Faithful" — meaning: true, one who could fulfill the work of a high priest; for it is the duty of a true high priest to free from sins those of whom he is high priest; or that He is acceptable to God in His mediation before Him.
Heb. 2:17. For the propitiation of the sins of the people.
He showed what it means: "faithful before God," that is, to cleanse the sins of the people. In this is the great proof of His love, that He did everything to expiate sins. Why did he not say: the sins of the world, but: of the people? Because the Lord first of all had care for the Jews, for whose sake He also came primarily, so that when they are saved, through them the rest would also be saved, although the opposite turned out to be the case. And the angel says to Joseph: "for He shall save His people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21). Thus he shows here the nobility of the Jews and what great care they were deemed worthy of from the Lord.
Heb. 2:18. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.
This, it would seem, is humiliation, humble and unworthy of God. When Paul speaks of the flesh, he touches on everything humiliating, yet not unworthy of the flesh; and there is nothing surprising in this, since even concerning the Father who did not become incarnate, Scripture says much that is anthropomorphic and lowly: "The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see" (Ps. 13:2), and: "I will go down and see" (Gen. 18:21), and a great multitude of similar expressions. Therefore, much more is said concerning Christ, who became incarnate and suffered in the flesh, especially for the complete reassurance of the listeners and on account of their weakness; for even people consider experience to be the surest of all means. The meaning of the words is this. He knew not only as God, but also as a man, tested in all things — and the very flesh of Christ endured many sufferings. He knew what temptation is; therefore He can help, or in other words, He is ready to be always compassionate.