Hebrews 2:1-18
Thanksgiving Day! My posting necessarily delayed…
It [salvation, the Gospel] was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (vv. 3b-4) Those who argue against Paul being the author of Hebrews use verse 3b as one of their arguments, that salvation … was attested to us by those who heard. However I think we can understand that verse differently, that the apostles who had been with Jesus and heard His message of salvation had conversed with Paul and told him what they had seen and heard. That verse does not say anything to suggest that Paul could not have heard the message of salvation himself by direct revelation from Jesus. Furthermore, verse 4 speaks of signs and wonders … and miracles … and gifts of the Holy Spirit, all of which Paul had witnessed and seen accomplished at his own hand. I do not negate Paul’s having written the letter to the Hebrews.
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy … the devil… (v. 14b) Again, my Study Bible helped me with more understanding: Jesus had to become a man if He were to redeem mankind. He could not have overcome death (and the devil) unless He Himself died, and He could die only if He became human. It all falls together so perfectly – creation, sin, redemption – why is it so hard for some people to believe??!!
See also: November 9 / Hebrews 2:1-8; November 10 / Hebrews 2:9-13; November 11 / Hebrews 2:14-18