Hebrews 2:5 - Exposition

Here the second division of the first section of the argument, according to the summary given above ( Hebrews 1:2 ), begins. But it is also connected logically with the interposed exhortation, the sequence of thought being as follows: "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?"— For (as an additional reason) not to angels (but to the Sou, as will be seen) did he (God) subject the world to come, whereof we speak , "The world to come ( ἡ οἰκουμένη ἡ μέλλουσα )" must be understood, in accordance with what has been said above in explanation of" the last of these days" ( Hebrews 1:1 ), as referring to the age of the Messiah's kingdom foretold in prophecy. The word μέλλουσαν does not in itself necessarily imply futurity from the writer's standpoint though, according to what was said above, the complete fulfilment of the prophetic anticipation is to be looked for in the second advent, whatever earnest and foretaste of it there may be already under the gospel dispensation. The word οἰκουμένην ( sub γὴν ) is the same as was used ( Hebrews 1:6 ) in reference to the Son's advent, denoting the sphere of created things over which he should reign. And it is suitably used here with a view to the coming quotation from Psalms 8:1-9 ., in which the primary idea is man's supremacy over the inhabited globe. The whole phrase may be taken to express the same idea as the "new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (cf. 2 Peter 3:13 ).