and free thoseThis phrase highlights the liberating work of Christ. In the context of Hebrews, Jesus is portrayed as the ultimate High Priest who offers freedom from spiritual bondage. The concept of freedom is central to the New Testament, echoing themes from the Old Testament, such as the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt. This freedom is not merely physical but spiritual, emphasizing deliverance from sin and its consequences.
who all their lives
This indicates the pervasive and lifelong nature of the bondage experienced by humanity. The phrase suggests a universal condition affecting all people, reflecting the biblical teaching that sin and its effects are a constant presence in human life. This aligns with the doctrine of original sin, which posits that all humans are born into a state of sinfulness due to the fall of Adam and Eve.
were held in slavery
The imagery of slavery is powerful, evoking the historical context of the Israelites' bondage in Egypt and the Roman practice of slavery during the time the New Testament was written. Spiritually, it refers to the bondage of sin and the law, as discussed inRomans 6:16-18, where Paul speaks of being slaves to sin before becoming slaves to righteousness through Christ.
by their fear of death
Fear of death is a universal human experience, often linked to the unknown and the finality of life. In biblical terms, death is not just physical but also spiritual, representing separation from God. The fear of death can be seen as a tool of the devil, as suggested inHebrews 2:14, where Christ's death is said to destroy the one who holds the power of death. This fear is overcome through the resurrection of Jesus, which promises eternal life to believers, as seen in1 Corinthians 15:54-57, where death is described as being swallowed up in victory.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe central figure in this passage, who through His death and resurrection, liberates believers from the fear of death.
2.
BelieversThose who have faith in Christ and are freed from the bondage of the fear of death.
3.
The DevilImplied in the broader context of
Hebrews 2, as the one who holds the power of death, which Christ has overcome.
4.
The Fear of DeathA universal human experience that enslaves people, which Christ came to conquer.
5.
The Cross and ResurrectionThe pivotal events through which Jesus accomplished the liberation from the fear of death.
Teaching Points
Freedom from FearJesus' victory over death means believers no longer need to live in fear. This freedom allows us to live boldly and confidently in our faith.
The Power of the ResurrectionThe resurrection of Christ is the cornerstone of our hope. It assures us that death is not the end, but a transition to eternal life with God.
Living in VictoryUnderstanding our liberation from the fear of death should transform how we live daily, encouraging us to focus on eternal values and purposes.
The Role of FaithFaith in Christ is essential to experience this freedom. It is through faith that we accept and live out the reality of our liberation.
Witnessing to OthersOur freedom from the fear of death is a powerful testimony to others. It opens opportunities to share the gospel and the hope we have in Christ.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Hebrews 2:15?
2.How does Hebrews 2:15 encourage us to overcome the fear of death today?
3.What does "slavery by their fear of death" mean in our daily lives?
4.How can Jesus' victory over death in Hebrews 2:15 strengthen our faith?
5.What Old Testament passages connect with the themes in Hebrews 2:15?
6.How can we help others find freedom from fear as Hebrews 2:15 describes?
7.How does Hebrews 2:15 address the fear of death in Christian theology?
8.What historical context influenced the message of Hebrews 2:15?
9.How does Hebrews 2:15 relate to the concept of spiritual freedom?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 2?
11.What does the Bible say regarding adoption?
12.Should reparations for slavery be paid?
13.Hebrews 2:14 claims Jesus’s death destroyed Satan’s power—why does evil still thrive if Satan’s power was truly nullified?
14.What does the Bible say about heartbreak?What Does Hebrews 2:15 Mean
And freeJesus came “to free” us—this is the heart of the gospel. His incarnation, death, and resurrection are the great jailbreak.
•Hebrews 2:14 says He “shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy the one who holds the power of death—that is, the devil.”
•John 8:36 affirms, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
•Galatians 5:1 calls believers to “stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.”
Christ’s freedom is not symbolic; it is literal deliverance from a real enemy and a real penalty.
ThoseThe ones He frees are people, not angels (Hebrews 2:16).
• “He had to be made like His brothers in every way” (Hebrews 2:17).
•Isaiah 53:11 foretells that “My righteous Servant will justify many.”
•1 Timothy 2:4 reminds us that God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Every believer—regardless of background—belongs in this word “those.”
Who all their livesThe slavery started with birth and lasted until Christ intervened.
•Psalm 51:5 acknowledges, “Surely I was brought forth in iniquity.”
•Ephesians 2:3 describes unbelievers as “by nature children of wrath.”
•Romans 7:24 captures the lifelong groan: “Who will rescue me from this body of death?”
Without Christ, the captivity is uninterrupted and unending.
Were held in slaverySin and Satan forged the chains; the Law exposed but could not remove them (Romans 3:20).
•Romans 6:6: “Our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless.”
•Galatians 4:3 speaks of being “enslaved to the basic principles of the world.”
•2 Peter 2:19 warns, “A man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.”
The bondage is real, personal, and oppressive—yet breakable only by Christ.
By their fear of deathDeath’s shadow intimidates every soul apart from Christ.
•1 Corinthians 15:56-57: “The sting of death is sin… But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
•1 John 4:18: “Perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment.”
•Psalm 23:4 pictures the believer walking “through the valley of the shadow of death” without terror because God is present.
In Christ, the dread of death is replaced with eager hope (Philippians 1:21).
summaryHebrews 2:15 celebrates a literal rescue: Jesus liberates real people from lifelong, soul-deep bondage caused by sin and Satan. The chain is the fear of death; the key is the cross. Because He died and rose, believers live unshackled—free to serve God joyfully now and to face physical death, whenever it comes, with confident expectation of eternal life.
(15)
Deliver them who through fear of death . . . .--This verse brings into relief the former misery and the present freedom. We may well suppose these words to have been prompted by the intense sympathy of the writer with the persecuted and tempted Christians whom he addresses. He writes throughout as one who never forgets their need of sympathetic help, and who knows well the power of the motives, the allurements and the threats, employed to lead them into apostasy. The crushing power of the "fear of death" over those who had not grasped the truth that, in Christ, life and immortality are brought to light, perhaps no thought of ours can reach.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.freeἀπαλλάξῃ(apallaxē)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 525:From apo and allasso; to change away, i.e. Release, remove.thoseτούτους(toutous)Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.whoὅσοι(hosoi)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3745:How much, how great, how many, as great as, as much. By reduplication from hos; as As.allπαντὸς(pantos)Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.[their]τοῦ(tou)Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.livesζῆν(zēn)Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2198:To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.wereἦσαν(ēsan)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.heldἔνοχοι(enochoi)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1777:Involved in, held in, hence: liable, generally with dat. (or gen.) of the punishment. From enecho; liable to.in slaveryδουλείας(douleias)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1397:Slavery, bondage. From douleuo; slavery.byδιὰ(dia)Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.[their] fearφόβῳ(phobō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5401:(a) fear, terror, alarm, (b) the object or cause of fear, (c) reverence, respect. From a primary phebomai; alarm or fright.of death.θανάτου(thanatou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2288:Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.
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NT Letters: Hebrews 2:15 And might deliver all of them who (Heb. He. Hb) 
