Hebrews 2:5 kjv
For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
Hebrews 2:5 nkjv
For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.
Hebrews 2:5 niv
It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking.
Hebrews 2:5 esv
For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking.
Hebrews 2:5 nlt
And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about.
Hebrews 2 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1:26-28 | Then God said, "Let us make man in our image... and let them rule..." | Humanity's original dominion mandate. |
| Psa 8:4-6 | What is mankind that you are mindful of them... You crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of your hands; you put all things under his feet. | Prophecy of humanity's destiny/Christ's rule. |
| Psa 110:1 | The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." | Christ's exalted rule over all enemies. |
| Dan 7:13-14 | One like a son of man was coming... and to him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom... | The Son of Man receiving eternal dominion. |
| Matt 19:28 | ...in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you also will sit on twelve thrones... | Disciples ruling with Christ in new age. |
| Lk 20:34-35 | Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead..." | Contrast between "this age" and "that age." |
| Lk 22:29-30 | And I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones... | Disciples given a kingdom to rule with Christ. |
| 1 Cor 6:2-3 | Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? | Believers' future co-rule, even over angels. |
| 1 Cor 15:24-28 | Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power... | Christ's ultimate subjection of all things. |
| Eph 1:20-22 | ...raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. | Christ's present supremacy over all ages. |
| Col 1:16 | For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. | Christ as creator and sustainer of all beings, including angels. |
| Col 2:18 | Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions... | Warning against undue veneration of angels. |
| Heb 1:4-14 | So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. | Direct contrast: Christ superior to angels. |
| Heb 2:6-8 | But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is mankind... You put everything under his feet." In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. | Explains that Ps 8 is about Christ's dominion. |
| 1 Pet 3:22 | ...who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to Him. | Angels subjected to the exalted Christ. |
| Rev 2:26-27 | The one who conquers... to him I will give authority over the nations... | Believers sharing Christ's rule over nations. |
| Rev 5:10 | And you have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign on the earth. | Redeemed humanity reigning with God. |
| Rev 11:15 | The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever. | The universal reign of Christ inaugurated. |
| Rev 20:4, 6 | And I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed... They will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with him for a thousand years. | The millennium: believers reign with Christ. |
Hebrews 2 verses
Hebrews 2 5 Meaning
Hebrews 2:5 declares that God has not entrusted the governance of the eschatological age, referred to as "the world to come," to angels. This statement underpins the central argument of the book, which establishes the ultimate superiority of Jesus Christ over angels and all creation, highlighting His unique position as the sovereign ruler of God's future kingdom. It contrasts the subordinate role of angels, even in their capacity as mediators of the Law, with the supreme authority conferred upon the Son.
Hebrews 2 5 Context
Hebrews chapter 2 verse 5 is a pivotal statement within the book of Hebrews, serving as a transitional bridge from the argument for Christ's supremacy over angels (chapter 1) to the explanation of why the Son, though superior, had to become human and suffer (chapter 2). Chapter 1 meticulously establishes Jesus as the Son of God, the Heir of all things, superior to angels in nature, name, worship received, and dominion. Chapter 2:1-4 then issues a grave warning against neglecting so great a salvation, emphasizing its divine origin through the Lord Himself and subsequent confirmation. Verse 5 follows this warning by returning to the theme of dominion, asserting that God did not appoint angels to rule "the world to come." This sets the stage for the crucial explanation in the subsequent verses (Heb 2:6-9) that it is man, specifically humanity perfected in Jesus Christ, who is destined for this dominion, fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 8. The author thereby refutes any lingering Jewish tradition that might have elevated angels, particularly as intermediaries for the Law, implying that their role does not extend to the eschatological age or Messianic kingdom where Christ reigns supreme.
Hebrews 2 5 Word analysis
- For (γὰρ, gar): This conjunction introduces an explanatory statement or a logical consequence, linking back to the previous argument regarding the greatness of the salvation proclaimed by Christ (Heb 2:1-4) and implicitly to Christ's superiority over angels established in chapter 1. It signals that what follows explains why Christ's word is superior.
- He did not subject (οὐχ ὑπέταξεν, ouch hypotaxen):
- He (implied): Refers to God the Father, who is the ultimate source of authority and decision-making throughout the book (e.g., God speaks by His Son, Heb 1:1; God made His Son heir, Heb 1:2).
- did not subject (οὐχ ὑπέταξεν, ouch hypotaxen): A negative strong statement using ouch (οὐχ), emphasizing the absence of this subjection. The verb hypotasso (ὑποτάσσω) means "to place under, subordinate, subject to the authority of." It implies a deliberate, divine decision regarding the arrangement of dominion. This choice of word highlights divine ordering and governance.
- to angels (ἀγγέλοις, angelois): Refers to celestial beings, spirit-messengers of God, who are shown throughout Scripture to be powerful, serving God's will. However, in Hebrews, they are explicitly portrayed as servants to God and His Son, inferior to Christ (Heb 1:5-14). The dative case (angelois) indicates them as the object of the "not subjecting," clearly stating that this specific dominion is not given to them.
- the world to come (τὴν οἰκουμένην τὴν μέλλουσαν, tēn oikoumenēn tēn mellousan):
- the world (τὴν οἰκουμένην, tēn oikoumenēn): While oikoumene can refer to the "inhabited earth" (e.g., Lk 2:1 for the Roman census), here, its meaning is critically qualified. It points beyond the current earthly order to a new order of creation.
- to come (τὴν μέλλουσαν, tēn mellousan): The participle mellousan means "about to be," "future," or "destined to be." This explicitly defines oikoumene as the eschatological, future age—the age of Christ's full, manifested kingdom. It refers to the new creation or the consummated Messianic age, not merely the present world order. This is the realm where God's purposes will be fully realized through His Son.
- of which we are speaking (περὶ ἧς λαλοῦμεν, peri hēs laloumen): This is a direct rhetorical aside from the author, reminding the audience of the current topic of discussion. It confirms that the subject of "the world to come" is not a side point, but the very essence of the author's ongoing argument concerning Christ's rule and His salvific work. It reinforces that the nature and ruler of this future age is the central theme he wishes to develop.
Hebrews 2 5 Bonus section
- Theocratic Succession: This verse highlights a kind of "theocratic succession" or transfer of administrative authority from a sphere mediated by angels (Old Covenant, Sinai) to a sphere mediated by and centered on Christ (New Covenant, future kingdom). This aligns with the overall argument that the New Covenant is superior because its mediator is superior.
- Future Hope for Humanity: Implicit in this verse is the great hope for humanity. If angels are not to rule "the world to come," who will? The following verses (Heb 2:6-9) clearly identify that it is humanity, ultimately represented and perfected by Christ, who will exercise this dominion, thereby elevating the destiny of believers beyond that of angels. This links back to humanity's original, though unfulfilled, dominion mandate in Genesis 1 and Psalm 8.
- A Polemic Against Angel Veneration: For an audience potentially exposed to Jewish mysticisms or other practices that might have elevated angels to a mediatorial or even salvific status (as seen in some Qumranic texts or aspects later addressed in Colossians), this verse firmly reasserts the limited scope of angelic authority, thereby undermining any rationale for their veneration in contrast to Christ.
Hebrews 2 5 Commentary
Hebrews 2:5 provides a foundational premise for understanding Christ's supreme role in the new creation. It starkly distinguishes the temporary and mediatory role of angels under the Old Covenant from the eternal and authoritative rule of Jesus Christ over the coming age. The verse clarifies that while angels served God's purposes in the past, including potentially delivering the Law, they have no part in administering or ruling the "world to come"—the Messianic age or new heaven and new earth where God's ultimate salvation and order will be established. This sets the stage for the following verses, which pivot to demonstrate that this glorious future dominion is reserved not for angels, but for redeemed humanity through its perfect representative, Jesus Christ. This highlights Christ's unparalleled glory, the efficacy of His sacrifice, and the ultimate hope for believers to share in His glorious reign.