Hebrews 2:5

Hebrews 2:5

For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

a. NLT: And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about.

b. NIV: It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking.

c. YLT: For not to messengers did He subject the coming world, concerning which we speak,

d. Amplified Bible Classic: For it was not to angels that God subjected the habitable world of the future, of which we are speaking.

e. Worrell Translation: For not to angels did He subject the future inhabited earth, of which we are speaking.

f. Wuest Translation: For He did not give to angels the administration of the inhabited earth to come concerning which we are speaking.

1. “For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come…”

a. For [Strong: 1063 gar gar a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. [unto the] angels [Strong: 32 aggelos ang'-el-os from aggello (probably derived from 71; compare 34) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor:--angel, messenger.]

c. [hath he] not [Strong: 3756 ou oo, also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

d. put in subjection [Strong: 5293 hupotasso hoop-ot-as'-so from 5259 and 5021; to subordinate; reflexively, to obey:--be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.]

e. the world [Strong: 3625 oikoumene oy-kou-men'-ay feminine participle present passive of 3611 (as noun, by implication, of 1093); land, i.e. the (terrene part of the) globe; specially, the Roman empire:--earth, world.]

f. to come [Strong: 3195 mello mel'-lo a strengthened form of 3199 (through the idea of expectation); to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probability, possibility, or hesitation):--about, after that, be (almost), (that which is, things, + which was for) to come, intend, was to (be), mean, mind, be at the point, (be) ready, + return, shall (begin), (which, that) should (after, afterwards, hereafter) tarry, which was for, will, would, be yet.]

1). In the following quotes we will see the differences of opinion in regard to this verse. They are 180 degrees apart.

a). Arthur Pink, Commentary on Hebrews: Hebrews 2:5 may possibly set forth a designed contrast from the pre-Adamic earth, which, most probably, was placed under the dominion of unfallen Satan and his angels.

(1) Don Costello: I believe what Arthur Pink writes.

b). Peter Ruckman: Although men were not present before the creation of Adam and Eve, something like men must have been present, for beings called the “sons of God” are mentioned in connection with the pre-Adamic earth.

c). Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary [This verse implies] He has subjected to angels the existing world, the Old Testament dispensation (then still partly existing as to its framework), Heb 2:2, the political kingdom of the earth (Daniel 4:13; 10:13,20,21; 12:1), and the natural elements (Re 9:11; 16:4). and even individuals (Mt 18:10).

d). Albert Barnes NT Commentary: The remark of the apostle in the verse before us is, that God had never put the world in subjection to the angels, as he had to the Lord Jesus. They had no jurisdiction over it; they were mere ministering spirits; but the world had been put under the dominion of the Lord Jesus.

2). Why in Scripture do we have angelic powers attached to geographical areas? There is no doubt about this.

a). Daniel 10:18-21 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,

10:19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

10:20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

10:21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

3). Why did the demons possessing the man in Gadara ask Jesus not to send them out of the country?

a). Mark 5:1-13 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

5:2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

5:3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

5:4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

5:6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

5:8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

5:10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

5:11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.

5:12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

5:13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

4). I will delve deeper into this subject later, needless to say, the fact that angels have already been governing over geographical areas for thousands of years supports the case for angelic dominion over the earth sometime in the past. Other passages I will study are the following.

a). Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

b). Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

c). It is not a coincidence that all these spiritual powers visible and invisible are referred to as thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers or that they are the rulers of the darkness of this world. It is my belief that they not only rule over darkness but over the geographical areas where that darkness is.