and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
Parallel translations
- WEB and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
- KJV And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
- NKJV and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
- NASB and free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.
- NLT Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Christ's death frees those who lived their whole lives enslaved by the fear of death. The gospel delivers from death's terror.
Overview
The result of Christ's victory is liberation for those held captive by the dread of dying. What once bound people in lifelong fear is overcome by the one who tasted death for them and rose. This deliverance is a precious fruit of the cross, granting believers freedom and hope in the face of death.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Rom 8:15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
- 2 Tim 1:7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
- Luke 1:74–75deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
- 2 Cor 1:10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. In Him we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver us,
- Ps 55:4My heart murmurs within me, and the terrors of death assail me.
- Rom 8:21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
- 1 Cor 15:50–57Now I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
- Ps 89:48What man can live and never see death? Can he deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah
- Ps 56:13For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
- Job 33:21–28His flesh wastes away from sight, and his hidden bones protrude.
- Job 24:17For to them, deep darkness is their morning; surely they are friends with the terrors of darkness!
- Ps 33:19to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
- Job 18:11Terrors frighten him on every side and harass his every step.
- Ps 73:19How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
- Job 18:14He is torn from the shelter of his tent and is marched off to the king of terrors.
- Gal 4:21Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says?
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Christ at the center
Hebrews is sustained worship of Christ: better than angels, Moses, and the priests; the great High Priest after Melchizedek who by one sacrifice perfects forever those he saves.
How Hebrews 2:15 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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