John Calvin Commentary Hebrews 2:11

"For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren," — Hebrews 2:11 (ASV)

For both He that sanctifies, etc. He proves that it was necessary that what He had said should be fulfilled in the person of Christ on account of His connection with His members; and He also teaches that it was a remarkable evidence of the divine goodness that He put on our flesh. Therefore, He says, that they are all of one—that is, that the author of holiness and we who are made partakers of it are all of one nature, as I understand the expression. It is commonly understood to refer to one Adam; and some refer it to God, and not without reason. However, I rather think that one nature is meant, and one I consider to be in the neuter gender, as though He had said that they are made out of the same mass.

Indeed, it contributes significantly to increasing our confidence that we are united to the Son of God by a bond so close that we can find in our own nature that holiness of which we are in need. For He not only sanctifies us as God, but there is also the power of sanctifying in His human nature—not that His human nature has this power from itself, but that God poured upon it a perfect fullness of holiness, so that from it we may all draw.

And to this point this sentence refers: “For their sakes I sanctify myself” (John 17:19). If, then, we are sinful and unclean, we do not have to go far to seek a remedy, for it is offered to us in our own flesh. If anyone prefers to regard what is intended here as that spiritual unity which the godly have with the Son of God—a unity which differs greatly from that which people commonly have among themselves—I offer no objection, though I am disposed to follow what is more commonly received, as it is not inconsistent with reason.

He is not ashamed to call them brethren. This passage is taken from Psalm 22:22. The evangelists especially testify that Christ is the speaker there, or David in His name, for they quote many verses from it, such as the following: “They parted my garments,” “They gave gall for my meat,” “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Furthermore, the other parts of the chapter prove the same, for we may see in the history of the Passion a delineation of what is related there.

The end of the Psalm, which speaks of the calling of the Gentiles, can be applied to no one but Christ alone: “Turn to the Lord shall all the ends of the world; adore before him shall all the families of the nations,” — “The Lord’s is the kingdom, and he will reign over the nations.” These things are found accomplished only in Christ. He enlarged the kingdom of God not over a small area, as David did, but extended it over the whole world; previously, it was confined, as it were, within narrow limits.

There is, then, no doubt that His voice is what is referred to in this passage. He appropriately and suitably says that He is not ashamed, for how great is the distance between us and Him? Therefore, He greatly humbles Himself when He dignifies us with the name of brethren, for we are unworthy that He should even deem us His servants.

This very great honor conferred on us is amplified by this circumstance: Christ does not speak here as a mortal man while in the form of a servant, but as One elevated after the resurrection into immortal glory. Therefore, this title is the same as though He had raised us into heaven with Himself.

And let us remember, whenever we hear that we are called brethren by Christ, that He has clothed us, so to speak, with this honor, so that together with this fraternal name we may lay hold of eternal life and every celestial blessing.

We must further notice the office which Christ assumes, which is that of proclaiming the name of God; this began to be done when the gospel was first promulgated and is now done daily through the ministry of pastors.

We therefore learn that the gospel has been presented to us for this purpose: that we may be brought to the knowledge of God, so that His goodness may be celebrated by us, and that Christ is the author of the gospel in whatever manner it may be offered to us.

And this is what Paul says, for he declares that he and others were ambassadors for Christ, and he exhorted people, as it were, in the name of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).

This ought to add considerable reverence to the gospel, since we ought to consider not so much people as speaking to us, but Christ speaking by His own mouth.

For at the time when He promised to publish God’s name to humanity, He had ceased to be in the world. It was not, however, to no purpose that He claimed this office as His own, for He really performs it through His disciples.