“And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death — the enslaved condition of humanity under death's fear is the devil's primary tool; Christ's victory over death liberates the enslaved. The slavery imagery emphasizes the totality of death's dominion before Christ's breaking of its power.
Church Fathers on Hebrews 2:15
“And should deliver them,” he says, “who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Why (he means) do ye shudder? Why do you fear him that has been brought to nought? He is no longer terrible, but has been trodden under foot, has been utterly despised; he is vile and of no account. 2 Timothy 1:10 But what is “through fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage”? He either means this, that he who fears death is a slave, and submits to all…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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