Hebrews 2:14

Memory Verse

Therefore, because the children share in common of flesh and blood, and He Himself in like manner partook of the same, in order that through the death, He should render ineffective the one having the might of death, that is the devil (Hebrews 2:14).

Prior to Christ’s death and resurrection, the devil’s might was in death. “Might” is the ability of residential strength. Satan was able to use physical death against humans. To address this, God the Son partook of flesh and blood and, through death, stripped the devil of this might. As a result, Christ is now the one who holds the keys to Hades and death (Revelation 1:18).

This transition is also seen in scriptural examples. When God permitted Satan to sift Job, he was giving permission over all that he had, but was not allowed to take his life (Job 2:6). Thus, at this time, Satan possessed the might of death. However, after the resurrection of Christ, Paul is able to hand over Hymenaeus and Alexander to Satan in order that they should learn not to blaspheme (1 Timothy 1:19–20). In Corinth, Paul delivers a saint into the hands of Satan because of his egregious sin that is negatively impacting the assembly. In both cases, Satan is given the authority to ruin the man’s flesh, but not take his life (1 Corinthians 5:5). These instances indicate that after Christ’s resurrection, Satan no longer has the might of death.

Therefore, through His death, Christ released those who, through fear of death, were in bondage all their lives, giving aid to the seed of Abraham (Hebrews 2:15–17).