Does the variant reading of He 2:9 'apart from God' change the meaning of the Book of Hebrews?

[tonychanyt]

He 2:

9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

I.e., χάριτι θεοῦ. However, some Greek manuscripts have χωρίς θεοῦ or 'apart from God'.

Does the variant reading change the meaning of the Book of Hebrews?

Not much. But Dr James White asked Ehrman

You have often said there are verses where variants change the meaning of an entire book. Could you give some examples?

Ehrman thought it changed the entire book. He replied:

Verse of changing entire book, yes, sure. I think that, I actually do think that if Hebrews 2:9 said that if Jesus died 'apart from God' that there is no place then in Hebrews said Jesus to have died by the 'grace of God'. The the meaning now, I think, for the book of Hebrews means that Jesus died like a full flesh and blood human being without any divine comfort or support.

Ehrman jumped to conclusions. The very next verse:

10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Had God not supported Jesus' death, it would not have been perfect.

A few chapter later, more divine comfort and support, 5:

5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,
“You are my Son, today I have begotten you”;

That's a comforting statement from the Father to the Son.

6 as he says also in another place,
“You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

Despite Jesus' death on the Cross, he remains the high priest forever. That's comfort and support.

7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

I.e., more reassurance from the Book of Hebrews.

He 13:

20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,

What more support did Ehrman expect?

the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The rest of the Book of Hebrews offers compelling evidence of God’s involvement and support in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Does the variant reading of He 2:9 'apart from God' change the meaning of the Book of Hebrews?

A little, but not much. It does not fundamentally alter the theology of the Book of Hebrews. Ehrman’s claim that this single variant reading changes the entire meaning of Hebrews is an overgeneralization. The book contains numerous passages affirming God’s support for Jesus’ mission, making it unlikely that one textual variant could overturn its central theology.