I'm wrestling with this verse and how it doesn't contradict limited atonement. I understand the world issue in John 3:16 but this is difficult.
Hebrews 2:9 KJV But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Can somebody explain to me how this verse doesn't support Christ died for every man?
If Christ died for every man, what about women? I guess women are out of luck with no access to salvation!
I hope you can see from my above humor that I was trying to make a point. Sometimes a phrase doesn't really mean what it appears to mean on the surface level, and sometimes the "plain and simple meaning" which is a famous Arminian argument actually backfires against them, because the "plain and simple" meaning of "every man" is every
man.
In the Greek, the phrase is actually "every" or "all", not "every man". The word "man" was added by English translators.
In the Greek the meaning is much more clear. The Greek word is "Pas" which means "every" or "all" or "the whole thing". Every of who? All of who? What "whole thing?" The context determines this. If you keep reading past verse 9, you will discover that the author goes on to describe a particular group. Christ is dying for "his brothers" and "the congregation" "the children God has given to him".
The real nail in the coffin is verse 16 which clearly states that Christ died, not for "the offspring of Adam" (which would be every individual in the human race), but rather, "the offspring of Abraham", which are God's people, Jews who are Jews spiritually, due to circumcision of the heart, etc. In other words,
God's elect.
Take a look at the passage below and read further than verse 9. You see, Arminians want you to stop reading at verse 9. But you should keep reading.
Heb 2:9-16
(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.
(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.
(11) For he who sanctifies and
those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call
them brothers,
(12) saying, "I will tell of your name to
my brothers; in the midst of
the congregation I will sing your praise."
(13) And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Behold, I and
the children God has given me."
(14) Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
(15) and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
(16) For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps
the offspring of Abraham.
