Yet, however central to our salvation, the Cross has an importance that goes beyond us.
The significance of the death of Christ will be seen by saints and angels. Fallen men could not have a home in the paradise of God without the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. . . .
The angels ascribe honor and glory to Christ, for even they are not secure except by looking to the sufferings of the Son of God. It is through the efficacy of the cross that the angels of heaven are guarded from apostasy. Without the cross they would be no more secure against evil than were the angels before the fall of Satan.
Angelic perfection failed in heaven. Human perfection failed in Eden, the paradise of bliss. All who wish for security in earth or heaven must look to the Lamb of God. The plan of salvation, making manifest the justice and love of God, provides an eternal safeguard against defection in unfallen worlds, as well as among those who shall be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb (Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1132)
Hebrews 2:16
New International Version (©2004)
For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants.
English Standard Version
For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.
International Standard Version (©2008)
For it is clear that he did not come to help angels. No, he came to help Abraham's descendants,
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham.
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
So Jesus helps Abraham's descendants rather than helping angels.
King James Bible
For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
American King James Version
For truly he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
American Standard Version
For verily not to angels doth he give help, but he giveth help to the seed of Abraham.
Bible in Basic English
For, truly, he does not take on the life of angels, but that of the seed of Abraham.
Douay-Rheims Bible
For no where doth he take hold of the angels: but of the seed of Abraham he taketh hold.
Darby Bible Translation
For he does not indeed take hold of angels by the hand, but he takes hold of the seed of Abraham.
English Revised Version
For verily not of angels doth he take hold, but he taketh hold of the seed of Abraham.
Webster's Bible Translation
For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
Weymouth New Testament
For assuredly it is not to angels that He is continually reaching a helping hand, but it is to the descendants of Abraham.
World English Bible
For most certainly, he doesn't give help to angels, but he gives help to the seed of Abraham.
Young's Literal Translation
for, doubtless, of messengers it doth not lay hold, but of seed of Abraham it layeth hold,