Hebrews 2:1-4: Such a Great Salvation
[Note: The reason I am jumping from 1:1-4 to 2:1-4 is that my study guide is thematic rather than verse by verse. Hebrews 1:5-14 is part of the reading for lesson 5. I am not including a post on textual issues in this passage, because there are no substantial textual issues.]
Because this passage is packed quite tightly, let me phrase it first:
1Because of this
we need to pay even greater heed
to the things which we have heard
so that we won’t drift away.
2The message
brought by angels {ref: Galatians 3:19}
was firm,
and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment.
3How then shall we escape
after neglecting such a tremendous deliverance?
The Lord spoke of this deliverance first,
then it was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
4God also confirmed their testimony
with signs and wonders and various powerful deeds,
and with the Holy Spirit
apportioned according to his will.
There are quite a number of ways this could be done, but this should give a picture of the elements of the passage.
This passage has a fairly simple basic meaning: The law is good, but the message brought by Jesus is better. In the section I skipped over, 1:5-14, our author has established that Jesus is greater than the angels. Now we start to see the purpose of those passages. (While I recommend reading the entire book of Hebrews each week during this study, at a minimum, read from the beginning of the book to 2:4.) As modern Christians, this argument seems redundant. We’re used to seeing Jesus as greater than the angels; as trinitarian Christians we are used to seeing him as God incarnate, so it seems redundant to spend all this time establishing that he is greater than the angels. But remember that when Hebrews was written, all of this was still rather controversial. It would be centuries before the precise definition of the trinity and the details of the incaranation as we know them today were defined.
So relying on the tradition that the law was mediated by angels (Galatians 3:19), originally intended to honor the law, our author now states that the message that Jesus has brought is greater, primarily because of the messenger. But he also introduces the specific problem he’s writing this letter to correct. There are people in the audience who are in danger of giving up and straying from the faith, probably because they feel that the reward is too long in coming.
pay even greater heed. This is a call to both pay attention to the word and also to keep it. See Deuteronomy 32:46, which uses the same Greek word for “paying heed” as does this verse.
to the things which we have heard. The gospel message, passed on by those who first preached the message to them. It is possible that this community was established by eyewitnesses to the ministry of Jesus (see below).
so that we won’t drift away. “Drift away” is a nautical term. It is likely that our author is developing a nautical metaphor here, combining the Greek words for “paying heed” or “holding fast” and “drift away.” Barclay says:
But both these words have also a nautical sense. Prosechein can mean to moor a ship; and pararrein can be used of a ship which has been carelessly allowed to slip past a harbour or a haven because the mariner has forgotten to allow for the wind or the current or the tide. So, then, this first verse could be very vividly translated: “Therefore, we must the more eagerly anchor our lives to the things taht we have been taught lest the ship of life drift past the harbour and be wrecked.” It is a vivid picture of a ship drifting to destruction because the pilot sleeps. (William Barclay, the Letter to the Hebrews [Revised Edition], p. 21.)
every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment. The law had required punishments, and was very strict. Christians often view the New Testament as much easier and lighter. In some ways this will be expressed in Hebrews as well, but the way in which it is “easier” is not that the requirements or less or that it is less important. It is not an easier path; it is, in fact, even harder. But what makes it so much better is the help that we have. Jesus is our pioneer, our advocate, and so we have a much better path and a much better guide.
How then shall we escape after neglecting such a tremendous deliverance? The new message provides greater requirements, a greater goal, but also a greater possibility. Think of a person trapped by a flood. They try to swim, but fail, and turn back. They try a boat, but it sinks. Then someone provides a full pontoon bridge over which they can cross to dry ground without even getting wet, and a vehicle to ride in. If the person who is captured then fails to go to safety, what can possibly be done? This is essentially what our author is starting to say here: Jesus has provided a way that is so much better that he cannot imagine anything else that one can do. If we neglect this salvation, we’re just going to drown!
What makes the way better? That is the message of the latter part of verse 3 and of verse 4:
- The Lord spoke of this deliverance first,
The message was brought by the Son (1:1-4). The greater message is carried by a greater messenger. - then it was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
We received the confirmation from eyewitnesses who heard the words spoken. - 4God also confirmed their testimony
In case we doubt their word, God confirms it. The term is a rare one and probably has a legal sense of “corroborate.” - with signs and wonders and various powerful deeds,
The signs and wonders that followed the apostles confirm the message. But more importantly the gospel transforms lives. I’m writing this on the Saturday of Easter weekend, and so the cross’s transforming power is in my mind. The transforming power of the cross is demonstrated in its own transformation. (See my Good Friday meditation on Threads from Henry’s Web, Transforming the Cross.) - and with the Holy Spirit apportioned according to his will.
The presence and gifts of the Holy Spirit, given according to God’s will in order for his church to accomplish the gospel commission, are evidences of the reality of the message of the gospel.
More powerful message = greater necessity for obedience.
