Hebrews 2:1-6

 

Heb 2:1 (KJB)

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

 

Heed - Be attentive, follow, or be concerned about

Heard - Hearing with understanding

We should let them slip - Drift away or flow beside

 

On the basis of what we had just learned concerning the superiority of Christ to the angels and earthly kings, this verse is a warning to all Christians that we need to seriously pay attention to the things which we have heard and understood. If a Christian is not careful in their walk, it is a good possibility that they could slip away, that is, to drift from the orthodox biblical truths. If we compromise our biblical understanding with the writings of men, then we can neutralize our Christian testimony and instead of remaining a strong Christian, we could become a very weak Christian. The word “heed” is a present active infinitive and it states that we need to be consistently paying close attention to our doctrine and our Christian walk. We must never allow ourselves to let down our guard for even a minimal amount of time because that is when Satan will sneak in with a compromising element and that is all it takes. He does not have to bring a full frontal assault, just a questionable doctrine on our flank and if we do not reject it immediately, it can work its way in to our life’s theology.

 

Heb 2:2 (KJB)

For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;

 

Stedfast - Firm, sure, stable, or secure

Transgression - Transgressing a boundary or a transgression of a known commandment

Disobedience - Unwillingness to hear resulting in disobedience

Recompense of reward - A reward regarding what is in view - Here it is speaking of punishment

 

Angels were heavily involved in the history of Israel. As an example we could mention the angels who visited Abraham concerning the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrha. The verse is telling us that the word of the angels was a firm word. The angels did not speak on behalf of themselves but were doing the work of God when they spoke and it was His word they were bringing. Sodom and Gomorrha had received the reward of disobedience on the word of the Lord through angels. The giving of the law was even attended to by angels.

 

(Acts 7:38 KJV) This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

 

(Acts 7:52-53 KJV) Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: {53} Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

 

This means that as they brought the law of God, there were many laws which were to be obeyed and when these laws were violated, they received the reward of disobedience. Both Israel and Judah were taken into captivity. The northern kingdom disappeared about 721 B.C. and Judah was decimated in 70 A.D. Their disobedience of the law proved that the word of the angels was firmly established in the Lord and no transgression went without punishment.

 

Heb 2:3 (KJB)

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

 

Escape - Flee or run away

If we neglect - Disregard or not care for

And was confirmed - Established or guaranteed

 

The question being asked if the Mosaic law had firmly fixed the death penalty and was mediated by angels, then how much more of a penalty will there be if one neglects or flees from the new covenant which was established by the Son? When the Lord was here on earth He began to bring the message of the Kingdom of God. He also spoke more about hell than all the prophets and apostles combined. As we now live in the last days of human history, the Father being revealed in the Son in the Gospel message, what shall be the fate of those who neglect the Gospel? In the Old Testament, physical death was the penalty for many of the transgressions of the law, but here the penalty for those who neglect salvation by grace is eternal damnation. This word went forth from the Son and was confirmed unto many by those who walked with Him and those who heard Him.

 

Heb 2:4 (KJB)

God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

 

As the Gospel began to spread, the disciples and other Christians were able to do miracles which was a confirmation of the Word going forth. (Mark 16:20 KJV) And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. These signs were from God Himself which was giving an early approbation of the truths of the Gospel. When the Bible was completed, the miracles, signs, and wonders had ceased. God had allowed these signs and wonders to be performed to show that His children were really bringing the true Gospel. At that time these signs were according to the will of God. The word “will” can also be understood as “purpose.” It was God’s purpose in the early church to bring these signs but toward the end of the first century, there was a transition from signs to living only on faith. The signs and wonders showed everyone that the child of God was empowered by the Holy Spirit. Today we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, who distributes spiritual gifts to the believers, to send forth the Gospel and evangelize the world until the Lord returns. God confirms the Word today by the changed lives the Scriptures, coupled with salvation, produce.

 

Heb 2:5 (KJB)

For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

 

Now the writer returns to the revealing of the superiority of the Lord Jesus Christ to the angels concerning the New Heavens and New Earth. None of the angels have ever been given the authority to rule over either the old or new earth. This authority was given to the Lord Jesus Christ who will be the ruler in the new creation. Whether it is the old creation or the new creation, they are both under the authority and subject to the Lord Jesus Christ. No angel will ever be elevated to such a position.

 

Heb 2:6 (KJV)

But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

 

Testified - Warn or confirm

Mindful - Remember or call to remembrance

Thou visitest - An intervention or look after

 

(Psa 8:4 KJV) What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? The one who testified is David as he asks the question concerning why would God even bother with man? (Job 15:16 KJV) How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water? Job stated that man drinks iniquity like water. David marvelled at the idea that the Lord Himself should come down to man and heal his weaknesses. Carrying this over into the book of Hebrews, the writer also marvels that God Himself would intervene in the affairs of man by sending His Son to die for the Elect, who were also the enemies of God at one time. (Eph 2:3 KJV) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. The last Adam had arrived on the scene to undo the consequences of the first Adam. Man had rebelled against God, chose to sin and follow Satan in his rebellion against God, but God in His great mercy had named many before the foundation of the world to become saved. (Psa 136:23 KJV) Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: God is always faithful to His Word and we can always count on that.

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