Add parallel Print Page Options

Warning Against Drifting Away

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken through angels[a] proved to be so firm that every violation[b] or disobedience received its just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first communicated through the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard him, while God confirmed their witness[c] with signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed[d] according to his will.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 2:2 sn The message spoken through angels refers to the OT law, which according to Jewish tradition was mediated to Moses through angels (cf. Deut 33:2; Ps 68:17-18; Acts 7:38, 53; Gal 3:19; and Jub. 1:27, 29; Josephus, Ant. 15.5.3 [15.136]).
  2. Hebrews 2:2 tn Grk “through angels became valid and every violation.”
  3. Hebrews 2:4 tn Grk “God bearing witness together” (the phrase “with them” is implied).
  4. Hebrews 2:4 tn Grk “and distributions of the Holy Spirit.”

Warning Not to Neglect Salvation

Because of this, it is all the more necessary that we pay attention to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels was binding and every transgression and act of disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we[a] neglect so great a salvation which had its beginning when it[b] was spoken through the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard, while[c] God was testifying at the same time by signs and wonders and various miracles and distributions of the Holy Spirit according to his will.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 2:3 Here “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“neglect”) which is understood as conditional
  2. Hebrews 2:3 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal infinitive (“was spoken”)
  3. Hebrews 2:4 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was testifying at the same time”)