Commentary on Hebrews 2:1-4

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard,

lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels

proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received

a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who

heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various

miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.

Hebrews 2:1-4

In the larger context of Hebrews chapters 1 and 2, the writer is giving evidence that supports the claim that Jesus Christ is infinitely more valuable than angels, and His Gospel message of salvation for all who repent and believe is an infinitely more important message than that of the Law which the angels delivered to Israel.

The beginning of chapter 2 is a brief tangent serving at least two purposes.

We see the first purpose immediately in verse one. The writer offers an exhortation to pay very close attention to the Good News. The Greek for “pay much closer attention” speaks of giving the Gospel our utmost focus for exceeding our focus on anything else!

Included in this exhortation are two warnings.

The first is to guard against drifting away which results from not paying close attention to the Gospel that we have heard. Imagine drifting down a river on an inner tube just enjoying the day when you see a sign that says “Danger: waterfall ahead 2 miles.” The writer is saying that if we do not intentionally pay attention to the teachings of Scripture, then we will just drift on down the stream to our own peril and destruction. Tragically, Scripture also tells us that as we drift away, our hearts become hardened and we gradually lose our ability to even discern that we have drifted away from the Truth!

Now imagine again being on that river as the current begins picking up and you begin going through some choppy rapids and you just barely make out a sign that says “Imminent danger ahead. Get to shore immediately!” but instead of even giving that warning a second thought, you just keep floating down stream towards the falls. Of course, this seems ridiculous. “I would never ignore those signs along a river and go over a waterfall,” we say to ourselves. And yet, we do this very thing when we ignore the warnings of God against drifting away from Him and His Word! The warning signs, faster current, and rapids of life serve as gracious reminders of God’s desire for us to turn to Him, but we ignore them and carry on as if we know what’s best for us.

The second warning in this passage is presented by the question “how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?” Thing warning refers to the judgment of God and the equitable, fair payment due our sins and disobedience.

Now, here’s where Christians get labeled narrow-minded and arrogant, but let me try and continue in humility anyway.

If we neglect the marvelous, incomprehensible free gift of salvation offered only through Jesus Christ, we cannot escape from God’s judgment. God gives one way to atone for sins and that way is Jesus Christ. Romans 5 tells us that the wages of sin is death but that the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Let’s backtrack briefly to verse two to see the significance of this claim.

For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution...

These are the words of God that precede the question “how then shall we escape?” What the writer is saying is “since the Law that was brought to Israel by the angels of God has proven to be true and upheld in every way and throughout every generation and since there has been a just, deserved, and earned payment for each and every sin against God and every act of disobedience...”

So what has the Law accomplished? It has proven only that we cannot keep it and that we cannot be righteous through our own merits. Paul says it this way in Romans 3:20:

For by works of the Law no human being will be justified in His sight, since through the Law comes knowledge of sin.

The message delivered by the angels was not meant to save God’s people directly. It was delivered as a warning to each and every person that we have sinned against our holy and righteous God and have no hope of being found innocent which will result in just retribution and punishment. It is through this reality that the Gospel shines brighter than the sun. All who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved! All who take heed of the warnings and go against the currents of this world and of our own sinful nature will be saved and caught up in glory with Christ. How wonderful! How unconventional though it may seem, the Gospel is the righteousness of God unto salvation for all who believe. I will die certain of this, never having a single regret for following Jesus Christ.

There is no other option. The writer of Hebrews doesn’t give us one because his words are those of God Himself who gives one sacrifice, and only one, for the forgiveness of sins.

To conclude, consider the three ways in which the Gospel is proven true throughout history as recorded in verses three and four.

1. Jesus Christ proclaimed the Good News Himself while on earth.

The message was spoken directly by God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Each and every statement Christ made about His death and resurrection came to pass. Each and every statement Christ made about His return will take place.

2. The apostles proclaimed the Good News after Jesus ascended into Heaven.

Roughly 500 eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ were so sure that they had been in the presence of the Risen Lord that they endured beatings, crucifixions, stonings, being burned at the stake, and many other brutal persecutions. They didn’t back down when their lives were threatened. Instead, they sang praises all the louder being found worthy to suffer for the sake of the Gospel!

3. The signs, wonders, and miracles of God and the gifts poured out by the Holy Spirit confirm the message of the Gospel.

As if the resurrection of Jesus was not enough, God displayed His mighty power in the form of healings, cleansings, casting out demons, restoring sight to the blind, and giving life to the lifeless through the God-man, Jesus, and through His disciples. To this day, only one explanation makes any sense for the events that transpired over 2000 years ago in Israel. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, walked among us preaching a message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He was hated by the world and hung on a cross. But that which was intended by the evil one to destroy Him brought life and righteousness to all people who would call upon His name to be saved.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Don’t neglect such a great salvation.

May we never forget to consume our thoughts with the magnificence of the Gospel and the supremacy of Jesus Christ lest we drift away!