Hebrews 2
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Therefore - Because God has spoken to us by his Son; and because that Son is so great and glorious a personage; and because the subject which is addressed to us is of such infinite importance to our welfare. We ought to give the more earnest heed - We should hear the doctrine of Christ with care, candour, and deep concern. Lest at any time we should let them slip - Μη ποτε παραρῥυωμεν· "Lest at any time we should leak out." This is a metaphor taken from unstanch vessels; the staves not being close together, the fluid put into them leaks through the chinks and crevices. Superficial hearers lose the benefit of the word preached, as the unseasoned vessel does its fluid; nor can any one hear to the saving of his soul, unless he give most earnest heed, which he will not do unless he consider the dignity of the speaker, the importance of the subject, and the absolute necessity of the salvation of his soul. St. Chrysostom renders it μη ποτε απολωμεθα, εκπεσωμεν, lest we perish, lest we fall away.
Open source ↗DANGER OF NEGLECTING SO GREAT SALVATION, FIRST SPOKEN BY CHRIST; TO WHOM, NOT TO ANGELS, THE NEW DISPENSATION WAS SUBJECTED; THOUGH HE WAS FOR A TIME HUMBLED BELOW THE ANGELS: THIS HUMILIATION TOOK PLACE BY DIVINE NECESSITY FOR OUR SALVATION. (Heb. 2:1-18) Therefore--Because Christ the Mediator of the new covenant is so far (Heb 1:5-14) above all angels, the mediators of the old covenant. the more earnest--Greek, "the more abundantly." heard--spoken by God (Heb 1:1); and by the Lord (Heb 2:3). let them slip--literally "flow past them" (Heb 4:1).
Open source ↗Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed,.... This is an inference from the apostle's discourse in the preceding chapter; since he, by whom God has spoke in these last days, is his Son, who is infinitely above the angels, they being his creatures, and worshippers of him, and ministers to him, and his; therefore the greater regard should be had to the Gospel spoken by him: even to the things which we have heard; which are no other than the truths of the Gospel, which had been preached unto them, and which were heard by the apostles, who had preached them to them; and they had heard them from them, or from Christ himself, and were what their forefathers had desired to hear, and which the carnal ear has not heard; for there is an internal and an external hearing of the Gospel. Now it becomes the hearers of it to give heed, or attend unto it, to beware of that which is pernicious and hurtful, and to regard that which is good and profitable; and this giving heed takes in a close consideration of Gospel truths, a diligent inquiry into them, a valuable esteem of them, a strict adherence to them, and a watchfulness to retain what is heard, and to conform unto it: and this was to be done "more earnestly" than their forefathers had, or than they themselves had; or this may be put for the superlative degree, and signify, that they should give the most earnest heed; for they had the most abundant reason to give heed, since what they heard was not from Moses, and the prophets, to whom they did well to take heed, but from Christ the Son of God, who was greater than they: "lest at any time we should let them slip": and this either respects persons; and so the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "lest we should run out"; and the Syriac version, "lest we should fall"; and the Arab…
Open source ↗The apostle proceeds in the plain profitable method of doctrine, reason, and use, through this epistle. Here we have the application of the truths before asserted and proved; this is brought in by the illative particle therefore, with which this chapter begins, and which shows its connection with the former, where the apostle having proved Christ to be superior to the angels by whose ministry the law was given, and therefore that the gospel dispensation must be more excellent than the legal, he now comes to apply this doctrine both by way of exhortation and argument. I. By way of exhortation: Therefore we ought to give the more diligent heed to the things which we have heard, Heb 2:1. This is the first way by which we are to show our esteem of Christ and of the gospel. It is the great concern of every one under the gospel to give the most earnest heed to all gospel discoveries and directions, to prize them highly in his judgment as matters of the greatest importance, to hearken to them diligently in all the opportunities he has for that purpose, to read them frequently, to meditate on them closely, and to mix faith with them. We must embrace them in our hearts and affections, retain them in our memories, and finally regulate our words and actions according to them. II. By way of argument, he adds strong motives to enforce the exhortation. 1. From the great loss we shall sustain if we do not take this earnest heed to the things which we have heard: We shall let them slip. They will leak, and run out of our heads, lips, and lives, and we shall be great losers by our neglect. Learn, (1.) When we have received gospel truths into our minds, we are in danger of letting them slip. Our minds and memories are like a leaky vessel, they do not without much care retain what is pour…
Open source ↗2:1-4 The author makes an argument from lesser to greater: If, in the lesser situation of the Old Testament era, people who rejected God’s word as delivered by angels were severely punished, how much greater the punishment will be for those who now reject the word of salvation that has been delivered by the Son himself and confirmed by the Holy Spirit. 2:1 The truth we have heard is the message of salvation delivered through Christ (2:3). • Drift away pictures a ship getting off course. Here it speaks of getting off track spiritually due to not listening very carefully to the Good News.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing ἡμᾶς (hēmâs, G2248) — us δεῖ (deî, G1163) — also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is… περισσοτέρως (perissotérōs, G4056) — more superabundantly προσέχω (proséchō, G4337) — (figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e. pay attention to, be… ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) μήποτε (mḗpote, G3379) — not ever; also if (or lest) ever (or perhaps) παραῤῥυέω (pararrhyéō, G3901) — to flow by, i.e. (figuratively) carelessly pass (miss)
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… βέβαιος (bébaios, G949) — stable (literally or figuratively) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole παράβασις (parábasis, G3847) — violation παρακοή (parakoḗ, G3876) — inattention, i.e. (by implication) disobedience λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) ἔνδικος (éndikos, G1738) — in the right, i.e. equitable
Open source ↗πῶς (pōs, G4459) — an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect,… ἡμεῖς (hēmeîs, G2249) — we (only used when emphatic) ἐκφεύγω (ekpheúgō, G1628) — to flee out ἀμελέω (ameléō, G272) — to be careless of τηλικοῦτος (tēlikoûtos, G5082) — such as this, i.e. (in (figurative) magnitude) so vast σωτηρία (sōtēría, G4991) — rescue or safety (physically or morally) ὅστις (hóstis, G3748) — which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same ἀρχή (archḗ, G746) — (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of… λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… βεβαιόω (bebaióō, G950) — to stabilitate (figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)…
Open source ↗θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very συνεπιμαρτυρέω (synepimartyréō, G4901) — to testify further jointly, i.e. unite in adding evidence τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) σημεῖον (sēmeîon, G4592) — an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τέρας (téras, G5059) — a prodigy or omen ποικίλος (poikílos, G4164) — motley, i.e. various in character δύναμις (dýnamis, G1411) — force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a… μερισμός (merismós, G3311) — a separation or distribution ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated) πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… θέλησις (thélēsis, G2308) — determination (properly, the act), i.e. option
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… ὑποτάσσω (hypotássō, G5293) — to subordinate; reflexively, to obey οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not οἰκουμένη (oikouménē, G3625) — land, i.e. the (terrene part of the) globe; specially, the Roman empire μέλλω (méllō, G3195) — to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially… περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object πού (poú, G4225) — as adverb of place, somewhere, i.e. nearly διαμαρτύρομαι (diamartýromai, G1263) — to attest or protest earnestly, or (by implication) hortatively λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because μιμνήσκω (mimnḗskō, G3403) — to remind, i.e. (middle voice) to recall to mind αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… ἐπισκέπτομαι (episképtomai, G1980) — to inspect, i.e. (by implication) to select; by extension, to go to see, relieve
Open source ↗ἐλαττόω (elattóō, G1642) — to lessen (in rank or influence) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… βραχύς (brachýs, G1024) — short (of time, place, quantity, or number) τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with… ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… στεφανόω (stephanóō, G4737) — to adorn with an honorary wreath (literally or figuratively) δόξα (dóxa, G1391) — glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τιμή (timḗ, G5092) — a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem… καθίστημι (kathístēmi, G2525) — to place down (permanently), i.e. (figuratively) to designate, constitute, convoy ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… ἔργον (érgon, G2041) — toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy
Open source ↗ὑποτάσσω (hypotássō, G5293) — to subordinate; reflexively, to obey πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ὑποκάτω (hypokátō, G5270) — down under, i.e. beneath αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πούς (poús, G4228) — a "foot" (figuratively or literally) γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἀφίημι (aphíēmi, G863) — an intensive form of , to go); to send forth, in various applications (as follow) οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing ἀνυπότακτος (anypótaktos, G506) — unsubdued, i.e. insubordinate (in fact or temper) δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. νῦν (nŷn, G3568) — "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or… ὁράω (horáō, G3708) — by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear οὔπω (oúpō, G3768) — not yet
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. βλέπω (blépō, G991) — to look at (literally or figuratively) Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ἐλαττόω (elattóō, G1642) — to lessen (in rank or influence) βραχύς (brachýs, G1024) — short (of time, place, quantity, or number) τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with… ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) πάθημα (páthēma, G3804) — something undergone, i.e. hardship or pain; subjectively, an emotion or influence θάνατος (thánatos, G2288) — (properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively) στεφανόω (stephanóō, G4737) — to adorn with an honorary wreath (literally or figuratively) δόξα (dóxa, G1391) — glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or…
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… πρέπω (prépō, G4241) — to tower up (be conspicuous), i.e. (by implication) to be suitable or proper (third… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἄγω (ágō, G71) — properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass… πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… δόξα (dóxa, G1391) — glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or… τελειόω (teleióō, G5048) — to complete, i.e. (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character) ἀρχηγός (archēgós, G747) — a chief leader
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) ἁγιάζω (hagiázō, G37) — to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) εἷς (heîs, G1520) — one διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that αἰτία (aitía, G156) — a cause (as if asked for), i.e. (logical) reason (motive, matter), (legal) crime (alleged… ἐπαισχύνομαι (epaischýnomai, G1870) — to feel shame for something οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not καλέω (kaléō, G2564) — to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ἀπαγγέλλω (apangéllō, G518) — to announce σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy ὄνομα (ónoma, G3686) — a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character) μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. μέσος (mésos, G3319) — middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun) ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía, G1577) — a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation… ὑμνέω (hymnéō, G5214) — to hymn, i.e. sing a religious ode; by implication, to celebrate (God) in song σέ (sé, G4571) — thee
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πάλιν (pálin, G3825) — (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally)… ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) ἔσομαι (ésomai, G2071) — will be πείθω (peíthō, G3982) — to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; παιδίον (paidíon, G3813) — a childling (of either sex), i.e. (properly), an infant, or (by extension) a half-grown… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… μοί (moí, G3427) — to me
Open source ↗ἐπεί (epeí, G1893) — thereupon, i.e. since (of time or cause) οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly παιδίον (paidíon, G3813) — a childling (of either sex), i.e. (properly), an infant, or (by extension) a half-grown… κοινωνέω (koinōnéō, G2841) — to share with others (objectively or subjectively) σάρξ (sárx, G4561) — flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… αἷμα (haîma, G129) — blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially… μετέχω (metéchō, G3348) — to share or participate; by implication, belong to, eat (or drink) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… παραπλησίως (paraplēsíōs, G3898) — in a manner near by, i.e. (figuratively) similarly ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) θάνατος (thánatos, G2288) — (properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively) καταργέω (katargéō, G2673) — to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
But the seeds on good soil are those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop.
Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.
Beloved, this is now my second letter to you. Both of them are reminders to stir you to wholesome thinking
And I will make every effort to ensure that after my departure, you will be able to recall these things at all times.
My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment.
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.
Then you will succeed, if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you.
Be careful that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God that He made with you; do not make an idol for yourselves in the form of anything He has forbidden you.
Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?