Hebrews 2:3-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 2:1-4

The more solemn responsibilities of Christians. "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed," etc. As a necessary sequel to our former homily on these verses, let us now consider— I. THAT THEY TO WHOM ARE OFFERED THE GREATER PRIVILEGES OF THIS CHRISTIAN DISPENSATION ARE UNDER GREATER OBLIGATIONS THAN THEY OF THE EARLIER DISPENSATION WERE . In human relations as well as in the Divine government this principle is generally... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 2:1-4

An exhortation against drifting away from the glorious Son of God. This passage is evidently a parenthesis, no link in the argument. Like the acknowledged Epistles of Paul, this is characterized by frequent sudden and brief departures from the general outline of thought. Like a river, the outline is clear from beginning to end, but here and there are small side channels into which the stream is swiftly, involuntarily drawn, to rejoin the mare current a little lower down. One of these we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 2:1-4

The glory of the Gospel. I. HERE ARE TO BE SEEN THE SUPERIOR GLORY OF THE GOSPEL TO THE LAW IN THE PERSON OF ITS REVEALER . There are frequent proofs of the wisdom of God in the adaptations of means and ends both in the spheres of providence and the institutions of worship. When Jehovah published the Law from Sinai, the angels were mediators between himself and the tribes of Israel; as it is written in Deuteronomy 33:2 , "The Lord came from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 2:1-5

INTERPOSED EXHORTATION as explained above. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 2:2-3

For if the word that was spoken through angels ( i.e. the Law) was made (or, proved ) steadfast ( i.e. as explained in the next clause, ratified by just visitation of every transgression and disobedience), how shall we (Christians) escape, if we neglect so great salvation? The danger of neglect must be in proportion to the dignity of the revelation. The readers are now further reminded of the manner in which the gospel had been made known to them, and been ratified in their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 2:3

God's sure judgment on those who neglect the great salvation. I. NOTE THE APPEAL TO HISTORY . In the history of the Hebrew people God had shown the validity and seriousness of his messages. Those to whom the message had come had been disposed to slight it, either because of the improbability of the matter, or the mean appearance of the messenger. And behind both of these considerations it might also be that the message was very unpalatable. But however the message might appear... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 2:3-4

The completeness with which the great salvation is made known. The justness of God's visitation on those who neglect the great salvation lies in this, that the salvation has been so fully and variously proclaimed. Certainly this held in the instance of all to whom this Epistle was addressed; certainly it holds of all who can read the New Testament. With the Testament before us, it is our business, as prudent people, to make ourselves acquainted with the explanations, assurances,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 2:4

God also bearing them witness ; rather, God attesting with them. The word is συνεπιμαρτυροῦντος , a double compound, meaning to attest jointly with others. The idea is that the hearers of "the Lord" testified, and God attested their testimony by the signs that accompanied their ministry. The passage is instructive as expressing the grounds of acceptance of the gospel. Its truth was already "confirmed" to believers by the testimony of unimpeachable witnesses to that which, so... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 2:3

How shall we escape - How shall we escape the just recompense due to transgressors? What way is there of being saved from punishment, if we suffer the great salvation to be neglected, and do not embrace its offers? The sense is, that there is no other way of salvation, and the neglect of this will be followed by certain destruction. why it will, the apostle proceeds to show, by stating that this plan of salvation was proclaimed first by the Lord himself, and had been confirmed by the most... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 2:4

God also bearing them witness - By miracles. Giving them the sanction of his authority, or showing that they were sent by him. No man can work a miracle by his own power. When the dead are raised, the deaf made to hear and the blind to see by a word, it is the power of God alone that does it. He thus becomes a “witness” to the divine appointment of him by whose instrumentality the miracle is performed; or furnishes an attestation that what he says is true; see notes on Acts 14:3.With signs and... read more

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