So Great a Salvation Hebrews 2:3

After showing how Jesus was the “first-begotten” and superior to “prophets” and “angels”, the writer of Hebrews wrote that “we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard” because there is the possibility “we should let them slip”. In addition we learned, “if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward”. In chapter two and verse three of Hebrews we are asked, “how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation” where we read:

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;

The verse begins, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;” The writer began with the words, “How shall we” which refers to “in what way, by what means and after what manner shall the Hebrew writer and readers” “escape” which means “flee or seek safety in flight”, “if we neglect” or “are careless of, make light of and have no regard to” “so great salvation” which means “such a mighty and vast deliverance, preservation and safety”. Since the words of “angels” were “steadfast” and the “recompense of reward” was valid for the perpetrators of wrongdoing, the Hebrew writer asked “how shall we escape” this great offering of Salvation through Jesus Christ His Son.

The verse continues, “which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” The writer added, “which at the first” or “in that they from the beginning, origin and commencement” “began” which means “were taken and carried” “to be spoken” or “uttered, articulated and told” “by the Lord” which refers to “through he to whom a person or thing belongs and about which he has power of deciding; master”, “and was confirmed” or “made firm, sure and established” “unto us” which refers to “the Hebrew writer and his comrades” “by them that heard him” which means “the people who hearkened, gave audience to, attended to, considered and understood the sense of what was said”. Those who “heard” the Lord's words “made them firm and sure” to those with whom they shared.

When we think through these words in Hebrews, we understand the great responsibility there is to those who have “heard” the words of the Lord. Angels words were true, and the “reward” for evil-doing and law-breaking was also confirmed, however, the words of Jesus take greater precedence than those. We who have “heard” the words of the Lord are not to take them lightly, for they are sure and true, and those who are wise will not only listen to what Jesus has said, but also be obedient to that which He has declared.

Next time we see the writer share how God “in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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