Hebrews 2 3

Hebrews 2:3 kjv

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;

Hebrews 2:3 nkjv

how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

Hebrews 2:3 niv

how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

Hebrews 2:3 esv

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,

Hebrews 2:3 nlt

So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?

Hebrews 2 verses

Hebrews 2 3 Meaning

Hebrews 2:3 is a rhetorical question that powerfully warns believers about the dire consequences of neglecting the salvation inaugurated by Jesus Christ. It emphasizes that since this salvation was first declared by the Lord Himself and subsequently confirmed by His eyewitnesses, ignoring it carries an incomparably greater judgment than disobeying previous divine commands given through lesser agents. The verse highlights the supreme authority and unshakeable truth of the New Covenant message compared to the Old.

Hebrews 2 3 Context

Hebrews Chapter 2 follows directly from Chapter 1, which establishes the supreme glory and divine superiority of Jesus Christ over all angels. The author's primary aim in Hebrews is to prevent his audience, likely Jewish Christians contemplating apostasy due to persecution or temptation to return to old Mosaic practices, from abandoning their faith in Christ. He meticulously demonstrates Christ's supremacy over everything valued in Judaism (angels, Moses, the Priesthood, the Covenant itself).

Hebrews 2:1-4 serves as the first major warning section of the epistle. Having presented Christ as superior to angels (who were sometimes believed to have mediated the Old Covenant, cf. Acts 7:53, Gal 3:19), the author urges his audience not to "drift away" (Heb 2:1). Verse 3 specifically connects the magnitude of the messenger (Christ Himself) and the reliable nature of the message (attested by eyewitnesses) to the certainty and severity of judgment for those who disregard it. This implies a powerful rhetorical contrast: if disregarding the Law (given by angels, Heb 2:2) resulted in just punishment, how much more severe will be the judgment for neglecting a salvation revealed by God's own Son and attested by those who personally heard Him?

The historical context points to Jewish believers potentially struggling with the newness of Christ's revelation versus the established tradition of Judaism. The author assures them that the new is not merely better, but fundamentally superior and final.

Hebrews 2 3 Word analysis

• How shall we escape: A powerful rhetorical question (Greek: pōs hēmeis ekpheuxometha). Ekpheugomai (ἐκφεύγομαι) means "to flee out of, to escape, get away safely." The phrasing implies the utter impossibility of escape from divine judgment for those who neglect this salvation. It sets up an argument a fortiori (from the stronger). If those who broke the Law delivered by angels received just recompense, escape from a greater sin (neglecting salvation from God's Son) is unimaginable.
• If we neglect: From the Greek ameleō (ἀμελέω), meaning "to be careless about, to neglect, to make light of, to not care for." This is not necessarily an active, hostile rejection, but often a passive indifference, apathy, or drifting away (as described in Heb 2:1). It's a failure to give due diligence and seriousness to the supreme truth presented. This is a subtle yet dangerous spiritual state, suggesting that spiritual atrophy can be as destructive as outright rebellion.
• So great a salvation: Greek: tēlikautēs sōtērias (τηλικαύτης σωτηρίας).
  • So great: Tēlikoutos (τηλικούτος) signifies "so great, so large, of such a nature/extent." It emphasizes the immense magnitude, unique quality, and profound significance of this salvation. It is superior to anything offered under the Old Covenant, covering spiritual, eternal, and cosmic dimensions. It signifies complete deliverance from sin, death, and God's wrath, bringing reconciliation, adoption, and eternal life.
  • Salvation: Sōtēria (σωτηρία) encompasses the comprehensive act of God in saving humanity through Christ. It's deliverance, preservation, soundness, welfare, prosperity, salvation in its fullest sense.
• It was declared at first: Greek: archē lalousias genomenēs (ἀρχῇ λαλουμένης).
  • Declared: Laleō (λαλέω) means "to speak, utter words, proclaim."
  • At first: Archē (ἀρχῇ) refers to "the beginning, the first, origin." This refers to the commencement or original declaration of this salvation. It underscores that the message is not an invention of men but has its primary source from the highest authority.
• By the Lord: Greek: dia tou Kyriou (διὰ τοῦ Κυρίου). "The Lord" here unambiguously refers to Jesus Christ. This highlights the unparalleled authority of the source. Unlike the Law which was "ordained by angels through an intermediary" (Gal 3:19), this salvation was directly proclaimed by the God-man, the Son Himself, lending it supreme and ultimate authority.
• And it was attested to us: Greek: hupo tōn akousantōn ebebaiōthē (ὑπὸ τῶν ἀκουσάντων ἐβεβαιώθη).
  • Attested/confirmed: Bebaiōō (βεβαιόω) means "to confirm, establish, make firm, authenticate, guarantee." It implies divine validation and unwavering certainty through reliable witness. The message wasn't just spoken; it was given demonstrable proofs, likely referring to the miracles, resurrection, and other signs that accompanied the early apostolic ministry.
  • To us: Refers to the original audience or early Christian community, specifically those who did not personally hear Jesus but received the message from His direct witnesses.
  • By those who heard: Hupo tōn akousantōn (ὑπὸ τῶν ἀκουσάντων) refers to the apostles and other direct disciples who personally heard Jesus Christ's teachings and witnessed His works. This is the eyewitness testimony, linking the current recipients of the gospel directly to its divine source through a trustworthy chain of transmission.

Hebrews 2 3 Bonus section

The rhetorical question "how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" highlights the theme of responsibility proportional to revelation. The greater the revelation from God, the greater the accountability for responding to it. This concept is foundational in understanding divine justice throughout scripture. The author of Hebrews isn't suggesting loss of salvation for true believers, but warning against professing belief while drifting away, which might indicate a lack of genuine saving faith in the first place or a real danger of not entering the full rest of God due to unbelief, as seen in the wilderness generation (Hebrews 3-4). The warning targets those whose lives betray an indifference to the reality of their supposed faith, raising the question of whether their neglect is evidence of an unregenerate heart, or a drift that if uncorrected leads to devastating consequences. The "us" in "attested to us" likely refers to the readers of the letter who did not personally hear Jesus, but received the apostolic teaching. This validates the gospel message across generations and affirms the apostolic foundation of the early church's faith.

Hebrews 2 3 Commentary

Hebrews 2:3 poses a formidable question that functions as a solemn warning against spiritual complacency. The core argument rests on the unmatched superiority of the new covenant salvation in Christ over the old covenant Law given through angels. If violations of the Law brought sure judgment, then neglecting the infinitely greater salvation proclaimed by the Lord of glory himself makes escape from judgment impossible. The phrase "neglect so great a salvation" implies more than active rebellion; it often signifies a passive indifference, a drifting away from commitment, or an apathy towards the profound spiritual truths and provisions offered in Christ. It underscores the danger of spiritual inertia.

The foundation of this warning is the indisputable origin and authentication of the salvation message. Firstly, it was "declared at first by the Lord" himself, emphasizing Christ's divine authority and direct revelation. This sets the message of salvation through Christ apart as the ultimate and final Word of God. Secondly, this divine declaration was "attested to us by those who heard," referring to the apostles and other immediate eyewitnesses of Jesus' life, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection. This chain of reliable testimony guarantees the veracity and historicity of the Christian message. To ignore a salvation of such magnitude, delivered by such a high authority, and confirmed by such credible witnesses, is to commit a sin of unfathomable proportions, leaving no possible avenue for escape from divine reckoning. It implicitly highlights the responsibility that comes with receiving a greater revelation.

Practical usage:

• This verse urges continuous spiritual vigilance against apathy and indifference towards the gospel.
• It serves as a powerful call to cherish and prioritize salvation in Christ, recognizing its immeasurable value.
• It reminds us of the solemnity of evangelism, as we proclaim a message that carries eternal consequences for those who neglect it.