A Study Of The Apostle Paul’s Letter To The Hebrews Don’t drift away! Don’t neglect your salvation! Don’t Depart! Don’t fall away! Don’t cast away your

AAStudyStudyOf TheOf TheApostleApostle

Paul’s LetterPaul’s LetterTo The To The

HebrewsHebrews

Don’t Don’t drift drift away!away!

Don’t Don’t neglect neglect your your salvationsalvation!!

Don’t Don’t Depart!Depart!

Don’t Don’t fall fall awayaway!!

Don’t cast Don’t cast away your away your confidenceconfidence!!

Don’t Don’t hardeharden your n your heart!heart!

How can we neglect so How can we neglect so greatgreat

a salvation? ~ Hebrews a salvation? ~ Hebrews 2:3 2:3

Hebrews: Christ Is Superior!Superior Person (1:1—4:13)Superior Person (1:1—4:13)

Superior to Prophets (1:1-3)Superior to Prophets (1:1-3)Superior to Angels (1:4—2:18) Superior to Angels (1:4—2:18)

but…We’ll only be studying 2:1-4

today.Superior to Moses (3:1-19)Superior to Moses (3:1-19)Superior to Joshua (4:1-13)Superior to Joshua (4:1-13)

Superior Priest (4:14—7:28)Superior Priest (4:14—7:28)Superior to Aaron (4:14—6:12)Superior to Aaron (4:14—6:12)Superior to Melchizedek (6:13—Superior to Melchizedek (6:13—

7:10)7:10)Superior to Levi (7:11-28)Superior to Levi (7:11-28)

Hebrews: Christ Is Superior!Superior Pact (Covenant) to Moses’Superior Pact (Covenant) to Moses’(8:1—10:18)(8:1—10:18)

Superior Promises (8:1-13)Superior Promises (8:1-13)Superior Sanctuary (9:1-15)Superior Sanctuary (9:1-15)Superior Sacrifice (9:16-28)Superior Sacrifice (9:16-28)Superior Results (10:1-18)Superior Results (10:1-18)

Superior Principle (Faith) to Moses’ Superior Principle (Faith) to Moses’ (10:19—13:25)(10:19—13:25)

Superior Things (10:19-39)Superior Things (10:19-39)Superior Actions (11:1-40)Superior Actions (11:1-40)Superior Relationship (12:1-29)Superior Relationship (12:1-29)Superior Way of Life (13:1-25)Superior Way of Life (13:1-25)

Although Paul wasn’t finished Although Paul wasn’t finished with his contrast of Jesus with with his contrast of Jesus with angels, he paused here long angels, he paused here long enough to provide his first of enough to provide his first of seven warnings. seven warnings. (These were (These were mentioned in the introduction.)mentioned in the introduction.)

ThereforeTherefore wewe

must give the must give the more ear-nest more ear-nest heed to the heed to the things we have things we have heard lest we heard lest we drift away.drift away.

HebrewHebrews s 2:1 2:1


must give the must give the more ear-nest more ear-nest heed to the heed to the things we have things we have heard lest we heard lest we drift away. drift away.

This word tells us This word tells us that this warning that this warning to these Jewish to these Jewish Chris-tians was Chris-tians was based on what he based on what he had already had already established in established in chap-ter one——that (since Godthat (since God appointedappointed Jesus Jesus as their Prophet, as their Prophet, Priest, and King) Priest, and King) it was necessary it was necessary that they reverse that they reverse the backsliding the backsliding course they were course they were on!on!

This word tells us This word tells us that this warning that this warning to these Jewish to these Jewish Chris-tians was Chris-tians was based on what he based on what he had already had already established in established in chap-ter one——that (since Godthat (since God appointedappointed Jesus Jesus as their Prophet, as their Prophet, Priest, and King) Priest, and King) it was necessary it was necessary that they reverse that they reverse the backsliding the backsliding course they were course they were on!on!


mustmust give the give the more ear-nest more ear-nest heed to the heed to the things we have things we have heard lest we heard lest we drift away. drift away.

This is from a This is from a term which means term which means that that it’s a it’s a necessitynecessity; the ; the word wasn’t used word wasn’t used in the sense of in the sense of being required by being required by com-mand, but com-mand, but what’s required what’s required by eternal self-by eternal self-preservation.preservation.

This is from a This is from a term which means term which means that that it’s a it’s a necessitynecessity; the ; the word wasn’t used word wasn’t used in the sense of in the sense of being required by being required by com-mand, but com-mand, but what’s required what’s required by eternal self-by eternal self-preservation.preservation.


must must give the give the more ear-nestmore ear-nest heedheed to the to the things we have things we have heard lest we heard lest we drift away. drift away.

Heed is from a is from a term whichterm which meansmeans toto hold hold thethe mindmind toto oror simplysimply to to mindmind; i.e., they ; i.e., they needed toneeded to pay pay closercloser attentionattention: : 5:11-12 read,read, You have be-come dull of hear-ing. … You need someone to teach you again the first principles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. .

Heed is from a is from a term whichterm which meansmeans toto hold hold thethe mindmind toto oror simplysimply to to mindmind; i.e., they ; i.e., they needed toneeded to pay pay closercloser attentionattention: : 5:11-12 read,read, You have be-come dull of hear-ing. … You need someone to teach you again the first principles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. .


must give the must give the more ear-nest more ear-nest heedheed to the to the things we have things we have heard lest we heard lest we drift away. drift away.

The original term The original term for for heed was was commonly used commonly used for for bringing a bringing a boat to landboat to land, as if , as if one had a rope one had a rope tied to a boat and tied to a boat and was pulling it in was pulling it in to safe-ty. to safe-ty. Interestingly, this Interestingly, this word is trans-word is trans-lated as lated as beware in in Mat. 7:15, , indicating that indicating that there’s danger in there’s danger in the path of the the path of the one who isn’t one who isn’t mind-ing his mind-ing his course.course.

The original term The original term for for heed was was commonly used commonly used for for bringing a bringing a boat to landboat to land, as if , as if one had a rope one had a rope tied to a boat and tied to a boat and was pulling it in was pulling it in to safe-ty. to safe-ty. Interestingly, this Interestingly, this word is trans-word is trans-lated as lated as beware in in Mat. 7:15, , indicating that indicating that there’s danger in there’s danger in the path of the the path of the one who isn’t one who isn’t mind-ing his mind-ing his course.course.


must give the must give the more ear-nest more ear-nest heed to heed to the the things we have things we have heardheard lest we lest we drift away. drift away.

This refers to This refers to the the Good News of Good News of salva-tion salva-tion through Jesusthrough Jesus. . That which they That which they had hoped for & had hoped for & prayed about for prayed about for 40 gener-ations 40 gener-ations had finally had finally arrived!arrived!

This refers to This refers to the the Good News of Good News of salva-tion salva-tion through Jesusthrough Jesus. . That which they That which they had hoped for & had hoped for & prayed about for prayed about for 40 gener-ations 40 gener-ations had finally had finally arrived!arrived!


must give the must give the more ear-nest more ear-nest heed to the heed to the things we have things we have heard heard lest we lest we drift awaydrift away. .

Although Although correctly correctly translated, due to translated, due to the context I the context I don’t believe this don’t believe this clause reveals to clause reveals to us today the true us today the true intensityintensity that the that the Hebrews saw in Hebrews saw in it. I.e…. it. I.e….

Although Although correctly correctly translated, due to translated, due to the context I the context I don’t believe this don’t believe this clause reveals to clause reveals to us today the true us today the true intensityintensity that the that the Hebrews saw in Hebrews saw in it. I.e…. it. I.e….



I don’t believe I don’t believe Paul was referring Paul was referring to a mere absent to a mere absent mind-edness, mind-edness, such as drifting such as drifting along like a along like a tumbleweed that tumbleweed that has no mind of its has no mind of its own; rather, I be-own; rather, I be-lieve that Paul lieve that Paul was referring to a was referring to a pur-poseful pur-poseful releasing of releasing of themselves from themselves from their ties to their ties to JesusJesus……

I don’t believe I don’t believe Paul was referring Paul was referring to a mere absent to a mere absent mind-edness, mind-edness, such as drifting such as drifting along like a along like a tumbleweed that tumbleweed that has no mind of its has no mind of its own; rather, I be-own; rather, I be-lieve that Paul lieve that Paul was referring to a was referring to a pur-poseful pur-poseful releasing of releasing of themselves from themselves from their ties to their ties to JesusJesus……

……resultingresulting inin thethe

dandan--ger of being ger of being swept away by the swept away by the same destruction same destruction that the rejecting that the rejecting Jews were headed Jews were headed for. In fact… for. In fact…

……resultingresulting inin thethe

dandan--ger of being ger of being swept away by the swept away by the same destruction same destruction that the rejecting that the rejecting Jews were headed Jews were headed for. In fact… for. In fact…


must give the must give the more ear-nest more ear-nest heed to the heed to the things we have things we have heard lest we heard lest we driftdrift away. away.

The Greek term The Greek term for for drift waswas usedused toto de-scribe de-scribe a a river that flowed river that flowed away from and away from and escaped its nat-escaped its nat-ural channelural channel, , usual-ly due to usual-ly due to flooding; andflooding; and thisthis

corresponds wellcorresponds well withwith thethe picture in picture in Revelation 12:15 where where persecution is persecution is portrayed as com-portrayed as com-ing against the ing against the church like a church like a flood..

The Greek term The Greek term for for drift waswas usedused toto de-scribe de-scribe a a river that flowed river that flowed away from and away from and escaped its nat-escaped its nat-ural channelural channel, , usual-ly due to usual-ly due to flooding; andflooding; and thisthis

corresponds wellcorresponds well withwith thethe picture in picture in Revelation 12:15 where where persecution is persecution is portrayed as com-portrayed as com-ing against the ing against the church like a church like a flood..

So…So…



This clause tells This clause tells us that these us that these Jewish brethren Jewish brethren had recog-nized had recog-nized and accepted that and accepted that God’s redemp-God’s redemp-tive plan was tive plan was being fulfilled in being fulfilled in their life-time their life-time thru Jesus, but thru Jesus, but ((due to pressure due to pressure from the Judaizersfrom the Judaizers) ) they had begun to they had begun to let it sliplet it slip fromfrom

theirtheir graspgrasp..

This clause tells This clause tells us that these us that these Jewish brethren Jewish brethren had recog-nized had recog-nized and accepted that and accepted that God’s redemp-God’s redemp-tive plan was tive plan was being fulfilled in being fulfilled in their life-time their life-time thru Jesus, but thru Jesus, but ((due to pressure due to pressure from the Judaizersfrom the Judaizers) ) they had begun to they had begun to let it sliplet it slip fromfrom

theirtheir graspgrasp..


must give the must give the more ear-nest more ear-nest heed to the heed to the things we have things we have heard lest weheard lest we drift drift away. away.

This original term This original term was also used in was also used in ref-erence to ref-erence to someone who let someone who let something slip his something slip his mindmind, which , which connects this connects this word with the word with the word word heed; so it ; so it seems that, be-seems that, be-cause of the flood cause of the flood of persecution, of persecution, they were like the they were like the man of man of James 1:23-24… …

This original term This original term was also used in was also used in ref-erence to ref-erence to someone who let someone who let something slip his something slip his mindmind, which , which connects this connects this word with the word with the word word heed; so it ; so it seems that, be-seems that, be-cause of the flood cause of the flood of persecution, of persecution, they were like the they were like the man of man of James 1:23-24… …

the man who saw the man who saw himself in the himself in the mirror of God’s mirror of God’s Word, then Word, then purposely turned purposely turned away to forget away to forget what he saw.what he saw.

the man who saw the man who saw himself in the himself in the mirror of God’s mirror of God’s Word, then Word, then purposely turned purposely turned away to forget away to forget what he saw.what he saw.



NoticeNotice: : This verse This verse not only implies not only implies that that one can lose one can lose his sal-vationhis sal-vation, but , but also that also that he must he must do some-thing to do some-thing to retain itretain it. These. These brethrenbrethren were were warned to not be warned to not be like dead wood like dead wood swept away to de-swept away to de-struction, but like struction, but like a powerful ship, a powerful ship, fight-ing the fight-ing the current of their current of their wicked gener-wicked gener-ation. In fact… ation. In fact…

NoticeNotice: : This verse This verse not only implies not only implies that that one can lose one can lose his sal-vationhis sal-vation, but , but also that also that he must he must do some-thing to do some-thing to retain itretain it. These. These brethrenbrethren were were warned to not be warned to not be like dead wood like dead wood swept away to de-swept away to de-struction, but like struction, but like a powerful ship, a powerful ship, fight-ing the fight-ing the current of their current of their wicked gener-wicked gener-ation. In fact… ation. In fact…



Jesus Himself Jesus Himself warn-ed them to warn-ed them to striveas if swimming as if swimming up-stream up-stream to enter through the narrow gate ( (Luke 13:24), and Peter ), and Peter warned them to warned them to be saved from be saved from their genera-tion their genera-tion ((Acts 2:40).).

Jesus Himself Jesus Himself warn-ed them to warn-ed them to striveas if swimming as if swimming up-stream up-stream to enter through the narrow gate ( (Luke 13:24), and Peter ), and Peter warned them to warned them to be saved from be saved from their genera-tion their genera-tion ((Acts 2:40).).

For if For if (meaning(meaning

sincesince)) the word the word spoken through spoken through angels proved angels proved steadfast, & steadfast, & every transgres-every transgres-sion and sion and disobedi-ence disobedi-ence received a just received a just reward…reward…



sincesince)) the word the word spoken through spoken through angelsangels proved proved steadfast, & steadfast, & every transgres-every transgres-sion and sion and disobedi-ence disobedi-ence received a just received a just reward…reward…

AsAs mentionedmentioned inin v. 4, this refers , this refers mainly to mainly to The Law The Law being given from being given from God to Moses via God to Moses via angels; Stephen angels; Stephen said, said, An angel … ap-peared to him … in a bush…. This is he who was … with the angel who spoke to him …, the one who received The Living Oracles to give to us….

AsAs mentionedmentioned inin v. 4, this refers , this refers mainly to mainly to The Law The Law being given from being given from God to Moses via God to Moses via angels; Stephen angels; Stephen said, said, An angel … ap-peared to him … in a bush…. This is he who was … with the angel who spoke to him …, the one who received The Living Oracles to give to us….

The prophets ... re-ceived The Law by the direction of an-gels ( (Acts 7:30-53).).

The prophets ... re-ceived The Law by the direction of an-gels ( (Acts 7:30-53).).


sincesince)) the word the word spoken through spoken through angels angels provedproved steadfast, & steadfast, & every transgres-every transgres-sion and sion and disobedi-ence disobedi-ence received a just received a just reward…reward…

How was How was the word (The Law) … proved? By means ? By means of all the miracles of all the miracles attending it, of attending it, of course (course (cf. cf. Acts 7:30 & & 35-36). Let’s ). Let’s read read Heb. 12:18-19 & & 25-26a: :

How was How was the word (The Law) … proved? By means ? By means of all the miracles of all the miracles attending it, of attending it, of course (course (cf. cf. Acts 7:30 & & 35-36). Let’s ). Let’s read read Heb. 12:18-19 & & 25-26a: :

You have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to the blackness of darkness and

tempest, and the sound of a trum-pet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them

anymore.… See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they

did not escape who refused Him who spoke on Earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn

away from Him who speaks from Heav-en, whose voice then shook

the earth.


sincesince)) the word the word spoken through spoken through angels proved angels proved steadfaststeadfast, & , & every transgres-every transgres-sion and sion and disobedi-ence disobedi-ence received a just received a just reward…reward…

This is from a This is from a term which means term which means validvalid —from God— —from God—and therefore and therefore reliablereliable..

This is from a This is from a term which means term which means validvalid —from God— —from God—and therefore and therefore reliablereliable..


sincesince)) the word the word spoken through spoken through angels proved angels proved steadfast, & steadfast, & every every transgres-transgres-sionsion and and disobedi-ence disobedi-ence received a just received a just reward…reward…

This is from a This is from a term whichterm which refersrefers toto step-ping over step-ping over the linethe line, which is , which is done when one, done when one, as as Rom. 2:23 translates it, translates it, breaks the law; ; this isthis is thethe sinsin ofof commissioncommission where one, in a where one, in a re-bellious spirit, re-bellious spirit, re-fuses to be re-fuses to be bound by law.bound by law.

This is from a This is from a term whichterm which refersrefers toto step-ping over step-ping over the linethe line, which is , which is done when one, done when one, as as Rom. 2:23 translates it, translates it, breaks the law; ; this isthis is thethe sinsin ofof commissioncommission where one, in a where one, in a re-bellious spirit, re-bellious spirit, re-fuses to be re-fuses to be bound by law.bound by law.


sincesince)) the word the word spoken through spoken through angels proved angels proved steadfast, & steadfast, & every transgres-every transgres-sion and sion and disobedi-ence disobedi-ence received a just received a just reward…reward…

This is from a This is from a term which refers term which refers to to a refusal to a refusal to listenlisten in order to in order to discover what’s discover what’s expected (expected (as if as if “ignorance is “ignorance is bliss”bliss”); this is the ); this is the sin of sin of omissionomission where one, in a where one, in a rebellious spirit, rebellious spirit, purposely allows purposely allows information to information to drift by him. The drift by him. The Bible often uses Bible often uses hearinghearing and and obeyingobeying inter- inter-changeably: changeably:

This is from a This is from a term which refers term which refers to to a refusal to a refusal to listenlisten in order to in order to discover what’s discover what’s expected (expected (as if as if “ignorance is “ignorance is bliss”bliss”); this is the ); this is the sin of sin of omissionomission where one, in a where one, in a rebellious spirit, rebellious spirit, purposely allows purposely allows information to information to drift by him. The drift by him. The Bible often uses Bible often uses hearinghearing and and obeyingobeying inter- inter-changeably: changeably:

To the Jews, God said,To the Jews, God said, Heed [My] voice … and do what is right ... and [obey] all [My] statutes ((Exo. 15:26).).

Of the Jews, God said they haveOf the Jews, God said they have not obeyed Me…. I have spoken … but they have not heard ((Jer. 35:16-17).).

Of a rebellious Christian, Jesus Of a rebellious Christian, Jesus said,said, If he refuses to hear…, let him be to you as a heathen ((Mat. 18:17).).

We have a perfect example of We have a perfect example of people refusing to hear inpeople refusing to hear in Acts 7:57-58:: con-cerning those who con-cerning those who murdered Stephen it reads,murdered Stephen it reads, They … stopped their ears … and stoned him..

An example of sins of An example of sins of omissionomission and and commissioncommission listed in listed in Heb. 2:2 is found inis found in Jer. 32:23 where the where the weeping pro-phet,weeping pro-phet, whenwhen praying praying toto God for hisGod for his peo-ple, said,peo-ple, said, They have not hear -kened [“obeyed” in most versions] to Your voice or walked in Your law.


sincesince)) the word the word spoken through spoken through angels proved angels proved steadfast, & steadfast, & every transgres-every transgres-sion and sion and disobedi-ence disobedi-ence received a received a just just rewardreward……

The original term The original term for this phrase for this phrase refers to refers to the the payment of right payment of right wageswages, , giving one giving one what he’s earned what he’s earned or what’s coming or what’s coming to himto him, whether it , whether it be good or bad. be good or bad. ((Paul spoke of Paul spoke of the wages of sin in in Rom. 6:23..) Ob-viously ) Ob-viously in this con-text in this con-text it’s referring to it’s referring to punishment that punishment that fits fits the crimethe crime, , somethingsomething onlyonly GodGod wouldwould truly truly know.know.

The original term The original term for this phrase for this phrase refers to refers to the the payment of right payment of right wageswages, , giving one giving one what he’s earned what he’s earned or what’s coming or what’s coming to himto him, whether it , whether it be good or bad. be good or bad. ((Paul spoke of Paul spoke of the wages of sin in in Rom. 6:23..) Ob-viously ) Ob-viously in this con-text in this con-text it’s referring to it’s referring to punishment that punishment that fits fits the crimethe crime, , somethingsomething onlyonly GodGod wouldwould truly truly know.know.

WhatWhat waswas thethe punishmentpunishment for Old for Old Test-ament JewsTest-ament Jews whowho hardenedhardened

their hearts their hearts against God?against God? Do not harden your hearts as in the

rebellion. For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt led by

Moses? Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned…? And to whom did He swear they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not

obey ((Heb. 3:15-18))?

And how about those who reject And how about those who reject the Newthe New LawLaw of Christ?of Christ? Anyone

who has re-jected Moses’ Law dies without mercy on the testimony of

two or three wit-nesses. Of how much worse punish-ment, do you

suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son

of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of

grace ((Heb. 10:28-29))?

……howhow shallshall wewe es-cape if we es-cape if we neglect so great neglect so great a salva-tion, a salva-tion, which at first which at first began to be began to be spok-en by the spok-en by the Lord, and was Lord, and was confirm-ed to us confirm-ed to us by those who by those who heard Him…heard Him…


……howhow shallshall wewe es-capees-cape if we if we neglect so great neglect so great a salva-tion, a salva-tion, which at first which at first began to be began to be spok-en by the spok-en by the Lord, and was Lord, and was confirm-ed to us confirm-ed to us by those who by those who heard Him…heard Him…

This is obviously a This is obviously a rhetorical rhetorical question to those question to those Jewish Christians, Jewish Christians, a ques-tion a ques-tion demanding the demanding the negative answer: negative answer: We cannot We cannot escape!escape! That was That was something they something they had learned over had learned over the centuries, or the centuries, or at least that was at least that was Paul’s point.Paul’s point.

This is obviously a This is obviously a rhetorical rhetorical question to those question to those Jewish Christians, Jewish Christians, a ques-tion a ques-tion demanding the demanding the negative answer: negative answer: We cannot We cannot escape!escape! That was That was something they something they had learned over had learned over the centuries, or the centuries, or at least that was at least that was Paul’s point.Paul’s point.

……howhow shallshall wewe es-cape if we es-cape if we neglectneglect so great so great a salva-tion, a salva-tion, which at first which at first began to be began to be spok-en by the spok-en by the Lord, and was Lord, and was confirm-ed to us confirm-ed to us by those who by those who heard Him…heard Him…

This original term This original term takes us back to takes us back to the idea of the idea of allowing allowing something to just something to just driftdrift byby oror awayaway;; i.e., by losing i.e., by losing their faith and their faith and gradually re-gradually re-leasing leasing themselves from themselves from their ties to Jesus, their ties to Jesus, they’d end up they’d end up with no recourse, with no recourse, no way to secure no way to secure their salvation their salvation before it was too before it was too late,…late,…

This original term This original term takes us back to takes us back to the idea of the idea of allowing allowing something to just something to just driftdrift byby oror awayaway;; i.e., by losing i.e., by losing their faith and their faith and gradually re-gradually re-leasing leasing themselves from themselves from their ties to Jesus, their ties to Jesus, they’d end up they’d end up with no recourse, with no recourse, no way to secure no way to secure their salvation their salvation before it was too before it was too late,…late,…

……especiallyespecially sincesince the time was very the time was very close. Let me close. Let me explain: explain:

……especiallyespecially sincesince the time was very the time was very close. Let me close. Let me explain: explain:

……howhow shallshall wewe es-cape if we es-cape if we neglect so great neglect so great a a salva-tionsalva-tion, , which at first which at first began to be began to be spok-en by the spok-en by the Lord, and was Lord, and was confirm-ed to us confirm-ed to us by those who by those who heard Him…heard Him…

This This salvation didn’t merely didn’t merely refer to the refer to the purging of their purging of their sin as referred to sin as referred to in in 1:3 ( (that which that which was ful-filled in its was ful-filled in its totality attotality at the Jews’ the Jews’ destructiondestruction); it also ); it also referred to their referred to their salvation salvation fromfrom that very destruc-that very destruc-tion. Why do I say tion. Why do I say this? Because… this? Because…

This This salvation didn’t merely didn’t merely refer to the refer to the purging of their purging of their sin as referred to sin as referred to in in 1:3 ( (that which that which was ful-filled in its was ful-filled in its totality attotality at the Jews’ the Jews’ destructiondestruction); it also ); it also referred to their referred to their salvation salvation fromfrom that very destruc-that very destruc-tion. Why do I say tion. Why do I say this? Because… this? Because…

FirstlyFirstly, he had just referred to the , he had just referred to the physi-cal punishments of the Jews physi-cal punishments of the Jews under the Old Testament, most of under the Old Testament, most of which, of course, resulted in eternal which, of course, resulted in eternal punishment since death was punishment since death was involved. But…involved. But…

SecondlySecondly, in , in Hebrews 10 ( (where he where he essen-tially expanded upon essen-tially expanded upon Hebrews 2:2-3), Paul warned of the coming Jewish ), Paul warned of the coming Jewish destruction which was prophesied in destruction which was prophesied in the Old Testa-ment and which again the Old Testa-ment and which again would, of course, include their would, of course, include their eternal destruction.eternal destruction.

AfterAfter talkingtalking aboutabout howhow GodGod wouldwould forget the sins of those who had forget the sins of those who had

accepted and stuckaccepted and stuck itit outout withwith ChristChrist inin Heb. 10:17, he went on in , he went on in 10:26b-

30 to apply— to apply—to their timeto their time—a —a prophecy of Moses about the Jews’ prophecy of Moses about the Jews’ destruction; incidentally, this cor-destruction; incidentally, this cor-

responds perfectly with Peter’s responds perfectly with Peter’s words in words in Acts 2:40: : Save yourselves

from this … generation ( (cf. Mat. cf. Mat. 24:34). (Remember, Peter just warned 24:34). (Remember, Peter just warned

that audience that that audience that Joel 2 was beginning was beginning to be fulfilled right then [to be fulfilled right then [Acts 2:19-20]; ]; then the next chapter—then the next chapter—Joel 3– clearly – clearly

speaks to Jerusalem’s demise.speaks to Jerusalem’s demise.))

Another reason we can know this Another reason we can know this was primarily referring to was primarily referring to

Jerusalem’s end is that Paul also Jerusalem’s end is that Paul also applied to his generation a prophecy applied to his generation a prophecy about that end from about that end from Habakkuk 2:3-4, saying, , saying, Yet a little while (lit. (lit. in a in a very, very short timevery, very short time, or , or soon, very soon, very soonsoon, , cf. other versionscf. other versions)), and He who

is coming will come ((Heb. 10:37). ). Moving on… Moving on…

……howhow shallshall wewe es-cape if we es-cape if we neglect neglect so greatso great a salva-tion, a salva-tion, which at first which at first began to be began to be spok-en by the spok-en by the Lord, and was Lord, and was confirm-ed to us confirm-ed to us by those who by those who heard Him…heard Him…

ExactlyExactly howhow waswas

this salvation this salvation so great? This could ? This could be an-swered in be an-swered in many dif-ferent many dif-ferent ways from the ways from the Scriptures, but Scriptures, but since Paul went since Paul went on to describe on to describe what he was what he was talking about in talking about in this particular this particular con-text, let’s con-text, let’s read on. read on.

ExactlyExactly howhow waswas

this salvation this salvation so great? This could ? This could be an-swered in be an-swered in many dif-ferent many dif-ferent ways from the ways from the Scriptures, but Scriptures, but since Paul went since Paul went on to describe on to describe what he was what he was talking about in talking about in this particular this particular con-text, let’s con-text, let’s read on. read on.

……howhow shallshall wewe es-cape if we es-cape if we neglect so great neglect so great a salva-tion, a salva-tion, which at which at first first began to be began to be spok-en by the spok-en by the LordLord, and was , and was confirm-ed to us confirm-ed to us by those who by those who heard Him…heard Him…

Obviously this Obviously this clauseclause has has reference to the reference to the time when Jesus time when Jesus roamed Earth. roamed Earth. This doesn’t mean This doesn’t mean that that salvation had had never been never been spoken of be-fore, spoken of be-fore, for it had since for it had since the time of Adam the time of Adam ((Gen. 3:15); it’s ); it’s just that it was a just that it was a mys-tery, mys-tery, something not something not really clear until, really clear until, as Paul put it, as Paul put it, Jesus…Jesus…

Obviously this Obviously this clauseclause has has reference to the reference to the time when Jesus time when Jesus roamed Earth. roamed Earth. This doesn’t mean This doesn’t mean that that salvation had had never been never been spoken of be-fore, spoken of be-fore, for it had since for it had since the time of Adam the time of Adam ((Gen. 3:15); it’s ); it’s just that it was a just that it was a mys-tery, mys-tery, something not something not really clear until, really clear until, as Paul put it, as Paul put it, Jesus…Jesus…

……brought [it] to light through the Gospel ( (2 Tim. 1:10). But…). But…

……brought [it] to light through the Gospel ( (2 Tim. 1:10). But…). But…

Since their salvationSince their salvation at this time at this time would include their deliverance would include their deliverance from Judea’s fall, it could also be from Judea’s fall, it could also be considered considered great from that from that standpoint. So…standpoint. So…

Another positive contrast of Jesus Another positive contrast of Jesus to the angels is that the message to the angels is that the message of an-gels was given in a shroud of an-gels was given in a shroud of mystery, while the message of of mystery, while the message of Christ was given in order to clear Christ was given in order to clear things up. Besides that it was things up. Besides that it was confirmed. .

……howhow shallshall wewe es-cape if we es-cape if we neglect so great neglect so great a salva-tion, a salva-tion, which at first which at first began to be began to be spok-en by the spok-en by the Lord, and was Lord, and was confirm-edconfirm-ed to us to us by those who by those who heard Him…heard Him…

Like the Law that Like the Law that the Jews accepted the Jews accepted becausebecause itit waswas satissatis--factorily factorily confirmed, the confirmed, the message of message of Je-susJe-sus waswas confirmed,, a a word which word which means essentially means essentially the same thing as the same thing as proven steadfast in in 2:2..

Like the Law that Like the Law that the Jews accepted the Jews accepted becausebecause itit waswas satissatis--factorily factorily confirmed, the confirmed, the message of message of Je-susJe-sus waswas confirmed,, a a word which word which means essentially means essentially the same thing as the same thing as proven steadfast in in 2:2..

……howhow shallshall wewe es-cape if we es-cape if we neglect so great neglect so great a salva-tion, a salva-tion, which at first which at first began to be began to be spok-en by the spok-en by the Lord, and was Lord, and was confirm-ed to us confirm-ed to us by by those who those who heard Himheard Him……

This is an obvious This is an obvious re-reference to the ference to the apos-tles who apos-tles who followed Jesus followed Jesus from His bap-tism from His bap-tism to His cross. John to His cross. John wrote of how he wrote of how he and the other and the other apostles had, apostles had, from the beginning,, heardheard,, seenseen, and , and touchedtouched the Word in the the Word in the fleshflesh ——JesusJesus; ; soso theythey bore witnessbore witness of Him so that we of Him so that we could have could have communion with communion with God (God (1 John 1:1-3).).

This is an obvious This is an obvious re-reference to the ference to the apos-tles who apos-tles who followed Jesus followed Jesus from His bap-tism from His bap-tism to His cross. John to His cross. John wrote of how he wrote of how he and the other and the other apostles had, apostles had, from the beginning,, heardheard,, seenseen, and , and touchedtouched the Word in the the Word in the fleshflesh ——JesusJesus; ; soso theythey bore witnessbore witness of Him so that we of Him so that we could have could have communion with communion with God (God (1 John 1:1-3).).

Now…Now…

……howhow shallshall wewe es-cape if we es-cape if we neglect so great neglect so great a salva-tion, a salva-tion, which at first which at first began to be began to be spok-en by the spok-en by the Lord, and was Lord, and was confirm-ed to us confirm-ed to us by those who by those who heard Him…heard Him…

Since Paul Since Paul brought up how brought up how the old and the old and unclearunclear law law provid-ed by provid-ed by angels was angels was confirmed as truly confirmed as truly from God to their from God to their satisfaction by satisfaction by mira-cles, he mira-cles, he went on to write went on to write of how the new of how the new and and clearclear law law provided by provided by Christ and His Christ and His apostles was apostles was likewise con-likewise con-firmed by various firmed by various miracles. miracles.

Since Paul Since Paul brought up how brought up how the old and the old and unclearunclear law law provid-ed by provid-ed by angels was angels was confirmed as truly confirmed as truly from God to their from God to their satisfaction by satisfaction by mira-cles, he mira-cles, he went on to write went on to write of how the new of how the new and and clearclear law law provided by provided by Christ and His Christ and His apostles was apostles was likewise con-likewise con-firmed by various firmed by various miracles. miracles.

……God also bearing God also bearing witness both with witness both with signs and signs and wonders, with wonders, with various mira-cles, various mira-cles, and gifts of the and gifts of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, accord-ing to His accord-ing to His own will?own will?


……God also bearing God also bearing witnesswitness both with both with signs and signs and wonders, with wonders, with various mira-cles, various mira-cles, and gifts of the and gifts of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, accord-ing to His accord-ing to His own will?own will?

This clause This clause doesn’t mean that doesn’t mean that God was bearing God was bearing witness se-parate witness se-parate & apart from & apart from Jesus and His Jesus and His apos-tles, but apos-tles, but along withalong with, , throughthrough, , by by means ofmeans of them. them. So whenSo when JesusJesus oror aa lone apos-tle lone apos-tle needed a second needed a second witness (witness (as the as the Law required, Law required, Deu. 19:15), God was ), God was there to be that there to be that substantiating substantiating Witness. Oh, Witness. Oh, andand……

This clause This clause doesn’t mean that doesn’t mean that God was bearing God was bearing witness se-parate witness se-parate & apart from & apart from Jesus and His Jesus and His apos-tles, but apos-tles, but along withalong with, , throughthrough, , by by means ofmeans of them. them. So whenSo when JesusJesus oror aa lone apos-tle lone apos-tle needed a second needed a second witness (witness (as the as the Law required, Law required, Deu. 19:15), God was ), God was there to be that there to be that substantiating substantiating Witness. Oh, Witness. Oh, andand……

……God also bearing God also bearing witnesswitness both with both with signs and signs and wonders, with wonders, with various mira-cles, various mira-cles, and gifts of the and gifts of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, accord-ing to His accord-ing to His own will?own will?

Referring to the Referring to the wit-ness of wit-ness of miracles by Godmiracles by God forfor thethe apostlesapostles,, Jesus told them Jesus told them that He (that He (who is who is also Godalso God) would be ) would be their Wit-ness to their Wit-ness to the end of the age

((Mat. 28:20). How ). How do I know this do I know this referredreferred toto

miraclesmiracles?? Because Because of Mark’s parallel of Mark’s parallel account (account (Mark 16:17-18). So…). So…

Referring to the Referring to the wit-ness of wit-ness of miracles by Godmiracles by God forfor thethe apostlesapostles,, Jesus told them Jesus told them that He (that He (who is who is also Godalso God) would be ) would be their Wit-ness to their Wit-ness to the end of the age

((Mat. 28:20). How ). How do I know this do I know this referredreferred toto

miraclesmiracles?? Because Because of Mark’s parallel of Mark’s parallel account (account (Mark 16:17-18). So…). So…

……let’s let the let’s let the Bible explain the Bible explain the Bible. Bible.

……let’s let the let’s let the Bible explain the Bible explain the Bible. Bible.

Matthew 28:18-20 Mark 16:15-20

Go make disciples Go make disciples ((19).).

Go preach the Go preach the Gospel to every Gospel to every creature (creature (15).).

Baptize them (Baptize them (19).). He who is He who is baptized will be baptized will be saved (saved (16).).

I am with you I am with you everyday—even to everyday—even to the end of the age the end of the age ((20). How?). How?

Signs will follow Signs will follow ((17). Jesus con-). Jesus con-firmed the Word firmed the Word by signs (by signs (20).).

Hebrews 2:1-4 Mark 16:16-20

Give heed to [what] Give heed to [what] we’ve heard (we’ve heard (1).).

They went out and They went out and preached (preached (20).).

Paul wrote about Paul wrote about salvation (salvation (3).).

Jesus spoke of being Jesus spoke of being saved (saved (16).).

Paul spoke of the pen-Paul spoke of the pen-alty for neglecting sal-alty for neglecting sal-vation (vation (3).).

Jesus spoke of unbe-Jesus spoke of unbe-lievers being con-lievers being con-demned (demned (16).).

He said it was spoken He said it was spoken by the Lord (by the Lord (3).).

The Lord had spoken The Lord had spoken to them (to them (19).).

He said it was con-He said it was con-firmed (firmed (3).).

Jesus said that signs Jesus said that signs would follow (would follow (17).).

He said God witnessed He said God witnessed to it with signs (to it with signs (4).).

The Lord confirmed by The Lord confirmed by signs (signs (20).).

……God also bearing God also bearing witness witness bothboth with with signs and signs and wonders, with wonders, with various mira-cles, various mira-cles, and gifts of the and gifts of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, accord-ing to His accord-ing to His own will?own will?

This word was This word was con-fusing for me con-fusing for me until I got to until I got to really looking at really looking at the original lan-the original lan-guage. I couldn’t guage. I couldn’t figure out how figure out how the word the word both ((which concerns two which concerns two thingsthings) fit in this ) fit in this verse with verse with at least at least three things:three things: signs, wonders, signs, wonders, and miracles. and miracles. But… But…

This word was This word was con-fusing for me con-fusing for me until I got to until I got to really looking at really looking at the original lan-the original lan-guage. I couldn’t guage. I couldn’t figure out how figure out how the word the word both ((which concerns two which concerns two thingsthings) fit in this ) fit in this verse with verse with at least at least three things:three things: signs, wonders, signs, wonders, and miracles. and miracles. But… But…

……God also bearing God also bearing witness witness bothboth with with signs and signs and wonders, with wonders, with various mira-cles, various mira-cles, and gifts of the and gifts of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, accord-ing to His accord-ing to His own will?own will?

Once I scrutinized Once I scrutinized the sentence the sentence struc-ture, I struc-ture, I discovered that discovered that the word actu-ally the word actu-ally modifies modifies Jesus Jesus and the apostlesand the apostles in the previous in the previous clause; i.e., God clause; i.e., God bore wit-ness bore wit-ness toto both Jesus and Jesus and His apostles by His apostles by means of signs, means of signs, won-wonders, and ders, and miracles.miracles.

Once I scrutinized Once I scrutinized the sentence the sentence struc-ture, I struc-ture, I discovered that discovered that the word actu-ally the word actu-ally modifies modifies Jesus Jesus and the apostlesand the apostles in the previous in the previous clause; i.e., God clause; i.e., God bore wit-ness bore wit-ness toto both Jesus and Jesus and His apostles by His apostles by means of signs, means of signs, won-wonders, and ders, and miracles.miracles.

……God also bearing God also bearing witness both witness both with with signs and signs and wonders, with wonders, with various mira-clesvarious mira-cles, , and gifts of the and gifts of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, accord-ing to His accord-ing to His own will?own will?

Although in Although in reverse order, reverse order, this same list is this same list is also in also in Acts 2:22. . ItIt doesndoesn’’tt seemseem toto

be the case that be the case that signs, wonders, signs, wonders, and mira-cles and mira-cles were 3 different were 3 different types of feats, types of feats, but 3 different but 3 different words pic-turing 3 words pic-turing 3 different things different things accomplished by accomplished by unnatural deeds unnatural deeds in the eyes of the in the eyes of the audience. E.g….audience. E.g….

Although in Although in reverse order, reverse order, this same list is this same list is also in also in Acts 2:22. . ItIt doesndoesn’’tt seemseem toto

be the case that be the case that signs, wonders, signs, wonders, and mira-cles and mira-cles were 3 different were 3 different types of feats, types of feats, but 3 different but 3 different words pic-turing 3 words pic-turing 3 different things different things accomplished by accomplished by unnatural deeds unnatural deeds in the eyes of the in the eyes of the audience. E.g….audience. E.g….


To one person the To one person the healing of healing of someone would someone would be a be a sign—a —a miraculous proof miraculous proof of the authority of of the authority of the miracle-the miracle-worker; to worker; to another it’d be a another it’d be a wonder——something that something that secured one’s secured one’s attention for the attention for the miracle-worker; miracle-worker; to to another it’danother it’d be be aa miracle—a —a work from God, work from God, the only One…the only One…

To one person the To one person the healing of healing of someone would someone would be a be a sign—a —a miraculous proof miraculous proof of the authority of of the authority of the miracle-the miracle-worker; to worker; to another it’d be a another it’d be a wonder——something that something that secured one’s secured one’s attention for the attention for the miracle-worker; miracle-worker; to to another it’danother it’d be be aa miracle—a —a work from God, work from God, the only One…the only One…

……whowho has thehas the power to perform power to perform such such supernaturalsupernatural

acts.acts.

……whowho has thehas the power to perform power to perform such such supernaturalsupernatural

acts.acts.


Another way to Another way to put this is that put this is that super-natural super-natural occurrences can occurrences can be described as be described as signs in their pur-signs in their pur-posepose ( (affecting affecting intel-lectintel-lect), ), wonders wonders in their naturein their nature ((affect-ing affect-ing emotionemotion), ), & & mira-cles in mira-cles in their origintheir origin ((producing producing faithfaith).).

Another way to Another way to put this is that put this is that super-natural super-natural occurrences can occurrences can be described as be described as signs in their pur-signs in their pur-posepose ( (affecting affecting intel-lectintel-lect), ), wonders wonders in their naturein their nature ((affect-ing affect-ing emotionemotion), ), & & mira-cles in mira-cles in their origintheir origin ((producing producing faithfaith).).

……God also bearing God also bearing witness both with witness both with signs and signs and wonders, with wonders, with various various mira-clesmira-cles, , and gifts of the and gifts of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, accord-ing to His accord-ing to His own will?own will?

The original for The original for this word (this word (being being from the term that from the term that we get we get dyna-mitedyna-mite) ) actually means actually means powerspowers; Jesus and ; Jesus and the apostles the apostles always gave God always gave God the glory for the the glory for the powerpower that that worked worked in/through them.in/through them.

The original for The original for this word (this word (being being from the term that from the term that we get we get dyna-mitedyna-mite) ) actually means actually means powerspowers; Jesus and ; Jesus and the apostles the apostles always gave God always gave God the glory for the the glory for the powerpower that that worked worked in/through them.in/through them.

……God also bearing God also bearing witness both with witness both with signs and signs and wonders, with wonders, with various mira-cles, various mira-cles, and and giftsgifts of the of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, accord-ing to His accord-ing to His own will?own will?

The original term The original term for this word has for this word has refer-ence to the refer-ence to the idea of idea of distributiondistribution; i.e., ; i.e., the Spirit had and the Spirit had and used the used the authority to dis-authority to dis-tribute the tribute the various various miraculous gifts, miraculous gifts, something something written about at written about at length in length in 1st Cor. 12:4-11..

The original term The original term for this word has for this word has refer-ence to the refer-ence to the idea of idea of distributiondistribution; i.e., ; i.e., the Spirit had and the Spirit had and used the used the authority to dis-authority to dis-tribute the tribute the various various miraculous gifts, miraculous gifts, something something written about at written about at length in length in 1st Cor. 12:4-11..

Well…Well…

Due to all the wondrous ways in Due to all the wondrous ways in which Jesus transcends the which Jesus transcends the

prophets and the angels (prophets and the angels (including, including, as discussed in chapter one, His being as discussed in chapter one, His being

the perfect Saviorthe perfect Savior), they were ), they were expected to not only be more expected to not only be more

grateful to God than ever before, grateful to God than ever before, but also to demonstrate their but also to demonstrate their

gratefulness more than ever before gratefulness more than ever before by not neglect-ing that which God by not neglect-ing that which God

had given them at such great had given them at such great sacrifice! As Jesus Himself once sacrifice! As Jesus Himself once

said, said, To whom much is given, from him much will be required [or

expected] ( (Luke 12:48).).

Because they had begun to lose Because they had begun to lose their determination under the their determination under the

pressure of Judaizers to return to pressure of Judaizers to return to the Law of Moses, Paul essentially the Law of Moses, Paul essentially told them that if there was ever a told them that if there was ever a time in their Jewish history that time in their Jewish history that they needed to pay atten-tion to they needed to pay atten-tion to

their relationship with God,their relationship with God,that time was now!that time was now!

Paraphrase:Paraphrase: Because Jesus is superior to an-gels, it’s necessary that we hold

to the things that we’ve heard concerning our salvation lest we lose it.

Since the Old Law proved to be true, and since God dispensed righteous

punishment on everyone who refused to hear and obey Him, then surely we

don’t think we can escape the punishment that’s coming now if we disregard the great salvation we’ve

waited on for generations! This salvation was first preached by Jesus,

then confirmed to us by those who heard

Him personally. God proved the authenticity of both Jesus and His

apostles by performing signs, wonders, and various powers, all of which were

distributed by the Holy Spirit according as He willed.

Documents

A Study Of The Apostle Paul’s Letter To The Hebrews Don’t drift away! Don’t neglect your salvation! Don’t Depart! Don’t fall away! Don’t cast away your