Hebrews 2:1-4

¹ “For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. ² For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every violation and act of disobedience received a just punishment, ³ how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, ⁴ God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.”

Verse 1: Here, the author of Hebrews urges his audience to pay close attention to the message they have heard. This emphasizes the importance of staying focused and not allowing themselves to drift away from the truth of the New Covenant. The author has in mind not believers drifting away from the truth but Jews who were on the fence about Jesus and the New Covenant. The author was evidently trying to confirm the salvation of his readers. He was also confirming the lack of compatibility between the Old and New Covenants. There is no compatibility between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. The Old Covenant revealed the depth of humanity’s sins while the New Covenant of grace truly saves people. Therefore, the author did not want his Jewish readers to drift away from the New Covenant back into the Old Covenant law.

Verse 2: The author highlights the seriousness of the message that was delivered through angels in the Old Testament. If the law was not kept perfectly, then divine punishment resulted. The law needed to be kept perfectly in order to avoid divine consequences.

Verse 3: Notice the language of the author: He did not want people to ignore the finished work of Christ. Believers do not ignore the work. By definition, believers have received the work. Therefore, the author is issuing a warning to unbelieving Jews. This salvation was not only proclaimed by the Lord himself but also confirmed by those who heard him, his disciples.

Verse 4: The author points out that God provided further evidence and confirmation of this salvation through signs, wonders, miracles, and the distribution of spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit. While the author never limits God’s ability to perform miracles today, he does highlight the special place of miracles in salvation history. During the early days of the church, miraculous signs and wonders were performed by the apostles to validate the message of Jesus.