For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 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.
for this reason - (or therefore) reads on from chapter 1:1-3 - Because God in His Son is the speaker, therefore we are exhorted to listen to the things He says so that we don't drift away.
we - the Hebrew people
"The Epistle to the Hebrews contains rich blessings not to be found in any of Paul's epistles to the Gentiles. The Gentiles knew little or nothing about the Law and the priesthood, hence in these epistles the apostle did not deal at length with the rich symbolism of Judaism, its beautiful comparison with that which we have in Christ, and especially its striking contrasts to our position and blessings in Christ." (CR Stam)
drift away - or loose from their moorings
the word spoken through angels - refers to the Mosaic Law (Ps 68:17; Acts 7:53).
"We know the word spoken by angels is steadfast; and so when Stephen preaches about the angelic message to Israel (Acts 7:3-32), it would be steadfast information which the Hebrew people chose to "neglect" and "let slip." This clarifies the doctrinal application of the passage and explains why the passage is so dire and threatening, because for unsaved Hebrews reading this, the consequences are grave." (TD McLean)
"Neglect" is exactly what many of the Hebrew "believers" were guilty of. More grammatically, Heb 5:11 reads: "ye have become dull of hearing," and "dull of hearing" is rendered "slothful" in 6:12, the only other occurrence of the word. Through neglect, slothfulness, and failing to take heed to the things which they had heard they had become spiritually sluggish." (CR Stam)
"The idea is, "salvation which is of such a character" as to have been spoken by the Lord. The message of salvation given by the angels was typical in its method of presentation. It looked forward. It was not final in itself, since sin had not actually been dealt with. It was given in many parts and in many ways. But the message of salvation given by the Lord was in its character, final. He was not only the Spokesman but the One who brought into being and made available to believing sinners, the salvation which He announced. Our Lord announced the New Testament as taking the place of the First Testament, when He said, 'This is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins' (Matt. 26:28)." (Kenneth S. Wuest)
for this reason - (or therefore) reads on from chapter 1:1-3 - Because God in His Son is the speaker, therefore we are exhorted to listen to the things He says so that we don't drift away.
we - the Hebrew people
"The Epistle to the Hebrews contains rich blessings not to be found in any of Paul's epistles to the Gentiles. The Gentiles knew little or nothing about the Law and the priesthood, hence in these epistles the apostle did not deal at length with the rich symbolism of Judaism, its beautiful comparison with that which we have in Christ, and especially its striking contrasts to our position and blessings in Christ." (CR Stam)
drift away - or loose from their moorings
the word spoken through angels - refers to the Mosaic Law (Ps 68:17; Acts 7:53).
"We know the word spoken by angels is steadfast; and so when Stephen preaches about the angelic message to Israel (Acts 7:3-32), it would be steadfast information which the Hebrew people chose to "neglect" and "let slip." This clarifies the doctrinal application of the passage and explains why the passage is so dire and threatening, because for unsaved Hebrews reading this, the consequences are grave." (TD McLean)
"Neglect" is exactly what many of the Hebrew "believers" were guilty of. More grammatically, Heb 5:11 reads: "ye have become dull of hearing," and "dull of hearing" is rendered "slothful" in 6:12, the only other occurrence of the word. Through neglect, slothfulness, and failing to take heed to the things which they had heard they had become spiritually sluggish." (CR Stam)
vs 3-4 - The Lord spoke of this "so great a salvation," and it was confirmed to the writer and readers of Hebrews by those who heard Him and by God, who authenticated it by signs and wonders.
salvation - refers to the word itself, not to the teaching concerning it
"The idea is, "salvation which is of such a character" as to have been spoken by the Lord. The message of salvation given by the angels was typical in its method of presentation. It looked forward. It was not final in itself, since sin had not actually been dealt with. It was given in many parts and in many ways. But the message of salvation given by the Lord was in its character, final. He was not only the Spokesman but the One who brought into being and made available to believing sinners, the salvation which He announced. Our Lord announced the New Testament as taking the place of the First Testament, when He said, 'This is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins' (Matt. 26:28)." (Kenneth S. Wuest)
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