Hebrews 2:3-4
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, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse highlights that "neglecting" this salvation is just as serious as actively rejecting it; the offer itself carries immense weight, and simply letting it slip by carries its own severe consequence. This "great salvation" wasn't just a teaching, but the very deliverance itself, first proclaimed by the Lord and then made sure by those who heard Him directly.
The author is building a case for the supreme authority of Jesus over angels, showing that the message delivered through Him far surpasses the Law given through angels. Now, the writer warns his readers not to treat this superior salvation lightly, emphasizing that just as the Law had severe consequences for disobedience, this greater salvation will too if neglected. The verse highlights that this salvation, initiated by Jesus Himself, was then passed on and confirmed by those who directly heard Him speak.
We often think 'neglect' is a passive thing, just letting something slide. But in the Bible, it carries a much heavier weight.
The writer of Hebrews uses a strong word here: 'neglect.' This isn't just forgetting about something or being too busy. It's a deliberate turning away, a refusal to give something the attention and value it deserves.
More Than a Mistake
Think about it: if you 'neglect' your health, it doesn't just stay the same; it deteriorates. If you 'neglect' a relationship, it withers. The same applies to our spiritual lives. Neglecting salvation isn't a neutral act; it's an active rejection.
The Cost of Indifference
This verse asks a piercing question: 'How shall we escape?' The implication is that there is no escape if we treat this 'great salvation' with indifference. It’s not about performing a complex ritual; it’s about a fundamental response to God's offer. To neglect it is to choose destruction over deliverance.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Hebrews 2:3-4 is available in the Sola app.
This isn't just any salvation; it's described as 'great.' Where does this greatness come from?
The writer emphasizes that this salvation is 'great' because of its divine source and the manner of its introduction.
Spoken by the Lord
Firstly, it 'began to be spoken by the Lord.' This isn't a human idea or a philosophical concept. It originates directly from Jesus Himself, the Son of God, who is superior to the angels. His words carried divine authority from the very beginning.
Confirmed by Eyewitnesses
Secondly, this message wasn't left vague. It was 'confirmed to us by those who heard.' These were the apostles and early disciples who walked with Jesus, saw His miracles, and heard His teachings firsthand. Their testimony served as solid proof of the salvation Jesus offered.
A Divine, Verified Message
This dual attestation – originating from Christ and verified by those who heard Him – underscores the immense value and trustworthiness of the salvation offered. It’s not a second-hand rumor; it's a divinely initiated and faithfully transmitted message.
Understand the original words
sōtēria · Greek Noun
Used here in the context of the gospel; it represents the totality of God's act of delivering humanity from sin, death, and judgment through Jesus Christ. It is the core message of the Christian faith.
synepimartyreō · Greek Verb
A technical term for bearing witness, confirming, or proving the validity of something through evidence, testimony, or supernatural manifestation.
sēmeion, teras · Greek Noun
Supernatural events that point beyond themselves to God's authority and truth. 'Signs' point to a deeper meaning, while 'wonders' describe the effect of awe on the observers.
dynamis · Greek Noun
Powerful supernatural acts that demonstrate the authority of the messenger and the power of the message, serving to confirm the gospel.
Pneuma Hagion · Greek Noun phrase
The third person of the Trinity; the active agent of God in the life of the believer and the church, who empowers, illuminates, and distributes spiritual enablements according to God's sovereign will.
The 'we' in this verse refers to the generation of Christians who, like the author of Hebrews, received the message of salvation not directly from Jesus, but from His immediate followers, emphasizing the importance of heeding this divinely confirmed message.
c. 4 BC - c. AD 30/33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Life
Jesus Christ begins His public ministry, proclaiming the 'great salvation' and gathering disciples who would later testify to His teachings and resurrection.
c. AD 30/33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The pivotal event of salvation, Jesus is crucified and then resurrected, validating His claims and providing the basis for the Christian message.
c. AD 30/33 - c. AD 45
Early Apostolic Preaching
The apostles, those who heard Jesus directly, begin to preach the Gospel of salvation throughout Judea and Samaria, beginning the confirmation of the message.
c. AD 45-60
Paul's Missionary Journeys
The Apostle Paul travels extensively, spreading the Gospel to Gentile communities and further confirming the message of salvation through his ministry and the signs that accompanied it.
c. AD 62-67
Likely Date of Hebrews Composition
The Epistle to the Hebrews is written, likely by an associate of Paul rather than Paul himself, to encourage Jewish Christians to persevere in their faith.
This passage directly contrasts the wisdom of the Queen of the South and the Ninevites who responded to lesser revelations with our own potential for condemnation if we ignore the ultimate revelation in Jesus.
Luke 10:16Jesus states that rejecting His messengers is equivalent to rejecting Him, directly underscoring the seriousness of neglecting the salvation He offers through those who heard Him.
Acts 4:12This verse emphasizes that salvation is found *only* in Jesus, highlighting the absolute necessity and uniqueness of the 'great salvation' mentioned in Hebrews, making its neglect an inescapable error.
Hebrews 12:25This verse serves as a direct parallel, asking 'See that you do not refuse him who is speaking,' and warns of severe consequences for rejecting God's message, reinforcing the gravity of neglecting salvation.
1 Peter 1:10-12This passage speaks of how Old Testament prophets eagerly searched into the salvation revealed, underscoring its greatness and how it was progressively made known, aligning with the idea of it being 'spoken by the Lord' and 'confirmed'.
wesleyHebrews 2:3: "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;"
2:3 So great a salvation - A deliverance from so great wickedness and misery, into so great holiness and happiness. This was first spoken of (before he came it was not known) by Him who is the Lord - of angels as well as men. And was confirmed to us - Of this age, even every article of it. By them that had heard him - And had…
ellicottHebrews 2:3: "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;"
(3) How shall we escape? —In a different context these words might naturally mean, “How shall we, transgressors of the law, escape from the penalty it threatens, if we neglect the one means of deliverance now offered us?” (Comp. Galatians 3:13 ; Galatians 4:5 .) Here, however, are placed in contrast the command and threatening…
The verse highlights that "neglecting" this salvation is just as serious as actively rejecting it; the offer itself carries immense weight, and simply letting it slip by carries its own severe consequence. This "great salvation" wasn't just a teaching, but the very deliverance itself, first proclaimed by the Lord and then made sure by those who heard Him directly.
The author is building a case for the supreme authority of Jesus over angels, showing that the message delivered through Him far surpasses the Law given through angels. Now, the writer warns his readers not to treat this superior salvation lightly, emphasizing that just as the Law had severe consequences for disobedience, this greater salvation will too if neglected. The verse highlights that this salvation, initiated by Jesus Himself, was then passed on and confirmed by those who directly heard Him speak.
The author is building a case for the supreme authority of Jesus over angels, showing that the message delivered through Him far surpasses the Law given through angels. Now, the writer warns his readers not to treat this superior salvation lightly, emphasizing that just as the Law had severe consequences for disobedience, this greater salvation will too if neglected. The verse highlights that this salvation, initiated by Jesus Himself, was then passed on and confirmed by those who directly heard Him speak.
"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, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Sp…" — The verse highlights that "neglecting" this salvation is just as serious as actively rejecting it; the offer itself carries immense weight, and simply letting it slip by carries its own severe conseq…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
