Hebrews 2:1-4

The First Warning Passage

This is the first of the four warning passages in the book of Hebrews. These passages carry a serious tone and grow in intensity. The first warning, in Hebrews 2:1-4, is evangelistically centered, directed toward those who have heard the gospel but may not have entered authentic Christianity. They might profess faith and live in ways that resemble Christianity, but without true salvation.

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians and Jews in general, comparing the superiority of Christ and the New Testament over the Old Testament Levitical system. Salvation is found in Jesus Christ, not the imperfect Old Testament system.

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 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, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

Three key elements emerge: the danger of drifting, the demand for justice, and the demonstration of salvation's authenticity.

The Danger of Drifting

We must pay the most earnest heed to the things we have heard—the gospel message—lest we drift away. The author addresses believers or professing believers who have known the gospel for a long time. By now, they should be teachers, yet they have become dull of hearing.

The gospel connects to the revelation through prophets, Jesus Christ, and angels, who delivered the law. Jesus began preaching the gospel, the apostles confirmed it, and God testified to it.

Even after time passes, we must give the utmost attention to the gospel. The term "drift away" describes a ship not properly anchored, slipping past the harbor and risking shipwreck. Our anchor is Jesus Christ. Without it, we are unstable, like a boat at sea tossed by winds.

The gospel's importance echoes Galatians 1, where Paul curses any who alter it—even an angel or himself. Key truths include:

The Gospel Matters to Maturing Christians

The gospel is vital for maturing Christians as for unbelievers. Paul was eager to preach it to the Roman church, calling it the power of God unto salvation. He reminded Corinth of the gospel as of first importance. John 3:16 summarizes it simply yet profoundly, spoken in an intellectual discussion with Nicodemus. The gospel was preached to Abraham, the Israelites, and even in Genesis 3's promise of the seed crushing the serpent.

Gospel Results May Not Be Instant

Though the gospel is God's power for salvation, results may not be immediate. The Hebrews had heard it confirmed by apostles, yet needed warning. Profession does not equal possession. Paul says to confess Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him. Many experience church benefits without true faith—love, care, prayer—yet drift without authentic conversion.

Highest Attention Produces High-Quality Life

Embracing the gospel yields abundant life (John 10:10)—joy, peace, comfort from God despite circumstances (2 Corinthians 1; James 1). Believers grieve with hope (1 Thessalonians 4). We persevere in tribulation, rejoicing in hope (Romans 12:12). The early recipients joyfully accepted property seizure, knowing heavenly reward. What we have in Christ surpasses past hopeless lives. He condescended, bore our sin and wrath, securing eternity.

The Demand for Justice

If words spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received just recompense, how shall we escape neglecting so great a salvation? Justice offends many, even some claiming faith, like Rob Bell, who calls it toxic.

Yet we demand justice when wronged—murder, drunk driving. God, as sovereign Creator, justly declares right and wrong. Every transgression receives payment of wages: the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

The law, delivered through angels, exposed sin as a schoolmaster to Christ. Pharisees twisted it into a moral ladder to salvation. Leviticus shows sin demands covering (kaphar) and ransom (kippur), providing access to God—a gracious system foreshadowing Christ's forgiveness.

God's justice was satisfied on Christ (Isaiah 53). Unlike views that God can simply forgive without satisfaction, justice demands recompense.

The Demonstration of Salvation

How shall we escape neglecting salvation first spoken by the Lord, confirmed by hearers, and attested by God with signs, wonders, miracles, and Holy Spirit gifts?

Jesus' preaching would suffice, but apostles confirmed and God witnessed—miracles during Christ's life (Acts 2), Stephen's signs (Acts 6-7), and Acts' gifts.

Conclusions:

A Persistent Problem

Even near apostles, they needed reminding. We, further removed, face distractions, materialism, suffering, verbal persecution.

Encouragement in Truth

Prophets, angels, Christ, apostles, Old Testament saints, and God confirm the gospel—a cloud of witnesses. Contend for this once-for-all faith (Jude 3).

Active Christianity

Paying heed yields positive results; neglecting, negative. Doubt is harder with such testimony. Family may say "no salvation in your God" (Psalm 3), but God's witness comforts. Ask in faith, not doubting (James 1:6).