In this chapter the writer urges us to pay attention to our salvation in Christ Jesus and not to neglect it, remembering that Jesus died for us on the cross that we might be reconciled with God through Him! We, the Church, are God’s sons and daughters through Christ Jesus and thus are coheirs with Jesus in all God’s blessings that He has stored up for us!
Note: In the body on this article the verses from Hebrews are in italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures shown in bold italics.
Do not neglect your salvation
1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.
Verse 1 starts off with the word therefore (because of) which implies that we need to follow on with a principle that was started in chapter one. This principle is the supremacy of Christ over all things and that it is only by His name that we are saved!
The verse ends with the phrase, “less we drift away.” So, let’s now analyse what this phrase means by examining it from the original Greek it was written in!
“Drift away” is a transliteration of the Greek word “pararreó” (Strong’s 3901 – pronounced pah-rah-RREH-oh) and its full definition is: to drift away, to slip away, to flow past. In this context it literally means to flow or glide past Jesus and not flow with or alongside Him by being led by the Holy Spirit who we should be letting lead us and guide us through life!
The word “pararreó” is derived from the Greek prefixes "para-" meaning "beside" or "alongside," and "rheo," meaning "to flow" or "to run” past.
When we persistently and wilfully do not “flow” with Jesus through the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will fall away (drift) from our faith and will perish as the world will perish. We must remain in the vine – Jesus!
The word "pararreó" is a verb and thus is this a doing word, something that we put into action ourselves (by our own choice) and is used here metaphorically to describe the act of drifting away or slipping away in both a spiritual and moral sense. It conveys the idea of something that is not anchored (Christ is our anchor in life) and thus moves away or drifts from its intended path or position. In the context of the New Testament, it is used to warn believers about the danger of neglecting their faith and allowing themselves to drift away from the truth of the Gospel.
So, verse one in this chapter is saying this principle, stated in chapter one, is one that we need to apply to our daily lives, our daily walk in Christ Jesus and hold fast to tooth and nail – the principle of life in Christ Jesus – which teaches us how to live as Christians or we will be at risk of drifting or moving or falling away from our salvation in Him. We must remain in Jesus who is the vine and the sustainer of our salvation if we abide or live in Him.
John 15:6 clearly states that if we do not abide in Him we drift away and will be cast out and thrown into the fire. This is speaking of people who once ‘abided’ in Him, who were once born again, but have wilfully drifted away from their faith and no longer abide in Him!
2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward,
In verse 2 the writer starts to expand on what he means by “earnestly take heed” of what we heard in chapter one about the supremacy of Christ over all things and that our salvation comes through Him alone! He does this expansion by initially taking us back to the Mosaic Law.
The phrase “For if the word spoken through angels” refers to the Mosaic law which was given to Moses at Mount Sinai.
The word “saints” in the above word can also be translated as “holy ones” which is another name for “angels.”
The Apostle Luke in the Book of Acts refers to Moses receiving the Law through angels at the stoning of Stephen after he chastises the religious rulers of the day.
The Mosaic Law was steadfast and strict with “every transgression and disobedience receiving a just reward.” A just reward means every transgression of the Law received a fitting punishment! It demanded to be taken seriously. The word steadfast in the original Greek is “bebaios” (pronounced BEH-bah-yos) and its full definition is: firm, secure, steadfast, sure and certain. The sense here is that God dealt with transgressions of the Law in a firm and steadfast manner.
3 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,
In verse 3 the writer is telling us that if the lord dealt with transgressions of the Law were “steadfastly”, how can we escape His discipline if we neglect our salvation! Remember, Jesus came to fulfil the Law and if we thus neglect to obey God’s Word, the Word is Jesus, then we will face His steadfast discipline! We must abide in Him and cultivate an ever repentant heart – a heart such as King David had who the Bible describes as being a man after God’s own heart.
Once we are born again (saved) we must be doers of the Word not just readers! Our Father’s will is that we abide in Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour!
The second half of verse 3 tells us that this word (the gospel of salvation in Christ Jesus) was first spoken by Jesus himself and was confirmed by eyewitnesses (those who heard Him, such as the apostles). Then it was confirmed with signs, wonders, miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit given by God.
4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
In verse 4 we are told that God bears His own witness with miracles, signs and wonders that he performs through man in the power of the Holy Spirit. These things are done solely in accordance with God’s will and not in accordance with the will of man who often, tragically, fabricates a supposed move of the Holy Spirit in accordance with the flesh!
Man’s fabrication of the move of the Holy Spirit is blasphemous and truly grieves the Holy Spirit!
The Son Made Lower than Angels – Jesus the foundation of our salvation
Verse 1 starts off with the word therefore (because of) which implies that we need to follow on with a principle that was started in chapter one. This principle is the supremacy of Christ over all things and that it is only by His name that we are saved!
The verse ends with the phrase, “less we drift away.” So, let’s now analyse what this phrase means by examining it from the original Greek it was written in!
“Drift away” is a transliteration of the Greek word “pararreó” (Strong’s 3901 – pronounced pah-rah-RREH-oh) and its full definition is: to drift away, to slip away, to flow past. In this context it literally means to flow or glide past Jesus and not flow with or alongside Him by being led by the Holy Spirit who we should be letting lead us and guide us through life!
The word “pararreó” is derived from the Greek prefixes "para-" meaning "beside" or "alongside," and "rheo," meaning "to flow" or "to run” past.
John 14:15-17 (AMP)
15 “If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.
Role of the Spirit
16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another [c]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.
When we persistently and wilfully do not “flow” with Jesus through the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will fall away (drift) from our faith and will perish as the world will perish. We must remain in the vine – Jesus!
The word "pararreó" is a verb and thus is this a doing word, something that we put into action ourselves (by our own choice) and is used here metaphorically to describe the act of drifting away or slipping away in both a spiritual and moral sense. It conveys the idea of something that is not anchored (Christ is our anchor in life) and thus moves away or drifts from its intended path or position. In the context of the New Testament, it is used to warn believers about the danger of neglecting their faith and allowing themselves to drift away from the truth of the Gospel.
So, verse one in this chapter is saying this principle, stated in chapter one, is one that we need to apply to our daily lives, our daily walk in Christ Jesus and hold fast to tooth and nail – the principle of life in Christ Jesus – which teaches us how to live as Christians or we will be at risk of drifting or moving or falling away from our salvation in Him. We must remain in Jesus who is the vine and the sustainer of our salvation if we abide or live in Him.
John 15:5-8 (NKJV)
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
John 15:6 clearly states that if we do not abide in Him we drift away and will be cast out and thrown into the fire. This is speaking of people who once ‘abided’ in Him, who were once born again, but have wilfully drifted away from their faith and no longer abide in Him!
2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward,
In verse 2 the writer starts to expand on what he means by “earnestly take heed” of what we heard in chapter one about the supremacy of Christ over all things and that our salvation comes through Him alone! He does this expansion by initially taking us back to the Mosaic Law.
The phrase “For if the word spoken through angels” refers to the Mosaic law which was given to Moses at Mount Sinai.
Deuteronomy 33:2 (NKJV)
And he said:
“The Lord came from Sinai,
And dawned on them from Seir;
He shone forth from Mount Paran,
And He came with ten thousands of saints;
From His right hand
Came a fiery law for them.
The word “saints” in the above word can also be translated as “holy ones” which is another name for “angels.”
The Apostle Luke in the Book of Acts refers to Moses receiving the Law through angels at the stoning of Stephen after he chastises the religious rulers of the day.
Acts 7:51-53 (NKJV)
51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, 53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”
The Mosaic Law was steadfast and strict with “every transgression and disobedience receiving a just reward.” A just reward means every transgression of the Law received a fitting punishment! It demanded to be taken seriously. The word steadfast in the original Greek is “bebaios” (pronounced BEH-bah-yos) and its full definition is: firm, secure, steadfast, sure and certain. The sense here is that God dealt with transgressions of the Law in a firm and steadfast manner.
3 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,
In verse 3 the writer is telling us that if the lord dealt with transgressions of the Law were “steadfastly”, how can we escape His discipline if we neglect our salvation! Remember, Jesus came to fulfil the Law and if we thus neglect to obey God’s Word, the Word is Jesus, then we will face His steadfast discipline! We must abide in Him and cultivate an ever repentant heart – a heart such as King David had who the Bible describes as being a man after God’s own heart.
Matthew 5:17 (NKJV)
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
Acts 13:22 (NKJV)
And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’
Once we are born again (saved) we must be doers of the Word not just readers! Our Father’s will is that we abide in Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour!
Luke 11:28 (NKJV)
But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
James 1:22-25 (AMP)
22 But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. 23 For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like. 25 But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].
The second half of verse 3 tells us that this word (the gospel of salvation in Christ Jesus) was first spoken by Jesus himself and was confirmed by eyewitnesses (those who heard Him, such as the apostles). Then it was confirmed with signs, wonders, miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit given by God.
4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
In verse 4 we are told that God bears His own witness with miracles, signs and wonders that he performs through man in the power of the Holy Spirit. These things are done solely in accordance with God’s will and not in accordance with the will of man who often, tragically, fabricates a supposed move of the Holy Spirit in accordance with the flesh!
Man’s fabrication of the move of the Holy Spirit is blasphemous and truly grieves the Holy Spirit!
The Son Made Lower than Angels – Jesus the foundation of our salvation
5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.
God did not put this world or the world to come in subjection to angels, He put this world under man’s dominion and the world to come under the dominion of Jesus and man will rule and reign with Him.
Genesis 1:26 (NKJV)
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
2 Timothy 2:12 (NKJV)
If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
Revelation 20:4 (AMP)
And then I saw thrones, and sitting on them were those to whom judgment [that is, the authority to act as judges] was given. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had refused to worship the beast or his image, and had not accepted his mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
“What is man that You are mindful of him,
Or the son of man that You take care of him?
7 You have crowned him with glory and honor,
And set him over the works of Your hands.
8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”
For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
In verses 6b-8a the writer, quoting from Psalm 8:4-6 tells us that Jesus became fully man in order to fully identify with man and to suffer death for us all so that by our acceptance of Him as our Lord and Saviour, becoming saved or born again, and through His death on the cross for our sins we will also receive the gift of salvation and resurrection to eternal life!
In verse 6 we are again reminded of Christ’s full humanity, What is man…. and “or the son of man….”. Jesus referred to Himself as the “son of man” on a number of occasions!
Matthew 25:31 (NKJV)
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
Mark 14:62 (NKJV)
Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
John 3:13 (AMP)
No one has gone up into heaven, but there is One who came down from heaven, the Son of Man [Himself—whose home is in heaven].
In verses 7-8 we are reminded that under God’s direction Jesus alone is worthy of all glory and honour and God has subjected all His creation under the authority of Jesus.
Matthew 28:18 (NKJV)
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
John 1:14 (NKJV)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
In verse 9 we are told that man’s dominion over all things on earth was lost at the fall of man in Eden and the promised dominion could only be restored by God through Jesus coming to earth as fully man in order to cover all man’s sin through his death on the cross. He suffered and died for us hence we have the phrase “Who was made a little lower than the angels.” This identifies Jesus as a man. Jesus defeated the evil Adam brought into the world – which was death through sin!
Romans 5:12 (NKJV)
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—
But Jesus came in humility and suffering and defeated the power of death at the cross and made possible the fulfilment of God’s promise that humans will have dominion over the earth – fulfilled both through Jesus’ own dominion, and the rule of believers with Him.
Revelation 20:4 (NKJV)
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
“Crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone."
This tells us that by the grace of God and Jesus’ death on the cross and our acceptance of Him and our Lord and Saviour, we receive the same crown as Jesus.
1 Peter 5:4 (AMP)
And when the Chief Shepherd (Christ) appears, you will receive the [conqueror’s] unfading crown of glory.
Bringing Many Sons to Glory
10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
In verse 10 we are told that it is appropriate that God would sacrifice His son in order to redeem man and restore his glory by making Jesus our Lord and Saviour. Jesus is our salvation.
The Greek word captain here is a transliteration of the Greek word “archégos” (pronounced ar-khay-gos' – Strong’s) and its full definition is: leader, author, pioneer, originator and prince.
The term "archégos" is used in the New Testament to denote someone who is a leader, originator, or pioneer. It conveys the idea of one who initiates or leads the way, often with a sense of authority and pre-eminence. In a biblical context, it is frequently used to describe Jesus Christ as the originator and leader of faith and salvation.
Hebrews 12:2 (AMP)
[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].
Jesus died for us that we may by reconciled to God through Him for the forgiveness of our sins by the shedding of His blood. It is Jesus that washes us clean of the filth of sin because he is without sin.
Hebrews 9:22 (AMP)
In fact under the Law almost everything is cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness [neither release from sin and its guilt, nor cancellation of the merited punishment].
2 Corinthians 5:21 (AMP)
He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].
11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,
As born again Christians we are being sanctified by Jesus our saviour and because of this He calls us his brothers (and sisters). We are coheirs with Christ in all the He has with God because through Him we become children of God.
John 1:12 (NKJV)
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
Romans 8:16-17 (NKJV)
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
12 saying:
“I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”
13 And again:
“I will put My trust in Him.”
And again:
“Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”
In verses 12 and 13 the writer is referencing three verses from the Old Testament that confirms that Jesus views those that are His as His brothers in his humanity and also as God’s children in his deity. Verse 12 is a quote from Psalm 22:22 and verse 13 quotes from Isaiah 8:17 and 18. These are also prophetic verses that refer to Jesus’ second coming!
14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
In verse 14 the writer explains that just as we as humans are flesh and blood Jesus also had to become fully human and take on flesh and blood so that through His death on the cross and the shedding of His human blood, He defeated the one who had the power of death on earth, that is the devil. Death (spiritual death being eternal separation from God) no longer has hold on us, as born again Christians. For us death has no sting as Jesus has the victory over death!
Romans 8:1-2 (NKJV)
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (NKJV)
55 “O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 15 tells us that Jesus victory over death through His resurrection has conquered the fear of death for those of us who are born again!
The fear of death rules as a tyrant over humanity. But born again Christians should have no fear of death because it is a defeated enemy that now serves God’s purpose in the believer’s life. After our physical death we will receive a resurrected body when Christ returns at His second coming and we will live an eternal life in Heaven!
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (NKJV)
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.
The Father’s work in Jesus is primarily for the sake of the elect His Church who are the seed of Abraham and not angels.
Galatians 3:7-9 (NKJV)
7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
In verses 17-18 we learn that if Jesus were not like us (fully human) He could not be our High Priest and our Saviour, representing us before the Father and making atonement (propitiation) for our sins.
The Old Testament High Priest wore a breastplate with stones engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel on both his chest and his shoulders. The High Priest was therefore in constant sympathy with the people of God, carrying them on his heart and on his shoulders.
Jesus did not wear the High Priest’s breastplate. But the wound in His chest and the cross on His shoulders are even more eloquent testimony to His heart for us and work on our behalf – to make propitiation for our sins.
Jesus in His humanity was tempted in every way just as we are, but He did not sin! He knew the temptations of power and the temptations of pain. He knew the temptations of riches and the temptations of poverty. He knew the temptations of popularity and the temptations of rejection. He knew the temptations of the boy and the temptations of the man. He knew temptation from His friends and temptation from His enemies. He knew temptation from His family and temptation from strangers.
He knew temptation in every human way possible – yet He did not sin. Because of this only He is able to help resist temptation, and we can only resist temptation through Him, by abiding in Him!
2 Corinthians 5:21 (AMP)
He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].
1 John 3:5 (NKJV
And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.
1 Peter 2:21-22 (NIV)
21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth. (Isaiah 53:9)
Life application for today’s believers
1. We must not neglect our salvation; we must be doers of the Word and not be disobedient to the Word.
2. Remember that Jesus is supreme over all things.
3. We must live in accordance with God’s will and not our own.
4. Jesus alone is worthy of glory, honour and praise.
5. We must abide in Jesus and not drift away from our faith and return to our old ways!
Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven
Thank you for Jesus my Lord and Saviour. Thank you that it is by His name alone that I am saved, and it is only through Him that I receive your sonship and can share in your spiritual blessings that are for Your children only. Help me, Father by the power of your Holy Spirit to walk in a manner that is worthy of my salvation in Christ Jesus. Amen.
To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!
Jesus the Name above all names!
Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!
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