Hebrews 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;
Study Note
Study Note
'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?' Hebrews 2:1-4 introduces its first major warning: if the Mosaic law's transgressions brought just recompense, how much greater the danger of neglecting a salvation confirmed by eyewitness testimony, signs, wonders, and the Holy Spirit. The escalating danger (negligence, not apostasy, is already enough) and the chain of testimony (Lord → eyewitnesses → Hebrews audience) suggest that the accessibility of the gospel also creates accountability: proximity to salvation amplifies responsibility. The verse anticipates the stronger warnings of Hebrews 6 and 10.
Other Translations
how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard;
how shall we escape, having neglected so great salvation? which a beginning receiving--to be spoken through the Lord--by those having heard was confirmed to us,
What will come on us, if we do not give our minds to such a great salvation? a salvation of which our fathers first had knowledge through the words of the Lord, and which was made certain to us by those to whom his words came;
Cross References
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and …
And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for …
My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait …
For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my …
Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy …
But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. …
Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all …
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,