Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 12:25

"See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned [them] on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape] who turn away from him that [warneth] from heaven:" — Hebrews 12:25 (ASV)

Refuse not: In Hebrews 12:19, we have read that the Israelites pleaded that they would no longer hear the voice of God (literally, objected to the speaking of more words). Twice in this verse, the same word is used in the sense of declining to listen, with clear reference to the earlier verse.

Him that speaks: God speaking to us from heaven (Hebrews 1:1–2). See below.

For if they escaped not who refused: Rather (according to the better reading of the Greek), For if they escaped not when they refused on earth Him who warned. The terrors that accompanied the giving of the Law were designed to impress upon all hearts the fearful peril of disobedience. In shrinking from the voice of Him who warned, they could not escape the declaration of the Law or the terrible penalties that awaited all transgressors.

If we turn away: Rather, those who turn away from Him who (warns) from heaven. The argument is similar to that of Hebrews 2:2-3, where the same word “escape” is found. He from whom they turned aside on earth is He who now speaks to us; but then His voice was heard amidst earthly terrors, while now His revelation comes through His Son who is exalted in heaven.

If we do not listen to the word of life and promise that continually comes to us from God through His Son, it will be because we deliberately “turn away,” for the excuse of the panic-stricken Israelites cannot be ours. The voice that speaks on earth fell on the outward ear, but He who speaks from heaven makes His voice heard in the inner conscience; the one may fail to be heard and understood, while the other will find us out and is neglected only through stubbornness of will. Much less, then, will we escape if we turn away from Him who warns from heaven.