Charles Spurgeon Commentary Hebrews 2:2-3

"For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 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;" — Hebrews 2:2-3 (ASV)

For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; –

Listen: How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?

Not if we resist it, reject it, despise it, oppose it; but if we neglect it.

If a man is in business, it is not necessary that he should commit forgery in order to fail; he can fail by simply neglecting his business. If a man is sick, he does not need to commit suicide by taking poison; he can do it just as surely by neglecting to take proper medicines. So it is in the things of God, neglect is as ruinous as distinct and open opposition: How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation: –

Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. (Hebrews 3:2–3)

Moses was only a part of the house after all, a prominent stone in the building, but Christ is the builder, builder of the house, foundation, topstone of it. Then think much of him. Get a high idea of him as faithful to God in everything. Moses kept the law and was a good example to Israel, except in some point of weakness, but Christ perfectly carried out his Father's commission, and he is worthy of more honour than Moses.

For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;

They could not trifle with the angels' message without receiving just punishment from God. Much less, then, can we trifle with Christ's gospel. We have not an angelic saviour; but God himself, in the person of his Son, has deigned to be the Mediator of the new covenant. Therefore, let us see to it that we do not trifle with these things.

You see, dear friends, that we need not be great open sinners in order to perish; it is merely a matter of neglect. See how it is put here: How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? You need not go to the trouble of despising it, or resisting it, or opposing it; you can be lost readily enough simply by neglecting it. In fact, the great mass of those who perish are those who neglect the great salvation.