Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 2:3

"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 2:3 (ASV)

The just penalties meted out under the law show that where God is concerned, strict standards apply. This makes it imperative that those to whom a great salvation is offered do something about the offer. The disaster that threatens is brought on by nothing more than mere neglect. It is not necessary to disobey any specific injunction. This is the first of a number of warnings to the readers not to surrender their Christian profession. The writer is determined to guard against the possibility of losing salvation. This salvation is distinguished from the many other kinds of salvation offered in the ancient world by calling it “such a great salvation” and then by telling us three things about it . In the first place, it was “announced by the Lord.” The salvation originates with the Father. The author’s use of “announced” (GK 3281) makes a point of contact with the gospel of Luke, for there only does Jesus announce salvation (cf. also 1:69, 71, 77; 2:11).

The second point about salvation is that it “was confirmed to us by those who heard him.” The author is here again appealing to the first hearers as those to whom the authentic Gospel was entrusted (cf. Lk 1:2). Any later preaching must agree with theirs. If it does not, then it will stand convicted of being an innovation instead of the genuine thing. For this writer, as for his readers, the message was “confirmed” (GK 1011) by the original disciples. This verb is used as a legal technical term to designate properly guaranteed security; the certainty of the message is guaranteed to us, and there cannot be the slightest doubt about the genuineness of the offer of salvation.