Hebrews 2-3
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Chapter 2
1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away - “pay careful attention” (Prosechō) means to moor a ship, to tie it up. The Greek word for “drift” (pararheō), is used of a boat that has been untied from its mooring and is now drifting.
2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? – The message spoken by angels was the law (Deuteronomy 33:2, Acts 7:53, Galatians 3:19 and Josephus, Antiquities, 15.53). The word ignore ameleo means “to become apathetic,” “to have an attitude of indifference.”
6 But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 7 You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor 8and put everything under his feet.” - Psalm 8. Cf. Gen 1:26.
9 so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone – This flies in the face of “limited atonement”.
12 He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.” – Psalm 22:22
13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” – Isaiah 8:17-18.
16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants – “Abraham’s descendants” (lit., “Abraham’s seed”) (Gal. 3:29) (Romans 2:28-29, Galatians 3:7)
17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God -
Chapter 3
1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess – The Greek word apostolos means “One who is sent”
6 But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast – Cf. 1Peter 2:4-5.
10 That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’ 11So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ – Psalm 95. God condemned that generation of unbelief to die in the wilderness for 40 years (Numbers 14:22-23; 28-32).
12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God – “Unbelief is not inability to understand, but unwillingness to trust . . . it is the will, not the intelligence, that is involved.” (Newell) Cf. Matthew 11:28.
13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness – 78% of the general public and 70% of churchgoing people believe “you can be a good Christian without attending church.” (Roof and McKinney)
Scripture presents a fivefold rest: (1) creation rest; (2) entrance into Canaan; (3) the rest of salvation; (4) the rest of consecration; and (5) heaven.
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