Hebrews 2:1

Hebrews 2:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
• New International Version (NIV)We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.

Context of Hebrews 2:1

For this reason [that is, because of God’s final revelation in His Son Jesus and because of Jesus’ superiority to the angels] we must pay much closer attention than ever to the things that we have heard, so that we do not [in any way] drift away from truth. 2For if the message given through angels [the Law given to Moses] was authentic and unalterable, and every violation and disobedient act received an appropriate penalty, 3how will we escape [the penalty] if we ignore such a great salvation [the gospel, the new covenant]? For it was spoken at first by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us and proved authentic by those who personally heard [Him speak],

Hebrews 2:1 word by word

Διὰ τοῦτο δεῖ περισσοτέρως προσέχειν ἡμᾶς τοῖς ἀκουσθεῖσιν, μήποτε παραρυῶμεν.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Thereforeδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• ·οὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• weἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• oughtδεῖdei · be necessaryG1163
• to giveπροσέχωprosechō · to watch outG4337
• the more earnestπερισσῶςperissōs · excessivelyG4057
• to the things which we have heardἀκούωakouō · to hearG191
• lest at any timeμήποτεmēpote mē pote · lestG3379
• we should letπαραρρέωpararrhueō · to drift awayG3901
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588

Cross-references for Hebrews 2:1

• Hebrews 2:2For if the message given through angels [the Law given to Moses] was authentic and unalterable, and every violation and disobedient act received an appropriate penalty,
• Hebrews 1:1God, having spoken to the fathers long ago in [the voices and writings of] the prophets in many separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the truth], and in many ways,
• Hebrews 12:25See to it that you do not refuse [to listen to] Him who is speaking [to you now]. For if those [sons of Israel] did not escape when they refused [to listen to] him who warned them on earth [revealing God’s will], how much less will we escape if we turn our backs on Him who warns from heaven?
• Deuteronomy 4:9“Only pay attention and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your grandchildren [impressing these things on their mind and penetrating their heart with these truths]—
• Deuteronomy 32:46he said to them, “Take to heart all the words of warning which I am speaking to you today; and you shall command your children to observe them carefully—to do all the words of this law.
• Joshua 23:11So be very careful and watchful of yourselves to love the Lord your God.
• 1 Chronicles 22:13Then you will prosper, if you are careful to observe and fulfill the statutes and ordinances which the Lord commanded Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be dismayed.
• Psalms 119:9How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].
• Proverbs 2:1My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you,
• Proverbs 3:21My son, let them not escape from your sight, But keep sound wisdom and discretion,
• Proverbs 4:1Hear, O children, the instruction of a father, And pay attention [and be willing to learn] so that you may gain understanding and intelligent discernment.
• Proverbs 7:1My son, keep my words And treasure my commandments within you [so they are readily available to guide you].
• Luke 8:15But as for that seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word with a good and noble heart, and hold on to it tightly, and bear fruit with patience.
• Luke 9:44“Let these words sink into your ears: the Son of Man is going to be betrayed and handed over to men [who are His enemies].”
• Hebrews 12:5and you have forgotten the divine word of encouragement which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not make light of the discipline of the Lord, And do not lose heart and give up when you are corrected by Him;
• Matthew 16:9Do you still not understand or remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you picked up?

Commentaries on Hebrews 2:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Therefore - Because God has spoken to us by his Son; and because that Son is so great and glorious a personage; and because the subject which is addressed to us is of such infinite importance to our welfare. We ought to give the more earnest heed - We should hear the doctrine of Christ with care, candour, and deep concern. Lest at any time we should let them slip - ̔· "Lest at any time we should leak out." This is a metaphor taken from unstanch vessels…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Therefore - Greek “On account of this” - ͂ Dia touto- that is, on account of the exalted dignity and rank of the Messiah as stated in the previous chapter. The sense is: “Since Christ, the author of the new dispensation, is so far exalted above the prophets, and even the angels, we ought to give the more earnest attention to all that has been spoken.” We ought - It is suitable or proper (Greek ̀ dei) that we should attend to those things. When the Son of…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The duty of stedfastly adhering to Christ and his gospel. (1-4) His sufferings are no objection against his pre-eminence. (5-9) The reason of his sufferings, and the fitness of them. (10-13) Christ's taking the nature of man, and not his taking the nature of angels, was necessary to his priestly office. (14-18) Verses 1-4 Christ being proved to be superior to the angels, this doctrine is applied. Our minds and memories are like a leaky vessel, they do…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1What we have heard is the message of salvation delivered through Christ (Hebrews 2:3). So that we do not drift away is like a ship going off course. Here, it means losing spiritual focus by not paying close attention to the Good News.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-181. Therefore--Because Christ the Mediator of the new covenant is so far (He 1:5-14) above all angels, the mediators of the old covenant. the more earnest--Greek, "the more abundantly." heard--spoken by God (He 1:1); and by the Lord (He 2:3). let them slip--literally "flow past them" (He 4:1).Read the comment

Topics related to Hebrews 2:1

• Decision
• Judgments
• Perseverance
• Watchfulness
• Word of God

In the dictionaries

• Bondage
• Heed
• Neglect
• Recompense
• Reconciliation
• Taste
• Congregation
• Ebionism; Ebionites
• Eschatology of the New Testament
• Faithful; Faithfulness

Commentaries on Hebrews 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings