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

So we must be very careful. We must continue to remember the message that we have heard about God's Son. Then we will not go in the wrong direction, and turn away from God. 2The message that God spoke by angels was certainly powerful. God punished people when they did not obey the Law that he gave to Moses. In a completely right way he punished people who did anything wrong. 3As for us, God has shown us the way that he will save us from our sins. So we must not forget God's message about his great way to save us. If we do, he will certainly punish us. The Lord Jesus himself first spoke that message about how God would save people. Then the people who heard Jesus told the message to us. That is how we know that it is true.

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 2:2The message that God spoke by angels was certainly powerful. God punished people when they did not obey the Law that he gave to Moses. In a completely right way he punished people who did anything wrong.
• Hebrews 1:1Many years ago, God spoke to our ancestors by his prophets. He spoke many times and in many different ways.
• Hebrews 12:25So be careful! Always be ready to listen when God speaks. God used Moses as his servant on the earth to speak to Israel's people. When they refused to obey, God punished them. They could not get away. As for us, God speaks to us from heaven. So we will certainly not get away from God's punishment if we turn away from him.
• Deuteronomy 4:9But be very careful! Never forget the things that you yourselves have seen. Remember these things for as long as you live. Tell your children and your grandchildren about all the things that God has done.
• Deuteronomy 32:46he said to the people, ‘Remember carefully the message that I have spoken to you today. You must teach these words to your children. They must learn to obey all the words of God's Law.
• Joshua 23:11You must be very careful that you continue to love the Lord your God.
• 1 Chronicles 22:13You will be successful, if you carefully obey the Lord's commands and rules. Those are the laws that the Lord gave to Moses for Israel. Be strong! Be brave! Do not be afraid, but continue to be strong!
• Psalms 119:9How can a young man live a clean life? He must be careful to obey your message.
• Proverbs 2:1My child, listen to my teaching. Think about my commands.
• Proverbs 3:21My child, always keep hold of wisdom and a good mind. Make sure that you keep them safe.
• Proverbs 4:1My children, listen to what your father teaches you. Listen carefully so that you understand what is right.
• Proverbs 7:1My child, remember what I say. Keep my commands in your mind.
• Luke 8:15But some seed fell on good soil. This is like other people that hear the message from God. They understand the message and they keep it in their minds. They are good and honest. They continue to believe. These people are like a good plant that grows well and makes lots of new seeds.’
• Luke 9:44He said to them, ‘Do not forget what I am telling you now. Soon they will deliver the Son of Man to powerful people to kill him.’
• Hebrews 12:5God speaks to you as his children. Do not ever forget these words in the Bible that will make you strong: ‘My son, when the Lord shows you what is right, do not easily forget it. Do not be upset when he punishes you.
• Matthew 16:9You still do not understand. You should remember that I used five loaves of bread to feed 5,000 men. Think about how many baskets you filled with pieces of food after the meal.

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