God’s Word Translation
Hebrews 2:1
1For this reason we must pay closer attention to what we have heard. Then we won’t drift away ⌞from the truth⌟.
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 we must pay closer attention to what we have heard. Then we won’t drift away ⌞from the truth⌟. 2After all, the message that the angels brought was reliable, and every violation and act of disobedience was properly punished. 3So how will we escape punishment if we reject the important message, the message that God saved us? First, the Lord told this saving message. Then those who heard him confirmed that message.
Read all of Hebrews 2Hebrews 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 2:2After all, the message that the angels brought was reliable, and every violation and act of disobedience was properly punished.
- Hebrews 1:1In the past God spoke to our ancestors at many different times and in many different ways through the prophets.
- Hebrews 12:25Be careful that you do not refuse to listen when God speaks. Your ancestors didn’t escape when they refused to listen to God, who warned them on earth. We certainly won’t escape if we turn away from God, who warns us from heaven.
- Deuteronomy 4:9However, be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you don’t forget the things which you have seen with your own eyes. Don’t let them fade from your memory as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.
- Deuteronomy 32:46he said to them, “Pay attention to all these warnings I’ve given you today. Then you will command your children to faithfully obey every word of these teachings.
- Joshua 23:11Be very careful to love the Lord your God.
- 1 Chronicles 22:13Then you will succeed if you will carefully obey the laws and decrees the Lord commanded Moses to give to Israel. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or terrified.
- Psalms 119:9How can a young person keep his life pure? ⌞He can do it⌟ by holding on to your word.
- Proverbs 2:1My son, if you take my words ⌞to heart⌟ and treasure my commands within you,
- Proverbs 3:21My son, do not lose sight of these things. Use priceless wisdom and foresight.
- Proverbs 4:1Sons, listen to ⌞your⌟ father’s discipline, and pay attention in order to gain understanding.
- Proverbs 7:1My son, pay attention to my words. Treasure my commands that are within you.
- Luke 8:15The seeds that were planted on good ground are people who also hear the word. But they keep it in their good and honest hearts and produce what is good despite what life may bring.
- Luke 9:44“Listen carefully to what I say. The Son of Man will be betrayed and handed over to people.”
- Hebrews 12:5You have forgotten the encouraging words that God speaks to you as his children: “My child, pay attention when the Lord disciplines you. Don’t give up when he corrects you.
- Matthew 16:9Don’t you understand yet? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand and how many baskets you filled?
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
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries