How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

HEBREWS 2:3KJV
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Hebrews 2:3 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 2:3 mean?

Hebrews 2:3 warns that there is no way to avoid consequences if people ignore the salvation offered by God, a salvation first announced by Jesus and then confirmed by those who heard Him speak. The verse stresses the seriousness of neglecting such a great gift, especially since it was directly delivered and affirmed by trustworthy witnesses.

The writer of Hebrews is addressing Jewish Christians who may be tempted to drift away from their faith or take it lightly. The verse highlights that the message of salvation did not come secondhand but was first spoken by the Lord (Jesus) Himself and then passed on by eyewitnesses. This sets up a strong argument for paying close attention to what has been revealed, as it comes with both authority and confirmation.

The Greek behind Hebrews 2:3

  • "Neglect" (ἀμελέω, ameleō): This Greek word means to be careless or to pay no attention. The warning is not just about outright rejection but even about indifference or failing to value what has been offered.
  • "Great" (τηλικοῦτος, tēlikoutos): The word emphasizes the extraordinary size or importance of the salvation being discussed. The writer is drawing attention to just how significant this salvation is.
  • "Confirmed" (βεβαιόω, bebaioō): This word means to make firm or establish. The message was not just spoken but was made certain and reliable by those who actually heard Jesus, underlining its trustworthiness.

Why Hebrews 2:3 matters

  • Hebrews 2:3 clarifies that ignoring salvation is not a minor issue; it is presented as a serious and dangerous neglect, not just a passive mistake.
  • The verse connects the message of Jesus directly to the testimony of eyewitnesses, showing that the Christian message is rooted in real, historical events and people.
  • This verse helps explain why the following passages in Hebrews focus so much on listening carefully and holding firmly to what has been revealed, setting the tone for the rest of the letter.

Where else these words appear

“great” Greek G5082 · used in 4 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
  • James 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
  • Revelation 16:18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

“neglect” Greek G272 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 22:5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
  • 1 Timothy 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
  • Hebrews 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

“escape” Greek G1628 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
  • Acts 19:16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

“confirmed” Greek G950 · used in 8 verses

  • Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
  • 2 Corinthians 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;