Hebrews 2:1-4. The Danger of Drifting Away

The Superiority of Gospel Over Law

The author of Hebrews compares the gospel, as the message of Christ, to the Mosaic Law, as the testimony of angels.  Interestingly, the law's transmission is never attributed to angels in Exodus, but that is clearly the belief of Jews by the second century B.C., and it is clearly the belief of Paul and the author of Hebrews.  Accepting that angels had a role to play, this passage warns us that, if the law has severe penalties for its transgression, we should take the words of Jesus all the more seriously and heed the call of grace in the gospel.    My notes follow the video

Pew 2014 Religious Landscape Study

Hebrews 2:1-4

1. Cautionary notes are inserted five times in the midst of thematic blocks in Hebrews.  
1. Others: 3:7–4:13; 5:11–6:12; 10:19-39; 12:14-29
2. Always surrounded in same topic, not standing alone.
3. Here: Jesus is greater than the angels, so pay attention to his words!
2. Jews (including Paul and the author of Hebrews) believed that Angels were the agents of the delivery of the law.  
1. New Testament text:
1. Gal 3:19
2. Acts 7:53
2. LXX:
1. Psalm 68:17
2. Deut 33:2
3. No direct evidence of this in the Masoric OT manuscripts, but the NT authors did believe this, and so did their audience.
4. Josephus states in his antiquities that “the firmest authorities of our faith were delivered by angelic ambassadors”
5. The book of Jubilees, a second-century Hebrew text, states that all revelation from God is through the “Angel of his presence,” which is identified as the Angel of the Lord later in the text.
6. If Jesus, as “The Angel of the Lord” gave the law, then the analogy breaks down.
7. If The Angels delivered the law to Moses, then what does it mean that he saw God face to face? Or that the tablets were written by the finger of God?
1. Ex 31:18
2. Deut 9:10
8. Not only did the author of Hebrews believe this, but the Holy Spirit allowed it to serve as the basis for an argument in scripture, not as a passing detail.  
9. Somehow, it’s true!
3. Following the theme, then, that Jesus > Angles, his dispensation > theirs.
4. The law, given by angels, was
1. For all time, perfect tense: λαλέω laleō: spoken once and for all.
2. binding:  βέβαιος bebaios
3. Came with “just retribution” for not obeying it.
1. Deut 32:25
2. Transgression: παράβασις parabasis: stepping outside the line
3. Disobedience: παρακοή parakoē:not willing to hear it.  
5. The dispensation of Jesus is:
1. Focuses not on the retribution, but on the salvation.
2. A “great salvation” as opposed to the law.
1. Gal 3:24
2. Rom 8:1-3
3. Testified to by Jesus himself first (Luke 4:43; Mark 1:48)
1. “Declared” in perfect tense, as above.
2. 1 Cor 11:23
4. Then entrusted to faithful apostles, pastors, and teachers.
1. 1Jn 1: 1-3
2. John 1:14
3. 2 Tim 2:2
4. Author includes himself in one who heard from the Apostles.  Not Paul (1Cor 11: 23; 15:8)
5. God the Father also testifies to the greatness of the salvation worked by Christ:
1. Lit: “accompanied by the simultaneous testimony of God”
2. “Signs and wonders” common phrase [Ex 7:3; Deut 6:22; Deut 26:8; Neh 9:10; Psa 135:9; Jer 32:20-21; Dan 4:2; Dan 6:27; Mat 24:24; Mar 13:22; Jh 4:48; Acts 4:30; 5:12; 14:3; 15:12; Rom 15:19; 2 Cor 12:12; 2Th 2:9]
3. “Diverse Powers” seen as a summary of all the gifts of power at work in the early church and the lives of the apostles. (1Cor 12;28)
4. “Distributions of the Holy Spirit”
1. Does not use “gifts,” Charisma.  Instead focuses on the giving of the Holy Spirit to all believers in their measure.
2. Jesus received the Holy Spirit without measure (John 3:34)
3. We, believers in Christ, receive the Holy Spirit according to the measured will of God and the measure of our faith (Rom 12:3, 6; 1Cor 12:4-11)
4. The only other place in scripture where “diverse powers” are combined with “signs and wonders” in the NT is 2Th 2:9, where the complete list is seen as evidence of apostolic authority.  
6. Warning Passage #1:
1. Vs 2-4 are one sentence, the main phrase of which is “How will we escape?”
2. We will not escape judgment if we ignore this gospel.  
3. To whom is it written?  The unconverted.  Those who are saved have not ignored the gospel.
4. The unconverted Hebrew, attending a Christian church out of curiosity, were torn between the new freedom of the gospel and the familiar traditions and experiences of the Levitical system.
5. This particular passage is not about falling away, but about letting the gospel pass by you while you remain unaffected.
6. “Lest we drift away” in the English implies that it is the listener who has moved, but the greek παραρρέω (only time in the NT) more often implies that something has drifted by a stationary observer, as in a river.
1. lest the salvation which these things heard show us how to obtain, slip away from us
2. “Slipped my mind.”
3. “Got away from me.”
4. “Left me behind.”
7. The warning is that the church age is happening.  The gospel is available, but the times are changing!  Don’t let this pass you by.  Don’t let it leave you unchanged.
7. Have you responded? <Gospel Presentation>
8. Are there people in your life whom you love but are letting the river of grace pass by them without a clear appeal for a decision on Christ?
   
   
   

   10 Reasons why youth leave the church.

Hebrews 1:5-14

Hebrews 1:5-14

In the second session of our study of Hebrews, the preacher of Hebrews is building a case for Jesus being superior to the Angels.  He quotes from several OT passages is demonstrating that the second person of the Trinity, the Eternal Word, has always been and will always be, God.  My notes follow the video

Hebrews 1:5-14

1. Thesis of this section: Jesus is better than the angels.
2. Why does this matter (David Guzik’s study guide to Hebrews)?
1. Because we often best understand things when they are set in contrast to other things.
2. Because the Old Covenant came by the hands of angels to Moses, but a better covenant came by a better being, Jesus. It might have been easy for first century Jews to dismiss the gospel thinking it came at the hands of mere men - the apostles. But here we see the Divine (superior to angelic) coming of the gospel.
3. Because there was a dangerous tendency to worship angels developing in the early Church (Colossians 2:18, Galatians 1:8), and Hebrews shows that Jesus is high above any angel.
4. Because there was the heretical idea that Jesus Himself was an angel, a concept which degrades His glory and majesty.
5. Because understanding how Jesus is better than the angels helps us to understand how He is better than any of the "competitors" to Him in our lives.
3. Vs. 5 “You are my son.  Today I have begotten you.”
1. Ps. 2:7
2. Not origin.  The son was already living to have heard the phrase from the Father.  
3. One possibility.  Some event marked the beginning of the “Father-Son” relationship.
1. Incarnation? Phil 2:6-8; John 5:19
2. Baptism? Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22; Matt 3:17
3. Resurrection? Romans 1:4
4. Another: The context in Psalm 2 is the eternal decree of God centering around the triumph Messiah in Rev 19, and the language that seems temporal is figurative.  Jesus is eternally in a father-son relationship that has always meant submission of his will and equality of his character.
1. “Only Begotten” G. Monogenes, One of a kind.  Unique.
2. Always used an illustration of equality of substance with God the Father
1. John 1:14,18
2. John 3:16, 18
3. Hebrews 11:17
3. In God’s creation, something is always begotten “after its kind,”
1. Gen 1
2. Jesus, begotten of the Father, is of the same kind as the Father. That’s the point.
4. VS 5. I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a son
1. 2 Sam 7:16.  Davidic covenant
2. One level of interpretation is that it applies to Solomon, but Solomon does not fulfill the all of the passage.
3. Christ alone is the final fulfillment of Messianic Kingship.
5. Vs. 6
1. “Again” modifies “brings,” not an introduction as in vs 5.
1. “And when he again brings the firstborn into the world”
2. Messianic Kingdom is in view here. Eschatological.
2. “Firstborn” again, does not talk about origin.
1. Positional title. One who will inherit
2. Gen 43:3; E. 4:22;
3. Some people not born first are given the title as a position (David in Ps 89:27; Ephriam in Jer 31:9.
4. God himself is called by the rabbis “Firstborn of the World” in that he has rights to all things.
5. Jesus is uncreated (John 1:1; Col 1:15)
3. “World” is “inhabited earth,” not kosmos or even gar.
1. Used most frequently of the roman empire.
2. The renewed Roman empire of antichrist will be invaded by Messiah, and in that invasion, he will be worshiped.
3. Rev 19:1-10
4. Let all God’s angels worship him
1. Not a direct quote from the manuscripts which make up any modern version.
2. Quoted from the LXX in Ps 97:7 and Deut 32:43.  The Septuagint was scripture to the author of Hebrews.
6. Vs 7: Of angels..
1. Quote from Psalm 104:4
2. Transient nature of angels believed by Jews.  Sent in whatever form is necessary for their assignment.
3. Wind=spirit.  Here, “Wind” is better, Of course they are spirits.
4. Flames of fire:
1. With Manoa (Judges 13)
2. Seraphim=flaming ones.
7. Vs 8: of the Son…
1. Quote is of Ps 45:6-7.
2. One of a few places where the Father calls the Son “God.” If He does, why shouldn't we?
3. Also of Messianic importance.  Kingdom of Jesus on earth in Millennium.
4. Uprightness, holiness in contrast to lawlessness.
5. Anointing in general, and the oil of gladness in particular, represent the Holy Spirit.  Trinity present in this picture.
6. Preposition should be “with your companions,” not “beyond.”
1. Supremacy of Jesus is well-demonstrated, but this is speaking of his communion with all the saints.  
2. The H.S. is poured out on him and also on us, members of His Kingdom.
8. Vs 10-12:
1. Creation and eschatone bookends to the power and activity of Jesus.
2. 2nd law of thermodynamics present in these verses.  All the verbs for degredation are ongoing present participles.  
1. perish→ are being destroyed
2. are wearing out
3. The universe is running down and needs to be replaced with an eternal version. (Rev 21-22)
3. Jesus is eternal, in juxtaposition to a universe that is running down.
1. But you are! the same
2. your years will have no fading out or growing dim. Similar sense as to what the universe does, but God (Jesus) will not.
9. Vs 13
1. Psalm 110:1
2. He has never elevated an angel to co-regent. Nor can any other being share his throne.
3. Sit out of my right [hand].  Jesus and the Father are of the same substance. His place of honor is because he is one with the Father.
4. Not “beside him”
1. Deut 4:35-39
2. Deut6:4
3. Deut 32:39
4. 2 Sam 7:22
5. 1 Chor 17:20
6. Isa 43:10-11
7. Isa 44:6-8
8. Isa 45:21
5. All of Christ’s enemies will be destroyed 1Cor 15:24-28
6. Then, Jesus will give the universe back to the Father, restored.  
7. Then, the end will come.
10. Vs 14:
1. Service is so emphasized in the Greek, “For are they not all spirits in holy service, being sent out in service of those who are inheriting salvation?”
2. They are active in the work of the kingdom on behalf of the saints.

Hebrews: introduction and 1:1-4

I begin a study of the book of Hebrews with our home Bible study group.  Sorry about the bad camera placement.  We'll do better next time.

This study discusses author, theme, setting, and literary introduction to the book as well as an exposition of verses 1-4.  The text focuses on the greatness of Jesus as creator, sustainer, and redeemer as well as his high position vis-a-vis the angels.

My notes are below.

Hebrews Intro; 1:1-4

• Intro
• Author: nobody knows
• Knew Timothy (13:23)
• Was in prison with him (13:18-19)
• Was not an eyewitness of Jesus (2:1)
• Male pronouns
• From Italy (13:24)
• Written with Jewish assumptions to a Jewish audience. 
• Never wrestles with the gentile question
• Did not plant the church to which he is writing. 
• Clement or Apollos
• Clement quotes it extensively in his epistle to Corinth
• Similar literary themes as Clement’s epistle 
• Higher greek than Paul or Luke, some think Apollos, since his background was rhetoric and language. 
• Timing
• Written before AD 70, since the temple services are still happening. 
• Late enough that a (presumably Pauline) church has gone sideways and needs to be corrected.  
• AD 60-70?
• Literary Genre: Sermon with a small letter appended at the end. 
• Themes: 
• Jesus is greater, bigger, better, and more than anything!
• Than angels: 1:4-2:18
• Than moses: 3:1-6
• Than the Aaronic priesthood: 4:14-
• Than the Mosaic covenant: 8:1
• Than the temple 9:1-10
• Than the temple sacrifice: 9:11-10:18
• The “times” are changing. 
• Jewish, three dispensations
• Days of the Fathers 
• These days
• The Last days
• In Christ, the last days have begun.  
• Judgment is coming!  
• The levitical system and the cannon are closed. 
• It is needful to persevere in the last days and not lose faith (Ch 10:19-12:29)
• Hebrews 1:1-4
• Very high prose. Alliteration and rhyme throughout
• First three words: Polumeros kai polutropos palou. In diverse times and diverse ways long ago. 
• All one sentence
• Reminiscent of Biblical, extra-biblical, and apocryphal textual descriptions of “Wisdom” personified. (Wisdom of Solomon 7:22-30; Proverbs 8).  
• Wisdom, Sophia, is personified in the feminine. 
• Not the same as Jesus, not a real person. 
• Taken by Gnostics as an actual deity. Danger! 
• All themes present in this paragraph: 
• Jesus is greater (vs 4)
• The times are changing (vs 1)
• Persevere, as Christ did (vs 3)
• Four contrasts in this paragraph “times changing”
• “Long Ago” Vs “These Last Days”
• Many Times & Many Ways Vs By His Son- one way, one time
• By prophets  Vs By His Son
• To our Fathers Vs To us
• With the revelation of Jesus, the cannon is complete
• “Since God has spoken finally and fully in the Son, and since the NT fully reports and interprets this supreme revelation once the NT is written, the canon of Scripture is complete. No new books are needed to explain what God has done through his Son.” --ESV study notes  
• Deut 4:2; Deut 13:1-10
• Proverbs 30:5-6
• Matthew 24:24
• Rev 22:18-19
• 1 Cor 13:8-13?
• Jesus is the Heir of all things and the agent by which they were created. 
• He will inherit that which He made, that which was taken from him through our disobedience, that which he ransomed from the god of this world through His victory on the cross, that that which He is in the process of restoring through the church age, and which He will, at the end of all things, present to His father redeemed, restored, and once again “very good.” 
• By whom the worlds were created. Preposition Dia implies secondary causation. The Father created through the Son. 
• Created the “worlds,” aion, aeon. 
• Always has to do with time. 
• Not eternity. Plural
• “The ages,” the 3 Hebrew dispensations
• All the ages which make up the sum total of history→ reality→ The worlds. 
• Ἀιών, transliterated aeon, is a period of time of longer or shorter duration, having a beginning and an end, and complete in itself. Aristotle (περὶ οὐρανοῦ, 1:9, 12) says: “The period which includes the whole time of each one’s life is called the aeon of each one.” Hence it often means the life of a man, as in Homer, where one’s life (αἰών) is said to leave him or to consume away (Il. v. 685; Od. v. 160). It is not, however, limited to human life; it signifies any period in the course of events, as the period or age before Christ; the period of the millennium; the mythological period before the beginnings of history. The word has not “a stationary and mechanical value” (De Quincey). It does not mean a period of a fixed length for all cases. There are as many aeons as entities, the respective durations of which are fixed by the normal conditions of the several entities. There is one aeon of a human life, another of the life of a nation, another of a crow’s life, another of an oak’s life. The length of the aeon depends on the subject to which it is attached.
• It is sometimes translated world; world representing a period or a series of periods of time. See Matt. 12:32; 13:40, 49; L. 1:70; 1 Cor. 1:20; 2:6; Eph. 1:21. Similarly οἱ αἰῶνες the worlds, the universe, the aggregate of the ages or periods, and their contents which are included in the duration of the world. 1 Cor. 2:7; 10:11; Heb. 1:2; 9:26; 11:3.
• The point is that not only is Jesus responsible for the physical universe (implied in the next verse) but also for the overarching progression of history according to His will and plan. 
• He continues to uphold everything by the word of his power.
• “Bears up under. “Atlas”
• John 1:3, 10
• Col 1:16 
• He continues the existence of the physical universe moment-to-moment. Crucifiction. Wow. 
• Jesus’ unity of substance with the Father is on display, as it is in the other reference to his creative power. 
• John 1:1, Col 1:15
• The exact imprint, Xarakter. Similar to ikon in Col 1, but this term focuses on the internal aspect of one’s personhood, while ikon focuses on appearance. 
• Jesus’ act of redemption is seen as something through which he persevered as an exercise of His glory and greatness.  
• Surrounded by statements of glory and power, 
• No statement of shame or humiliation, as in Pauline letters. 
• Glory→ Victory→ Exaltedness 
• Seated at the right hand of God and greater than the angels
• cf: 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; Mark 14:62; Acts 2:33; Rom 8:34; Eph 1:20; 1 Pet 3:22
• Seated, complete work. The levitical period and work of redemption are over. 
• ongoing verb. Is still seated. Not wrestling over this anymore. 
• Majesty on High, Mega- powerful exaltedness
• The name he once-and-for-all inherited, Son, is far superior to anything that the angels are ever called. Evidence to follow. 
• Much fascination with Angels among the Jews, and some worship of them going on. 
• One of the aspects of Gnosticism
• Exodus 20:4-5
• Col 2:18
• Gal 1:8-9
• Rev 19:10
• Rev 22:8-9