Hebrews 2:3
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;
Original Language Analysis
πῶς
How
G4459
πῶς
How
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
1 of 19
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
τηλικαύτης
so great
G5082
τηλικαύτης
so great
Strong's:
G5082
Word #:
4 of 19
such as this, i.e., (in (figurative) magnitude) so vast
ἀρχὴν
at the first
G746
ἀρχὴν
at the first
Strong's:
G746
Word #:
8 of 19
(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
11 of 19
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
13 of 19
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ὑπὸ
by
G5259
ὑπὸ
by
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
14 of 19
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Hebrews 12:25See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:Romans 2:3And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?Hebrews 5:9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;Hebrews 1:2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;Hebrews 4:11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.Isaiah 62:11Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.Acts 4:12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.Luke 1:2Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;Ezekiel 17:15But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?Revelation 7:10And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
Historical Context
The warning assumes readers understand salvation's magnitude. In the context of potential apostasy back to Judaism, the author stresses that abandoning Christ means abandoning the only means of salvation.
Questions for Reflection
- Are there ways you treat the gospel casually rather than with the weight it deserves?
- How would you describe the greatness of your salvation to someone who has never heard?
Analysis & Commentary
The rhetorical question expects the answer: there is no escape. 'Neglect' (Greek 'amelesantes') implies not rejection but indifference or carelessness toward salvation. This is more dangerous than outright rejection because it appears less serious. 'So great salvation' encompasses deliverance from sin's penalty, power, and eventually presence—past, present, and future aspects of redemption.