Hebrews 2:4
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians facing pressure to abandon Christianity and return to Judaism (likely before 70 CE, as the temple worship is described in present tense). The community had received the gospel from those who heard Jesus directly (second-generation believers) and needed assurance about Christianity's divine origin and superiority to Judaism.
The apostolic generation witnessed extraordinary divine confirmation of the gospel—the Holy Spirit's dramatic descent at Pentecost (Acts 2), apostolic miracles (Acts 3-5), signs among the Hellenists (Acts 6-7, 8:4-8), and the Spirit's sovereign distribution of gifts (1 Corinthians 12-14). These miraculous attestations authenticated the gospel as God's new revelation, superior to Mosaic law. By the time of Hebrews' writing, this foundational confirmation was complete, though spiritual gifts continued.
The mention of divine witness 'according to His own will' would resonate with readers tempted to seek miraculous confirmation of their wavering faith. The author reminds them that God had already provided sufficient attestation through the apostolic witness; now faithfulness, not fresh miracles, is required. The gospel's divine authentication was historically accomplished and testified to by reliable witnesses.
Questions for Reflection
- How did miraculous signs and wonders function to authenticate apostolic testimony?
- What is the relationship between divine sovereignty ('according to His own will') and the distribution of spiritual gifts?
- Why does the author emphasize God's confirmation of the gospel message in this warning passage?
- How should believers today relate to the miraculous attestation of the gospel in the apostolic era?
- What does it mean to neglect 'so great salvation' that has been divinely authenticated?
Analysis & Commentary
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? This verse concludes the author's warning against neglecting salvation, emphasizing divine authentication of the gospel message. "God also bearing witness" (sunepimarturountos, συνεπιμαρτυροῦντος) uses a compound Greek verb meaning to testify together or confirm jointly—God Himself validated the apostolic testimony.
The fourfold description of divine attestation is comprehensive: "signs" (sēmeia, σημεῖα) are miraculous indicators pointing to divine truth; "wonders" (terata, τέρατα) are extraordinary events evoking awe; "various miracles" (poikilais dunamesin, ποικίλαις δυνάμεσιν) refers to diverse manifestations of supernatural power; "gifts of the Holy Spirit" (pneumatos hagiou merismoi, πνεύματος ἁγίου μερισμοί) denotes distributions or apportionments of spiritual gifts. This quartet echoes apostolic preaching (Acts 2:22, 2 Corinthians 12:12, Romans 15:19) and demonstrates the continuity between Jesus' earthly ministry and the apostolic witness.
"According to His own will" (kata tēn autou thelēsin, κατὰ τὴν αὐτοῦ θέλησιν) establishes divine sovereignty over miraculous gifts. God distributed these attestations purposefully to confirm the gospel, not according to human merit or demand. This reminds readers that signs serve revelation's authentication, not personal gratification.