2:2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty
Many people in the first century believed that the Law had been given through the intermediary of angels. However, Scripture makes it clear that it was actually given directly to Moses by YHWH. Therefore it seems unlikely that is what the writer is referring to here, since to do so would not be accurate or truthful. However, God did frequently speak to men through angels, and such communications normally received an immediate response, probably due to the awesome nature of the beings who delivered them. Look, for instance, at Joshua’s reaction (Josh 5:14) or that of Manoah and his wife (Judges 13). To the Hebrew mind, it was quite inconceivable that an angel would speak anything other than the truth, or that his words should be ignored. The message brought by angels was to be received and obeyed.
So, the writer reasons, if the message brought by those whom he has just demonstrated to be inferior to Christ was weighty and binding, then the message brought by Christ Himself should be even more so.
every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty
No-one doubted for a moment that, should they be foolish enough to ignore or disobey a message brought by angels, they would quickly find themselves on the receiving end of a suitable punishment. One had only to look at an angel, only to feel the weight of God’s presence that accompanied him, to know that these words were backed with both authority and power.
verse 3. how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation—which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard,
This is the first of the warnings in Hebrews, which become increasingly urgent as the book progresses. It might be that some, having seen Jesus in the flesh but not in the manifestation of His glory, did not consider Him to be particularly impressive, and therefore gave less weight to His words than they should. Yet, as the writer has already pointed out, they would have been quick to give obedience to a word brought by angels, and he has clearly demonstrated that Christ is far greater than any angel. How shall we escape? If judgment followed with certainty any transgression of the directions given by angels, surely a greater judgment awaits those who transgress against the teachings of Christ. Where would such a person go? Those who find it impossible to keep the Law (which is everybody) find the refuge of grace in Christ, but if we neglect grace, what is left? Is there any corner of the universe where such a person could hide?
so great a salvation
So great, because it is given freely from the hand of God to those who are totally incapable of earning or deserving it. So great, because to purchase it God the Son had to lay aside His glory and all the prerogatives of divinity, allow Himself to be confined within the limitations of a human body, live in a world putrid with sin and finally suffer injustice, mockery, beating and crucifixion at the the hands of people whom He had created. It has been said that the value of something is the price someone is prepared to pay for it. That being the case, and this being the price, the value of our salvation is inestimable. So great, because it covers every human being from Adam to the last man on earth. So great, because it deals with every sin from the most trivial peccadillo to the most horrific enormity. So great, because it brings us not only forgiveness but justification, restoration, adoption and sanctification. So great, because it brings freedom not only for man’s spirit, but for his emotions, his mind, his will, his body.
Do we stop to think of the greatness of our salvation? To consider the magnitude of its cost? To ponder the extent of its reach in our lives? Is it possible that, in neglecting to thus consider it, we are in danger of neglecting the salvation itself?
which at the first having been spoken through the Lord,
Again, the writer emphasizes Who it was that spoke. This message was not brought by prophets or angels, but by the Lord. Interestingly he does not call Him, Jesus, referring to the human man; nor Christ, referring to the Messiah, but Lord. This is the same One Who is seated at the right hand of the majesty in heaven. The emphasis is on His authority, and thus the authority of the words He spoke.
was confirmed to us by those who heard,
The apostles were not the originators of the message. They had received it from the Lord, and faithfully carried it to those to whom they ministered, but it was not their message.
verse 4. God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?
God gave ample evidence that the message brought by the apostles was indeed that which had been brought by Christ. The signs and wonders that accompanied the preaching of the Word could clearly have only come from God, and pointed to both the truth of the message and His approval of it being preached.
according to His own will
Just as the words of the apostles were not their own, there power was not from themselves. Whilst those who practice the occult may claim to have power from within themselves (although actually it comes from demonic sources), the servants of God recognized that their power and authority comes from Him, and its purpose is to vindicate His Word, not to glorify them.