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Selected Verse: Hebrews 2:2 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Heb 2:2 |
King James |
For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
(Compare Heb 2:3.) Argument a fortiori.
spoken by angels--the Mosaic law spoken by the ministration of angels (Deu 33:2; Psa 68:17; Act 7:53; Gal 3:19). When it is said, Exo 20:1, "God spake," it is meant He spake by angels as His mouthpiece, or at least angels repeating in unison with His voice the words of the Decalogue; whereas the Gospel was first spoken by the Lord alone.
was steadfast--Greek, "was made steadfast," or "confirmed": was enforced by penalties on those violating it.
transgression--by doing evil; literally, overstepping its bounds: a positive violation of it.
disobedience--by neglecting to do good: a negative violation of it.
recompense-- (Deu 32:35). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
For if the word spoken by angels - The revelation in the Old Testament. It was indeed given by Yahweh, but it was the common opinion of the Hebrews that it was by the ministry of angels; see Act 7:38, Act 7:53 notes, and Gal 3:19 note, where this point is fully considered. As Paul was discoursing here of the superiority of the Redeemer to the angels, it was to the point to refer to the fact that the Law had been given by the ministry of angels.
Was steadfast - Was firm - βέβαιος bebaios; settled - established. It was not vacillating and fluctuating. It determined what crime was, and it was firm in its punishment. It did not yield to circumstances; but if not obeyed in all respects, it denounced punishment. The idea here is not that everything was "fulfilled," but it is that the Law so given could not be violated with impunity. It was not safe to violate it, but it took notice of the slightest failure to yield perfect obedience to its demands.
And every transgression - Literally, "going beyond, passing by." It means every instance of "disregarding" the Law.
And disobedience. - Every instance of "not hearing" the Law - παρακοὴ parakoē - and hence, every instance of disobeying it. The word here stands opposite to "hearing" it, or attending to it - and the sense of the whole is, that the slightest infraction of the Law was sure to be punished. It made no provision for indulgence in sin; it demanded prompt, implicit, and entire obedience. "Received a just recompense of reward." Was strictly punished. Subjected to equal retribution. This was the character of the Law. It threatened punishment for each and every offence, and made no allowance for transgression in any form; compare Num 15:30-31. |
| The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
transgression/disobedience
Sin
(See Scofield) - (Rom 3:23). |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
The word spoken by angels (ὁ δι ἀγγέλλων λαληθεὶς λόγος)
The Mosaic legislation which was conveyed through the mediation of angels. Comp. Deu 33:2; Act 7:38, Act 7:53; Gal 3:19, on which see note. The agency of angels indicates the limitations of the legal dispensation; its character as a dispensation of the flesh. Hence its importance in this discussion. The abolition of the old limitations is the emancipation of man from subordination to the angels. The O.T. is made to furnish proof that such subordination is inconsistent with man's ultimate destiny to sovereignty over all creation.
Was steadfast (ἐγένετο βέβαιος)
Rend. proved sure: realized itself in the event as securely founded in the divine holiness, and eternal in its principles and obligations. Comp. Mat 5:18.
Transgression and disobedience (παράβασις καὶ παρακοὴ)
Παράβασις is a stepping over the line; the violation of a positive divine enactment. See on Rom 2:23. Παρακοὴ only in Paul and Hebrews, is a disobedience which results from neglecting to hear; from letting things drift by. It is noticeable how often in O.T. obedience is described as hearing, and disobedience as refusing to hear. See Exo 15:26; Exo 19:5, Exo 19:8; Exo 23:22; Jos 1:18; Isa 28:12; Isa 30:9; Jer 11:10; Jer 32:23; Jer 35:16. Comp. Act 7:57.
A just recompense of reward (ἔνδικον μισθατοδοσίαν)
Ἔνδικος just, only here and Rom 3:8. olxx, quite frequent in Class., but mainly in poetry. The meaning is substantially the same as δίκαιος as it appears in the familiar phrase δίκαιός εἰμιwith the infinitive: thus, δίκαιός εἰμι κολάζειν I am right to punish, that is, I have a right, etc., right or justice being regarded as working within a definite circle. Μισθαποδοσία recompense only in Hebrews. Comp. Heb 10:35; Heb 11:26. olxx, oClass., where the word is, μισθοδοσία. From μισθός wages and ἀποδιδόναι to pay off or discharge. The reference is, primarily, to the punishments suffered by the Israelites in the wilderness. Comp. Heb 3:16; Heb 10:28; Co1 10:5, Co1 10:6. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| In giving the law, God spoke by angels; but in proclaiming the gospel, by his Son. Steadfast - Firm and valid. Every transgression - Commission of sin. Every disobedience - Omission of duty. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
If the word spoken by angels - The law, (according to some), which was delivered by the mediation of angels, God frequently employing these to communicate his will to men. See Act 7:53; and Gal 3:19. But the apostle probably means those particular messages which God sent by angels, as in the case of Lot, Genesis 19:, and such like.
Was steadfast - Was so confirmed by the Divine authority, and so strict, that it would not tolerate any offense, but inflicted punishment on every act of transgression, every case in which the bounds laid down by the law, were passed over; and every act of disobedience in respect to the duties enjoined.
Received a just recompense - That kind and degree of punishment which the law prescribed for those who broke it. |
35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
1 And God spake all these words, saying,
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.
2 And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.
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;
30 But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
31 Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
16 Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me:
23 And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them:
10 They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.
9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
18 Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.
22 But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.
8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.
5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
2 And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.