Posted on Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 10:04 pm:

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quote:

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...At the center of this passage is v. 3, which has been most often translated as "How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?"

It is a question that implies inescapable consequences. However, it presents a rather confused concept of the gospel's announcement of salvation. In refering to salvation it describes it as "such a great salvation". On the other hand, it implies that we can escape this salvation if we neglect it. If understood in this manner, this salvation is really not all that great or powerful if indeed mere neglect will bring upon us inescapable punishments as sure and as certain as the revelation given by angels to Moses. If we can escape this salvation by mere neglect, then the "greatness" of this salvation is certainly diminished. It may be great, but easy to elude. This interpretation of the text has certainly presented difficulties for believers in the gospel...

Is there then a way of understanding this question in the light of the gospel? We must remember that Scripture is its own interpreter, and that all Scripture points to Christ and to the great love found in the gospel. That principle is also true here in Hebrews 2:2-4. This Scripture has its sense and meaning in the great revelation of the love of the Lord Jesus...

However, the precise and original meaning, confirmed by the context of v. 3 is "to deem less than", "to undervalue", "to depreciate" (to value something as of less value in comparison to something given greater value)...

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