"For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty" Heb. 2:2
“For it” is a conditional conjunction, many translations render it
“since.” It is assumed to be true. “The speaker draws his audience to just such a
connection, basing his argument on what both speaker and audience already
embrace as true.”
The steadfastness of
the revelation by angels. “The word
spoken through angels proved unalterable” (2:2) is a statement of fact.
There is some question about what the angels
indicate in this text. There are two main views: (1) this view holds that the
Greek word translated angel means
messenger and refers to men, not spiritual beings.
Thus, the word relates to the Lord’s earthly ministry whose words were
recorded. There is some credit to this view in the text which refers to a
message that they heard (2:1). However, it seems to me not to be consistent
with the context of chapters 1-2 of Christ being better than the angels. (2) It
is more likely referring to the angels revealing the word of God. This is
especially true of the role they played in the giving of the Law (Exodus 19 cf.
Deut. 33:2, Acts 7:38). The text of verse 2 has a strong accumulation of
judicial jargon.
First, we have the word unalterable (bebaios) meaning firm, stable, sure, steadfast, or
established. Schlier says it indicates a legal valid confirmation that is
actual, effective and forceful
The word carries the idea of a legal guarantee. Second, is the phrase “every transgression and disobedience.”
The Greek word for transgression (parabasis) means a stepping by
the side, a transgression, and a violation of law. It is a legal term for
breaking the law. The word disobedience is the Greek word parokoe, found only three
times in the New Testament (Heb. 2:2, Rom. 5:19; 2 Cor. 10:6). It means a
deviation from obedience; disobedience. It is a deviation from the legal
standard. Third, is the result of transgression and disobedience is “a just penalty.” The word penalty (misthapodosia) means the discharge of wages, or getting what
is due. The penalty is described as just
(endios) indicating fair and
just. These terms and phrases confirm or reinforce the word spoken by the
angels at Sinai. It is the language of the Law which they delivered to Moses.
It was not just a religious document, but a legal one with its provisions of
blessings and judgments. It was steadfast legally. Newell gives an excellent
summary: “The
argument of the verse is: If the Law ordained through angels, who were
creatures, brought just recompense, how much rather when the Lord Himself comes
and speaks, and men rejected or neglect His word!”
No comments:
Post a Comment