Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Quote

Craig Koester - Anchor Yale Bible Commentary: Hebrews

Warnings are not designed to rob people of hope, but to steer them away from danger in order to preserve them so that they might persevere and inherit what has been promised (cf.

6:12; 10:39).

Scripture

Outline

Hebrews 1:1-4 - God has Spoken

Hebrews 1:1-2a - God Spoke

Hebrews 1:1 - Through the Prophets

Hebrews 1:2a - Through His Son

Hebrews 1:2b - The Son Appointed

Hebrews 1:2c - The Son is Creator

Hebrews 1:3a - The Nature of the Son

Hebrews 1:3b - The Power of the Son

Hebrews 1:3c - The Work of the Son

Hebrews 1:3d-4 - The Position of the Son

Hebrews 1:5-14 - The Son’s is Superior to the Angels

Hebrews 1:5-9 - The Son - Appointed Heir

Hebrews 1:10 - The Son - Creator

Hebrews 1:11-12 - The Son - Divine Nature

Hebrews 1:13 - The Son - Messianic Position

Hebrews 1:14 - The Angels - Servants of the Elect

Hebrews 2:1-4 - A Warning

Hebrews 2:1a - Pay Attention

Hebrews 2:1b - Failure to Pay Attention

Hebrews 2:2-3a - Escaping Retribution

Hebrews 2:3b - Salvation Declared

Hebrews 2:4 - Signs, Wonders, Miracles, and Gifts

Purpose of Book

Christ, who has accomplished salvation through His atoning sacrifice, is greater than all things; therefore, persevere in true faith and encourage others to do likewise

Main Point

Since the Son is greater than the angels, do not neglect such a great salvation

Teaching Note

Warning Passages in Hebrews

APOSTASY (ἀπόστασις, apostasis, ἀποστασία, apostasia).

A public denial of a previously held religious belief and a distancing from the community that holds to it.

Hebrews 2:1-4

Hebrews 4:12-13

Hebrews 6:4-8

Hebrews 10:26-31

Hebrews 12:25-29

Hebrews 2:1a - Pay Attention

Hebrews 2:1 (ESV)

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard,

Therefore we must

Therefore - Since Jesus is superior to the angels

We - Not you, but we

Must - necessary

Pay much closer attention

Much closer - intensifies the warning

To what we have heard

The Gospel

the reference is to the gospel teachings [Blm, EBC, Hu, Lg, TH], the salvation message proclaimed (by God [Lg, Lns]) through the Lord Jesus [EGT, Hwt, ICC, Lg, Lns, My] (indirectly [NIGTC]) and his immediate followers [ICC, My], through the prophets and the New Testament messengers [Lns].

This does not exclude reading the OT [NIGTC].

Hebrews 2:1b - Failure to Pay Attention

Hebrews 2:1 (ESV)

Lest we drift away from it.

Lest we

Lest - purpose of why they must pay attention

Drift away

Nautical metaphor

The verb, the basic meaning of which is “flow beside,” appears twice in the LXX, meaning “flow” or “slip away.”

There may be a hint of a nautical metaphor,21 according to which the addressees ought not, as ships, slip by the goal of their voyage, the safe harbor of salvation.

From it

The Gospel

Hebrews 2:2-3a - Escaping Retribution

Hebrews 2:2–3 (ESV)

For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

For since the message declared by angels

For since

If-then construction - lesser (angels-law) to greater (Christ-salvation) argument

Declared by angels

The remainder of this section consists of a single lengthy period replete with alliteration and assonance.

The passage compares, in two unequal portions, the word brought by the angels and that brought by Jesus.

That the Torah26 was delivered by angels is not a datum provided by the biblical account (Exod 20:1*), where Yahweh deals with Moses directly.

The notion that angels accompanied Yahweh at Sinai is, however, common.

Jewish tradition eventually made these angels intermediaries in the delivery of the Torah,28 and this tradition was appropriated by early Christians.

Proved to be reliable,

Reliable - legally binding

③ pert.

to having validity over a period of time

And every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,

Transgression

act of deviating from an established boundary or norm, overstepping, transgression

Disobedience

refusal to listen and so be disobedient, unwillingness to hear, disobedience

Just Retribution

a just penalty

receive a just penalty

What was the just retribution for disobedience to the Mosiac Law?

Korah’s Rebellion/Israel’s Grumbling

Numbers 16

Israelites Grumble

Assyrian Exile

Israel - Northern 10 Tribes

First Deportation

733/32BC

Second Deportation

722/21 BC

Babylonian Exile