Hebrews 2:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

Complete Jewish Bible:

while God also bore witness to it with various signs, wonders and miracles, and with gifts of the Ruach HaKodesh which he distributed as he chose.

Berean Standard Bible:

and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.

American Standard Version:

God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

God{G2316} also bearing them witness{G4901}, both{G5037} with signs{G4592} and{G2532} wonders{G5059}, and{G2532} with divers{G4164} miracles{G1411}, and{G2532} gifts{G3311} of the Holy{G40} Ghost{G4151}, according to{G2596} his own{G846} will{G2308}?

Cross-References (KJV):

Acts 14:3

  • Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

Mark 16:20

  • And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Ephesians 1:5

  • Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

1 Corinthians 12:4

  • Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:11

  • But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Romans 15:18

  • For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

Romans 15:19

  • Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

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Commentary for Hebrews 2:4

Hebrews 2:4 is part of a larger passage in the New Testament that addresses the supremacy of Christ and the reliability of the message of salvation that He brings. The verse itself emphasizes the divine validation of the message preached by the apostles and early Christians. During the historical context in which the Book of Hebrews was written—a time when the early church was facing persecution and the message of Christianity was being challenged—it was crucial for believers to understand that God Himself was confirming the truth of the Gospel.

The verse speaks to the theme of divine attestation through "signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost." This language reflects the early Christian experience where miraculous events and spiritual gifts were common and served as tangible evidence of God's power and presence. These supernatural occurrences were seen as God's way of bearing witness to the message of Jesus Christ, affirming its authenticity and authority.

In essence, Hebrews 2:4 is highlighting that God's involvement in the proclamation of the Gospel was not limited to words but was powerfully demonstrated through miraculous deeds and the operation of spiritual gifts. These were dispensed "according to his own will," indicating that the distribution and manifestation of these miracles and gifts were sovereignly determined by God, serving His purposes and reinforcing the message of salvation through Christ. The verse serves to bolster the faith of the recipients of the letter, assuring them that the message they had received was indeed from God and worthy of their trust and commitment, despite the challenges they faced.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: G2316
    There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θεός
    Transliteration: theós
    Pronunciation: theh'-os
    Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
  2. Strong's Number: G4901
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: συνεπιμαρτυρέω
    Transliteration: synepimartyréō
    Pronunciation: soon-ep-ee-mar-too-reh'-o
    Description: from σύν and ἐπιμαρτυρέω; to testify further jointly, i.e. unite in adding evidence:--also bear witness.
  3. Strong's Number: G5037
    There are 192 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τέ
    Transliteration:
    Pronunciation: teh
    Description: a primary particle (enclitic) of connection or addition; both or also (properly, as correlation of καί):--also, and, both, even, then, whether. Often used in composition, usually as the latter participle.
  4. Strong's Number: G4592
    There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σημεῖον
    Transliteration: sēmeîon
    Pronunciation: say-mi'-on
    Description: neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of σημαίνω; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally:--miracle, sign, token, wonder.
  5. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
  6. Strong's Number: G5059
    There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τέρας
    Transliteration: téras
    Pronunciation: ter'-as
    Description: of uncertain affinity; a prodigy or omen:--wonder.
  7. Strong's Number: G4164
    There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ποικίλος
    Transliteration: poikílos
    Pronunciation: poy-kee'-los
    Description: of uncertain derivation; motley, i.e. various in character:--divers, manifold.
  8. Strong's Number: G1411
    There are 116 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δύναμις
    Transliteration: dýnamis
    Pronunciation: doo'-nam-is
    Description: from δύναμαι; force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):--ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.
  9. Strong's Number: G3311
    There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μερισμός
    Transliteration: merismós
    Pronunciation: mer-is-mos'
    Description: from μερίζω; a separation or distribution:--dividing asunder, gift.
  10. Strong's Number: G40
    There are 1382 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἅγιος
    Transliteration: hágios
    Pronunciation: hag'-ee-os
    Description: from (an awful thing) (compare ἁγνός, θάλπω); sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):--(most) holy (one, thing), saint.
  11. Strong's Number: G4151
    There are 350 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πνεῦμα
    Transliteration: pneûma
    Pronunciation: pnyoo'-mah
    Description: from πνέω; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare ψυχή.
  12. Strong's Number: G2596
    There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κατά
    Transliteration: katá
    Pronunciation: kat-ah'
    Description: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from … to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), … by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
  13. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
  14. Strong's Number: G2308
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θέλησις
    Transliteration: thélēsis
    Pronunciation: thel'-ay-sis
    Description: from θέλω; determination (properly, the act), i.e. option:--will.