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.
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)
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).
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.
Strong's Number: G5037 There are 192 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: τέ Transliteration: té 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.