Hebrews 2:2

KJV

For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} if {G1487} the word {G3056} spoken {G2980} by {G1223} angels {G32} was {G1096} stedfast {G949}, and {G2532} every {G3956} transgression {G3847} and {G2532} disobedience {G3876} received {G2983} a just {G1738} recompence of reward {G3405};

Complete Jewish Bible

For if the word God spoke through angels became binding, so that every violation and act of disobedience received its just deserts in full measure,

Berean Standard Bible

For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment,

American Standard Version

For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 2:2 establishes a foundational premise for the author's argument concerning the supremacy of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant over the Old. It asserts the unyielding authority and certain consequences of the Mosaic Law, which was mediated by angels, underscoring that every act of rebellion or neglect against it received a just and precise penalty. This verse serves to highlight God's unwavering justice and sets the stage for a powerful *a fortiori* argument regarding the even greater accountability for those who disregard the superior salvation brought by God's Son.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the author's overarching argument in the book of Hebrews, which aims to demonstrate the absolute superiority of Jesus Christ over all previous revelations and mediators, including angels. Hebrews 2:2 immediately follows the solemn warning in [Hebrews 2:1](/hebrews/2-1 "Hebrews 2:1 - Warning Against Drifting Away") against drifting away from the truth. By emphasizing the steadfastness and strict enforcement of the Law delivered by angels, the author prepares the reader for the profound rhetorical question in [Hebrews 2:3](/hebrews/2-3 "Hebrews 2:3 - The Greater Warning"), "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" The severity of the Old Covenant's enforcement serves as a crucial backdrop to highlight the even greater gravity of neglecting the New Covenant, which was inaugurated by the Son of God Himself, whose authority far surpasses that of angels, as argued in [Hebrews 1](/hebrews/1 "Hebrews 1 - Christ's Superiority to Angels").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The original audience of the book of Hebrews was primarily Jewish Christians who were familiar with and held deep reverence for the Mosaic Law and the role of angels in its mediation. Jewish tradition, as evidenced in passages like [Acts 7:53](/acts/7-53 "Acts 7:53 - The Law Received by Angels") and [Galatians 3:19](/galatians/3-19 "Galatians 3:19 - The Law Ordained by Angels"), taught that the Law was "ordained by angels" or "received by the disposition of angels" at Mount Sinai. This belief elevated the status of angels as divine messengers and mediators of God's will. For the author to effectively argue for Christ's supremacy, it was necessary to first acknowledge the revered status of the angelic mediation of the Law, and then to show that despite its divine origin and steadfastness, it was merely a prelude to the superior revelation and covenant brought by the Son.

* **Key Themes:** Hebrews 2:2 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book. Firstly, it underscores **the Authority and Steadfastness of the Old Covenant Law**, presenting it as unyielding and divinely sanctioned, even though mediated by angels. This sets a high bar for divine revelation and obedience. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Justice and the Inevitable Consequences of Disobedience**. The phrase "every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward" highlights God's righteous character, emphasizing that sin, whether active rebellion or passive neglect, does not go unpunished. This principle of divine retribution is foundational to understanding God's nature. Finally, and most importantly, this verse serves to **Lay the Groundwork for Christ's Superiority and the Greater Weight of the New Covenant**. By establishing the seriousness of the Law's enforcement, the author builds a compelling case: if violations of a covenant mediated by angels incurred certain judgment, how much more severe will be the consequences for those who reject the infinitely greater salvation offered through God's own Son, a theme that culminates in the warning of [Hebrews 10:28-29](/hebrews/10-28-29 "Hebrews 10:28-29 - Greater Punishment for Rejecting Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **stedfast (Greek, _bébaios'_):** From G949, meaning "firm," "sure," "unwavering," or "reliable." In this context, it emphasizes the immutability and certainty of the Law's provisions and the consequences attached to them. The Law given through angels was not arbitrary or negotiable; its decrees and penalties were fixed and dependable.
* **transgression (Greek, _parábasis'_):** From G3847, meaning "violation" or "stepping over." This term denotes an active, deliberate breaking of a known command or boundary. It refers to a conscious act of rebellion against the Law, where one crosses a line that God has clearly drawn.
* **recompence of reward (Greek, _misthapodosía'_):** From G3405, meaning "requital (good or bad)" or "payment of reward." While "reward" can imply something positive, in this context, especially when paired with "transgression and disobedience," it unequivocally refers to a deserved penalty or punishment for wrongdoing. It signifies the just consequence or retribution meted out for violations of the Law.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast":** This clause introduces the premise of the author's argument, referring to the Mosaic Law, which, according to Jewish tradition and other New Testament texts, was mediated through angelic beings at Mount Sinai. The term "stedfast" (βέβαιος, _bébaios_) underscores the Law's unyielding and reliable nature. It was not a temporary or arbitrary set of rules but a firm and established divine decree, carrying inherent authority and certainty in its provisions and the consequences for its violation.
* **"and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;":** This second clause elaborates on the consequence of violating the "stedfast" word. "Every transgression" (παράβασις, _parábasis_) refers to active, deliberate breaking of the Law, while "disobedience" (παρακοή, _parakoḗ_) implies a failure to hear or heed, leading to neglect or passive non-compliance. Both forms of sin, whether active rebellion or passive neglect, were met with a "just recompence of reward" (μισθαποδοσία, _misthapodosía_), signifying a deserved and righteous penalty. This highlights God's unwavering justice, ensuring that sin under the Old Covenant did not go unpunished.

#### Literary Devices
The author employs several literary devices to strengthen his argument in Hebrews 2:2. Primarily, there is a strong element of **Premise Setting**, where this verse lays down a universally accepted truth for his Jewish audience: the Law, despite its angelic mediation, was divinely firm and its penalties certain. This premise is crucial for the subsequent **Argumentum a Fortiori** (argument from the stronger to the weaker or lesser to greater), which is fully developed in [Hebrews 2:3](/hebrews/2-3 "Hebrews 2:3 - The Greater Warning"). The logic is: if the lesser (Law given by angels) had such severe consequences, how much more severe will be the consequences for neglecting the greater (salvation brought by the Son)? There is also a subtle **Contrast** implied between the mediation of angels and the ultimate mediation of Christ, which becomes explicit in later verses. The use of all-encompassing terms like "every transgression and disobedience" emphasizes the universality and inescapability of divine judgment under the Law, reinforcing the **Certainty** of God's justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 2:2 is a profound statement about God's immutable justice and the seriousness with which He regards His divine pronouncements. It underscores that God's character demands that sin be addressed, and that His revealed will, regardless of the mediator, carries intrinsic authority and consequence. This verse serves as a critical bridge, connecting the Old Covenant's revelation of God's righteousness and judgment to the New Covenant's even greater revelation of His grace and salvation through Christ. The certainty of judgment for Old Covenant violations magnifies the immense value and urgency of the "great salvation" offered in the New, highlighting that while God is merciful, He is also absolutely just and will not allow sin to go unpunished.

* [Deuteronomy 27:26](/deuteronomy/27-26 "Deuteronomy 27:26 - Curse for Disobedience")
* [Romans 2:2-3](/romans/2-2-3 "Romans 2:2-3 - God's Judgment on Sin")
* [Hebrews 10:28-29](/hebrews/10-28-29 "Hebrews 10:28-29 - Greater Punishment for Rejecting Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 2:2 offers a sobering reminder of the absolute seriousness with which God treats His word and our response to it. If the Law, delivered by angels, carried such unyielding consequences for every infraction, how much more profound should be our reverence and obedience to the revelation given through God's own Son? This verse calls us to move beyond a casual approach to divine truth, urging us to recognize that God's justice is not a negotiable concept but an inherent aspect of His holy character. It compels us to deeply appreciate the immense grace extended through Christ, who bore the "just recompence of reward" for our sins, thereby fulfilling the Law's demands and offering us a path to escape the very judgment that this verse describes. Our response to the gospel, therefore, should be one of urgent and grateful embrace, recognizing the unparalleled value of the salvation offered and the dire consequences of neglecting it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the "stedfast" nature of the Law delivered by angels deepen your appreciation for the grace offered in Christ?**
* **In what ways might we, in our modern context, be guilty of "transgression" (active rebellion) or "disobedience" (passive neglect) regarding God's revealed will today?**
* **What practical steps can you take to ensure you are not "drifting away" from the truth of God's word, as warned in the preceding verse ([Hebrews 2:1](/hebrews/2-1 "Hebrews 2:1 - Warning Against Drifting Away"))?**

### FAQ
**What does "the word spoken by angels was stedfast" mean, and how does it relate to the Law?**

Answer: "The word spoken by angels was stedfast" refers to the Mosaic Law, which, according to Jewish tradition and other biblical texts ([Acts 7:53](/acts/7-53 "Acts 7:53 - The Law Received by Angels"); [Galatians 3:19](/galatians/3-19 "Galatians 3:19 - The Law Ordained by Angels")), was mediated or delivered through angelic beings at Mount Sinai. The term "stedfast" (Greek: _bébaios_) emphasizes that this Law was firm, unchangeable, and absolutely reliable in its decrees and the consequences it prescribed. It was not a temporary or arbitrary set of rules but a divinely established and binding covenant. The author uses this established truth to build his argument: if a law delivered by angels was so unyielding, how much more serious are the consequences for neglecting the greater salvation brought by God's own Son.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 2:2, while describing the unyielding nature of the Old Covenant Law and its penalties, ultimately points to the profound necessity and glory of Christ. The "just recompence of reward" for "every transgression and disobedience" under the Law highlights humanity's inescapable condemnation and the utter impossibility of achieving righteousness through self-effort. This verse sets the stage for understanding Christ as the only one who could fully satisfy the Law's demands and bear its just penalty. He did not come to abolish the Law but to [fulfill it](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Christ Fulfills the Law"), perfectly obeying every command. More significantly, as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus became the ultimate "recompence of reward" for our sins, taking upon Himself the divine judgment that we deserved ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). His sacrifice inaugurates a [New Covenant](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant") that is superior precisely because it offers a perfect and final atonement, providing a path to salvation that the Old Covenant, with all its steadfastness, could only foreshadow. Thus, the very severity of the Law's consequences, as described in Hebrews 2:2, magnifies the boundless grace and complete sufficiency of Christ's work, urging us not to neglect such a [great salvation](/hebrews/2-3 "Hebrews 2:3 - The Greater Warning").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 7:53

Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept [it].

Galatians 3:19

¶ Wherefore then [serveth] the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; [and it was] ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

Hebrews 10:28

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

Deuteronomy 27:26

Cursed [be] he that confirmeth not [all] the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Jude 1:5

I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

Deuteronomy 4:3

Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you.

Deuteronomy 4:4

But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God [are] alive every one of you this day.