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We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
Hebrews 2:1 · Berean Standard Bible
Parallel translations
  • WEB Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away.
  • KJV Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
  • NKJV Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.
  • NASB For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.
  • NLT So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

Because the Son is so great, we must pay closer attention to His message so we do not drift away. The first of Hebrews' solemn warnings urges careful attention to the gospel.

Overview

This 'therefore' draws a practical conclusion from chapter 1's exaltation of the Son: a greater revelation demands greater attentiveness. 'Drift away' pictures a boat carried off course by neglect rather than open rebellion. The author warns that spiritual carelessness, not just outright apostasy, can carry a person away from the salvation Christ has won.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 24

  • Luke 8:15But the seeds on good soil are those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop.
  • 2 Pet 1:12–13Therefore I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you now have.
  • Prov 7:1–2My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.
  • Prov 2:1–6My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you,
  • Deut 4:9Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.
  • Heb 1:1–2On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets.
  • 2 Pet 3:1Beloved, this is now my second letter to you. Both of them are reminders to stir you to wholesome thinking
  • 2 Pet 1:15And I will make every effort to ensure that after my departure, you will be able to recall these things at all times.
  • Josh 23:11–12Therefore watch yourselves carefully, that you love the LORD your God.
  • Prov 3:21My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment.
  • Prov 4:20–22My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
  • Prov 4:1–4Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
  • Ps 119:9How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.
  • Deut 32:46–47he said to them, “Take to heart all these words I testify among you today, so that you may command your children to carefully follow all the words of this law.
  • 1 Chr 22:13Then you will succeed, if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
  • Heb 12:5And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you.
  • Deut 4:23Be careful that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God that He made with you; do not make an idol for yourselves in the form of anything He has forbidden you.
  • Matt 16:9Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
  • Mark 8:18‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?’ And do you not remember?
  • Heb 2:2–4For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment,
  • Heb 12:25–26See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from heaven?
  • Hab 2:16You will be filled with shame instead of glory. You too must drink and expose your uncircumcision! The cup in the LORD’s right hand will come around to you, and utter disgrace will cover your glory.
  • Luke 9:44“Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.”
  • Hab 1:6For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans—that ruthless and impetuous nation which marches through the breadth of the earth to seize dwellings not their own.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (3)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Hebrews videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Hebrews 2:1YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on HebrewsMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

Hebrews is sustained worship of Christ: better than angels, Moses, and the priests; the great High Priest after Melchizedek who by one sacrifice perfects forever those he saves.

How Hebrews 2:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.