The preposition διά and the pronoun τοῦτο often translated “therefore” suggests that a conclusion is drawn from the fact of Christ’s superiority over angels. In essence, if the Mosaic Law which was mediated by angels required uncompromising obedience how much more the revelation brought by the Son of God (cf. 1:1, 2), confirmed by the original believers, and underscored by divine manifestations. “Since the purpose of this evidence is the validation that God has spoken definitively in Christ, unbelief and carelessness can only be regarded as the expression of an utterly incomprehensible hardness of heart (cf. 3:7–8, 12, 15: 4:7).”[1] The author wants to make it very clear that the person who neglects the message and work of Christ does so at great personal peril. The argument is summarized in the table below.
IF | THEN | |
REVELATION | Old Testament Law | New Testament Gospel |
REVELATOR | Angels | The Son |
RESPONSE | Disobedience | Neglect |
RESULTS | Just Punishment | [No] Escape |
REASONING | Lesser to Greater | |
[1] William L. Lane, Hebrews 1–8, Word Biblical Commentary, ed. Ralph P. Martin, vol. 47A (Dallas: Word Books, 1991), 40.
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