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The force of the full Name, which is an implicit Creed, will be obvious in each place.

The characteristic Pauline Name Christ Jesus does not occur in the Epistle (not 3:1).

6. The title the Son of God speaks for itself in the places where it is used: 6:6 ajnastaurou'nta" eJautoi'" to;n uiJo;n tou' qeou' . 7:3 ajfwmoiwmevno" tw'/ uiJw'/ tou' qeou' , not uiJw'/ qeou' . The Incarnate Son was the archetype of Melchizedek.

10:29 povsw/ ceivrono" ajxiwqhvsetai timwriva" oJ to;n uiJo;n tou' qeou' katapathvsa" .

7. The complete affirmation of the divine and human natures of our High-priest is found in the phrase which occurs once, Jesus, the Son of God:

4:14 e[conte" ajrciereva ... jIhsou'n to;n uiJo;n tou' qeou' . Compare also the descriptive titles: 2:10; 3:1; 12:2; 13:20. It may be noticed that the title swthvr does not occur in the Epistle, though swthriva is not uncommon. The idea which it expresses finds a special embodiment in Christ's priestly office.

Sometimes the Lord, though unnamed, is assumed as the subject of the teaching of the prophets: 2:14; 10:5 ff.; 37.

ii. The peril of neglecting the new revelation through the Son (Hebrews 2:1-4)

After establishing the superior dignity of the Son in comparison with that of angels, the writer of the Epistle pauses for a moment to enforce the practical consequences which follow from the truth before he sets forth the work of the Son for humanity. It is obvious that a revelation given through such a Mediator carries with it more solemn obligations on those who receive it and heavier penalties for neglect than a revelation made through angelic ministry.

Similar hortatory passages are introduced in the argument 3:7-19; 5:11 ff.

Contrast Gal. 1:6-9. The line of thought is direct and simple. There is always in men a tendency to forgetfulness of a past message under the influence of new forces. The authority of the message is a measure of the danger of such neglect (Heb. 2:1, 2); and the Gospel comes to us with the highest possible attestation in regard to its Author and its messengers (3), and the manifold witness of God by which it was confirmed (4).

1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard lest haply we drift away from them. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just requital; 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? which, having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard; 4 God bearing witness to it with them by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by various gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His will.

Heb. 2:1. dia; tou'to ] For this cause...Therefore ..., because of the superiority of the Son over the angels, through whom the Law was given.


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