Hebrews 2:4

Hebrews 2:4

God also bearing them witness both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

a. NLT: And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

b. NIV: God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

c. YLT: God also bearing joint-witness both with signs and wonders, and manifold powers, and distributions of the Holy Spirit, according to His will.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: [Besides this evidence] it was also established and plainly endorsed by God, Who showed His approval of it by signs and wonders and various miraculous manifestations of [His] power and by imparting the gifts of the Holy Spirit [to the believers] according to His own will.

e. Worrell Translation: God testifying with them, both with signs and wonders and manifoldmiracles, and distributions of the Holy Spirit, according to His will.

f. Wuest Translation: God also bearing joint-testimony with them, both with attesting miracles and miracles of a startling, imposing, amazement-waking character, and with variegated miracles, and with distributions [of spiritual gifts] from the Holy Spirit according to His will.

1. “God also bearing them witness…”

a. God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

b. also bearing them witness [Strong: 4901 sunepimartureo soon-ep-ee-mar-too-reh'-o from 4862 and 1957; to testify further jointly, i.e. unite in adding evidence:--also bear witness.] [Zodhiates: sunepimartureo; sun-together with or at the same time; epimartureo-to testify or bear witness to). To bear 

further witness with someone.]

1). In Acts 14:3 Luke writes that the Lord, “gave testimony unto the word of his grace,…”

a). Gave testimony [Strong: 3140  martureo mar-too-reh'-o from 3144; to be a witness, i.e. testify (literally or figuratively):--charge, give (evidence), bear record, have (obtain, of) good (honest) report, be well reported of, testify, give (have) testimony, (be, bear, give, obtain) witness.]

b). How did God give testimony? He, “granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.”

c). The “word of his grace” is the same as “the word of this salvation” of Acts 13:26.

d). Act 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

(1) Part of our inheritance is “signs and wonders to be done” by our hands. But first, we need to allow the word of his grace to build us up.

2). In Mark 16:20 the Lord was, “working with them and confirming the word…”

a). Confirming [Strong: 950 bebaioo beb-ah-yo'-o from 949; to stabilitate (figuratively):--confirm, (e-)stablish.]

b). The Lord confirmed his word, “with signs following.”

2. “…both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles…”

a. both [Strong: 5037 te teh a primary particle (enclitic) of connection or addition; both or also (properly, as correlation of 2532):--also, and, both, even, then, whether. Often used in composition, usually as the latter participle.]

b. [with] signs [Strong: 4592 semeion say-mi'-on neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of 4591; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally:--miracle, sign, token, wonder.]

c. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee 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.]

d. wonders [Strong: 5059 teras ter'-as of uncertain affinity; a prodigy or omen:--wonder.]

e. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee 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.]

f. with divers [Strong: 4164 poikilos poy-kee'-los of uncertain derivation; motley, i.e. various in character:--divers, manifold.]

g. miracles [Strong: 1411 dunamis doo'-nam-is from 1410; 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.]

3. “…and gifts of the Holy Ghost…”

a. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee 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.]

b. gifts [Strong: 3311 merismos mer-is-mos' from 3307; a separation or distribution:--dividing asunder, gift.]

c. [of the] Holy [Strong: 40 hagios hag'-ee-os from hagos (an awful thing) (compare 53, 2282); sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):--(most) holy (one, thing), saint.]

d. Ghost [Strong: 4151 pneuma pnyoo'-mah from 4154; 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.]

1). We must remember that he is still speaking of this “great salvation”. The “signs and wonders”, and “divers miracles” and “gifts of the Holy Ghost” are all included in this “great salvation”. This is confirmed by looking at 1 Peter 1:10-12.

a). 1 Peter 1:10-12 “Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”

2). The whole book of Acts could be included in “the things which are now reported unto you”, but in particular Acts 15:12. “Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.”

3. “…according to his own will?”

a. according to [Strong: 2596 kata kat-ah' 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.]

b. his own [Strong: 846 autos ow-tos' from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) 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.]

c. will [Strong: 2308 thelesis thel'-ay-sis from 2309; determination (properly, the act), i.e. option:--will.] [Zodhiates: In Hebrews 2:4 thelesis means that God conceived and purposed all the miracles and brought them about even in their distribution through the Holy Spirit.]

1). His will is his word: Matthew 7:21-27.