Charles Johnson
Puritan Board Junior
Hebrews 2:3 clearly reads that "it was confirmed to us by those who heard", εβεβαιωθη. The word is in connection to v. 2, which says that the things revealed by angels were made firm, βέβαιος. The idea of confirmation is that something was once given and then confirmed or reaffirmed, which is what we see in v. 3, where it says Christ spoke these things and the apostles (those who heard) confirmed them. I see the idea of the verse as being akin to a document given by a witness and confirmed by a notary, where the authority of the apostles serves as public confirmation of the truth of the gospel. The idea of two or more witnesses testifying is present throughout Scripture, including quite prominently in the gospel of John. But if the second half of the verse, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, implies that those included in "to us" were not present for the initial delivery of the message, it is unclear to me why the first half of the verse, stating that the revelation was begun by Christ (and thus in need of confirmation) would not imply the contrary, that they did hear from Christ. Nothing is confirmed which was not first given. Ultimately I think the verse is more about the manner of delivery of the message of Scripture and its public authority than whether the speaker participated in that process (which he evidently did if Hebrews is contained in the bible).