“For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him” (Hebrews 2:2-3).
One source helps us identify the difference between a transgression and an act of disobedience as referenced in the passage quoted above…
“The former means to step across the line, in an overt sin of commission. The latter carries the idea of shutting one’s ears to God’s commands, thereby committing a sin of omission. Both are willful, serious, and require just judgment.” (1)
Since most of us are undoubtedly familiar with the term “disobedience,” we’ll take some time to further unpack the meaning behind the word “transgression” as mentioned here in Hebrews 2:2.
Although the word “transgression” is fairly uncommon in our modern-day world, it represents an important Biblical concept to know and understand. You see, this word refers to a deliberate or intentional act of wrongdoing. In other words, a transgression occurs whenever someone consciously, knowingly, or willfully commits an offense.
To put it another way, this word describes someone who deliberately and purposely acts in violation of an ordinance or law. One commentary offers a further definition of this word in the context of this passage…
“Transgressions (Gr parabasis) mean a step beyond a fixed limit into forbidden territory. It is a willful act of violating an explicit law, overstepping what is right into the realm of what is wrong. The law was added much later to make men conscious of the existence and the extent of sin (Rom 3:19; 5:20). The law was added to reveal sin, not remove it. To show men the need of righteousness, not to be a means of securing righteousness.” (2)
With these things in mind, we can say that the Old Testament Law is a benchmark that serves to identify moral and immoral behavior. That would include sins of omission (or those instances where we have failed to do what is right) as well as transgressions (those instances where we have knowingly, intentionally, or deliberately done something wrong).
Thus, the Law serves an important purpose- it exposes us to the inappropriate attitudes that exist within our lives. It also directs us to our need for a Savior who can help us overcome our inappropriate thoughts, attitudes, motivations, and behaviors to become people who honor God in those areas.
(1) MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Heb 2:2). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
(2) Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 2387). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.