Hebrews 10:23

10:19-25 The apostle having closed the first part of the epistle, the doctrine is applied to practical purposes. As believers had an open way to the presence of God, it became them to use this privilege. The way and means by which Christians enjoy such privileges, is by the blood of Jesus, by the merit of that blood which he offered up as an atoning sacrifice. The agreement of infinite holiness with pardoning mercy, was not clearly understood till the human nature of Christ, the Son of God, was wounded and bruised for our sins. Our way to heaven is by a crucified Saviour; his death is to us the way of life, and to those who believe this, he will be precious. They must draw near to God; it would be contempt of Christ, still to keep at a distance. Their bodies were to be washed with pure water, alluding to the cleansings directed under the law: thus the use of water in baptism, was to remind Christians that their conduct should be pure and holy. While they derived comfort and grace from their reconciled Father to their own souls, they would adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things. Believers are to consider how they can be of service to each other, especially stirring up each other to the more vigorous and abundant exercise of love, and the practice of good works. The communion of saints is a great help and privilege, and a means of stedfastness and perseverance. We should observe the coming of times of trial, and be thereby quickened to greater diligence.

Profession of our faith (τὴν ὁμολογίαν τῆς ἐλπίδος) Rend. "confession of our hope." Faith does not appear among Ms. readings. It is an innovation of the translators. Hope is the rendering of Tyndale, Coverdale, the Great Bible, the Geneva, the Bishops', and Rheims. On confession see on 2 Corinthians 9:13, and comp. notes on 1 Timothy 6:12, 1 Timothy 6:13. The phrase confession of hope N.T.o. They are steadfastly to confess their hope in God's promise and salvation. Comp. Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 6:11, Hebrews 6:18; Hebrews 7:19. Hope is here equals the object of hope. Without wavering (ἀκλινῆ) N.T.o.

Hebrews 10:23-25 . Let us hold fast the profession of our faith — Or, rather, of our hope, as the most approved MSS., indeed all but one, read the clause. The apostle referred to that profession or confession of their hope of eternal life, which believers made at their baptism. For being God’s children, and heirs through faith in Christ, ( John 1:12 ; Galatians 3:26 ,) they had an undoubted right to hope for the heavenly inheritance: without wavering — Without giving way to any doubt or fear in a case where we have such certain and indubitable evidence; or unmoved by the threats of our persecutors. For he is faithful that promised — That is, all the promises of God shall be made good to us, if we continue steadfast. And let us consider one another — Let us reflect seriously on one another’s temptations, trials, infirmities, failings, and other circumstances attending us, that we may judge what influence we can have over one another for our mutual advantage: and especially to provoke and excite one another unto love to God, his people, and all mankind; and to good works — Of all kinds, the proper fruits of love.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together — For public or social worship; as the manner of some is — Either through fear of persecution, or from a vain imagination that they are above external ordinances; but exhorting one another — To constancy in the faith, zeal and diligence in all works of piety and virtue; and so much the more as ye see the day approaching — That awful day, in which we must appear before the tribunal of God, preceded by the day of death, which is drawing continually nearer, and will fix our character and condition for ever. As also that day of vengeance coming on the Jewish nation, which Christ hath described as so terrible an emblem of the day of final judgment, and the conflagration of the world. From what Christ had said concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and the dreadful calamities awaiting the Jews, as events that should happen during the lives of some who had been present with him about thirty years before the date of this epistle, these Hebrews might infer that these judgments were now near, and doubtless might see them approaching, by the appearing of those signs which our Lord had said should precede them.

Hebrews 10:23 . A second branch of the exhortation is given in the words κατέχωμεν τὴν ὁμολογίαν … “Let us hold fast and unbending the confession of our hope,” as in Hebrews 3:6 . Cf. also Hebrews 6:11 . For as yet in this life the fulness of blessing which comes of fellowship with God is not experienced, the perfected salvation and the heavenly country ( Hebrews 12:22-23 ) are yet to be reached. But these are the contents of the Christian hope, and this hope is confessed and maintained in presence of a commonplace, scoffing and alluring world. It is to be maintained for the best of all reasons: πιστὸς γὰρ ὁ ἐπαγγειλάμενος . The promises of God are necessarily the ground of hope, v . Hebrews 6:12 . These promises cannot fail, because God cannot lie, Hebrews 6:18 .

Hebrews 10:23 . Καὶ λελουμένοι , and being washed ) Single verbs and single participles cohere in Hebrews 10:22-24 ,[64] and the particle καὶ , and , divides the members of the sentence. But the order is, verb, participle; participle, verb; verb, participle, by Chiasmus.— τὸ σῶμα , the body ) The allusion is to the Levitical washings; and yet he does not say the flesh , but the body , by which the whole substance of the man is denoted by Synecdoche. The body also had been formerly polluted by sin, but it is washed, that it may be fitted, after the example of the holy body of Christ, Hebrews 10:10 , for an oblation: Romans 12:1 ; 1 Corinthians 6:13 ; 1 Corinthians 6:20 .— ὕδατι καθαρῷ , with pure water ) Ezekiel 36:25 ; John 19:34 ; 1 Corinthians 6:11 ; Titus 3:5 ; 1 John 5:6 .—[65] τὴν ὁμολογίαν , confession ) Confession was taken up at baptism, and ought to be retained [ held fast ]. [64] Beng. thus makes καὶ , in Hebrews 10:23 , join προσερχώμεθα and κατέχωμεν , not ἐῤῥαντισμένοι and λελουμένοι .—ED. [65] Καθαρῷ — τῆς ἐλπίδος , with clean—of hope ) In like manner cleansing is joined with hope, 1 John 3:3 .—V. g.

23 . the profession of our hope ] Rather, “the confession of our Hope.” Here we have the same trilogy of Christian graces as in St Paul—Faith ( Hebrews 10:22 ), Hope ( Hebrews 10:23 ), and Love ( Hebrews 10:24 ). without wavering ] “So that it do not bend.” It must be not only “secure” ( Hebrews 3:6 ; Hebrews 3:14 ), but not even liable to be shaken. for he is faithful that promised ] Hebrews 6:13 , Hebrews 11:11 , Hebrews 12:26 . The writer felt the necessity of insisting upon this point, because the sufferings of the Hebrew converts, and the long delay (as it seemed to them) of Christ’s return, had shaken their constancy.

(23) In this verse again we have the characteristic words of earlier exhortations: “hold fast” ( Hebrews 3:6 ; Hebrews 3:14 ); “profession,” or, rather, confession ( Hebrews 3:1 ; Hebrews 4:14 ). Of our faith.—This rendering, apparently found in no earlier English version, is supposed to be due to oversight on the part of our translators. The true reading is “of the hope” (Hebrews 6:11; Hebrews 6:18-19). The two following words must be joined with “confession,” “let us hold fast the confession of the (Christian) hope so that it waver not.” This hope “maketh not ashamed” (Romans 5:5), for the promise is sure.

23. (Heb 3:6, 14; 4:14.) profession—Greek, "confession." our faith—rather as Greek, "our hope"; which is indeed faith exercised as to the future inheritance. Hope rests on faith, and at the same time quickens faith, and is the ground of our bold confession (1Pe 3:15). Hope is similarly (Heb 10:22) connected with purification (1Jo 3:3). without wavering—without declension (Heb 3:14), "steadfast unto the end." he—God is faithful to His promises (Heb 6:17, 18; 11:11; 12:26, 28; 1Co 1:9; 10:13; 1Th 5:24; 2Th 3:3; see also Christ's promise, Joh 12:26); but man is too often unfaithful to his duties.

Verses 23-25. - Let us hold fast the confession ( ὁμολογίαν , see Hebrews 3:1 , and ref.; also Hebrews 4:14 ) of our hope without wavering ( ἀκλινῆ , agreeing with "confession"); for he is faithful that promised: and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. The readers, having been exhorted to confidence towards God, are further warned against remissness in confession before men, or in their duties within the Church towards each other. They had once, at their baptism, "confessed the good confession" ( τὴν καλὴν ὁμολογίαν , 1 Timothy 6:12 ). Let not the recurrence of Jewish prejudices, or either influence or persecution from their Jewish compatriots, or any delay of the Parousia , induce them to waver in maintaining it. Some among them did, it could not be denied, show signs of such wavering, notably in their remiss attendance at Christian worship; let the faithful give heed to keeping faith alive in themselves and others, and especially through the means of the regular Church assemblies.