Hebrews 3
“Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. 2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. 3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5 “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.
7 So, as the Holy Spirit says:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion,
during the time of testing in the wilderness,
9 where your ancestors tested and tried me,
though for forty years they saw what I did.
10 That is why I was angry with that generation;
I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray,
and they have not known my ways.’
11 So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. 15 As has just been said:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion.”16 Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? 19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.”
Hebrews 3 Meaning
Hebrews 3 discuss the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God. These verses emphasize the superiority of Jesus Christ over Moses, highlighting the need for believers to hold firm to their faith in Him. The verses also serve as a stern warning against unbelief, urging us to diligently follow and trust in God.
Hebrews 3 Commentary and Explanation
In Hebrews chapter 3, the writer continues to emphasize the superiority of Jesus Christ over all other figures in the Old Testament, particularly Moses. We see this theme woven throughout the book of Hebrews, as the writer encourages us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Verse 1: “Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.”
Here, the writer addresses us as “holy brothers and sisters,” highlighting the sanctified and privileged position we have as believers. We share in a “heavenly calling,” an eternal purpose that surpasses anything this world can offer. The writer urges us to fix our thoughts on Jesus, recognizing Him as our Apostle and High Priest. This designation echoes the importance of Christ’s role as our mediator, intercessor, and the one who brings us into God’s presence.
Verse 2: “He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house.”
This verse compares the faithfulness of Jesus to that of Moses. Moses was indeed faithful in leading the Israelites through the wilderness, but Jesus is presented as even more faithful because He is the Son of God, and His faithfulness extends to the entire household of God, which includes us as believers (Hebrews 3:6).
Verse 3: “Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.”
This comparison underscores the superiority of Jesus over Moses. While Moses played a vital role in God’s plan, Jesus is the very foundation and builder of God’s house, which is His church (Ephesians 2:19-22). Therefore, He deserves greater honor and reverence.
Verse 4: “For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.”
This verse reminds us of God’s sovereignty as the ultimate Creator and Builder of everything. It reinforces the idea that Jesus, as the Son of God, is intimately involved in God’s divine plan for salvation.
Verses 5-6: “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.”
These verses highlight the contrast between Moses and Christ’s roles. Moses served as a faithful servant in God’s house, while Jesus serves as the Son over God’s house. Moreover, it’s crucial to recognize that we are part of God’s house, the Church, as long as we continue to hold firmly to our confidence in Christ and the hope of our salvation (Hebrews 10:23).
Verse 7: “So, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you hear his voice,'”
Here, the writer introduces a quotation from Psalm 95:7-8. This psalm serves as a backdrop for the exhortation that follows.
Verses 8-11: “do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’ So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.'”
These verses point to the historical example of the Israelites in the wilderness, who rebelled against God despite witnessing His miraculous deeds. The writer warns us not to follow their example by hardening our hearts in unbelief. Instead, we should heed God’s voice and enter into His rest through faith in Christ (Matthew 11:28-30).
Verses 12-15: “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.”
These verses emphasize the importance of perseverance in faith. We are urged to watch out for sinful and unbelieving hearts that can lead us away from God. Instead, we should encourage one another daily, recognizing that our salvation is a continuing journey that requires steadfast faith until the end (Matthew 24:13).
Verses 16-19: “Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter because of their unbelief.”
The chapter concludes by reiterating the consequence of the Israelites’ unbelief in the wilderness—they were denied entry into the Promised Land. This serves as a sobering reminder to us that unbelief can lead to spiritual disobedience and separation from God’s rest.
In Hebrews 3, we are challenged to consider Jesus as our Apostle and High Priest, the foundation of God’s house. We must also learn from the past failures of the Israelites and guard against unbelief, encouraging one another in the faith as we journey toward the ultimate rest found in Christ.
Also Read: 1 Timothy 6:15-16 Meaning and Commentary
Context of Hebrews 3
The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish believers who were facing persecution and temptation to abandon their faith in Christ. The author seeks to affirm the superiority of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant over the old Mosaic Law. In this particular passage, the author draws comparisons between Jesus and Moses, urging the readers to hold firm to their faith in Christ and not return to the old ways of Judaism.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Hebrews 3
Hebrews 3:1-6: Jesus is described as the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, signifying His authority and intercession on our behalf. The author contrasts Jesus’ superiority over Moses, highlighting the importance of fixing our thoughts on Him.
Hebrews 3:7-11: The author warns against the dangers of unbelief and disobedience, using the example of the Israelites in the wilderness. Their rebellion prevented them from entering God’s rest, serving as a cautionary tale for us to not harden our hearts and follow the same path.
Hebrews 3:12-15: The writer encourages believers to actively care for and encourage one another daily, so that none may fall away from God. Vigilance is urged against the deceitfulness of sin, which can lead to a hardened heart.
Lessons From Hebrews 3
- We should fix our thoughts on Jesus and recognize His supremacy over all. He is not just a messenger, but the One who sent and continues to intercede on our behalf.
- Unbelief and disobedience have serious consequences. We must be mindful of our thoughts and actions, ensuring that we remain faithful and obedient to God’s Word.
- Active participation in the Christian community is crucial for spiritual growth and accountability. We are called to care for and encourage one another, strengthening our faith and guarding against falling away.
- We must remain vigilant against the deceitfulness of sin. It is easy to be swayed by worldly temptations and compromise our faith. Regular self-examination and reliance on God’s grace can help us guard against a hardened heart.
Final Thoughts
Hebrews 3 reminds us of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God, as demonstrated through Jesus Christ. The verses serve as a warning against unbelief and a call to actively care for and encourage one another in our faith. Let us fix our thoughts on Jesus and be vigilant against the deceitfulness of sin, so that we may confidently enter into God’s promised rest. May we be inspired to stand firm in our faith, recognizing the greatness and faithfulness of our Savior.