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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS

CHAPTER THREE:
“PARTAKERS BY HOLDING FAST CONFIDENTLY”

Key Word: Confidence
Theme Verse: 14

Hebrews 3:1-6 – Partakers Consider a Faithful Priest

HE3:1 In response to the above, 87 holy “brothers” 88 – partakers of a heavenly calling 89 – thoughtfully consider Jesus, 90 the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. 91

87	In response to the above: [BAS] Or, KJV: wherefore; BER: so then. The connective links the priesthood of Christ with what follows.

88	Holy “brothers”: Or, BER: my brothers in holiness. It is possible this is an allusion back to Hebrews 2:11.

89

Partakers of a heavenly calling: [GDS] Or, MON: comrades of; RHM: partners in; WEY: sharers with others in; MOF participate in. The word “calling” often conveys another meaning to some. Compare the notes on Matthew 22:14. The invitation is from heaven, or God; or, the heavenly home is inferred. See notes on Romans 8:30. [1 Corinthians 1:9; Philippians 3:14] Compare notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:12, 2 Timothy 1:9 and 2 Peter 1:10.

90

Thoughtfully consider Jesus: Or, RHM: attentively consider; TCN: fix your attention; WMS: fix your thoughts; NOR: think carefully. For all the reasons Paul has already given, the Hebrews do well to pay close attention to Jesus Christ. He deserves the time it takes to make a close inspection and meditative study:

91

The Apostle and High Priest of our confession: [RHM] Or, KJV: of our profession; TCN: of our religion; WMS: whom we profess to follow. The word APOSTOLON [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #652] means one sent forth, or a representative. [John 3:17; 7:29] See notes on Hebrews 8:1 and Hebrews 9:15. An apostle is something of an angel or messenger. See notes on Revelation 2:1.

HE3:2 [Jesus] was faithful to the One who appointed him, 92 just as Moses was also [faithful] in relation to [God’s] entire House. 93 [Numbers 10:7]

92

[Jesus] was faithful to the One who appointed him: Or, KJV: who was faithful to him that appointed him; KNX: loyal; BAS: kept faith with God. [John 8:29; Revelation 3:14] From one perspective Jesus was loyal and trustworthy from the time he first emptied himself of his divine glory and remain obedient unto death. [Philippians 2:5-7] Note that Christ is paralleled with Moses and not with Yehowah.

93

Just as Moses was also [faithful] in relation to [God’s] entire House: Or, KJV: as also Moses was faithful in all his house; CON: household of God; MOF: in every department of God’s house; KNX: in all the management of God’s house. The word “House” is also a synonym for “temple” or “sanctuary” and here refers to the Tabernacle of Moses. [Deuteronomy 34:10] It is possible this is a strong allusion to Numbers 10:7. Paul compares Jesus to Moses who foretold a Prophet like himself. Deuteronomy 18:15.

HE3:3 For [he] has been reckoned more glorious than Moses, 94 because the Builder is more honorable than the House He built. 95

94

For [he] has been reckoned more glorious than Moses: This is a case of dangling participles in English. Most versions infer Jesus belongs in the brackets. [KJV; GDS] Others infer God. [CON] The phrase which follows would seem to mean God is the one under consideration. It is obvious that God is more glorious and it may not be obvious to Hebrews that Jesus is more glorious than Moses. Compare notes on Matthew 17:2. [2 Corinthians 3:9; Zechariah 6:12] Christ is “more glorious than Moses”. If Christ were God this would be obvious and it would absurd to say that God was more glorious than Moses.

95	Because the Builder is more honorable than the House He built: [KJV] Or, ALF: established the house; RHM: prepared; CON: founder of the household.

HE3:4 For every house has been constructed by someone, 96 but He who constructed the Universe is God. 97

96	Every house has been constructed by someone: Or, KJV: every house is builded by some man; WEY: every house has a builder. A simple principle based on design – some characterized by design has a Designer.

97

He who constructed the Universe is God: [WMS] Or, KJV: he that built all things is God; RHM: prepared; TCN: the founder of the universe is God. Paul does not include the Son in this affirmation despite Hebrews 1:2, 3. Though the Son was an agent or instrument in creation he was not the Source of Origin of the Universe. For Jesus confesses: “The Son can do nothing of himself.” [John 5:19, 30] If the reading be “all things” or “everything” then the Son was also “constructed” by God. [Proverbs 8:22; Colossians 1:15] The design of the Universe declares God’s handiwork. [Psalm 19:1; see notes on Romans 1:20]

HE3:5 Indeed, Moses was faithful regarding the entire House of [God] as a subordinate regarding a testimony of those things to be spoken in the future. 98

98

As a subordinate regarding a testimony of those things to be spoken in the future: Or, KJV: as a servant for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; MOF: attendant; NEB: servitor; TCN: whose duty was to bear testimony to the Message still to come; MOF: by way of witness to the coming revelation; BER: things that were to be announced. [Deuteronomy 3:24; 18:15, 18]

HE3:6 In contrast, Christ as a Son [was faithful] over [God’s] House. 99 We [“brothers”] are the House of that One 100 – but only if we continue steadfast 101 in our confident boasting regarding the Hope until a finish. 102

99	Christ as a Son [was faithful] over [God’s] House: [GDS; WMS] Or, KJV: Christ as a son over his own house; CON: over His own household; BEC: in charge of God’s family. The next phrase identifies God’s House.

100

We [“brothers”] are the House of that One: KJV: whose house we are; TCN: we are his House; CON: household; PME: members of this household. [1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:16; see notes on Ephesians 2:19; 1 Peter 2:5] The Church is compared to a temple, house, building, or household. The word “house” is often used as a synonym for temple.

101	But only if we continue steadfast: [MOF] Or, KJV: if we hold fast; TCN: retain. Membership in the House of God is conditional on faithful endurance to the end. See notes on Hebrews 6:11 and Hebrews 10:26ff.

102

Our confident boasting regarding the Hope until a finish: Or, KJV: confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end; ASV: boldness; RHM: freedom of speech and boast of the hope; TCN: courage and confidence inspired by hope; MON: the cheerful courage and pride of; BER: confident and sense of triumph; TCN: unshaken to the end; CON: firmly to the end; GDS: to the very end. Compare notes on Romans 5:2, Hebrews 6:11, and 1 John 2:28.

Hebrews 3:7-11 – Hard Hearts Do Not Enter God’s Rest

HE3:7 It was for these reasons the holy Pneuma says: 103 “Today if you should hear His Voice,

103	It was for these reasons the holy Pneuma says: [WEY] Or, KJV: wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith); WEY: warns us. Paul quotes Psalm 95:5-7, which was inspired by the holy Pneuma. See notes on Hebrews 4:12 and Hebrews 10:15. Compare the Biblical Article God’s Spirit and You.

HE3:8 do not harden your hearts as in that bitter time of the wilderness test, 104

104	In that bitter time of the wilderness test: The Hebrew Text at Psalm 95:5 is the name “Meribah” which means “bitter.” [Exodus 15:23]

HE3:9 during which your forefathers tested Me with a trial, though they had seen My works for forty years. HE3:10 Because of this I became disgusted with this generation; and, I said, ‘They always err in their hearts, ignorant of My ways.’ HE3:11 So I swore in My wrath, ‘They will never enter into my Rest.’” 105 [Psalm 95:7-11]

105	They will never enter into my Rest: Paul is to go on to stress the words “today” and “rest” in order to prove a Great Sabbath Rest of God. God swore – SWORE – that “Israel” in the wilderness would never enter His Rest.

Hebrews 3:12-15 – Beware Developing a Wicked Heart

HE3:12 Brothers, be on guard that at some time 106 a wicked and unbelieving heart never come to exist in you, 107 leading to apostasy from a Living God. 108

106	Be on guard that at some time: Or, KJV: take heed; TCN: be careful; WEY: see to it; BAS: take care; BER: look out. Paul draws a parallel that illustrates a warning that might befall any Christian.

107

A wicked and unbelieving heart never come to exist in you: [AMP] Or, KJV: in any of you an evil heart of unbelief; PME: that wickedness of heart which refuses to trust. This is the reason those Israelites did not enter God’s Rest. Any Christian is exposed to the danger of such a doubtful and hurtful heart might develop.

108

Leading to apostasy from a Living God: [MOF] Or, KJV: departing; TCN: separating himself; RHM: revolting from; PME: deserts the cause of; NEB: a deserter. The Greek is APOSTENAI [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #868] related to “apostasy” – a revolt against God. [Compare notes on Hebrews 12:15.] This may infer that Israel in the wilderness was generally apostate.

HE3:13 Rather, encourage one another every day 109 as long as we call it “Today.” [Do this] so that none of you ever become hardened by the seduction of sin. 110

109

Rather, encourage one another every day: [WEY] Or, KJV: exhort; MOF: admonish; BER: daily warning; PME: help one another; KNX: strengthen your own resolution. Paul shows this is a daily struggle to guard the heart as well as exhort associates in the Nazarene community. See notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

110	None of you ever become hardened by the seduction of sin: [KJV] Or, NEB: made stubborn; BER: delusion of sin; PME: delusive glamour of sin; GDS: the pleasantness of sin. Compare notes on 2 Thessalonians 2:10.

HE3:14 For in reality we only become partakers of the Christ 111 if we hold on to the fundamentals we had at the beginning 112 steadfast until the finish. 113

111	For in reality we only become partakers of the Christ: [MOF] Or, RHM partners; WMS: real sharers; MON: comrades; PME: continue to share in all that Christ has for us. Such partaking is conditional as Paul goes on to explain.

112

If we hold on to the fundamentals we had at the beginning: [BAS] Or, TCN: unshaken to the end, the confidence that we had at the first; BER: original assurance; BAS: keep the substance of the faith we had at the start. The Greek here for “fundamentals” is HYPO-STASEOS [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5287], sub-standing, sub-stance. On the words “grasp hard” compare: KJV: hold; TCN: retain; WEY: really hold; BER: maintain firmly; WMS: keep firm. On this matter of fundamentals compare the notes on Hebrews 6:1. Note a related Greek word at Hebrews 11:1. Salvation for the Christian is conditioned or qualified upon obedience to God.

113	Steadfast until the finish: [KJV] Or, TCN: unshaken; WEY: firm to the end; BER: maintain firmly; MON: first title deed firm unto the very end. Compare notes on Romans 11:22. [2 Corinthians 3:4; Revelation 2:10] See the Nazarene’s teachings and the notes on Matthew 24:13.

HE3:15 Just as it was said: “Today if you should hear His Voice, do not harden your hearts as in that bitter time.” [Psalm 95:7]

Hebrews 3:16-19 – Who Heard, Yet Provoked?

HE3:16 Who were they who heard and yet caused this bitterness? 114 Was it not all of those who went forth out of Egypt by means of Moses? 115

114

Who were they who heard and yet caused this bitterness: [RHM] Or, KJV: for some, when they heard, did provoke; WEY: for who were they that heard, and yet provoked God; PME: provoked indignation; RSV: heard and yet were rebellious. Paul asks a series of questions to emphasize who and why did not enter His Rest. [Exodus 17:2]

115

Was it not all of those who went forth out of Egypt by means of Moses: [CON] Or, KJV: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses; MOF: who left Egypt under the leadership of Moses. They were actually baptized or immersed into the headship or leadership of Moses. [Numbers 14:2, 4; 1 Corinthians 10:1, 2]

HE3:17 Who were those with whom Moses became disgusted for forty years? 116 Was it not those who sinned – whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 117

116

Who were those with whom Moses became disgusted for forty years: [WMS] Or, KJV: but with whom was he grieved forty years; ASV: displeased; RSV: provoked; MOF: exasperated; NOR: incensed; NEB: indignant. Some see God’s disgust, while others under Moses being provoked. [Numbers 14:11; Psalm 106:32] The Israelites drove Moses crazy so that he behaved rashly. [Ecclesiastes 7:7]

117	Whose corpses fell in the wilderness: [MOF] Or, KJV: carcasses; RHM: dead bodies; NEB: whose bodies lay where they fell in the desert. The image is one of bodies that lay strewn across the desert behind the moving encampment. [Numbers 14:22, 29; 1 Corinthians 10:5, 10; Jude 5]

HE3:18 Who were those to whom [God] swore that they would never in the future enter His Rest 118 if not those who were disobedient? 119

118	Who were those to whom [God] swore that they would never in the future enter His Rest: [GDS: KNX] Or, NEB: vow; BEC: that they would not come to his place of rest. [Deuteronomy 1:34; Psalm 106:26]

119	Those who were disobedient: [ASV] Or, KJV: believed not; RHM: obstinate; TCN: faithless; PME: refused to trust him. The reason for their rejected was disobedient faith. [Deuteronomy 1:35] Faith and obedient, or doubt and disobedience, are often associated.

HE3:19 Therefore, we realize that they were unable to enter [God’s Rest] because of unbelief. 120

120	Because of unbelief: [KJV] Or, TCN: want of faith; WEY: lack of faith. Paul note begins to introduce a major sub-theme – faith or conviction. See notes on Hebrews 4:6.

Review Questions on Chapter Three

Summary of Chapter Three

Paul contrasts Jesus and Moses and the Houses over which they were appointed. The Church is the House of God and membership is conditional on confident boasting in the hope. Paul uses the disobedience and lack of faith of the Israelites during the forty-year wilderness trek of those who did not enter God’s Rest. He warns Christians to be on guard that a wicked heart lacking faith never develop. Again he states partaking of the Christ is conditioned on confident endurance. Those who fell in the wilderness were disobedient and unbelieving Hebrews and failed to enter God’s Rest.