Hebrews Chapter 3
1 Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession: Jesus,
2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, as also Moses was in all his house.
3 For he has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, because he who built the house has more honour than the house.
4 For every house is built by someone; but he who built all things is God.
5 Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterward to be spoken,
6 but Christ is faithful as a Son over his house. We are his house, if we hold fast our confidence and the glorying of our hope firm to the end.
7 Therefore, even as the Holy Spirit says, "Today if you will hear his voice,
8 don't harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, like as in the day of the trial in the wilderness,
9 where your fathers tested me and tried me, and saw my deeds for forty years.
10 Therefore I was displeased with that generation, and said, 'They always err in their heart, but they didn't know my ways.'
11 As I swore in my wrath, 'They will not enter into my rest.' "
12 Beware, brothers, lest perhaps there might be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God;
13 but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called "today", lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence firm to the end,
15 while it is said, "Today if you will hear his voice, don't harden your hearts, as in the rebellion."
16 For who, when they heard, rebelled? Wasn't it all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses?
17 With whom was he displeased forty years? Wasn't it with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?
18 To whom did he swear that they wouldn't enter into his rest, but to those who were disobedient?
19 We see that they weren't able to enter in because of unbelief.
Footnotes
- Verse 11
- Psalm 95:7-11
- Verse 15
- Psalm 95:7-8
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Hebrews Chapter 3 Guide
The argument now passed to the second claim of superiority, that over all human leaders. He is first seen as superior to Moses and Joshua. He is "the Apostle" completely fulfilling the function represented by the work of these two; He is also 'High Priest," thus realizing everything suggested in the position of Aaron.
The position of Moses was that of a servant in the house of God. His faithfulness was shown in that he made all things according to the pattern. The spiritual house of God consists of the "holy brethren" and the “partakers" of the divine calling, and over them Christ is the Head.
Then follows a second solemn exhortation and warning. The readers are reminded by another quotation from their Scriptures of what had happened in the wilderness. The heart was hardened by unbelief, and therefore they were shut out from rest. In view of this example these readers are warned against the peril of being "hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."
The argument of warning returned to the first illustration, and shows how many who came out of Egypt never entered the promised land. This was because they had sinned. The sin is described as disobedience, the disobedience of unbelief. If, then, because of unbelief in the servant Moses, men were excluded from rest, how much more will that be so in the case of those who are disobedient to the Son.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Hebrews Chapter 3 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The superior worth and dignity of Christ above Moses is shown. -- (1-6)
- The Hebrews are warned of the sin and danger of unbelief. -- (7-13)
- And of necessity of faith in Christ, and of stedfastly following him. -- (14-19)
Verses 1-6
Christ is to be considered as the Apostle of our profession, the Messenger sent by God to men, the great Revealer of that faith which we profess to hold, and of that hope which we profess to have. As Christ, the Messiah, anointed for the office both of Apostle and High Priest. As Jesus, our Saviour, our Healer, the great Physician of souls. Consider him thus. Consider what he is in himself, what he is to us, and what he will be to us hereafter and for ever. Close and serious thoughts of Christ bring us to know more of him. The Jews had a high opinion of the faithfulness of Moses, yet his faithfulness was but a type of Christ's. Christ was the Master of this house, of his church, his people, as well as their Maker. Moses was a faithful servant; Christ, as the eternal Son of God, is rightful Owner and Sovereign Ruler of the Church. There must not only be setting out well in the ways of Christ, but stedfastness and perseverance therein to the end. Every meditation on his person and his salvation, will suggest more wisdom, new motives to love, confidence, and obedience.
Verses 7-13
Days of temptation are often days of provocation. But to provoke God, when he is letting us see that we entirely depend and live upon him, is a provocation indeed. The hardening of the heart is the spring of all other sins. The sins of others, especially of our relations, should be warnings to us. All sin, especially sin committed by God's professing, privileged people, not only provokes God, but it grieves him. God is loth to destroy any in, or for their sin; he waits long to be gracious to them. But sin, long persisted in, will make God's wrath discover itself in destroying the impenitent; there is no resting under the wrath of God. "Take heed:" all who would get safe to heaven must look about them; if once we allow ourselves to distrust God, we may soon desert him. Let those that think they stand, take heed lest they fall. Since to-morrow is not ours, we must make the best improvement of this day. And there are none, even the strongest of the flock, who do not need help of other Christians. Neither are there any so low and despised, but the care of their standing in the faith, and of their safety, belongs to all. Sin has so many ways and colours, that we need more eyes than ours own. Sin appears fair, but is vile; it appears pleasant, but is destructive; it promises much, but performs nothing. The deceitfulness of sin hardens the soul; one sin allowed makes way for another; and every act of sin confirms the habit. Let every one beware of sin.
Verses 14-19
The saints' privilege is, they are made partakers of Christ, that is, of the Spirit, the nature, graces, righteousness, and life of Christ; they are interested in all Christ is, in all he has done, or will do. The same spirit with which Christians set out in the ways of God, they should maintain unto the end. Perseverance in faith is the best evidence of the sincerity of our faith. Hearing the word often is a means of salvation, yet, if not hearkened to, it will expose more to the Divine wrath. The happiness of being partakers of Christ and his complete salvation, and the fear of God's wrath and eternal misery, should stir us up to persevere in the life of obedient faith. Let us beware of trusting to outward privileges or professions, and pray to be numbered with the true believers who enter heaven, when all others fail because of unbelief. As our obedience follows according to the power of our faith, so our sins and want of care are according to the prevailing of unbelief in us.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.