Hebrews 10 23

Hebrews 10:23 kjv

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Hebrews 10:23 nkjv

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 niv

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 esv

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 nlt

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Hebrews 10 verses

Hebrews 10 23 Meaning

Hebrews 10:23 exhorts believers to steadfastly maintain their public declaration of hope in Christ without deviation or doubt. The underlying assurance for such perseverance is anchored entirely in the immutable character of God, who, having made promises, is utterly trustworthy to fulfill them. This verse calls for a resolute spiritual and vocal commitment to the future blessings guaranteed by God’s finished work in Christ, understanding that God’s faithfulness undergirds every divine promise.

Hebrews 10 23 Context

Hebrews Chapter 10 functions as the concluding part of the author's intricate theological exposition on the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant, specifically contrasting Christ's singular, efficacious sacrifice with the repetitive and insufficient animal sacrifices of the Old Testament (Heb 9:11-10:18). Having established that Christ's once-for-all atonement provides full access to God, the chapter transitions into a practical exhortation (Heb 10:19-25) on how believers should respond to this glorious reality. This verse, Heb 10:23, is thus part of a trio of exhortations that form the practical application: drawing near to God with a true heart (v. 22), holding fast the confession of our hope (v. 23), and stirring one another to love and good works (v. 24). The recipients, likely Jewish Christians facing temptation to revert to the old ways amidst social pressure or persecution, are called to remain steadfast in their commitment to Christ, based on the unshakeable certainty of God's character and His promises.

Hebrews 10 23 Word analysis

• Let us hold fast:

  • κατέχω (katechō): A strong, active verb meaning to hold down, possess, or firmly retain. It implies resisting any attempt to take something away.
  • Significance: It's not passive acceptance, but an active, tenacious grip on what has been embraced. It's a call to perseverance.
  • Connection: Indicates a conscious decision and effort against drift or retreat, directly addressing the temptation facing the original readers.

• the confession/profession:

  • ὁμολογία (homologia): Public acknowledgment, a spoken agreement or declaration. More than a private belief, it implies an open affirmation.
  • Significance: Our faith in Christ and the hope it carries are meant to be openly declared, not kept hidden. It can refer to our initial confession of Christ and also a continued lifestyle of affirming Him.

• of our hope:

  • τῆς ἐλπίδος (tēs elpidos): Refers to "hope." In the New Testament, hope is not wishful thinking but a confident expectation and certainty regarding future divine promises and realities.
  • Significance: This hope encompasses the consummation of salvation, the resurrection, Christ's return, and eternal life in God's presence. It is the object of our steadfastness, unlike the Old Covenant's shadows.
  • Contrast: Many English translations render this "faith" (KJV, NKJV), but "hope" is more accurate to the Greek and provides a specific nuance: it's not merely belief, but the confident future certainty derived from that belief.

• without wavering:

  • ἀκλινῆ (aklinē): Literally, "not inclining," hence unbending, firm, steadfast, resolute.
  • Significance: Denotes mental, spiritual, and moral stability; free from vacillation, doubt, or deviation. It implies a steady course, unaffected by external pressures or internal uncertainty.
  • Implication: Rejection of apostasy or turning back, which was a real danger for the recipients.

• for he is faithful:

  • πιστός (pistos): Trustworthy, reliable, dependable, true. Attributes divine faithfulness to God Himself.
  • Significance: This clause provides the foundational reason for the preceding command. Our perseverance is not rooted in our strength but in God's unwavering character. He is true to Himself and His word.
  • Emphasis: God's faithfulness is the ultimate guarantor of His promises.

• that promised:

  • ὁ ἐπαγγειλάμενος (ho epangeilamenos): "The one who promised," an active participle emphasizing God's role as the divine Promiser.
  • Significance: Connects to the multitude of divine promises throughout salvation history (e.g., Abrahamic covenant, Davidic covenant, New Covenant) which find their "Yes" in Christ. The promises include access to God, future inheritance, rest, and His second coming.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope": This phrase combines a collective exhortation ("us") to actively cling to a publicly declared, future-oriented certainty rooted in Christ. It points to a communal responsibility to maintain and vocalize what Christians believe about their future with God.
• "without wavering": This amplifies the tenacity of "hold fast." It implies resistance to any influence that might cause instability or doubt in the mind, soul, or action of the believer, particularly in times of trial or apostasy. It demands steadfastness.
• "for he is faithful that promised": This vital clause provides the unbreakable assurance for the command. The reason believers can and must hold fast without wavering is the immutable, reliable character of God Himself. It shifts the foundation from human effort to divine nature, grounding Christian endurance in the trustworthiness of the One who initiated and guarantees the promise. Our hope is secure because God cannot lie or fail to fulfill what He has pledged.

Hebrews 10 23 Bonus section

The "confession of our hope" directly contrasts with the repetitive "confessions" (sins) and sacrifices of the Old Covenant which only provided a yearly reminder of sin, never complete remission (Heb 10:1-4). Our confession is a triumphant declaration of a once-for-all salvation and assured future. This verse forms a key part of the "practical trilogy" of exhortations in Hebrews 10:22-25: "Let us draw near," "Let us hold fast," and "Let us consider how to stir up one another." Each highlights a distinct but interconnected aspect of Christian living – personal approach to God, individual perseverance, and communal encouragement. The emphasis on God's faithfulness (Heb 10:23b) resonates throughout Scripture as the unshakeable foundation for every believer's walk, promising divine aid through all challenges.

Hebrews 10 23 Commentary

Hebrews 10:23 is a foundational verse for Christian perseverance. It’s a direct command to active, unwavering commitment to our hope, which is our confident expectation of God’s future promises through Christ. This isn't just internal belief but a public confession—a vocal declaration that acknowledges Christ's finished work and anticipates His future glory. The call to be "without wavering" speaks directly to the need for steadfastness against doubt, persecution, or the temptation to revert to old, ineffective ways of religion. The unparalleled certainty for such resolute living lies solely in the character of God. He is "faithful" and therefore utterly dependable to fulfill every "promise" He has made. This verse reminds us that Christian endurance is not built on our fluctuating emotions or strength, but on the immutable reliability of the God who pledges, and who, by His very nature, cannot fail. It assures us that our hope is not in vain, because its source, God Himself, is eternally true to His word.