Hebrews 10 24

Hebrews 10:24 kjv

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Hebrews 10:24 nkjv

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

Hebrews 10:24 niv

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,

Hebrews 10:24 esv

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

Hebrews 10:24 nlt

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

Hebrews 10 verses

Hebrews 10 24 Meaning

This verse is a call for believers to intentionally and thoughtfully focus on how they can motivate and inspire one another within the community towards deeper love and active demonstration of their faith through noble deeds. It underscores the communal responsibility Christians share in fostering spiritual growth and practical Christian living in others.

Hebrews 10 24 Context

Hebrews 10:24 falls within the practical exhortations of the epistle, specifically after the author has thoroughly expounded upon Christ's superior priesthood and the single, perfect sacrifice that inaugurated the New Covenant (Heb 7-10:18). Verses 19-23 serve as a theological foundation, stating the believer's bold access to God through Christ's blood (v. 19-22) and urging them to "hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering" (v. 23). Verse 24, alongside verse 25, then outlines the practical implications of this truth: it's not enough to believe; believers must actively engage in communal life, spurring one another on, especially as the Day of the Lord approaches. The immediate context of verses 19-25 is a threefold exhortation: to draw near to God (v. 22), to hold fast to our hope (v. 23), and to consider one another (v. 24). This communal aspect serves as a crucial safeguard against the dangers of apathy, individualism, and potential apostasy that the author consistently warns against.

Hebrews 10 24 Word analysis

• And (Καί - Kai): Functions as a connective, linking this exhortation directly to the preceding calls for confident access to God and steadfast hope. It signals a progression from personal faith to communal responsibility.
• let us consider (κατανοῶμεν - katanoeōmen): From the verb katanoeō, meaning "to perceive clearly," "to observe attentively," "to understand fully," or "to fix one's mind upon." It denotes deep, thoughtful, deliberate consideration, not a superficial glance. The "let us" (first-person plural subjunctive) indicates a shared, intentional action, emphasizing a communal commitment to this reflection.
• how (εἰς τὸ - eis to): Translates as "with a view to" or "for the purpose of." It highlights the goal or purpose of the deep consideration mentioned by katanoeō. It indicates strategy and intentionality in this mutual interaction.
• to stir up (παροξυσμόν - paroxysmos): Derived from paroxyzō, meaning "to sharpen," "to incite," "to stimulate intensely." While in Acts 15:39, paroxysmos describes a sharp disagreement, here in a positive context, it means a vigorous and intentional incitement, a spirited prompting, or even an amiable goading. It's an active, energetic provocation, meant to animate and spur positive action, not irritate or discourage.
• one another (ἀλλήλους - allēlous): A reciprocal pronoun, highlighting that this is a mutual activity. It is not a unilateral effort by leaders or mature believers, but a shared responsibility where every member of the body both gives and receives this spiritual encouragement.
• to love (ἀγάπην - agapēn): Refers to agape love, the unconditional, selfless, divine love characteristic of God. This is the highest form of love, motivated by deep regard for the well-being of the other. It's more than a feeling; it's a volitional action aimed at others' spiritual and practical benefit.
• and (καί - kai): Joins two aspects of Christian life that are intrinsically linked. Love is not merely abstract; it finds concrete expression.
• good works (καλῶν ἔργων - kalōn ergōn): Kalōn refers to that which is morally excellent, intrinsically good, noble, and beautiful in character, not merely functional. Ergōn signifies deeds or actions. Thus, these are deeds that are inherently good, morally upright, beneficial, and commendable, springing from and demonstrating the love mentioned previously. They are the visible evidence of transformed hearts.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "And let us consider how": This phrase establishes the strategic and deliberative nature of the command. It's not a call to impulsive action, but to thoughtful assessment and planning within the Christian community regarding the most effective ways to inspire others.
• "to stir up one another": This emphasizes the active, reciprocal, and intentional engagement of believers with each other. It moves beyond passive fellowship to active spiritual partnership and mutual accountability in growth. It conveys the idea of bringing out the best in one another, sharpening each other in godliness.
• "to love and good works": This pairing specifies the twin outcomes of this mutual provocation. Christian faith is not merely about correct doctrine or private devotion, but must issue forth in Christ-like love towards others, manifested tangibly through actions that are ethically excellent, beneficial, and glorify God.

Hebrews 10 24 Bonus section

The "let us" motif found throughout Hebrews (e.g., "let us draw near" in v. 22, "let us hold fast" in v. 23, "let us consider" in v. 24, "let us go on" in Heb 6:1) strongly emphasizes collective action and shared responsibility within the body of Christ. This communal imperative is crucial because spiritual vitality is not a purely individual pursuit. The strength of the community is vital for the perseverance of its members. This verse implies that believers often need external motivation and encouragement to maintain spiritual fervor in their pursuit of love and good works, especially in challenging times or when faced with the temptation to shrink back from faith. The active "stirring up" suggests overcoming spiritual lethargy or disinterest by engaging intentionally with one another, fostering an environment where love is expressed and good works are habitually practiced, thereby fortifying the church against the spiritual dangers outlined elsewhere in the epistle.

Hebrews 10 24 Commentary

Hebrews 10:24 is a vital directive for Christian communal life, forming a bridge between the deep theological truths of Christ's finished work and the practical outworking of faith in daily living. It transforms abstract theological understanding into concrete, relational responsibility. The author urges believers to cease from isolated spiritual pursuits and instead proactively engage with fellow believers. The word "consider" (katanoeō) means more than a passing thought; it calls for strategic, intentional, and empathetic reflection on each other's needs and spiritual state. This deep reflection is for a specific purpose: "how to stir up" or positively incite. This "stirring up" (paroxysmos) is not meant to irritate or condemn, but to energetically animate, provoke, or challenge one another toward positive, godly behavior. The goal of this mutual stimulation is two-fold: "to love" (agape) and "good works" (kalōn ergōn). This means motivating each other to cultivate that selfless, divine love which defines the Christian, and to express that love through actions that are noble, beneficial, and reflective of Christ's character. This verse strongly argues against spiritual complacency and individualism, asserting that believers are inextricably linked and have a sacred duty to encourage perseverance, holiness, and active witness in each other. It provides a preventive measure against the spiritual drift and potential apostasy the Hebrews community was prone to, by emphasizing the communal bond and mutual accountability in living out one's faith.This can be applied practically by:

• Praying specifically for fellow believers to grow in love and service.
• Offering specific words of encouragement to those who are struggling or excelling.
• Partnering with others in acts of service or outreach to prompt collective engagement.