Hebrews 10 36

Hebrews 10:36 kjv

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Hebrews 10:36 nkjv

For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

Hebrews 10:36 niv

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Hebrews 10:36 esv

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

Hebrews 10:36 nlt

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

Hebrews 10 verses

Hebrews 10 36 Meaning

Hebrews 10:36 teaches that endurance is a vital requirement for believers to fulfill God's will and, consequently, receive the full scope of His promised blessings. It highlights a divine order where steadfast perseverance in faith and obedience to God's revealed will ultimately leads to the certain reception of what God has guaranteed. This endurance is an active, patient steadfastness, not a passive waiting, and is indispensable for inheriting the eternal hope set before us.

Hebrews 10 36 Context

Hebrews 10:36 serves as a climactic exhortation within a broader section of warning and encouragement (Heb 10:19-39). Following detailed exposition on the superiority of Christ's priestly sacrifice and the new covenant, the author urges his audience not to "shrink back" from their faith (Heb 10:38). He reminds them of their past perseverance through suffering (Heb 10:32-34) and emphasizes that such steadfastness is critical because their ultimate "confidence" (Heb 10:35) or reward requires patient waiting and consistent obedience. The verse immediately precedes chapter 11, the great "Hall of Faith," which provides numerous historical examples of individuals who, through faith and endurance, waited for and received God's promises, despite often not seeing their full fulfillment in their earthly lives. The original audience, likely Jewish Christians facing intense pressure and persecution, were tempted to abandon their Christian confession and revert to elements of Judaism for relief or security. The author's message counters this temptation by grounding their hope in the certain future promise of God, contingent on their present endurance in His will.

Hebrews 10 36 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): This conjunction links the present verse to the preceding thoughts (specifically vv. 35), offering a reason or explanation. It clarifies why the believers need such confidence and what great reward awaits them, thereby justifying the call for endurance.
• you have need (χρείαν ἔχετε - chreian echete): This is a strong and emphatic expression of necessity, indicating that endurance is not merely beneficial or advisable, but absolutely essential for believers. It implies an indispensable requirement for the spiritual journey.
• of endurance (ὑπομονῆς - hypomonēs): Derived from hypo (under) and menō (to abide, remain), this Greek word signifies active, steadfast perseverance and fortitude in the face of difficulties, opposition, or delay. It is not passive resignation but courageous continuance in a chosen course, despite pressure or suffering. It denotes remaining firm and persistent, specifically in trials or in waiting for an anticipated event.
• so that (ἵνα - hina): This subordinating conjunction introduces a purpose clause. It indicates the intended outcome or goal for which endurance is required—namely, the doing of God's will and the reception of the promise.
• when you have done (ποιήσαντες - poiēsantes): This is an aorist active participle from poiēō (to do, make). The aorist aspect indicates a completed action in relation to the main verb "you may receive." It doesn't imply a single past act but the cumulative, ongoing act of doing God's will throughout one's life. It highlights an active, not passive, engagement with God's commands and desires.
• the will of God (τὸ θέλημα τοῦ θεοῦ - to thelēma tou theou): This phrase refers to God's desires, purposes, and commands for His people as revealed in Scripture and through the Spirit. It encompasses obedience to His moral law, His redemptive plan, and specifically, the command to believe in His Son (Jn 6:29). In this context, it explicitly includes patient endurance in faith and commitment to Christ despite opposition.
• you may receive (κομίσησθε - komisēsthe): This verb means "to receive back," "to get," "to obtain," often implying a retrieval or securing of what is due or promised. It suggests the fulfillment or gaining of a reward or inheritance. It conveys the certainty of obtaining the object once the conditions are met.
• what is promised (τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν - tēn epangelian): This refers to the specific divine guarantees given to believers through the new covenant, particularly the eternal inheritance, full salvation, eternal rest, and the ultimate consummation of God's redemptive plan in Christ. It points to the future, unseen reality that motivates current faithfulness.

Hebrews 10 36 Bonus section

The positioning of Hebrews 10:36 is strategic, serving as a pivotal bridge. It consolidates the warnings against apostasy in Hebrews 10:26-31 and transitions into the inspiring examples of faith in Hebrews 11. It sets the thematic stage for understanding that faith is inherently connected to an unwavering, forward-looking trust in the "unseen" promise (Heb 11:1). The emphasis on "doing the will of God" goes beyond mere religious ritual, echoing Jesus' own teachings that true discipleship involves practical, heartfelt obedience (Matt 7:21). The "promise" is multifaceted, often encompassing both the Holy Spirit (Gal 3:14, Eph 1:13) as an immediate down payment, and the full eschatological inheritance, including entrance into God's eternal rest (Heb 4:1) and His city (Heb 11:10, 16). The necessity of endurance underscores the reality that spiritual growth and the walk of faith are not sprint but a marathon.

Hebrews 10 36 Commentary

Hebrews 10:36 powerfully distills the essence of Christian discipleship in the face of deferred hope and adversity. It posits endurance (hypomone) not as a supplementary virtue, but as a non-negotiable prerequisite for grasping the eternal promises of God. This endurance is inextricably linked to "doing the will of God"—a phrase encompassing active obedience to divine directives, unwavering faith in Christ, and faithful living that distinguishes a true follower. The promise itself, though certain in God's declaration, is not immediately granted in its fullness, demanding a sustained commitment from believers. The author reminds the suffering Hebrew Christians that their ultimate reward lies beyond the immediate difficulties, assuring them that continued fidelity will undoubtedly result in the reception of this magnificent, assured promise. It's a reminder that faithfulness now directly impacts the blessed inheritance to come, challenging believers to view present struggles through the lens of future glory.

Examples for practical usage:

• Patiently awaiting answered prayer: Continuing to pray and trust, even when a desired outcome seems delayed, doing God's will through prayer.
• Persisting in difficult ministry: Maintaining commitment to serving Christ in challenging circumstances, even when seeing little immediate fruit, believing God's timing and purpose.
• Enduring personal trials: Steadfastly relying on Christ during illness, financial hardship, or relational strain, continuing to honor God through these, rather than losing hope.