Hebrews 4 14

Hebrews 4:14 kjv

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Hebrews 4:14 nkjv

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Hebrews 4:14 niv

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

Hebrews 4:14 esv

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Hebrews 4:14 nlt

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.

Hebrews 4 verses

Hebrews 4 14 Meaning

Hebrews 4:14 serves as a foundational exhortation to perseverance and unwavering faith, drawing strength from the profound truth of who Jesus Christ is and what He has accomplished. It states that because believers have a uniquely "great High Priest"—Jesus, who is identified as both truly human and divinely "the Son of God"—and because He has "passed into the heavens" (signifying His ascension and heavenly ministry), believers are called to "hold fast" to their confessed faith. This verse bridges the doctrinal foundation of Christ's superior priesthood with the practical necessity of Christian endurance and steadfastness.

Hebrews 4 14 Context

Hebrews chapter 4 is an continuation of the argument from chapter 3 concerning the spiritual "rest" God offers, contrasting it with Israel's failure to enter Canaan due to unbelief. The preceding verses (Heb 4:1-11) warn against a similar unbelief and encourage diligence to enter God's rest. Hebrews 4:12-13 speaks of the living, powerful, and discerning Word of God, before whom all things are open. Verse 14, therefore, serves as a direct transition and exhortation: "Seeing then..." The reality of God's discerning judgment (Heb 4:13) and the ever-present danger of falling away underscore the urgency to maintain one's confession. The mention of Jesus as a sympathetic High Priest (Heb 4:15-16) immediately follows, inviting believers to approach God's throne of grace with confidence, further emphasizing the practical implications of Christ's priestly role. The overall book of Hebrews aims to prevent Jewish Christians from reverting to Judaism, by demonstrating the absolute supremacy of Christ and the New Covenant over the Old. This verse, therefore, highlights a key aspect of Christ's superiority and why He is worthy of their steadfast commitment.

Hebrews 4 14 Word analysis

• Seeing then (ἔχοντες οὖν): Implies a logical conclusion or a "since therefore" statement. It points back to the preceding discussions regarding the perils of unbelief, the penetrating power of God's Word, and the ultimate accountability before God, presenting Christ as the necessary solution and ground for confidence.
• we have (ἔχομεν): Signifies a present possession and privilege for believers. It’s not a theoretical concept or a distant hope, but a current reality and relationship believers possess through Christ.
• a great (μέγαν - megan): An adjective emphasizing supreme quality, importance, and authority. It highlights Christ's unparalleled position and effectiveness as High Priest, far surpassing any earthly Levitical priest in dignity, power, and the efficacy of His sacrifice.
• High Priest (ἀρχιερέα - archierea): This title is central to the book of Hebrews, representing the one who intercedes between God and humanity. In the Old Covenant, the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year to make atonement. Christ fulfills and transcends this role permanently and perfectly.
• that is passed into the heavens (διεληλυθότα τοὺς οὐρανούς - dielelēthota tous ouranous): Literally, "having gone through the heavens." This signifies Christ's physical ascension to the highest heavenly realm, to the very presence of God (the ultimate "Holy of Holies"). It contrasts with the Levitical high priests who merely entered an earthly tabernacle/temple. This denotes His successful completion of His atoning work on earth and His exaltation to a place of supreme authority, where He now continuously intercedes for believers.
• Jesus (Ἰησοῦν - Iesoun): His earthly, human name, underscoring His true humanity. This highlights His shared experience with humanity, His ability to sympathize with temptations and weaknesses (as further explained in v.15). He is not an unfeeling divine entity, but truly Man.
• the Son of God (τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ - ton Huion tou Theou): This designates His unique divine nature and relationship with God the Father. It points to His deity, supreme authority, and perfect obedience. This dual identification (human Jesus, divine Son of God) is crucial for His unique qualification as the perfect, sympathetic, and effective High Priest. He possesses both the necessary identity with humanity and the infinite authority and purity of deity.
• let us hold fast (κρατῶμεν - kratōmen): A strong imperative, present subjunctive, implying continuous action. It calls for firm, unyielding, steadfast adherence to what has been professed. It's a proactive choice to cling to Christian truth and faith, resisting any temptation to drift or fall away.
• our profession (τῆς ὁμολογίας - tēs homologias): From homologeo, meaning "to speak the same thing," "to confess," "to acknowledge." This refers to the core truths and beliefs of the Christian faith that have been publicly affirmed or implicitly believed. It encompasses the entirety of the Christian creed, the declaration of Jesus as Lord and Christ, and the lifestyle consistent with that confession. It’s the truth believers acknowledge and live by.

• Word-Group Analysis:
• "a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God": This powerful phrase consolidates Christ's supreme qualifications for His unique priesthood. His "greatness" encompasses His divinity, His perfect sacrifice, and His permanent ministry. His "passing into the heavens" signifies the consummation of His work and His current active intercession at the highest possible realm. The direct naming of "Jesus" ensures His relatable humanity, while "the Son of God" affirms His absolute deity and authority. These combined attributes present an overwhelming argument for His absolute superiority and efficacy, providing the rock-solid foundation for the subsequent exhortation.
• "let us hold fast our profession": This direct command provides the immediate practical application arising from the preceding doctrinal statement. The absolute excellence of Christ's High Priesthood demands an unwavering response from believers. "Holding fast" implies perseverance, especially in a context where believers were tempted to abandon their faith due to external pressures or internal doubts. "Our profession" is not just a mental assent but a confessed truth, a lived reality, and a public commitment.

Hebrews 4 14 Bonus section

The structure of Hebrews often moves from deep theological exposition to practical exhortation. Hebrews 4:14 perfectly exemplifies this pattern, transforming high doctrine into urgent discipleship. The use of "High Priest" by the author of Hebrews would have resonated deeply with the original Jewish-Christian audience, who were intimately familiar with the concept of a priest's role in mediation and atonement. However, the author elevates this familiar concept by demonstrating how Jesus embodies it to an infinitely higher, perfect, and eternal degree. The word "confession" (ὁμολογία) carried a weight beyond mere intellectual agreement; it often signified a public declaration of allegiance to Christ, potentially with consequences. Therefore, "holding fast" involved both internal conviction and external fortitude, a testimony lived out in a hostile world.

Hebrews 4 14 Commentary

Hebrews 4:14 crystallizes the core argument of the epistle by presenting Christ's High Priesthood as the unwavering anchor for Christian faith and perseverance. The title "great High Priest" encapsulates Christ's unrivaled superiority over the Levitical priesthood in terms of His nature, the effectiveness of His sacrifice, and the permanence of His ministry. His "passing into the heavens" signifies His triumph, exaltation, and ongoing intercessory work from the very presence of God, a heavenly and eternal sanctuary, utterly superior to any earthly tabernacle. Identifying this High Priest as "Jesus, the Son of God" perfectly unites His compassionate humanity (Jesus) with His absolute divine authority (Son of God), rendering Him both relatable and infinitely capable as a mediator. This profound theological truth is not given merely for intellectual ascent, but as a compelling impetus for practical action: "let us hold fast our profession." The unwavering reality of who Christ is provides the strength and confidence to endure temptations, resist apostasy, and remain steadfast in the faith and truths that define the Christian life, particularly in the face of spiritual challenges.