Hebrews 6 10

Hebrews 6:10 kjv

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Hebrews 6:10 nkjv

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Hebrews 6:10 niv

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Hebrews 6:10 esv

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

Hebrews 6:10 nlt

For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.

Hebrews 6 verses

Hebrews 6 10 Meaning

Hebrews 6:10 assures believers that God, by His righteous and just character, will never forget or ignore the labor and sacrificial love they have demonstrated, particularly through their service to fellow Christians for the honor of His name, and that this service continues. It serves as an encouragement that their efforts and steadfastness in faith will be recognized and rewarded, confirming that true faith expresses itself in loving works, which God sees and values.

Hebrews 6 10 Context

Hebrews 6:10 is embedded in a critical section of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Immediately preceding it (Heb 6:4-8) is a severe warning against apostasy for those who have tasted spiritual blessings but fall away, implying barrenness and ultimate destruction, like thorny ground. Following this stark caution, the author immediately pivots in Heb 6:9-12 to a tone of encouragement and assurance. He expresses confidence in the Jewish Christian audience, believing that they possess "things that belong to salvation" and are not among those who fall away. Verse 10 grounds this confidence in God's just character, reassuring them that their past and ongoing labors of love for the brethren have been seen and are highly valued by Him. This serves to bolster their perseverance, reminding them that their faithful actions are not in vain, but are a sign of their true spiritual condition and an investment in their future reward. The broader context of Hebrews highlights the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant, urging believers to mature in their faith and not to regress under pressure or temptation.

Hebrews 6 10 Word analysis

• For (γάρ, gar): Connects to the previous thought. It explains why the author is confident about their salvation (v. 9)—because of God's character and their evidence of true faith.

• God (ὁ Θεός, ho Theos): The sovereign, righteous God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Father of Jesus Christ. Emphasizes the divine actor and the unchanging nature of His character.

• is not (οὐκ ἔστιν, ouk estin): Strong negation. There is no possibility of this being otherwise; it is an absolute truth about God's nature.

• unjust (ἄδικος, adikos): Morally wrong, unrighteous, unfair. God is fundamentally characterized by righteousness (δίκαιος, dikaios), which makes it impossible for Him to be adikos. This isn't just a lack of injustice but an active presence of righteousness that guarantees His recognition of their works.

• so as to (τοῦ ἐπιλαθέσθαι, tou epilathesthai): Expresses purpose or result. It indicates that injustice would be necessary for Him to forget.

• overlook (ἐπιλαθέσθαι, epilathesthai): To forget, neglect, ignore, leave unrewarded. It means that God will not let their efforts go unnoticed or uncompensated. His justice compels remembrance.

• your work (τοῦ ἔργου ὑμῶν, tou ergou hymōn): Refers to their actions, labor, or toil. This isn't just spiritual or emotional effort, but tangible deeds.

• and the love (καὶ τῆς ἀγάπης, kai tēs agapēs): Connects "work" with "love," signifying that their deeds were motivated by a specific kind of love (agape—selfless, divine love), which is paramount. It implies that "work" here is not mere activity but deeds borne of love.

• that you have shown (ἧς ἐνεδειξασθε, hēs enedeixasthe): Aorist tense, highlighting a decisive action taken by them in the past. It speaks of a clear, demonstrative exhibition of this love.

• for his name (εἰς τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ, eis to onoma autou): Indicating that their actions were ultimately for God's reputation, honor, glory, and as an expression of their reverence for Him. It specifies the ultimate motive and recipient of their love.

• in serving (διακονήσαντες, diakonēsantes): Literally "having served" (aorist participle), emphasizing their completed actions of ministry or practical aid. The term diakonia refers to humble, active service.

• the saints (τοῖς ἁγίοις, tois hagiois): Refers to fellow believers, set apart for God's purposes. Their love was specifically channeled into caring for the needs of other Christians, particularly the struggling.

• as you still do (καὶ διακονοῦντες, kai diakonountes): A present participle, emphasizing the ongoing and continued nature of their service. This demonstrates their perseverance and faithfulness; it was not a one-time act but a way of life. This persistence is what validates their assurance of salvation (cf. Heb 3:14).

• "God is not unjust": This foundational statement emphasizes God's character as the guarantee for their recognition. His righteousness implies fairness, integrity, and absolute adherence to His own moral standard. Therefore, He cannot act inconsistently by overlooking sincere expressions of faith and love.

• "overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name": This phrase combines actions ("work") with their inner motivation ("love"). The crucial element is that these are not merely humanistic acts of benevolence, but love demonstrated specifically "for His name," meaning they are acts of devotion and obedience to God, flowing from their relationship with Him.

• "in serving the saints, as you still do": This highlights the practical and relational dimension of their faith. Their love was manifested concretely in ministry to fellow believers, an act deeply valued by Christ (Mt 25:40). The continuation ("as you still do") is a key aspect of their perseverance, signifying an enduring, active faith that gives the author confidence in their ultimate salvation.

Hebrews 6 10 Bonus section

The strong affirmation "God is not unjust" not only guarantees recognition but also underscores God's absolute fidelity to His covenant promises. In the immediate context of Hebrews, this principle connects seamlessly with the subsequent verses (Heb 6:13-20) which expound upon God's unchanging promise and oath to Abraham. Just as God would never fail on His oath, so He would never fail to remember the sincere, Spirit-prompted works of His people. The "work and love" described are not merely external deeds but spiritual fruits of salvation, indicating maturity and a genuine participation in the divine nature. The call to serve "the saints" reinforces the communal aspect of Christian life and mutual edification, crucial for endurance in times of trial. This verse ultimately serves as a theological comfort to prevent despair after the strong warning in 6:4-8, reminding believers that while apostasy is a fearful possibility, their continued practical love is a divine marker of true saving faith which God will surely honor.

Hebrews 6 10 Commentary

Hebrews 6:10 offers profound assurance, rooting the believer's hope in the very character of God. The author confronts any doubt that God might be neglectful or indifferent to the sincere efforts and sacrificial love shown by His people. The phrase "God is not unjust" is a bedrock truth; His essential righteousness necessitates that He acknowledges and justly responds to genuine faith, which is manifested through love and diligent service. This service, specifically directed "for His name" (reflecting reverence and obedience to God) and concretely expressed "in serving the saints," reveals true conversion and active, living faith. It encompasses practical care, material support, and any ministry extended to fellow believers, particularly those in need. The emphasis on "as you still do" is critical, indicating ongoing perseverance in their faithful actions. This verse does not imply salvation by works, but rather that righteous works borne out of love are the undeniable evidence of a living faith and the sign of a transformed heart, which God Himself rewards because He is just. It serves as powerful encouragement to those tempted to grow weary or give up, reminding them that their labor in the Lord is never in vain.