Category: Mining the Scriptures

In the previous section, the Hebrew writer showed the inviolability of the hope that is ours in Christ. It exists because of God’s righteousness, and the oath He made to us that a faithful life would be rewarded.

Here we have a discussion of the nature of this promised hope. It is the anchor of our faith. The metaphor is used only here in scripture, though it was a common illustration in the Greek language. Our hope is what gives us calmness and assurance during the storms of life. The mental picture we have of a spiritual reward at the end of our lives sustains us during all times good and bad.

The second metaphor, “which enters the Presence behind the veil” is sometimes not understood.” Personally I love Dan King’s short explanation of the phrase: “The point is that the Christian’s anchor of hope is not dropped into an earthly sea, but passes beyond the curtain of mystery to the heavenly realms. There it moors us to the very throne of God.”

This is the same place where our Savior resides, exalted forever as our High Priest on His throne in Heaven by the Father (cf. Philippians 2:9-11).

This section of Hebrews gives us the firm basis of our hope. It is in the person and character of God. He uses an example of a promise God made to Abraham to bless Him, “because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself” (13).

We know that an oath is binding. That is why we ask those testifying in court to “swear to tell the truth.” If they lie after swearing this, it is legal perjury and punishable by law.

God swore by Himself. This is the strongest oath He could have taken, as no one is greater than God Himself. Then there is God’s character, one who cannot be tempted to sin (cf. James 1::13). As such, God can’t lie. Since He can’t lie, and He further swore an oath, we know that the promise to Abraham was inviolable.

The Hebrew writer used this example to note that our hope of salvation is based upon these same two immutable things. God’s promise, and His person. As such we “might have strong consolation” (18). God promised it, so we can have certain trust in our hope!

After admonishing the Hebrew Christians for their lack of zeal in pursuing the knowledge God wanted them to embrace, and warning of the possible consequences, Paul here reaffirms his love for them. He states that even though he spoke harshly in admonition and warning, he was confident they would grow and gain their salvation.

The primary basis for this confidence is God’s love and longsuffering toward His children. It was not too late for them. He acknowledged their present love and service toward one another. This is interesting in that is shows faithfulness in one area does not ensure safety before God. Doing some things well is not enough if other things are being neglected.

Paul desired that the same diligence they showed in some areas be present in all aspects of their Christian walk, and that it be maintained “until the end.”

This final exhortation is for continued zeal. Remember the possibility that we can be faithful for a while, then falter. We can become lukewarm (cf. Rev. 3:14-22). To do so is to forfeit our inheritance!

Neglecting the elementary principles of God’s word, and failing to grow in the word makes a Christian vulnerable. Verses 4-8 are a crystal clear warning of the possibility of apostasy. This directly contradicts the preeminent doctrine held to by many, commonly called “once save always saved.”

Consider: The full context of Hebrews shows a letter written to faltering Christians, whose return to the Old Law with which they were familiar was a return to a system that could not save.

In our verses, we read of individuals who were enlightened by the gospel, and “tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come”, indicating they were Christians. The phrase “if they fall away” is not an impossible hypothetical (an absurd concept), but a description of what will happen should their faith weaken as warned.

What is referred to is the possibility of one who once was saved losing his salvation eternally. Verses 7 and 8 note the distinction: Bearing good fruit brings praise, bad fruit rejection, “whose end is to be burned.”

Having noted the importance of progressing beyond the first principles of God’s oracles, our writer now gives a list of such fundamental truths.

Repentance from dead works (necessary for God’s forgiveness); faith toward God (without which it is impossible to please Him); the doctrine of baptisms (while there are numerous immersions in scripture, there is one commanded by God, cf. Ephesians 4:5. It is baptism in water for the remission of sins, cf. Acts 2:38); laying on of hands (the means by which the spiritual gifts were distributed through the apostles, cf. Acts 8:17); the resurrection of the dead (a reality made available by Jesus’ victory over death, cf. 1 Corinthians 15:21); and eternal judgment (the inevitable end of all things, cf. 2 Peter 3:11-13).

These rudiments must be learned and remembered. Then, we are to progress to meatier matters as we progress in our understanding of God’s will and Christian maturity. We are told “And this we will do if God permits” (3). God wants us to grow stronger and more capable as His children, and has supplied the means. Will we do our part?

See (7:1-10) for an explanation of Jesus’ standing as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek.” The emphasis of the writer here is that such a concept was difficult to understand because they were “dull of hearing.”

He explains their problem in verses 12-14. They were spiritually immature. They had been taught the rudiments of the gospel, but had not fully retained that teaching, nor had they learned more. A diligent and consistent study of God’s word is needed by His people. It contains the mind of God, and if I am diligent as a child, I will hide them “in my heart, that I might not sin against You [God]” (Psalm 111:11).

The writer describes those who know only the milk of the word to be babes. While we all have different capabilities, God expects us all to grow in faith! This is commanded by Him, but it is a commandment with benefits to us. The more we know and understand of God’s will, the more capable we are to share that message, and to inoculate ourselves against the wiles of the devil. As the Hebrew writer says, “by reason of use [we] have our senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (14).

Here the writer repeats the truth established in Chapter 2 regarding the humanity of Jesus. His descent to earth, having been made “a little lower than the angels” (2:7), and suffering death, “perfected” Him. The Greek word here (teleio?) indicates completion or fulfillment. He accomplished everything God required of Him on earth. All was fulfilled in His sacrificial death. He became the “author” of salvation to those who obey. (Note the distinction between the lost and saved, as Christ has died for all, is whether or not they obey Jesus).

So, God exalted Him to the position of High Priest. It is noted elsewhere that Jesus, of the tribe of Judah, could not serve as priest under the Old Covenant. This position was relegated to the tribe of Levi. Under the New Covenant, Christ reigns as both King and High Priest. In this, His order is that of another King Priest of old, Melchizedek, the king of Salem, and a “priest of God Most High” (Genesis 14:18).

While the Hebrew writer later discusses this priesthood (cf. 7:1-10) this reference allowed him to rebuke his readers for their digression and ignorance. This takes place from Hebrew 5:12 – 6:8.

It is important to note that Jesus was not a usurper. He did not come to earth to “glorify Himself.” In fact, His coming was an act of humility, to do the will of His Father. While on earth He “humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death” (Philippians 2:8). Because of His obedience, we are told “God has also highly exalted Him” (2:9).

The Hebrew writer quotes two references to the Messiah (Psalm 2:7; 110:4) to establish this truth. He is, in fact, the Son of God. Likewise, He has been given a priesthood “according to the order of Melchizedek.” Melchizedek was the king of Salem (Jerusalem) in the days of Abraham, and “the priest of God Most High.” (Genesis 14:18).

Consider this truth. Jesus alone has God’s approval as Mediator between God and man. This is true because Jesus alone is ordained by the Father as the High Priest of Christians, (cf. John 14:6). It is true because of His obedience to His Father’s will. This obedience is fully demonstrated in His willingness to suffer and die on the cross for our sins. Read verse 8, “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”

Our text continues the discussion of Jesus Christ as our legitimate and superior High Priest. In these verses, the writer establishes the qualifications for High Priest. He notes that the position is one who serves as a spiritual leader in man’s relationship as it pertains to God. His qualifications allow him to be compassionate towards men, and to appease God. It is important to note that it is God who appointed these men to serve; it was not a self-proclaimed position.

In this way, Jesus qualifies as our High Priest. He too is our spiritual leader. One important part of His office is that he too can be compassionate because of His humanity, (4:15). However, His sacrifice for the sins of man are greater because He Himself was guiltless “who committed no sin… who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed” (1 Peter 2:22,24).

Jesus too was ordained as priest by the Father. It was not by His own authority. He was called by God. “Called by God as High Priest ‘according to the order of Melchizedek’” (5:10).

Paul uses Christ’s position as the Christian’s High Priest to encourage faithfulness to God. The points are these:

Jesus has passed through the heavens. This references His leaving the earth to return to God’s right hand, receiving His exaltation. He is the Son of God. (This declaration is another indicating His divine nature, as it makes Him equal to His Father). See John 5:18.

His efficacy as High Priest comes not only because of His deity, but also because of His humanity. As a man he was tempted as we are, so He can sympathize with us as we pray. We note that Jesus did not sin, but that does not indicate anything other than his strength and righteousness. He was a man with the same physical frailties and desires as our own. Temptations were suffered by Him, (cf. Matthew 4:1-11) and yet He did not sin.

These truths are why we may be confident of Jesus as our mediator. This is why the Hebrew writer called upon his readers to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace in time of need” (16). Praise God for sending His Son to earth for us!

Having established a remaining rest (indicating eternity in the presence of God), here the Hebrew writer encourages his readers to act in a way that secures that rest.

Notice the way (diligence) is regarding obedience to God’s commands. Put negatively, the Israelites failed to enter Canaan because of their disobedience (cf. 11).
Here is stated a preeminent principle in scripture. Our salvation is tied inextricably to our obedience to God’s revealed will. This does not mean we earn our salvation, only that the gift of redemption is reserved by Him for those who obey Him. God’s word is the key. He has revealed His will for us.

God’s word is powerful, sharp, piercing. As the Hebrew writer states, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (13).

Carefully consider the part that the Bible has as God judges us to be worthy or not. He has told us what to do. We will be judged by whether we are willing to do it. Nothing could be more plainly revealed!

Consider Peter’s instruction in 1 Peter 3:8-9a, “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling…” Peter’s words are typical of instructions given to God’s people in the New Testament. We are to be loving toward one another. We are to seek peace as we can. We are to treat each other like precious family.

One of the words used here by Peter is “tenderhearted.” It is the Greek word eúsplanchnos. It is translated in the King James version as pitiful. Other translations use tenderhearted or compassionate (though this word is different from the one earlier in the verse “having compassion” which comes from a familiar Greek word sympath?s, from which we get our word sympathetic).

eúsplanchnos has an interesting etymology. It’s primary and original meaning was: having strong bowels. Like our present practice of using the word heart (a muscle) to reference deep emotions and compassion, the Greeks attributed the same to the intestinal tract. It would be similar to us having a “gut feeling”, but primarily referencing strong emotions and sympathies.

So, being pitiful or tenderhearted has reference to the deeply held emotions that Christians should have toward one another. How do you feel toward your brethren?

In our text, the Hebrew writer enlarges upon his statement in 3:19 that the Israelites were not able to enter into the rest of God (the land of Canaan) because of their unbelief.

He begins by noting that a promise of rest remains for God’s people. The reference here is obviously to heaven, the final rest promised to the people of God. He refers to several “rests” in the text. The rest of God after the creation of the world, “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and rested…” (Genesis 2:2). The rest of Canaan missed by the unbelieving Jews, “They shall not enter My rest” (5). He then refers to Psalm 95 where David mentions those rebellious Jews, and said, “Today, if you will hear His voice: Do not harden your hearts, as in the wilderness…” (7-8). In the word “Today”, David was indicating another rest yet attainable for the people of God.

The key is the same here. We must believe to attain the eternal rest promised by God. “For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his words as God did from His” (10). Do not harden your heart. Believe in the promise of God!

The Hebrew writer ends this chapter with a “cause and effect” argument using his reference to the rebellion of the Jews as as they left the land of Egypt. He calls it again a rebellion (cf. 15), and asks, “who, having heard rebelled?” (16). It was in fact the entire generation that was guilty of rebellion, despite God’s assurance of protection and victory.

That was the cause, “having heard” they “rebelled.” The effect followed. They angered God and it led to the refusal of God to grant to that generation the rest of Canaan. An entire generation was sentenced to a fruitless wandering until all died in the wilderness. God swore punishment to those who did not obey Him. But, when the explanation is given, verse 19 states, “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

True biblical faith is described in scripture as faith that leads to obedience. “By faith Abraham obeyed…” (11:8). If someone professed faith in God or His Son, but is not willing to obey, it is not the faith that God prescribes. It is empty and its impact is God’s judgment!

Having established the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, “as a Son over His own house”, (6). The Hebrew writer begins to emphasize our need to be faithful to Him. This point is covered well in verses 7-15. He begins by quoting the Holy Spirit in Psalm 95.

The exhortation is simple, “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion…” (7). This quote is direct, and references the hearts of the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness of Judea. While they were cared for that entire time they constantly tested the Lord by their lack of faith and disobedience.

As such, God was “angry with that generation.” The entire generation fell in the wilderness, with none save Joshua and Caleb entering the promised land.

Our hearts can be hardened just as their’s. Again and again in scripture Christians are called to learn from the actions of the Israelites. There are examples of faith that we are to emulate (cf. Hebrew 11) . Here God wants us to heed the destruction that comes to the faithless (1 Cor. 1:10-11).