Bible Commentaries
Hebrews 3

Verse 1

Hebrews 3:1

Ch. 3 Christ Superior to Moses

(Moses was highly venerated.)

Holy brethren -- only here in N.T. "holy" = saint, i.e. separated, set apart.

Holy -- made holy by His blood, and to live holy lives.

Partakers -- sharers -- "partners"

Heavenly -- a call from heaven and to heaven, "glorious." 2 Thessalonians 2:14

Calling -- 2 Thessalonians 2:14 God calls all men to faith, repentance, and to live holy lives. Those who accept the invitation share in something unique Hebrews 12:2-3.

Consider -- "fix your eyes" on Jesus... [These are people who are considering giving up on Jesus Christ and going back to Judaism.]

Apostle -- "One sent" with authority. Suggests Revealer, Divine spokesman, Finality of the Christian message.

High Priest -- (ref to our Savior), makes sacrifice, and represents man before God. LXX Numbers 12:7, Moses is described as being faithful over God’s house.

Verse 2

Hebrews 3:2

Faithful -- trustworthy, reliable. Jesus was in all that God had Him to do; just as Moses was.

His house -- His = God’s, ASV fm "House" ref to household.

Point v. 5&6

Moses a servant in God’s house

Christ a son in God’s house

Verse 3

Hebrews 3:3

(What is the object of introducing Moses?)

If you "go back" to Moses, it is to an inferior law-giver and law.

Verse 4

Hebrews 3:4

Cause <-> effect

Moses = a construction worker

Christ = the architect

The builder is greater than the house, and Jesus has greater honor than Moses.

Verse 5

Hebrews 3:5

Moses -- servant ..

Point v. 5 & 6

Moses a servant in God’s house

Christ a son in God’s house

Vs. 5-6, thus: Those of Moses’ household were "servant"; And those of Christ’s are "children."

Testimony -- Moses’ service to give Testimony; since he points to Jesus we should "consider Jesus".

NOTE CONTRAST:

Moses - "servant" "in" "was faithful"

Christ - "son" "over" "is faithful"

We are God’s house (household, family).

Verse 6

Hebrews 3:6

Christ as a son ...

If we hold fast -- again, possibly of apostasy. Encourage to remain faithful.

Vs. 6 ... repeated in Hebrews 3:14 Refutes Calvin’s doctrine of "perseverance of the saints," or, as is often known "once saved, always saved".

Verse 7

Hebrews 3:7

v.7 is writer’s Scriptural proof:

Two incidents:

1) Murmuring over lack of water

2) Unsatisfactory report of the spies.

See Hebrew text (RSV) Psalms 95:7

vs. 7-11 Drives home his warning to remain faithful

Psalms 95:1 ff A call to worship.

Verse 8

Hebrews 3:8

Time of Rebellion

Red Sea -- Exodus 12:1 ff

Bread -- Exodus 16:1 ff

Water -- Exodus 17:1 ff

"Massah and Meribah" = "trial + provocation" Exodus 17:7

Numbers 14:29 ff. Kadesh-Barnea Numbers 20:1 ff.

MESSAGE of vs. 7-11 "Do not harden your hearts."

Verse 9

Hebrews 3:9

Verse 10

Hebrews 3:10

Not known my ways -- They had the Law, but there was a shortage of application.

Verse 11

Hebrews 3:11

I sware: Hebrews 3:18, Hebrews 3:19, Hebrews 4:3; Numbers 14:20-23, Numbers 14:27-30, Numbers 14:35, Numbers 32:10-13; Deuteronomy 1:34, Deuteronomy 1:35, Deuteronomy 2:14

Rest -- The promised land

They -- Only Caleb and Joshua entered. Men of great faith always stand out.

Verse 12

Hebrews 3:12

Take heed -- to what? Not to wander away from God and His Word as did Israel - cf. vs 8-11.

Evil heart -- "The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart."

Departing from -- Possibility of Apostasy. cd Greek word.

Possible to leave Egypt, but still not enter the Promised Land.

See James 5:19 note on APOSTASY

Verse 13

Hebrews 3:13

Exhort one another -- mutual exhortation, encouragement.

Encouragement against sin (deceitfulness).

How? Hebrews 10:24-25, words, deeds, prayers, support.

Daily -- habitually, every contact.

Today -- not tomorrow, don’t delay.

Hardened -- as Israel in the wilderness.

Verse 14

Hebrews 3:14

Partakers -- "Partners" share in the glory, fellowship, IF we remain faithful.

If -- we remain faithful ***

Verse 15

Hebrews 3:15

v. 15, The need to do something immediately about sin.

Verse 16

Hebrews 3:16

Some [who] ..

v. 16, ASV Rhetorical Ques.

vs. 16-19 - Reasons for Israel’s failure. They had begun their salvation, had left Egypt under Moses.

(Writer saying to his Jewish readers, "You’ve began under Jesus, don’t give up faith and turn back.)

Verse 17

Hebrews 3:17

Verse 18

Hebrews 3:18

Verse 19

Hebrews 3:19