James Deering, AncientPath.net

THE VISUALIZED TEXT (KVJ)  (conjunctions & prepositions underlined, words not in original text in italics)    (alternate text in purple) (Gray horizontal lines are paragraph divisions)

(Hebrews 3:1)
WHEREFORE,
    Holy brothers,
    Partakers of the heavenly calling,
        Consider
            The Apostle and
            High Priest
                Of our profession,
            Christ Jesus;
(3:2)
                Who was faithful to Him (God, the Father),
                    As also Moses was faithful in all his house.
(3:3)
            FOR
                This man (Jesus Christ) was counted worthy
                    Of more glory than Moses,
                        Inasmuch as he who hath built the house
                        Hath more honor than the house,
(3:4)
                FOR
                    Every house is built by some man;
                BUT
                    He (God, the Father) that built all things is God.
(3:5)
            And Moses truly was faithful in all his house,
                As a Servant,
                FOR
                    a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
(3:6)
            BUT CHRIST
                As a Son
                    Over His own house;
                    Whose house are we,
                        If we hold fast
                                the confidence and
                                the rejoicing
                            of the hope
                            firm unto the end.
(3:7)
                WHEREFORE
                (as the Holy Spirit saith,
                    �Today if ye will hear his voice
(3:8)
                        �Harden NOT your hearts,
                            �as in the provocation
                            �in the temptation in the wilderness
                            �When your fathers
                                �tempted me (God the Holy Spirit)
                                �proved me, and
                                �saw my works forty years.
(3:10)
                            �Wherefore I (God the Holy Spirit)
                                �was grieved with that generation,
                                �and said,
                                    �They do always err in their heart; and
                                    �They have NOT known my ways.
(3:11)
                                    �So, I swore in my wrath,
                                    �They shall not enter into my rest).
(3:12)
Take heed, brothers,
    Lest there be in any of you
        An evil heart of UNBELIEF,
            In departing from the �Living God.�
(3:13)
BUT
    Exhort one another daily,
        While it is called Today;
    Lest any of you be hardened
        Through the deceitfulness of sin;
(3:14)
        FOR
            We are made partakers of Christ,
                If we hold the beginning of our confidence
                    Steadfast unto the end;
(3:15)
            While it is said,
                Today if ye will hear His (God, the Father) voice,
                    Harden NOT your hearts,
                        As in the provocation.
(3:16)
For
    some,
        when they had heard,
        did provoke:
    howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
(3:17)
    But
        with whom
            was he grieved forty years?
            was it not with them
                that had sinned,
                whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?
(3:18)
    And
        to whom
            sware he
                that they
                    should not enter into his rest, but
        to them that believed not?
(3:19)
So
    we see that
        they could not enter in
            because of unbelief.

ABOUT: (Questions to be explored based on this study's verses) (You can find the answers to these questions in "Chapter 3 The Study)
 

(Hebrews 3:1)
"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;" (KJV)
"Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession." (NASB)

1.  When you see the term "therefore" or "wherefore" what are you supposed to do?
2.  What does the word "holy" mean?
3.  Who are the "brethren" here?
4.  What is the definition of "partaker"?
5.  What is the definition of "calling" as used here"
6.  What is an "heavenly" calling?
7.  Consider the word "consider." (You consider - 2p/pl/1aor/act/imperative)
8.  What is the normal definition of an "Apostle"?
9.  How is the word "Apostle" used here? (read John 5:24 first) See BibSac Note ¹
10.  What is the normal definition of an "High Priest"?
11.  How is the word "High Priest" used here? See BibSac Note ²
12.  Make a list of the ideas and responsibilities that come to mind when considering Jesus Christ as God's Apostle to you, and Jesus Christ as your High Priest.
13.  Have you personally applied these two offices of Jesus Christ to your life?

(3:2)
"Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house." (KJV)
"He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house." (NASB)

1.  If the "who" here is Jesus Christ, Apostle and High Priest, then whom is the "Him" that appointed Jesus to those positions?
2.  Consider Jesus Christ's faithfulness to God the Father in fulfilling these positions or offices.
3.  How was Moses "faithful"?
4.  What are some of the possible meanings of the term: "in all his house"?

(3:3)
"For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house." (KJV)
"For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house." (NASB)

1.  What is the significance of the word "man" here?
2.  Describe "counted worthy"?
3.  List some of the things Moses would be counted worthy for?
4.  List some things Jesus Christ would be counted worthy for?
5.  Why was Jesus Christ "counted worthy of more glory than Moses"?
6.  What is the writer alluding to when he speaks of "the builder of the house"?
7.  What is the writer alluding to when he speaks of "the house"?

(3:4)
"For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God." (KJV)
"For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God." (NASB)

1.  What is the significance of the word "for" here?
2.  Why does the Holy Spirit repeat things in the scriptures? (builders, houses)
3.  Who built all things?
4.  How many is "all"?

(3:5)
"And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;" (KJV)
"Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later;" (NASB)

1.  What is the significance of the word "and" here?
2.  What do you know about Moses?
3.  Whose house was Moses a faithful servant?
4.  What was the testimony of Moses?

(3:6)
"But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." (KJV)
"but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end." (NASB)

1.  What is the significance of the word "but" here?
2.  Whose house was Jesus Christ a faithful Son?
3.  Who is revealed as the "house" of the Son?
4.  Please read this link before proceeding. See BibSac Note ³
The last phrase in this verse seems to indicate that one cannot know his relationship to God until "the end."  Since the power of God, through the effective work of Jesus and the Cross -- and not the power of the individual believer -- Then one who has gone to the Father and given up his will to Him, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ (often referred to as making Jesus your own personal Lord and Savior) is incapable of losing their salvation.  The book of Hebrews is addressing both saved and unsaved Jews in the local assembly.  The writer of Hebrews speaks in loving terms to the unbelieving segment that their salvation is "near" and to "hold on" to their current direction of being with and learning from the believing segment of that local church that they might yet be saved if not snatched away by the devil or the power of sin.

(3:7)
"Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice," (KJV)
"Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE," (NASB)

1.  When you see the term "therefore" or "wherefore" what are you supposed to do?
2.  This verse continues into verse 8

(3:8)
"Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:" (KJV)
"DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS," (NASB)

1.  How does one "harden" their heart?
2.  Why was the 40 years in the wilderness (by the nation of Israel) called "The Provocation"?
3.  How long did it take the Israelites to make the 11 day journey through the wilderness to Canaan?

(3:9)
"When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years." (KJV)
"WHERE YOUR FATHERS TRIED Me BY TESTING Me, AND SAW MY WORKS FOR FORTY YEARS." (NASB)

1.  When did the Jewish fathers tempt God?
2.  How was God "proved" by the provocation of God in the wilderness?
3.  How many years did this go on?

(3:10)
"Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways." (KJV)
"THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID, 'THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART; AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS';" (NASB)

1.  When you see the term "therefore" or "wherefore" what are you supposed to do?
2.  Does God get "angry"?
3.  How does He do that without violating His righteousness?
4.  Which generation was God angry with according to this verse?
5.  How long is a generation?
6.  Who always went astray in their heart?
7.  Who did not know His ways?
8.  What was the result of going astray and not knowing His ways?

(3:11)
"So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)" (KJV)
"AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, 'THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.'" (NASB)

1.  What great benefit did that generation of wayward, unknowledgeable people lose?
2.  Where was Canaan?
3.  What other names was Canaan known by in the Old Testament?
4.  What is the relationship between the Seventh Day of God's creation, and the land of Canaan?

(3:12)
"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." (KJV)
"Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God." (NASB)

1.  "Take heed, brothers and sisters, that an unbelieving heart doesn't lead you away from the Living God, Jesus Christ."

(3:13)
"But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (KJV)
"But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." (NASB)

1.  What is the significance of the word "but" here?
2.  What does exhort mean? (You Exhort - 2p/pl/pres/act/imperative)
3.  Why is it important to "Call Out" the excellencies of Christ daily to each other?
4.  "Instead, while in your unbelief, seek other believers in this body of Christ daily and make your choice FOR Christ while it is still "TODAY," lest any one of you be lead away from Christ by the deceitfulness of sin."

(3:14)
"For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;" (KJV)
"For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end;" (NASB)

1.  Consider "the end" as the end of "Today."

(3:15)
"While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation." (KJV)
"while it is said, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME." (NASB)

1.  No comment necessary.

(3:16)
"For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses." (KJV)
"For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses?" (NASB)
1.  What is the significance of the word "For" here?
2.  How many is "some"?
3.  When did they hear?
4.  What did they hear?
5.  Who was provoked?
6.  Why was He provoked?
7.  Out of all the generation who went into the wilderness, how many were allowed to enter Canaan?
8.  Why?

(3:17)
"But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?" (KJV)
"And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?" (NASB)
1.  Who was God grieved with for forty years?
2.  Is "provoking the Lord God" sin?
3.  Who had provoked the Lord God in the wilderness?
4.  What happened to them as the result of their sin?

(3:18)
"And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?" (KJV)
"And to whom did He swear that they should not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient?" (NASB)
1.  Who did God promise they would not enter Canaan (God's Rest)?
2.  Is Unbelief disobedience?
3.  Why?

(3:19)
"So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief." (KJV)
"And so we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief." (NASB)
1.  What is the significance of the word "So" here?
2.  Who is the "we" see of this sentence?
3.  Who could not enter in?
4.  Why could they not enter in?
5.  Where was "God's Rest"?
6.  How does this apply to you?

REFERENCES:

(3:1)
Hebrews 2:11
Romans 8:28
Hebrews 2:17
1 Timothy 6:12
Hebrews 4:14
Hebrews 10:23
2 Corinthians 9:13

(3:2)
Numbers 12:7

(3:3)
Deuteronomy 34:12

(3:4)
Genesis 1:1

(3:5)
Exodus 14:31
Numbers 12:7

(3:6)
Hebrews 1:2
1 Corinthians 3:16
1 Timothy 3:15
Romans 11:22
Hebrews 4:14
Romans 5:2
Hebrews 6:11, 18, 19; 7:19; 11:1

(3:7)
Acts 28:25
Hebrews 9:8; 10:15

(3:8)
Hebrews 4:7

(3:9)
Numbers 14:33
Deuteronomy 1:3
Acts 7:36

(3:10)

(3:11)
Deuteronomy 1:34-35
Hebrews 4:3, 5
Psalms 95:7-11

(3:12)
Matthew 16:16

(3:13)
Hebrews 10:24-25
Jeremiah 17:9
Ephesians 4:22

(3:14)
Ephesians 3:12

(3:15)
Psalms 95:7-8
Hebrews 4:7

(3:16)
Numbers 14:2

(3:17)
Numbers 14:29
Psalms 106:26
1 Corinthians 10:5

(3:18)
Numbers 14:20-23
Deuteronomy 1:34-35
Hebrews 4:6

(3:19)
Psalms 78:22; 106:24
John 3:36

 ¹ Jesus the Apostle
In Hebrews 3:1 Jesus is identified as the believers. Apostle (apόστολος) and High Priest (aρχιερεύς). These two titles are not used of Jesus anywhere else in the New Testament.26 The high priest was chosen by God to provide access to Him for humanity and to represent God to humanity. According to Josephus the title high priest is the most honored of revered names, 27 and Philo claimed that priests are invested with dignity and honor belonging to kings. 28 Jesus is also called high priest in Hebrews 2:17 and 10:21. Contrasts between the Levitical priesthood and Jesus priesthood are stated throughout the epistle. The title apostle seems a bit more obscure. Though an unusual term to apply to Jesus, it alludes to His accepted role as the Messenger or sent one.29 In secular language an apostle is an ambassador,30 one sent with delegated authority. Applied to Christ, it has a plenipotentiary meaning as an ambassador with full powers, God's ambassador.31 This reference to Jesus as apostle also connotes that He bears God's revelation to humankind (1:1-2; 2:1-4).

BSac 155:618 (Apr 98) p. 205, Dallas Theological Seminary: Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 155. 1998, "Jesus' Superiority over Moses in Hebrews 3:1-6 -- Brett R. Scott
 

 ² Jesus the High Priest
Under the Old Covenant Moses and Aaron would perhaps have been regarded as apostle and high priest respectively, but under the New Covenant the two offices are combined in the person of Jesus Christ.32 The two titles complement each other: Jesus is the sent one (aπόστολος) from the Father, and He is the provider of access to God (aρχιερεύς) for humanity.

BSac 155:618 (Apr 98) p. 205, Dallas Theological Seminary: Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 155. 1998, "Jesus' Superiority over Moses in Hebrews 3:1-6 -- Brett R. Scott

 ³ The Nature of Faith

"... it is well to note that faith is the proper and logical counterpart of revelation. Since the latter is so strongly stressed in Hebrews, one should expect that faith will be more than ordinarily insisted on. Israel heard the voice of God and saw His works for forty years in the wilderness, yet failed. Why? Because the word that came to them was not mixed with faith (Heb. 4:2). It was due to their unbelief that they were not able to enter the land of promise (Heb. 3:19). Those who pleased God in the Old Testament days were men and women of faith (Heb. 11).

But what is the nature of faith as celebrated in this epistle? Faith is said to be assurance of things hoped for, conviction of things not seen (Heb. 11:1). The former aspect relates to futuristic eschatology, the latter to realized eschatology. God, as the object of faith, is presented in a twofold light, as the One who is (realized) and as the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (futuristic). The patriarchs died in faith, not having received the promises (futuristic), but having learned to stay themselves on the God of the promises (realized). Faith, then, partakes of the nature of hope insofar as it reaches out for its futuristic goals, but meanwhile it holds fast to the present possession, its conviction of the reality of things not seen. So it is that the one who has faith is able to endure as seeing Him who is invisible (Heb. 11:27). Faith must look onward, even to the promised Christ, as in the case of Abraham (Heb. 11:19; cf. John 8:56) and Moses (Heb. 11:26), but meanwhile it must nourish itself on the living God, the Giver of the promises, the One who must be worshipped and served in faith in order to be well pleasing now in His sight.

BSac 121:484 (Oct 64) p. 334, Dallas Theological Seminary: Bibliotheca Sacra Volume 121, The Theology of the Epistle to the Hebrews, Everett F. Harrison

2019-09-29
2024-03-18 update