The Meaning of Hebrews 10:23 Explained

Hebrews 10:23

KJV: Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

YLT: may we hold fast the unwavering profession of the hope, (for faithful is He who did promise),

Darby: Let us hold fast the confession of the hope unwavering, (for he is faithful who has promised;)

ASV: let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Let us hold fast  the profession  of [our] faith  without wavering;  (for  he [is] faithful  that promised;  ) 

What does Hebrews 10:23 Mean?

Context Summary

Hebrews 10:11-25 - The New And Living Way Open To Us
Note the contrast between the standing of the priests and the sitting of the Priest. The one indicated incompleteness, the other a finished work. All that needed to be done for our final and entire deliverance from sin was accomplished when Jesus returned to the Father. It is for us to pass in large demands and claims. The bank is full, but we must draw on it.
It is a great help, in the study of the Old Testament, to notice how explicitly the writer here attributes to the Holy Spirit the words spoken by one of the old prophets. What a comfort it is to know that God forgets our sins when we have confessed and forsaken them!
The way of prayer and faith was new, for our Lord had just opened it; living, because only those alive in Christ can tread it. The rending of the Temple veil was emblematic of the open vision of God, given through Calvary. But we must be true, believing, reliant on His death and pure through His cleansing, John 13:5-8. [source]

Chapter Summary: Hebrews 10

1  The weakness of the law sacrifices
10  The sacrifice of Christ's body once offered,
14  for ever has taken away sins
19  An exhortation to hold fast the faith with patience and thanksgiving

Greek Commentary for Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold fast [κατεχωμεν]
Present (keep on holding fast) active volitive subjunctive of κατεχω — katechō as in Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 3:14. That it waver not Common compound adjective (alpha privative and κλινω — klinō unwavering, not leaning, here only in N.T. It is a confession of hope, not of despair. That promised First aorist middle articular participle of επαγγελλω — epaggellō This is the argument remaining to be discussed (10:26-12:3) and already alluded to (Hebrews 6:13.; Hebrews 8:6). The ministry of Jesus rests upon “better promises.” How better? God is “faithful,” but he made the other promises also. We shall see.sa120 [source]
That it waver not [ακλινη]
Common compound adjective (alpha privative and κλινω — klinō unwavering, not leaning, here only in N.T. It is a confession of hope, not of despair. That promised First aorist middle articular participle of επαγγελλω — epaggellō This is the argument remaining to be discussed (10:26-12:3) and already alluded to (Hebrews 6:13.; Hebrews 8:6). The ministry of Jesus rests upon “better promises.” How better? God is “faithful,” but he made the other promises also. We shall see.sa120 [source]
That promised [ο επαγγειλαμενος]
First aorist middle articular participle of επαγγελλω — epaggellō This is the argument remaining to be discussed (10:26-12:3) and already alluded to (Hebrews 6:13.; Hebrews 8:6). The ministry of Jesus rests upon “better promises.” How better? God is “faithful,” but he made the other promises also. We shall see.sa120 [source]
Profession of our faith [τὴν ὁμολογίαν τῆς ἐλπίδος]
Rend. “confession of our hope.” Faith does not appear among Ms. readings. It is an innovation of the translators. Hope is the rendering of Tyndale, Coverdale, the Great Bible, the Geneva, the Bishops', and Rheims. On confession see on 2 Corinthians 9:13, and comp. notes on 1 Timothy 6:12, 1 Timothy 6:13. The phrase confession of hope N.T.oThey are steadfastly to confess their hope in God's promise and salvation. Comp. Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 6:11, Hebrews 6:18; Hebrews 7:19. Hope is here = the object of hope. [source]
Without wavering [ἀκλινῆ]
N.T.onosupersub. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Hebrews 10:23

Acts 16:33 Washed their stripes [ἔλουσεν ἀπὸ τῶν πληγῶν]
Properly, “washed them from ( ἀπό ) their stripes.” The verb λούειν , expresses the bathing of the entire body (Hebrews 10:23; Acts 9:37; 2 Peter 2:22); while νίπτειν commonly means the washing of a part of the body (Matthew 6:17; Mark 7:3; John 13:5). The jailer bathed them; cleansing them from the blood with which they were besprinkled from the stripes. [source]
Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your boldness [μη αποβαλητε ουν την παρρησιαν υμων]
Prohibition with μη — mē and the second aorist active subjunctive of αποβαλλω — apoballō Old verb to throw away from one as worthless, only twice in the N.T., here in a figurative sense and Mark 10:50 in a literal sense (garment by Bartimaeus). The Jewish Christians in question were in peril of a panic and of stampeding away from Christ. Recall κατεχωμεν — katechōmen in Hebrews 10:23. [source]
Hebrews 3:1 Holy brethren [αδελποι αγιοι]
Only here in N.T., for αγιοις — hagiois in 1 Thessalonians 5:27 only in late MSS. See Hebrews 2:11 for same idea. First time the author makes direct appeal to the readers, though first person in Hebrews 2:1. Partakers See Luke 5:7 for “partners” in the fishing, elsewhere in N.T. only in Hebrews (Hebrews 1:9; Hebrews 6:4; Hebrews 12:8) in N.T. Of a heavenly calling Only here in the N.T., though same idea in Hebrews 9:15. See η ανω κλησις — hē anō klēsis in Philemon 3:14 (the upward calling). The call comes from heaven and is to heaven in its appeal. Consider First aorist active imperative of κατανοεω — katanoeō old compound verb No “even” in the Greek, just like the idiom in Hebrews 2:9, the human name held up with pride. The Apostle and High Priest of our confession (Ιησουν — ton apostolon kai archierea tēs homologias hēmōn). In descriptive apposition with τον — Iēsoun and note the single article αποστολος — ton This is the only time in the N.T. that Jesus is called αποστελλω — apostolos though he often used απεστειλας — apostellō of God‘s sending him forth as in John 17:3 (αποστολος — apesteilas). This verb is used of Moses as sent by God (Exodus 3:10). Moffatt notes that πρεσβευτης — apostolos is Ionic for ομολογια — presbeutēs “not a mere envoy, but an ambassador or representative sent with powers.” The author has already termed Jesus high priest (Hebrews 2:17). For ομολογεω — homologia (confession) see 2 Corinthians 9:13; 1 Timothy 6:12. These Hebrew Christians had confessed Jesus as their Apostle and High Priest. They do not begin to understand what Jesus is and means if they are tempted to give him up. The word runs through Hebrews with an urgent note for fidelity (Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 10:23). See ομον — homologeō (λεγω — homon same, legō say), to say the same thing, to agree, to confess, to profess. [source]
Hebrews 3:1 Partakers [μετοχοι]
See Luke 5:7 for “partners” in the fishing, elsewhere in N.T. only in Hebrews (Hebrews 1:9; Hebrews 6:4; Hebrews 12:8) in N.T. Of a heavenly calling Only here in the N.T., though same idea in Hebrews 9:15. See η ανω κλησις — hē anō klēsis in Philemon 3:14 (the upward calling). The call comes from heaven and is to heaven in its appeal. Consider First aorist active imperative of κατανοεω — katanoeō old compound verb No “even” in the Greek, just like the idiom in Hebrews 2:9, the human name held up with pride. The Apostle and High Priest of our confession (Ιησουν — ton apostolon kai archierea tēs homologias hēmōn). In descriptive apposition with τον — Iēsoun and note the single article αποστολος — ton This is the only time in the N.T. that Jesus is called αποστελλω — apostolos though he often used απεστειλας — apostellō of God‘s sending him forth as in John 17:3 (αποστολος — apesteilas). This verb is used of Moses as sent by God (Exodus 3:10). Moffatt notes that πρεσβευτης — apostolos is Ionic for ομολογια — presbeutēs “not a mere envoy, but an ambassador or representative sent with powers.” The author has already termed Jesus high priest (Hebrews 2:17). For ομολογεω — homologia (confession) see 2 Corinthians 9:13; 1 Timothy 6:12. These Hebrew Christians had confessed Jesus as their Apostle and High Priest. They do not begin to understand what Jesus is and means if they are tempted to give him up. The word runs through Hebrews with an urgent note for fidelity (Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 10:23). See ομον — homologeō (λεγω — homon same, legō say), to say the same thing, to agree, to confess, to profess. [source]
Hebrews 3:1 Of a heavenly calling [κλησεως επουρανιου]
Only here in the N.T., though same idea in Hebrews 9:15. See η ανω κλησις — hē anō klēsis in Philemon 3:14 (the upward calling). The call comes from heaven and is to heaven in its appeal. Consider First aorist active imperative of κατανοεω — katanoeō old compound verb No “even” in the Greek, just like the idiom in Hebrews 2:9, the human name held up with pride. The Apostle and High Priest of our confession (Ιησουν — ton apostolon kai archierea tēs homologias hēmōn). In descriptive apposition with τον — Iēsoun and note the single article αποστολος — ton This is the only time in the N.T. that Jesus is called αποστελλω — apostolos though he often used απεστειλας — apostellō of God‘s sending him forth as in John 17:3 (αποστολος — apesteilas). This verb is used of Moses as sent by God (Exodus 3:10). Moffatt notes that πρεσβευτης — apostolos is Ionic for ομολογια — presbeutēs “not a mere envoy, but an ambassador or representative sent with powers.” The author has already termed Jesus high priest (Hebrews 2:17). For ομολογεω — homologia (confession) see 2 Corinthians 9:13; 1 Timothy 6:12. These Hebrew Christians had confessed Jesus as their Apostle and High Priest. They do not begin to understand what Jesus is and means if they are tempted to give him up. The word runs through Hebrews with an urgent note for fidelity (Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 10:23). See ομον — homologeō (λεγω — homon same, legō say), to say the same thing, to agree, to confess, to profess. [source]
Hebrews 3:1 Consider [κατανοησατε]
First aorist active imperative of κατανοεω — katanoeō old compound verb No “even” in the Greek, just like the idiom in Hebrews 2:9, the human name held up with pride. The Apostle and High Priest of our confession (Ιησουν — ton apostolon kai archierea tēs homologias hēmōn). In descriptive apposition with τον — Iēsoun and note the single article αποστολος — ton This is the only time in the N.T. that Jesus is called αποστελλω — apostolos though he often used απεστειλας — apostellō of God‘s sending him forth as in John 17:3 (αποστολος — apesteilas). This verb is used of Moses as sent by God (Exodus 3:10). Moffatt notes that πρεσβευτης — apostolos is Ionic for ομολογια — presbeutēs “not a mere envoy, but an ambassador or representative sent with powers.” The author has already termed Jesus high priest (Hebrews 2:17). For ομολογεω — homologia (confession) see 2 Corinthians 9:13; 1 Timothy 6:12. These Hebrew Christians had confessed Jesus as their Apostle and High Priest. They do not begin to understand what Jesus is and means if they are tempted to give him up. The word runs through Hebrews with an urgent note for fidelity (Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 10:23). See ομον — homologeō (λεγω — homon same, legō say), to say the same thing, to agree, to confess, to profess. [source]
1 John 1:9 Faithful [πιστός]
True to His own nature and promises; keeping faith with Himself and with man. The word is applied to God as fulfilling His own promises (Hebrews 10:23; Hebrews 11:11); as fulfilling the purpose for which He has called men (1 Thessalonians 5:24; 1 Corinthians 1:9); as responding with guardianship to the trust reposed in Him by men (1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Peter 4:19). “He abideth faithful. He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13). The same term is applied to Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:3; Hebrews 3:2; Hebrews 2:17). God's faithfulness is here spoken of not only as essential to His own being, but as faithfulness toward us; “fidelity to that nature of truth and light, related to His own essence, which rules in us as far as we confess our sins” (Ebrard). The essence of the message of life is fellowship with God and with His children (1 John 1:3). God is light (1 John 1:5). Walking in the light we have fellowship, and the blood of Jesus is constantly applied to cleanse us from sin, which is darkness and which interrupts fellowship. If we walk in darkness we do not the truth. If we deny our sin the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, “God, by whom we were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful ” (1 Corinthians 1:9) to forgive our sins, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and thus to restore and maintain the interrupted fellowship. [source]

What do the individual words in Hebrews 10:23 mean?

We should hold fast to the confession of [our] hope firmly faithful for [is] the [One] having promised
Κατέχωμεν τὴν ὁμολογίαν τῆς ἐλπίδος ἀκλινῆ πιστὸς γὰρ ἐπαγγειλάμενος

Κατέχωμεν  We  should  hold  fast 
Parse: Verb, Present Subjunctive Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: κατέχω  
Sense: to hold back, detain, retain.
τὴν  to  the 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ὁμολογίαν  confession 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ὁμολογία  
Sense: profession.
τῆς  of  [our] 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐλπίδος  hope 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἐλπίς  
Sense: expectation of evil, fear.
ἀκλινῆ  firmly 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀκλινής  
Sense: not inclining, firm, unmoved.
πιστὸς  faithful 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: πιστός  
Sense: trusty, faithful.
γὰρ  for  [is] 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: γάρ  
Sense: for.
  the  [One] 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐπαγγειλάμενος  having  promised 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Middle, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἐπαγγέλλομαι  
Sense: to announce that one is about to do or furnish something.