The Meaning of Hebrews 3:6 Explained

Hebrews 3:6

KJV: 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.

YLT: and Christ, as a Son over his house, whose house are we, if the boldness and the rejoicing of the hope unto the end we hold fast.

Darby: but Christ, as Son over his house, whose house are we, if indeed we hold fast the boldness and the boast of hope firm to the end.

ASV: but Christ as a son, over his house; whose house are we, if we hold fast our boldness and the glorying of our hope firm unto the end.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Hebrews 3:6 Mean?

Verse Meaning

God"s household consists of people, not boards, bars, and curtains. The writer was thinking of priestly functions, as is clear from the context. His concern was that his readers might not remain faithful to God (cf. Mark 4:5-6; Mark 4:16-17). This would result in their losing their privilege as priests that included intimate fellowship with God and the opportunity to represent God before people and people before God. This is what the Israelites as a whole lost when they turned away from the Lord and built the golden calf at Mt. Sinai ( Exodus 32). Instead of all the Israelites being priests ( Exodus 19:6) God limited this privilege to the Levites who remained faithful when the other Israelites apostatized ( Exodus 32:26-29; cf. Numbers 3:12-13). Just so today it is possible for us to forfeit the privilege of functioning as a priest in the future (cf. 1 Peter 2:5). The writer shifted from using "house" to refer to the place where priestly functions take place, to using "house" to refer to the people engaged in those activities, namely, a household.
The writer"s point in this pericope was that his readers should follow the example of faithfulness to God that Moses and Jesus set or they could lose their privilege as priests. Essentially priests represent people to God. They exercise leadership of people God-ward. The writer had previously warned his readers that unfaithfulness could result in their drifting away from God"s truth ( Hebrews 2:1-4). Moreover by contrasting Jesus and Moses he helped his Jewish readers appreciate the superiority of Jesus over Moses and so discouraged them from departing from Christianity and returning to Judaism. [1]
"When we withdraw from the exercise of our priestly New Testament worship, we are no longer fellowshipping with the other believers. But this does not mean we are not saved or that we had salvation and lost it." [2]

Context Summary

Hebrews 3:1-11 - Superior To Moses
Dwell on those opening words:-holy, such is God's ideal for us; brethren, by reason of our union with Christ, and with one another in Him; partakers, etc., God is ever calling upward and heavenward. Jesus comes from God as Apostle and goes for us to God as Priest. In His human life, how humble and faithful; but He originally built the Jewish polity and commonwealth! He was and is as much greater than Moses as the architect than the foreman and the son than the servant.
It is not enough to begin the Christian race; we must hold fast our confidence and hope to the end. That was the point specially to be emphasized among these harried people. These Hebrew Christians missed the splendid ceremonial of their ancient faith, and were suffering heavily from persecution and opposition. But was it not worthwhile to persevere, if only to be recognized as belonging to the household of God? Surely for them and for us the experiences of Israel in the forty years of wandering are full of warning. Be admonished by that Wilderness cemetery! [source]

Chapter Summary: Hebrews 3

1  Christ is more worthy than Moses;
7  therefore if we believe not in him, we shall be more worthy punishment than hardhearted Israel

Greek Commentary for Hebrews 3:6

Whose house are we [ου οικος εσμεν ημεις]
We Christians (Jew and Gentile) looked at as a whole, not as a local organization. If we hold fast Condition of third class with εαν — ean and second aorist (effective) active subjunctive of κατεχω — katechō This note of contingency and doubt runs all through the Epistle. We are God‘s house if we do not play the traitor and desert. Boldness (παρρησιαν — parrēsian) and glorying (και καυχημα — kai kauchēma) some had lost. The author makes no effort to reconcile this warning with God‘s elective purpose. He is not exhorting God, but these wavering Christians. All these are Pauline words. B does not have μεχρι τελους βεβαιαν — mechri telous bebaian (firm unto the end), but it is clearly genuine in Hebrews 3:14. He pleads for intelligent confidence. [source]
But Christ []
Replacing the human name Jesus, and being the official name which marks his position over the house. [source]
As a son [ὡς υἱὸς]
The fidelity of Moses and the fidelity of Christ are exhibited in different spheres: of Moses in that of servant; of Christ in that of son. [source]
Over his own house [ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ]
Comp. Hebrews 10:21, and notice ἐπὶ overhis house, and ἐν inall his house, of Moses. For “his own house” rend. “his house,” referring to God. Reference to Christ would destroy the parallel. It is said by some that the matter of respective positions is irrelevant: that the main point is fidelity, and that therefore it does not matter whether Moses was a son or a servant, provided he was faithful. But the writer evidently feels that Christ's position as a son enhanced his fidelity. Comp. Hebrews 5:8. The implication is that Christ's position involved peculiar difficulties and temptations. [source]
Whose house [οὗ]
God's house. The church is nowhere called the house of Christ. [source]
We [ἡμεῖς]
Even as was the house in which Moses served. The Christian community is thus emphatically designated as the house of God, implying the transitoriness of the Mosaic system. Comp. 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:22; 1 Peter 4:17. [source]
Hold fast [κατάσξωμεν]
The verb is used in N.T. as here, 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Philemon 1:13; of restraining or preventing, Luke 4:42; of holding back or holding down with an evil purpose, Romans 1:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; of holding one's course toward, bearing down for, Acts 27:40. [source]
The confidence and the rejoicing of the hope [τὴν παρρησίαν καὶ τὸ καύχημα τῆς ἐλπίδος]
The combination confidence and rejoicing N.T.oRejoicing or boasting of hope N.T.obut comp. 1 Thessalonians 2:19. For παρρησία confidencesee on 1 Timothy 3:13. The entire group of words, καύχημα groundof glorying, καύχησις actof glorying, and καυχᾶσθαι toglory, is peculiarly Pauline. Outside of the Pauline letters καυχᾶσθαι occurs only James 1:9; James 4:16; καύχησις only James 4:16; and καύχημα only here. The thought here is that the condition of being and continuing the house of God is the holding fast of the hope in Christ ( ἐλπίδος of the object of hope) and in the consummation of God's kingdom in him; making these the ground of boasting, exultantly confessing and proclaiming this hope. There must be, not only confidence, but joyful confidence. Comp. Romans 5:3; Ephesians 3:12, Ephesians 3:13; Philemon 3:3. [source]
Firm unto the end [μέχρι τέλους βεβαίαν]
Textually, there is some doubt about these words. Westcott and Hort bracket them. Tischendorf retains, and Weiss rejects them. The latter part of this verse marks the transition to the lesson of the wilderness-life of the exodus; the writer fearing that the fate of the exodus-generation may be repeated in the experience of his readers. We are God's house if we steadfastly hold fast our Christian hope, and do not lose our faith as Israel did in the wilderness. The exhortation to faith is thrown into the form of warning against unbelief. Faith is the condition of realizing the divine promise. The section is introduced by a citation from Psalm 95:7, Psalm 95:8. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Hebrews 3:6

John 8:35 Abideth not in the house forever []
A slave has no permanent place in the house. He may be sold, exchanged, or cast out. Compare Genesis 21:10; Galatians 4:30. House. See Hebrews 3:6; John 14:2. The elder son in the parable of the prodigal (Luke 15:29), denies his sonship by the words, “These many years do I serve thee ( δουλεύω ).” [source]
John 13:1 Unto the end [εἰς τέλος]
Interpretations differ. The rendering of the A.V. and Rev. is of doubtful authority. The passages cited in support of this, Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13, may all be rendered to the uttermost. Morever, other formulas are used where the meaning to the end is unquestionable. In Revelation 2:26, the only other instance in John's writings where τέλος is used in an adverbial phrase the expression is ἄχρι τέλους , unto the end. Similarly Hebrews 6:11. In Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 3:14, μέχρι τὲλους , unto the end. The phrase may mean at last, and so is rendered by many here, as Meyer, Lange, Thayer (Lex.). “At last He loved them;” that is, showed them the last proof of His love. This is the most probable rendering in Luke 18:5, on which see note. It may also mean to the uttermost, completely. So Westcott and Godet. But I am inclined, with Meyer, to shrink from the “inappropriate gradation” which is thus implied, as though Jesus' love now reached a higher degree than before ( ἀγαπήσας ). Hence I prefer the rendering at last, or finally He loved them, taking ἠγάπησεν , loved, in the sense of the manifestation of His love. This sense frequently attaches to the verb. See, for instance, 1 John 4:10(“love viewed in its historic manifestation” Westcott), and compare John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4; Ephesians 5:2, Ephesians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; Revelation 3:9. [source]
2 Corinthians 6:10 Having - possessing [ἔχοντες - κατέχοντες]
The contrast is twofold: between having and not having, and between temporary and permanent having, or having and keeping. Compare Luke 8:15; 1 Corinthians 15:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Hebrews 3:6. [source]
1 Timothy 3:15 House of God [οἴκῳ θεοῦ]
An O.T. phrase, used of the temple. More frequently, house of the Lord ( κυρίου ); see 1 Kings 3:1; 1 Kings 6:1; 1 Chronicles 22:2, 1 Chronicles 22:11; 1 Chronicles 29:2, etc. Applied to the church only here. Paul has οἰκείους τῆς πίστεως Hebrews householders of the faith (Galatians 6:10), and οἰκεῖοι τοῦ θεοῦ householdersof God (Ephesians 2:19), signifying members of the church. Christians are called ναὸς θεοῦ sanctuaryof God (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 6:16); and the apostles are οἰκονόμοι householdstewards (1 Corinthians 4:1). So of a Bishop (Titus 1:7). See also Hebrews 3:6. [source]
Hebrews 10:23 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]
Hebrews 1:2 By his son [ἐν υἱῷ]
Lit. in a son. Note the absence of the article. Attention is directed, not to Christ's divine personality, but to his filial relation. While the former revelation was given through a definite class, the prophets, the new revelation is given through one who is a son as distinguished from a prophet. He belongs to another category. The revelation was a son-revelation. See Hebrews 2:10-18. Christ's high priesthood is the central fact of the epistle, and his sonship is bound up with his priesthood. See Hebrews 5:5. For a similar use of υἱός sonwithout the article, applied to Christ, see Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 5:8; Hebrews 7:28. [source]
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]
Hebrews 3:14 For we are become partakers of Christ [μετοχοι γαρ του Χριστου γεγοναμεν]
Second perfect active of γινομαι — ginomai “we have become,” not the equivalent of εσμεν — esmen (are). For μετοχοι — metochoi see Hebrews 1:9; Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 6:4. We have become partners with Christ and hence The same condition as in Hebrews 3:6 with περ — per (indeed, forsooth) added to εαν — ean Jonathan Edwards once said that the sure proof of election is that one holds out to the end. The beginning of our confidence For υποστασις — hupostasis see Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 11:1. These faltering believers (some even apostates) began with loud confidence and profession of loyalty. And now? [source]
Hebrews 6:11 And we desire [επιτυμουμεν δε]
Literary plural again like πεπεισμετα — pepeismetha (Hebrews 6:9). He is not wholly satisfied with them as he had already shown (Hebrews 5:11-14). They have not given up Christ (Hebrews 6:4-8), but many of them are still babes For πληροπορια — plērophoria see 1 Thessalonians 1:5; Colossians 2:2. To the end As in Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 3:14. [source]
Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore [εχοντες ουν]
The author now gives a second (the first in Hebrews 8:1-6) resumé of the five arguments concerning the superior priestly work of Christ (Hebrews 10:19-25) coupled with an earnest exhortation like that in Hebrews 4:14-16, with which he began the discussion, before he proceeds to treat at length the fifth and last one, the better promises in Christ (10:26-12:3). Boldness This is the dominant note all through the Epistle (Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 10:19, Hebrews 10:35). They were tempted to give up Christ, to be quitters. Boldness (courage) is the need of the hour. Into the holy place That is, the heavenly sanctuary where Jesus is (Hebrews 6:18-20). This is the better sanctuary (Hebrews 9:1-12). By the blood of Jesus This is the better sacrifice just discussed (9:13-10:18). [source]
Hebrews 3:3 Hath been counted worthy of more glory than Moses [πλειονος δοχης παρα Μωυσην ηχιωται]
Perfect passive indicative of αχιοω — axioō to deem worthy, permanent situation described with definite claim of Christ‘s superiority to Moses. Δοχης — Doxēs in genitive case after ηχιωται — ēxiōtai For παρα — para after the comparative πλειονος — pleionos see Hebrews 1:4, Hebrews 1:9; Hebrews 2:7. By so much as A proportionate measurement (common use of κατα — kata and the quantitative relative οσος — hosos). Than the house Ablative case of comparison after πλειονα — pleiona The architect is superior to the house just as Sir Christopher Wren is superior to St. Paul‘s Cathedral. The point in the argument calls for Jesus as the builder But it is God‘s house as αυτου — autou means (Hebrews 3:2, Hebrews 3:5) and ου — hou in Hebrews 3:6. This house of God existed before Moses (Hebrews 11:2, Hebrews 11:25). Jesus as God‘s Son founded and supervised this house of God. [source]
Hebrews 9:16 A testament [διατηκη]
The same word occurs for covenant (Hebrews 9:15) and will (Hebrews 9:16). This double sense of the word is played upon also by Paul in Galatians 3:15. We say today “The New Testament” (Novum Testamentum) rather than “ The New Covenant.” Both terms are pertinent. That made it Genitive of the articular second aorist middle participle of διατιτημι — diatithēmi from which διατηκη — diathēkē comes. The notion of will here falls in with κληρονομια — klēronomia (inheritance, 1 Peter 1:4) as well as with τανατος — thanatos (death). Of force Stable, firm as in Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 3:14. Where there hath been death “In the case of dead people.” A will is only operative then. For doth it ever avail while he that made it liveth? This is a possible punctuation with μη ποτε — mē pote in a question (John 7:26). Without the question mark, it is a positive statement of fact. Aleph and D read τοτε — tote (then) instead of ποτε — pote The use of μη — mē in a causal sentence is allowable (John 3:18, οτι μη — hoti mē). [source]
1 John 2:28 We may have confidence [σχῶμεν παῤῥησίαν]
Rev., boldness. For the phrase have boldness, see 1 John 3:21; 1 John 4:17; 1 John 5:14; Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 10:19; Philemon 1:8. For the word παῤῥησία boldnesssee on John 7:13; see on Acts 2:29. It is opposed, as here, to αἰσχύνομαι tobe ashamed, in Proverbs 13:5, where the Septuagint reads “a wicked man is ashamed ( αἰσχύνεται ) and shall not have boldness ( παῤῥησίαν ). Also in Philemon 1:20. Compare 2 Corinthians 3:12. The idea of free, open speech lies at the bottom of the word: coming before God's bar with nothing to conceal. The thought is embodied in the general confession of the Book of Common Prayer: “That we should not dissemble nor cloke them before the face of Almighty God our Heavenly Father, but confess them.” So John Wesley's Hymn:“Jesus, Thy blood and righteousnessMy beauty are, my glorious dress: 'Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,-DIVIDER-
With joy shall I lift up my head.Bold shall I stand in Thy great day,For who aught to my charge shall lay? Fully absolved through these I am, - From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.” [source]

What do the individual words in Hebrews 3:6 mean?

Christ however as [the] Son over the house of Him whose house are we if indeed [our] confidence and the boast of [our] hope unto [the] end firm we should hold
Χριστὸς δὲ ὡς υἱὸς ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ οὗ οἶκός ἐσμεν ἡμεῖς ἐὰν τὴν παρρησίαν καὶ τὸ καύχημα τῆς ἐλπίδος 〈μέχρι τέλους βεβαίαν〉 κατάσχωμεν

Χριστὸς  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
υἱὸς  [the]  Son 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: υἱός  
Sense: a son.
ἐπὶ  over 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐπί  
Sense: upon, on, at, by, before.
οἶκον  house 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: οἶκος  
Sense: a house.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
οὗ  whose 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
οἶκός  house 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: οἶκος  
Sense: a house.
ἐὰν  if  indeed 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἐάν 
Sense: if, in case.
τὴν  [our] 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
παρρησίαν  confidence 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: παρρησία  
Sense: freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech.
καύχημα  boast 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: καύχημα  
Sense: that of which one glories or can glory, matter or ground of glorying.
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.
〈μέχρι  unto 
Parse: Preposition
Root: μέχρι 
Sense: as far as, until.
τέλους  [the]  end 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: τέλος  
Sense: end.
βεβαίαν〉  firm 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: βέβαιος  
Sense: stable, fast, firm.
κατάσχωμεν  we  should  hold 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: κατέχω  
Sense: to hold back, detain, retain.