Hebrews (written)

Sunday, 24 February 2019

Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:38

The words here are a citation of the Greek translation of Habakkuk 2:4. The Hebrew reads a bit differently and in inverted order –

“Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith.”

Paul has cited this same verse twice, in Romans 1:17 & Galatians 3:11. It is his main source for the doctrine of justification by faith alone, apart from works. With that being so, he builds upon the thought in great detail. Using that same verse from Habakkuk now, the author begins with the portion of the verse which deals with the just, saying, “Now the just shall live by faith.”

It is an obvious statement which speaks for itself. The one who is just lives by his faith. What is of most controversy in this verse is the middle clause. The author next says, “But if anyone draws back.” The word “anyone” is inserted, and it is argued that it is inserted incorrectly. The verse reads, “But if draws back.” Further the conjunction, kai, generally means “and,” but it can mean a host of things based on the context. The most obvious rendering, however, is “and.” Therefore, “And if draws back.” The use of “but” instead of “and,” while also inserting the word “anyone” by the translators, is based on a presupposition that it is not speaking of the subject of the first clause, but of a person who fails to come to Christ.

The word rendered “draws back” means just that. It is a person who retreats. With this in mind, the general idea of many scholars is that this is referring to the one in the first clause. He is just, he lives by faith, and he draws back. If so, the author then says, “My soul has no pleasure in him.”

In this, it is argued that one can lose their salvation by retreating from the faith. However, this is problematic for two main reasons. The first is that it would be contrary to other verses which clearly indicate salvation is a one time, for all time, event. Secondly, the next verse will contrast what is said in this verse. That will reveal the full extent of what is seen in these words, particularly the difficult, middle clause.

Life application: Paul’s citations of Habakkuk 2:4 form the principle theme of the Christian life – faith in something beyond oneself. This includes faith that salvation is of the Lord; faith that we cannot be justified by our own works; faith that God will keep His promises; faith that our trials are being experienced for our good; etc. If I say, “I have faith that I can climb this mountain,” then I am placing trust in my own abilities – even though there are unknown aspects of the climb such as weather, snakes, falling off a cliff, and so on.

However, I am still trusting that I have the ability to overcome these, and any other, obstacles that arise. On the other hand, God asks us to put our faith in Him. We are to have faith that He has spoken to humanity and this conversation is recorded in the Bible. This record says we are separated from God who is otherwise unknowable, except as revealed in nature and in Scripture.

The Bible points to Jesus. Jesus is the incarnate Word of God and, therefore, He makes the unknowable understandable. But what we know of Jesus is recorded in the Bible. Therefore we must have faith that the Bible is God’s word to us. As you can see, a great deal of the Christian life involves understanding the process of receiving the Bible, analyzing its context, and being sure of its reliability. Once our faith in the Bible is sound, we can trust that what it says about Jesus is accurate. If it is, then our faith in Him is sound. If our faith in Him is sound, then we have every confidence that our faith in God is sound. And our faith in God tells us that it’s all about Jesus. Have faith in God, as revealed in His word, and thus, have faith in Jesus.

Lord, misdirected faith is of no value at all. Help our faith to be properly directed, and give us wisdom to understand and accept the reliability of the Bible. By having faith in Your word, we can then have faith in what it tells us about Jesus. And what it tells us about Him is glorious! Thank You for our Jesus! Amen.

Saturday, 23 February 2019

“For yet a little while,

And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Hebrews 10:37

Here, the author will quote Habakkuk 2:3, 4 in this verse and in the next –

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.

⁴ “Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith.”

The quote here in Hebrews follows the Greek translation of the Old Testament. However, the words, “For yet a little while,” are not a part of the quote, but are actually taken from Isaiah 26:20 –

“Come, my people, enter your chambers,
And shut your doors behind you;
Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment,
Until the indignation is past.”

The Greek of this verse in Hebrews actually says, “For yet a very little while.” It is an emphatic statement that a time of indignation lies ahead, and it shall be completed according to God’s perfect timetable.

Understanding this, the context is important to remember. The author has spoken of the need for endurance so that the audience may receive the promise. He now speaks of the need for this at a set time which has a certain end – “For yet a very little while.” Having taken these words from Isaiah 20, a passage which speaks of a time of indignation, it can be seen that this is speaking of a time of persecution upon the Hebrew people. Jesus spoke of these things in the synoptic gospels, such as in Matthew 24 –

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” Matthew 24:6

As has been stated elsewhere in the Hebrews commentary, the placement of the book – after Paul’s church-age epistles – is an indication that, though Hebrews is immediately addressed to first-century Jewish believers, it actually takes up its proper place in redemptive history after the church age. The Jews will again be the main focus of God’s attention, and for those who come to faith in Christ Jesus, there will be a need for real endurance. They will go through the tribulation period, but there will eventually be relief. And so, after the “very little while,” the author says that “He who is coming will come and will not tarry.”

The Greek literally reads, “THE COMER will come.” It is a clear reference to Christ’s second advent. He will come to deliver His people, but until He comes, a time of endurance will be needed. His people will need to hold onto their faith (as will be seen in the coming verse), and hold fast to the hope which they have been promised.

Life application: By quoting Habakkuk the author makes a few points –

1) Habakkuk was speaking of the revelation of the coming Christ;
2) This revelation was still future at the time of Hebrews and before Jesus’ anticipated second coming, therefore;
3) There is a set time for Christ’s return which will occur exactly as God has pre-determined.

Those who received the letter and those who still wait for this day shouldn’t be concerned about the term, “in just a very little while,” as if it should have come by now. Remember Peter’s words –

“But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. ⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8. 9

God’s timing is not our timing and it serves an important purpose. Christ will return at exactly the right moment. He will first come at the rapture for those of the church, and then He will come at His second advent to save Israel, and in particular, to be glorified among those who endured in their faith in anticipation of that marvelous day. Keep looking up…the King is coming!

Lord, to You a thousand years is like a day, but to us it is a really long time. We look forward to Your return for us with eager anticipation. Thy will be done, O Lord, but may it be soon! How great will be the day when we see Your face. Amen.

Friday, 22 February 2019

For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: Hebrews 10:36

The words here explain the thought of the previous verse where the author spoke of not casting away one’s confidence because it has great reward. That great reward, which lies yet ahead, is what is being referred to starting with, “For you have need of endurance.” In verses 10:32-34, the author described the hardships that had been faced by his readers. In not casting away their continued confidence, they would need to endure. This implies that the hardships of the past can be expected in the future as well.

When such hardships come, there is no sense in throwing in the towel and calling it quits. The course has been set, the prize is yet ahead, and in the interim, believers are to maintain the faith needed to endure. With this in mind, the author then shows that this is what is expected of believers. This is found in the words, “so that after you have done the will of God.” We are not given tests, trials, hardships, and pains in order to frustrate us, but to challenge us to remain steadfast. If believers give up their faith because of tough times, then how are they any different than non-believers?

But because there is the anticipation of future glory, there should be a willingness to endure through these frustrations with a sound, and even joyful, hope. The end goal of this, as stated by the author, is that “you may receive the promise.” This is what was stated at the end of verse 10:34 with the words, “knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.”

The promise is the enduring possession found in heaven. This same promise is alluded to in Hebrews 11:13 & 11:39. Those who had gone before, under the Old Testament, had been given the promises. They patiently waited for them, living in faith that what God had promised would someday be realized. Now, in Christ, that promise is assured to believers. As this is so, how much more should we endure by faith, which is the will of God, and thus receive the promise? This is what the author is trying to get across to his audience.

Just because we are in Christ, we are still in this world. We are still in fallen bodies which have temptations, limitations, and frustrations galore. It is not this world which is our hope. If it were, we wouldn’t have much of a hope. But it is the promise which lies ahead that we are to hold fast to. The inheritance is assured. And so, despite our weaknesses, we are asked to hold fast to the promises of God.

Life application: The words of this verse are similar to that of 1 Timothy 4:16 –

“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”

Paul asked Timothy to persevere in his “life and doctrine.” Like Paul, the author of Hebrews asks his audience to persevere in doing “the will of God.” Outside of the Bible, we have no special revelation of the will of God. We can only determine things about Him from creation. But through the Bible, we have specific insights into God’s nature, His standards for us, and His purposes and promises. The promises include rewards based on our faithfulness in carrying out our Christian lives. Salvation is a gift and something we can in no ways merit apart from the work of Jesus, and eternal life is a promise based on our salvation. They go hand in hand. Our rewards, which come with a promise, result from what we do with the salvation He has provided. Therefore they must be eternal in nature.

One thing we do which deserves reward is to persevere. We are promised a reward for continued faithfulness. This should be obvious without ever being said. The Bible tells us that God is ever faithful so it shouldn’t be any surprise that faithfulness on our part reflects His image and is something we can expect to be rewarded for.

Are you living faithfully for Christ and watching your life and your doctrine closely? Be attentive to the few short years you have been given. Squandering eternal rewards because of temporary pressures, temptations, setbacks, or trials is hardly worth it. When you are feeling any of these, find a close friend to help redirect your steps, or do a topical study in the Bible to redirect your ways. In all things, remember to persevere, “so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive the promise.”

Lord Jesus, keep us from the pressures, temptations, setbacks, and trials which take our heart and our focus off of You. Direct our steps each and every day and keep our hearts softened to the things You require. In turn, we will follow where You lead all our days. But Lord, should such trials come, help us to endure through them, honoring You with our lives and actions to the best of our ability. To Your glory we pray. Amen.

Thursday, 21 February 2019

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. Hebrews 10:35

The word translated as “confidence” should be translated as “boldness.” The author is making a connection to verse 3:6 where the reader was admonished to “hold fast the boldness of hope.” The word, “Therefore,” directs the reader to review the previous verses, and to act according to what the author has already submitted. With this understanding, he then says, “do not cast away your [boldness].”

The people, as already noted, have been bold in their actions. His exhortation is to not shrink back from this. Rather, they are to stand fast and be bold, “which has great reward.” What that great reward is will be explained in the verses to come.

Some older scholars note that the author may have been thinking of the ancient Greek warriors who went into battle carrying shields for protection. If a warrior cast away that shield in fear during the battle, it was the highest disgrace, punishable by death. Paul notes the shield of faith in Ephesians 6:16, and he may be asking the reader to hold that shield no matter what. To cast it away would only lead to a sad end.

Life application: In an attempt to not be a downer, it is nice to focus on the happy and uplifting side of the Bible. However, there is a place for understanding our difficulties in Christ as well. At least as much is said of the trials and hardships we can expect as of the blessings. But, despite being promised trouble in this life, Jesus gives us an eternal promise that is so much greater. This is the point of the recent verses of Hebrews. The writer understood the trials the believers were facing. He knew there was an easier path that would have been a lot more comfortable in the short term. But the faithful Christian’s life isn’t just about comfort, ease, and prosperity. Rather, it is about persevering during trials. The majority of the first chapter of the book of James is about how to persevere during these situations. When the persevering is finished and this earthly life ends, the patience and confidence we possess will be richly rewarded. Humans have an infinitely small speck of eternity in this earthly body and yet we anxiously grab at every moment as if it were all we were given. For the believer, such is not the case! When Christ comes for His church, the difficult years we have spent will all but be forgotten. As Jesus said in the last chapter of the book of Revelation –

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Revelation 22:12

If we are to be rewarded according to our work, let us endeavor to work while we can and forget about pursuing the things of this world. Fun now will mean a loss when He comes. Our patient endurance and hard work for His kingdom will have eternal benefit. Press on!

Lord, give us minds to see the eternal and not just the temporary. Turn our hearts to the satisfaction of living out our present hours for You and for Your glory that we may receive that rich reward promised in Your word. Yes Lord, help us not to squander our eternal blessing in the here and now. Amen.

Wednesday, 20 February 2019

…for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Hebrews 10:34

There is a dispute about the correct rendering of the first clause of this verse. The addition of mou (my) in some texts causes there to be a change in intent –

For you showed sympathy to the prisoners (NASB)
…for you had compassion on me in my chains (NKJV)

The correct reading is argued, but it doesn’t change the fact that the audience had compassion on one or more in prison. However, simply for the sake of consistency, the words are probably speaking of the plural, prisoners. That would then be in line with Hebrews 13:3, and also the tenor of the rest of the clauses.

Going with that as the true rendering, it shows that when other believers were persecuted, they not only would become companions with them (see previous verse), but they also would sympathize with their state, bringing them food, clothing, or whatever else they could. And not only that, but they also “joyfully accepted the plundering” of their goods.

Being plundered for one’s faith is something which has occurred throughout the church age, and it was common at the time of the writing of Hebrews as well. But the author’s words don’t just say that people came in and took what the believers possessed against their will. Rather, the faithful joyfully accepted what was occurring – “Go ahead! Take it! This is just stuff. What I possess in Christ cannot be taken from me!” It is in line with Jesus’ own words concerning the things of this life –

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. ³³ Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. ³⁴ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:32-34

Surely remembering the words of the Lord, they knew that they had “a better and an enduring possession” awaiting them. Again, there is a dispute concerning whether the words “in heaven” are in the original or not –

…knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. NASB

…knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. NKJV

Either way, the promise stands. A better and enduring possession lies ahead. It is a lasting one because it is a heavenly one. With this knowledge, the things of this world, then, hold far less value. The author is calling these things to remembrance, asking them to hold fast to that same assurance, and to not be caught up in the temporary things which perish, and which can so easily distract their attention from faithful obedience to the Lord.

Life application: Have you ever heard of Robert Morris, one of the US Founding Fathers? Read the following quote about him by Robert G. Ferris in his book about the signers of the US Constitution –

“Merchant Robert Morris was a man of many distinctions. One of the wealthiest individuals in the Colonies and an economic wizard, he won the accolade ‘Financier of the Revolution,’ yet died penniless and forgotten. He and Roger Sherman were the only signers of all three of the Nation’s basic documents: the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution. Morris… also served as a Senator in the First Congress…”

Mr. Morris literally gave all of his worldly wealth in order to help finance a cause in which he believed. Except for a few history buffs, he’s been entirely forgotten by the nation he helped to forge. Now, think about the innumerable people who have given their lives for an infinitely greater cause – that of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Unmarked graves swell the soil of distant lands, filled with those who have found eternal life; men and women have died in poverty, and yet have attained eternal wealth; causes which seemed hopeless have turned into everlasting joy, all because of the gospel of the Lord Jesus. What are you willing to give up in order that you might secure everlasting life, riches, and happiness? Think on this today, the consequences of your decision will span the ages, even for eternity.

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:17

Lord Jesus, open our hearts and minds to see the eternal and not the temporary. Keep us from squandering those riches which are true riches. And Lord, never let us forget to look back to the torturous cross in order to inspire us to move – ever forward – in the pursuit of Your heavenly kingdom. Amen.