Hebrews 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.
‘Whose house are we.’ This is Paul’s explanation of what he means by Christ’s house which He is building. We are that house – if we meet the condition of being a member of it, and “if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”
‘Hold fast’ [Greek: katecho] hold fast (3:6; 10:23; 1Thess. 5:21); withhold (2Thess. 2:6); hold (3:14; Rom. 1:18; 7:6); retain (Phm. 1:13); stay (Luke 4:42); let (2Thess. 2:7); keep (Luke 8:15; 1Cor. 11:2); keep in memory (1Cor. 15:2); take (Luke 14:9); seize on (Matt. 21:38); possess (1Cor. 7:30); and make toward (Acts 27:40).
‘Confidence’ – Liberty in prayer [Greek: parrhesia] freedom of speech; liberty of access to God. Translated: Boldness of speech (2Cor. 7:4). Plainness of speech (2Cor. 3:12). Freely (Acts 2:29). Openly (Mark 8:32; John 7:4, 13; 11:54; 18:20; Col. 2:15). Boldly (John 7:26; Eph. 6:19; Heb. 4:16). Boldness (Acts 4:13, 29, 31; Eph. 3:12; Php. 1:20; 1Tim. 3:13; Heb. 10:19; 1Jn. 4:17). Confidence (3:6; 10:35; Acts 28:31; 1Jn. 2:28; 3:21; 5:14) Here it refers to absolute confidence of access to God because all sins which separated from God are removed (Isa. 59:1-2). In Old Testament days men were not permitted to approach God. Even the mountain on which God gave the law was not to be touched by man or beast. Only the high priest was permitted in the holy of holies once a year, and even then he could not approach God without proper atonement. Now we all have free and daily access to God by the blood of Jesus (10:19-23; Eph. 2:18). We are invited to come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain help in time of need (4:14-16). As long as we hold fast to this liberty of access to God we are His house (3:6). If sin is in the life we do not and cannot have this liberty of access. God will not hear our prayers (1Jn. 3:20-23; 5:14-15).
To be continued…
Living the Word 