Tag: Rejoicing of the Hope

Rejoicing of the Hope – Part 2

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

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. 

‘Confidence’ (continues) – From Psalms 66:18 we see that if we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us. Iniquity in the heart is the reason for many unanswered prayers. The writer says, If I had seen iniquity in my heart and encouraged it; if I had pretended to be what I was not; and if I had loved iniquity while I professed to pray and be sorry for my sin, the Lord would not have heard me. I would have been left without His help and support in my time of trouble.

‘Hope’ – The hope here is that of eternal life. Unforfeitable eternal life is now a hope. Hope that is seen is not hope (Rom. 8:24-25). How can it be a hope and a present possession, as stated in John 3:16, 36; 5:24; 10:28-29? Why do we yet hope for it if we have it, as stated in Titus 1:2; 3:7 and 1Timothy 1:1? The simple truth is that it is now given to everyone who is in Christ on condition of remaining in Him (1Jn. 5:11-12; John 15:1-8; Gal. 1:6-8; 4:19; 5:4; etc.).

‘Firm’ [Greek: bebaios] firm (3:6); stedfast (2:2; 3:14; 6:19; 2Cor. 1:7); sure (Rom. 4:16; 2Pet. 1:10, 1:19); and of force (9:17)..

‘End’ – Five things we must do to the end: Endure to the end to be saved (Matt. 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13). Hold fast the hope of eternal life to the end (3:6). Hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end (3:14). Show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end (6:11). Overcome and keep Christ’s works to the end (Rev. 2:26).

Rejoicing of the Hope – Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

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…