Hebrews 10:23

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Let us hold fast {G2722} the profession {G3671} of our faith {G1680} without wavering {G186};(for {G1063} he is faithful {G4103} that promised {G1861};)

Complete Jewish Bible

Let us continue holding fast to the hope we acknowledge, without wavering; for the One who made the promise is trustworthy.

Berean Standard Bible

Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 10:23 is a profound exhortation for believers to maintain unwavering steadfastness in their public declaration of faith, anchoring their perseverance not in personal strength but in the unshakeable faithfulness of God, who has made and will fulfill His promises. This verse serves as a foundational call to endurance, reminding the Christian community that their hope and confession are secured by the reliable character of the Divine Promiser.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the hortatory section of Hebrews, following the author's extensive theological exposition on the superiority of Christ's high priestly ministry and His once-for-all sacrifice. Having established that believers now possess "boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus" ([Hebrews 10:19](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19 - Access to God through Christ")), the author transitions from doctrinal explanation to practical application. Verses 22-25 form a triad of exhortations: "Let us draw near" ([Hebrews 10:22](/hebrews/10-22 "Hebrews 10:22 - Draw Near with a True Heart")), "Let us hold fast" ([Hebrews 10:23](/hebrews/10-23 "Hebrews 10:23 - Hold Fast to Our Profession")), and "Let us consider one another" ([Hebrews 10:24](/hebrews/10-24 "Hebrews 10:24 - Stir One Another to Love")). Thus, [Hebrews 10:23](/hebrews/10-23 "Hebrews 10:23 - Hold Fast to Our Profession") is an integral part of the call to active, communal Christian living, grounded in the new covenant realities.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Hebrews was likely written to Jewish Christians who were facing persecution or social pressure, possibly contemplating a return to Judaism or becoming complacent in their faith. They understood the Old Covenant sacrificial system intimately, and the author's detailed arguments for Christ's supremacy over Levitical priests and sacrifices would have resonated deeply. The call to "hold fast" was not merely a spiritual platitude but a vital command in a context where wavering could mean abandoning Christ and facing severe consequences, both socially and spiritually. The emphasis on God's faithfulness would have provided immense comfort and assurance to a community under duress, reminding them that their ultimate hope was secure despite external pressures.
* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes in Hebrews. The theme of **Perseverance and Endurance** is paramount, as the book repeatedly urges believers not to "shrink back" but to "have faith and preserve their souls" ([Hebrews 10:39](/hebrews/10-39 "Hebrews 10:39 - Perseverance of the Righteous")). It underscores the **Superiority of Christ** by implying that the object of their "profession" is Christ Himself, whose sacrifice makes such steadfastness possible. The theme of **God's Faithfulness** is explicitly stated as the bedrock for human perseverance, echoing earlier assurances that God "is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name" ([Hebrews 6:10](/hebrews/6-10 "Hebrews 6:10 - God's Faithfulness to His Saints")). Finally, the concept of **Confession and Witness** is highlighted, as "profession of our faith" implies a public, verbal declaration of allegiance to Christ, a recurring motif throughout the New Testament.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hold fast (Greek, _katéchō'_):** From G2722, meaning "to hold down (fast), in various applications (literally or figuratively):--have, hold (fast), keep (in memory), let, X make toward, possess, retain, seize on, stay, take, withhold." Here, it implies a firm, resolute grip on one's confession, resisting any force that might cause one to let go. It's an active, continuous effort to maintain possession.
* **profession (Greek, _homología'_):** From G3671, meaning "acknowledgment:--con- (pro-)fession, professed." This word signifies a public declaration, an open acknowledgment, or an agreement. It's not merely an internal belief but an outward, verbal, and often public, statement of allegiance to Christ and the truths of the Gospel.
* **faithful (Greek, _pistós'_):** From G4103, meaning "objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful:--believe(-ing, -r), faithful(-ly), sure, true." In this context, it refers to God's character as utterly trustworthy and reliable. His promises are sure because He is inherently true to His word and nature.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering;":** This is an imperative, an active command for the Christian community. "Hold fast" (κατέχω) implies a firm, tenacious grip, suggesting that there will be pressures to loosen that grip. The "profession of our faith" (ὁμολογία τῆς ἐλπίδος) refers to the public declaration and allegiance to Christ and the Gospel, which is rooted in "hope" (ἐλπίς), the confident expectation of future blessings. "Without wavering" (ἀκλινῆ) emphasizes steadfastness and stability, contrasting with being swayed or unstable, indicating a firm resolve in the face of doubt or opposition.
* **"(for he [is] faithful that promised;)":** This clause provides the foundational reason and assurance for the preceding command. The conjunction "for" (γάρ) introduces the divine ground for human perseverance. The "he" refers to God, who is described as "faithful" (πιστός), meaning utterly reliable, trustworthy, and true to His word. The phrase "that promised" (ὁ ἐπαγγειλάμενος) highlights God's role as the divine promiser, whose past and future commitments are entirely dependable. This divine faithfulness is the ultimate guarantee of the believer's ability to persevere.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Exhortation** is the primary device, as the author directly commands the readers ("Let us hold fast"). This imperative mood creates a sense of urgency and direct appeal. There is a clear use of **Contrast** between human wavering and divine faithfulness, highlighting that while human resolve might falter, God's character remains unchangeable. The phrase "without wavering" serves as a **Negative Precept**, instructing what *not* to do, thereby emphasizing the desired positive action of steadfastness. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Grounding/Reasoning**, introduced by the particle "for" (γάρ), where the command is immediately followed by its theological justification, linking human responsibility to divine reliability. This structure creates a powerful and reassuring logical flow, reinforcing the call to perseverance with the certainty of God's character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 10:23 profoundly connects the believer's responsibility to God's immutable character. It teaches that Christian perseverance is not merely a matter of human willpower but is ultimately sustained by the faithfulness of God. Our ability to "hold fast" is a response to His prior and ongoing faithfulness in making and keeping His promises. This divine reliability provides the ultimate assurance that our confession is not in vain and that our hope is secure, even amidst trials. It underscores the New Covenant reality where God's faithfulness empowers His people to live out their declared faith.

* [1 Corinthians 1:9](/1_corinthians/1-9 "God Is Faithful")
* [1 Thessalonians 5:24](/1_thessalonians/5-24 "God's Faithfulness to Sanctify")
* [2 Timothy 2:13](/2_timothy/2-13 "God Remains Faithful")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 10:23 serves as a powerful anchor for believers navigating the complexities and challenges of life. It reminds us that our Christian journey is not a solitary endeavor but one firmly grounded in the unwavering character of God. In moments of doubt, fear, or spiritual weariness, this verse calls us to look beyond our own fluctuating emotions and circumstances to the steadfastness of the One who has promised. Our "profession of faith" is not just a one-time declaration, but an ongoing, public, and private commitment that requires intentional "holding fast." This perseverance is not born of a grim determination but flows from a confident trust in God's reliability. It encourages us to live consistently with the truth we have embraced, knowing that the God who called us is faithful to complete what He started, empowering us to remain firm in our hope and confession.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific challenges or pressures in your life currently threaten your "profession of faith"?**
* **How does remembering God's faithfulness strengthen your resolve to "hold fast" when you feel like wavering?**
* **In what practical ways can you more consistently "hold fast the profession of your faith without wavering" in your daily life?**

### FAQ

**What does "profession of our faith" mean in this context?**

Answer: In this context, "profession of our faith" (Greek: `homología tēs elpidos`) refers to the public and open declaration of one's allegiance to Jesus Christ and the truths of the Gospel. It's not merely an internal belief but an outward acknowledgment and commitment. The Greek word `elpís` (faith/hope) here emphasizes the content of this profession as a confident expectation or hope, particularly in the promises of God fulfilled in Christ. This "profession" would have been particularly significant for the original audience, who might have faced social ostracism or persecution for their Christian confession, making their public stance a vital act of obedience and witness. It signifies a continuous, active commitment to the truths they have embraced, as seen in passages like [Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9-10 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confession of Faith").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 10:23 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who is Himself the faithful Promiser and the object of our unwavering profession. The "promises" of God, to which He remains faithful, are supremely embodied and fulfilled in Christ. He is the "Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises" ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, the Mediator of a Better Covenant")), and through His perfect sacrifice, He has secured for us "an eternal inheritance" ([Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ's Sacrifice and the New Covenant")). Our ability to "hold fast" is not based on our own strength, but on the fact that Christ Himself is our "great High Priest" who has "passed through the heavens" ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest")) and intercedes for us, enabling us to "come boldly unto the throne of grace" ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). Thus, God's faithfulness in Christ empowers our perseverance, ensuring that the hope we profess is not in vain, for He who promised is true, and He has fulfilled His ultimate promise in sending His Son.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Thessalonians 5:24

Faithful [is] he that calleth you, who also will do [it].

1 Corinthians 1:9

God [is] faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep [you] from evil.

Hebrews 6:18

That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Titus 1:2

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

1 Corinthians 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].

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.