Hebrews 10:23

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

This verse is a powerful exhortation found in the book of Hebrews, encouraging believers to maintain their commitment to Christ. It emphasizes the importance of steadfastness in the Christian walk, grounding this perseverance in the reliable character of God himself.

Context

Hebrews chapter 10 follows a detailed explanation of how Christ's sacrifice is superior and final compared to the Old Testament sacrifices. Having established that believers have "boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus" (Hebrews 10:19), the author moves into practical implications for the Christian community. Verses 22-25 contain a series of exhortations: to draw near to God with sincerity, to hold fast to their confession, and to consider one another to provoke love and good works, not forsaking the assembly. Verse 23 is central to the call for continued faith after understanding the finished work of Christ.

Key Themes

  • Holding Fast: The command to actively and resolutely cling to what one possesses or has declared. It implies resistance against forces that would pull one away.
  • Profession of Faith: This refers to the open declaration and commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the truth confessed by believers.
  • Steadfastness (Without Wavering): The call to be firm and unwavering in one's conviction and commitment, avoiding doubt or instability.
  • God's Faithfulness: The foundation for human perseverance. The promise rests not on human strength but on the unchanging, reliable character of God who makes the promise.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "hold fast" comes from the Greek word katechō (κατέχω), meaning to hold down, possess, or hold firmly. It implies a strong grip or retention. The word "profession" is homologia (ὁμολογία), which means a confession, declaration, or agreement. It's the public acknowledgment of faith. "Without wavering" translates aklinē (ἀκλινῆ), meaning unbent, firm, or steadfast. It contrasts with being swayed or unstable. The reason given, "for he is faithful that promised," highlights God's reliability, using the Greek word pistos (πιστὸς), which means trustworthy or faithful. This grounds the human effort in divine assurance.

Reflection

Hebrews 10:23 is a timeless reminder that the Christian journey requires endurance and commitment. Our ability to stand firm in our faith is not solely dependent on our own willpower, but is ultimately secured by the faithfulness of God. When doubts arise or challenges threaten to shake our confidence, we are called to remember that the one who made the promises (salvation, eternal life, presence) is completely reliable. This verse encourages believers to publicly and privately maintain their confession of Christ, drawing strength from the certainty of God's character. It is a call to live consistently with the truth we have declared, trusting in the God who is faithful and will do it.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
7 Major Themes in the Book of Hebrews An Introduction to Hebrews: Christ is Better The Warning Passages in Hebrews Aaron: The First High Priest The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)

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.
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