Hebrews 3:13

KJV

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} exhort {G3870} one another {G1438} daily {G2596}{G1538}{G2250}, while {G891}{G3739} it is called {G2564} To day {G4594}; lest {G3363} any {G5100} of {G1537} you {G5216} be hardened {G4645} through the deceitfulness {G539} of sin {G266}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Instead, keep exhorting each other every day, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you will become hardened by the deceit of sin.

Berean Standard Bible

But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

American Standard Version

but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 3:13 serves as an urgent pastoral admonition to the Christian community, emphasizing the critical and continuous need for believers to mutually encourage and admonish one another daily. This ongoing spiritual vigilance is presented as the essential safeguard against the insidious and deceptive nature of sin, which, if left unchecked, can gradually harden the heart and lead to spiritual apostasy. The verse underscores that perseverance in faith is not a solitary endeavor but a communal responsibility, requiring active, loving engagement within the body of Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a pivotal section of the Book of Hebrews (chapters 3-4), where the author issues a solemn warning against unbelief and disobedience, drawing a stark parallel between the original recipients and the generation of Israelites who failed to enter God's promised rest due to their hardened hearts in the wilderness. The immediate preceding verse, [Hebrews 3:12](/hebrews/3-12 "Hebrews 3:12 - Warning Against Unbelief"), directly warns, "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." Thus, [Hebrews 3:13](/hebrews/3-13 "Hebrews 3:13 - Mutual Exhortation") provides the practical, communal antidote to this danger, prescribing mutual exhortation as the means to prevent such spiritual hardening. The subsequent verses continue to elaborate on the consequences of unbelief and the availability of God's rest for those who remain faithful.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Hebrews was written to a community of Jewish Christians, likely in Rome, who were facing significant persecution and social pressure to revert to Judaism. They were tempted to abandon their confession of Christ, a temptation that mirrored the Israelites' desire to return to Egypt during their wilderness wanderings. The author's frequent use of Old Testament examples, particularly from the Exodus and wilderness narratives, would have resonated deeply with this audience. The concept of a "hardened heart" ([Psalm 95:7-11](/psalms/95-7-11 "Psalm 95:7-11 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts")) was a well-understood biblical motif, signifying a spiritual insensitivity and resistance to God's voice and commands, leading to divine judgment. The emphasis on "today" (Greek: _sēmeron_) echoes the urgency of God's call in the Psalms, stressing that the present moment is the critical time for a faithful response, before opportunities are lost.
* **Key Themes:** [Hebrews 3:13](/hebrews/3-13 "Hebrews 3:13 - Mutual Exhortation") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Hebrews and the broader New Testament. It highlights the theme of **Perseverance in Faith**, emphasizing that remaining steadfast requires intentional effort and communal support. The verse directly addresses the **Danger of Apostasy**, portraying spiritual hardening as a gradual process that leads away from God. It underscores the **Importance of Christian Community and Mutual Accountability**, asserting that individual spiritual health is deeply intertwined with the active engagement and support of other believers. Furthermore, it illuminates the **Insidious Nature of Sin**, describing it not merely as an act but as a deceptive force that blinds and hardens the heart, making repentance increasingly difficult. This warning is a practical outworking of the author's argument for the superiority of Christ over Moses and the Old Covenant, urging the readers to hold fast to their confession in Christ, the ultimate High Priest, lest they, like the wilderness generation, miss out on God's promised rest ([Hebrews 4](/hebrews/4 "Hebrews 4 - The Promise of Rest")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **exhort (Greek, _parakaléō'_):** From the Greek G3870, meaning "to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)." This word is rich in meaning, encompassing a range of actions from comforting and encouraging to urging and admonishing. It implies coming alongside someone to provide support, guidance, or even a loving challenge. In this context, it signifies a proactive and supportive interaction within the community to foster spiritual growth and prevent decline.
* **one another (Greek, _heautoû'_):** From the Greek G1438, a reflexive pronoun meaning "him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc." This emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the exhortation. It is not a top-down command but a mutual responsibility, highlighting the horizontal relationships within the Christian community where every member is both a recipient and a giver of encouragement.
* **deceitfulness (Greek, _apátē'_):** From the Greek G539, meaning "delusion." This term describes sin not merely as a mistake or a transgression, but as an active, misleading, and fraudulent force. Sin promises something desirable (pleasure, freedom, power) but delivers spiritual bondage, death, and separation from God. Its "deceitfulness" implies that it blinds individuals to its true nature and devastating consequences, making it particularly dangerous.
* **hardened (Greek, _sklērýnō'_):** From the Greek G4645, meaning "to indurate, i.e. (figuratively) render stubborn." This verb describes a process where the heart becomes stiff, unyielding, and insensitive to God's voice, truth, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. It's a progressive spiritual callousness that makes repentance and faith increasingly difficult, leading to a state of spiritual insensitivity and rebellion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But exhort one another daily":** This phrase introduces a crucial imperative, contrasting with the warning against an "evil heart of unbelief" in the preceding verse. The command to "exhort" (G3870, _parakaléō_) signifies a continuous, active, and mutual responsibility within the Christian community to encourage, comfort, and admonish each other. The adverb "daily" (G2596, _katá_ G1538, _hékastos_ G2250, _hēméra_) underscores the urgency and continuous nature of this practice, indicating that spiritual vigilance is not an occasional act but a constant discipline.
* **"while it is called To day":** This clause emphasizes the limited and precious nature of the present moment for spiritual response and growth. "To day" (G4594, _sḗmeron_) is a direct echo of [Psalm 95:7](/psalms/95-7 "Psalm 95:7 - Today, if you hear His voice"), highlighting the urgency of responding to God's voice now, before the opportunity passes. It implies that spiritual opportunities are time-bound and that procrastination can lead to irreversible spiritual decline.
* **"lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin":** This final clause reveals the dire consequence that mutual exhortation aims to prevent. The conjunction "lest" (G3363, _hína mḗ_) indicates the purpose of the daily exhortation. The danger is that any individual within the community might "be hardened" (G4645, _sklērýnō_), becoming stubborn and unresponsive to God. This hardening is attributed to "the deceitfulness" (G539, _apátē_) of "sin" (G266, _hamartía_), which actively deludes and misleads individuals, making them insensitive to divine truth and conviction.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey the urgency and gravity of this warning. The primary device is **Imperative Mood**, seen in "exhort," which functions as a direct command, underscoring the non-negotiable nature of this communal responsibility. The phrase "while it is called To day" utilizes **Allusion** to [Psalm 95:7](/psalms/95-7 "Psalm 95:7 - Today, if you hear His voice"), drawing on a well-known Old Testament warning to evoke a sense of historical precedent and spiritual consequence. **Personification** is evident in "the deceitfulness of sin," where sin is portrayed as an active, cunning agent that deliberately misleads and deludes. This gives sin a malevolent quality beyond mere transgression. Finally, the concept of a "hardened" heart serves as a powerful **Metaphor** for spiritual insensitivity and resistance, likening the spiritual state to something physically rigid and unresponsive, emphasizing the progressive and dangerous nature of unaddressed sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 3:13 articulates a profound theological truth: spiritual perseverance is not solely an individualistic endeavor but a communal one, deeply reliant on the active, ongoing support and accountability within the body of Christ. The verse highlights the insidious nature of sin, which, through its deceptive power, can gradually desensitize a believer's heart to God's truth and the Holy Spirit's conviction, leading to spiritual apostasy. This hardening is a process, not an instantaneous event, underscoring the need for constant vigilance and mutual care. The urgency of "today" emphasizes that opportunities for spiritual growth and repentance are time-bound, calling for immediate and continuous responsiveness to God's voice. This communal responsibility reflects the New Testament's emphasis on the church as a fellowship where members bear one another's burdens and spur one another on to love and good deeds.

* [Romans 15:14](/romans/15-14 "Romans 15:14 - Mutual Admonition")
* [1 Thessalonians 5:11](/1_thessalonians/5-11 "1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Encourage One Another")
* [Galatians 6:1-2](/galatians/6-1-2 "Galatians 6:1-2 - Bear One Another's Burdens")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 3:13 calls every believer to active participation in the spiritual well-being of their community. It challenges the notion of a solitary Christian walk, asserting that our spiritual health is deeply intertwined with our engagement with others. This verse demands intentionality: we are not merely to passively receive encouragement but actively to offer it, daily and consistently. Consider how easily the cares of this world, or the subtle allure of sin, can begin to dull our spiritual senses. The "deceitfulness of sin" suggests that its dangers are often masked, appearing benign or even beneficial until its hardening effect takes hold. Therefore, our mutual exhortation must be both loving and truthful, willing to speak difficult words when necessary, always with the aim of restoring and preserving faith. This daily practice builds resilience within the community, creating a spiritual immune system against the slow, corrosive work of sin.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways can I "exhort one another daily" within my Christian community, beyond just Sunday services?**
* **How does the "deceitfulness of sin" manifest in my own life, and what steps can I take to recognize and resist its subtle influence?**
* **Am I truly valuing "today" as an opportunity for spiritual growth and responsiveness, or am I prone to procrastination in addressing spiritual matters?**
* **Who in my life am I spiritually accountable to, and who am I actively providing spiritual accountability for?**
* **What might a "hardened heart" look like in a modern context, and what are the early warning signs I should be aware of in myself and others?**

### FAQ

**What does "exhort one another daily" truly mean in a practical sense?**

Answer: "Exhort one another daily" means actively engaging in the spiritual well-being of fellow believers on an ongoing basis. Practically, this involves offering encouragement, comfort, and support, as well as providing loving admonition or correction when needed. It's about being present in each other's lives, listening, praying for one another, sharing biblical truth, and holding each other accountable to walk faithfully with God. It's not just about formal church gatherings but also informal interactions where believers intentionally build each other up and guard against spiritual complacency. This mutual care is a vital aspect of Christian community, as highlighted in [1 Thessalonians 5:11](/1_thessalonians/5-11 "1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Encourage One Another").

**Why is the emphasis on "To day" so critical in this verse?**

Answer: The emphasis on "To day" (Greek: _sēmeron_) is critical because it highlights the urgency and fleeting nature of the present opportunity for spiritual responsiveness. It echoes the warning in [Psalm 95:7-8](/psalms/95-7-8 "Psalm 95:7-8 - Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts"), reminding believers that God's call demands an immediate response. Procrastination in addressing sin or pursuing spiritual growth can lead to a gradual hardening of the heart, making it increasingly difficult to hear and obey God's voice. The "today" signifies that the window of opportunity for faith and repentance is now, not tomorrow, and delaying can have severe, irreversible spiritual consequences.

**How does sin "deceive" us, and what are the dangers of this deceitfulness?**

Answer: Sin "deceives" us by presenting itself as something appealing, beneficial, or harmless, while concealing its true destructive nature. It promises pleasure, freedom, or satisfaction, but ultimately delivers bondage, spiritual death, and separation from God. This "deceitfulness" (Greek: _apátē_) means sin actively misleads, blinds, and seduces, making its consequences appear less severe or even non-existent. The danger of this deceitfulness is that it can gradually dull our spiritual senses, making us insensitive to God's truth and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. This progressive insensitivity leads to a "hardened heart," where repentance becomes difficult, and one risks departing from the living God, as warned in [Hebrews 3:12](/hebrews/3-12 "Hebrews 3:12 - Warning Against Unbelief").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 3:13, while an urgent command for mutual exhortation, finds its ultimate foundation and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the faithful Son over God's house ([Hebrews 3:6](/hebrews/3-6 "Hebrews 3:6 - Christ as Son Over God's House")), the one who perfectly endured temptation without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our High Priest")). The very hardening of hearts that the author warns against was epitomized by those who rejected Christ's saving work and continued in unbelief, even after witnessing His miracles and hearing His authoritative teaching ([John 12:37-40](/john/12-37-40 "John 12:37-40 - Blindness and Unbelief")). Jesus Himself, through His Spirit, is the ultimate "Paraclete" or Exhorter ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Helper")), empowering believers to fulfill this command to one another. Our ability to exhort and be exhorted, to resist the deceitfulness of sin, and to prevent spiritual hardening, flows directly from our union with Christ, who conquered sin and death on the cross ([Romans 6:6-7](/romans/6-6-7 "Romans 6:6-7 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ")). He is the "today" of salvation, the one in whom God's voice is perfectly heard and obeyed, offering true rest to all who believe and persevere in Him ([Hebrews 4:7-11](/hebrews/4-7-11 "Hebrews 4:7-11 - Entering God's Rest")). Thus, mutual exhortation is a Christ-empowered and Christ-centered practice, aimed at preserving the faith of those for whom He died and ensuring their perseverance to enter His eternal rest.

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 5:11

¶ Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Hebrews 10:24

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Hebrews 10:25

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

1 Thessalonians 4:18

Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Romans 7:11

For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew [me].

Acts 11:23

Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.