Hebrews 3:14

KJV

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} we are made {G1096} partakers {G3353} of Christ {G5547}, if {G1437}{G4007} we hold {G2722} the beginning {G746} of our confidence {G5287} stedfast {G949} unto {G3360} the end {G5056};

Complete Jewish Bible

For we have become sharers in the Messiah, provided, however, that we hold firmly to the conviction we began with, right through until the goal is reached.

Berean Standard Bible

We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end the assurance we had at first.

American Standard Version

for we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 3:14 profoundly articulates the believer's profound union with Christ, asserting that this participation in His divine life and benefits is intrinsically linked to a steadfast perseverance in the initial confidence of faith. The verse serves as a crucial theological anchor, emphasizing that genuine faith is not merely a momentary assent but an enduring commitment that sustains one through to the end, thereby confirming the reality of one's spiritual inheritance in Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hebrews 3:14 is embedded within a significant warning passage (Hebrews 3:7-19) that draws a stark parallel between the ancient Israelites' failure to enter God's promised rest due to unbelief and the potential for New Covenant believers to similarly fall short. The immediate preceding verses emphasize the danger of a "hardened heart" ([Hebrews 3:12](/hebrews/3-12 "Hebrews 3:12 - Warning Against Unbelief")) and the vital necessity of mutual encouragement "while it is called To day" ([Hebrews 3:13](/hebrews/3-13 "Hebrews 3:13 - Exhort One Another Daily")). Verse 14 functions as a pivotal statement, clarifying the condition for maintaining one's status as "partakers of Christ" before the author continues to elaborate on the concept of "rest" in [Hebrews 4](/hebrews/4 "Hebrews 4 - The Promise of Rest"). The author's argument builds from the superiority of Christ over Moses, implying that if Israel failed under Moses, how much more serious is the failure to persevere under Christ.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The epistle to the Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were likely facing persecution, social ostracization, and the temptation to revert to elements of Judaism or abandon their Christian faith altogether. The author's repeated warnings against "drifting away" ([Hebrews 2:1](/hebrews/2-1 "Hebrews 2:1 - Warning Against Drifting Away")) and "falling away" ([Hebrews 6:4-6](/hebrews/6-4-6 "Hebrews 6:4-6 - Warning Against Apostasy")) reflect this historical pressure. The concept of "rest" would have resonated deeply with a Jewish audience, recalling the Sabbath rest, the rest of the Promised Land, and the ultimate eschatological rest promised by God. The author uses the historical example of the wilderness generation, who were delivered from Egypt but failed to enter Canaan, as a cautionary tale to impress upon his audience the gravity of unbelief and the necessity of enduring faith in their own spiritual journey.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Hebrews. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Union with Christ**, presenting it not as a static declaration but as a dynamic, ongoing participation. Secondly, the phrase "if we hold... stedfast unto the end" highlights the critical theme of **Perseverance in Faith**, emphasizing that genuine faith is characterized by endurance, not just an initial profession. This directly relates to the author's repeated warnings against **Apostasy** and the danger of neglecting such a great salvation ([Hebrews 2:3](/hebrews/2-3 "Hebrews 2:3 - The Greatness of Salvation")). Finally, the verse implicitly connects to the theme of **God's Rest**, as perseverance is the path to entering and experiencing the full, promised spiritual rest that the disobedient Israelites forfeited ([Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4-1-11 "Hebrews 4:1-11 - The Promise of God's Rest")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Partakers (Greek, _métochos'_):** This word (G3353) signifies a participant, sharer, or associate. It conveys a deep sense of commonality and partnership. To be "made partakers of Christ" means to share in His nature, His life, His sufferings, His glory, and His inheritance. It is a profound spiritual union, not merely an external affiliation.
* **Confidence (Greek, _hypóstasis'_):** This term (G5287) denotes a setting under or support, and figuratively, essence, assurance, or a firm foundation. In this context, it refers to the objective reality and subjective conviction of one's faith in Christ—the settled assurance and foundational truth upon which one's Christian life is built. It is the solid ground of one's initial belief and hope.
* **Stedfast (Greek, _bébaios'_):** Meaning stable, firm, or sure (G949), this adjective emphasizes the unwavering and secure nature required of the believer's confidence. It implies a faith that is not easily shaken or moved, but remains constant and reliable despite external pressures or internal doubts.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For we are made partakers of Christ,"**: This clause declares the profound reality of the believer's union with Jesus Christ. Through faith, believers are brought into an intimate, shared relationship with Him, participating in His life, death, resurrection, and all the benefits of His saving work. This is a divine act, a gift of grace, establishing a new spiritual identity and destiny.
* **"if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;"**: This conditional clause specifies the ongoing requirement for maintaining and demonstrating the reality of that participation. "The beginning of our confidence" refers to the initial, foundational assurance and conviction received at conversion. To "hold... stedfast" means to maintain this initial, firm assurance without wavering, remaining firm and unwavering. The phrase "unto the end" emphasizes the lifelong nature of this perseverance, indicating that true faith is not a temporary burst of enthusiasm but an enduring commitment that continues until the completion of one's earthly life or Christ's return.

#### Literary Devices
The author employs several literary devices to convey the urgency and significance of this verse. The most prominent is the **Conditional Clause** ("if we hold..."), which clearly sets forth a condition for the stated reality of being "partakers of Christ." This structure highlights the active role of the believer in maintaining their faith, rather than portraying salvation as a passive state. Implicitly, there is also **Contrast** or **Parallelism** at play, as the verse immediately follows the negative example of the unbelieving Israelites in the wilderness. By presenting the positive condition for believers, the author contrasts it with the Israelites' failure, thereby reinforcing the warning. Furthermore, the phrase "partakers of Christ" can be seen as a **Metaphor** for the deep, spiritual union and shared identity believers have with Jesus, transcending a mere intellectual agreement to encompass a transformative relationship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 3:14 is a cornerstone verse for understanding the dynamic nature of salvation and the Christian life. It teaches that while our union with Christ is initiated by grace through faith, the authenticity and full experience of this union are evidenced by persistent, enduring faith. This perseverance is not a means to *earn* salvation, but rather the *fruit* and *proof* of genuine saving faith. It underscores the New Testament emphasis that true faith is living, active, and enduring, leading to a lifelong walk of obedience and trust. The verse thus challenges any notion of a static, one-time decision divorced from ongoing commitment, affirming that those truly united with Christ will demonstrate a steadfastness that carries them through to the end, reflecting the very faithfulness of Christ Himself.

* [Colossians 1:27](/colossians/1-27 "Colossians 1:27 - Christ in You, the Hope of Glory")
* [1 John 2:24](/1_john/2-24 "1 John 2:24 - Abide in Him")
* [Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 3:14 calls every believer to a profound and continuous self-examination regarding the depth and endurance of their faith. It challenges us to move beyond an initial burst of enthusiasm to cultivate a resilient, unwavering commitment to Christ that withstands the trials, temptations, and spiritual weariness of life. This verse reminds us that the Christian journey is a marathon, not a sprint, and that our participation in Christ's life is nurtured and confirmed through persistent trust and obedience. It encourages us to actively guard our hearts against unbelief, to daily renew our confidence in Christ, and to lean into the community of believers for mutual encouragement, ensuring that our initial assurance remains firm "unto the end." This steadfastness is not achieved by sheer willpower but by continually fixing our eyes on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How has "the beginning of your confidence" in Christ manifested in your life, and how has it been tested?**
* **In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to "hold stedfast," and what practical steps can you take to strengthen your perseverance?**
* **How does the community of believers (the church) play a role in helping you and others maintain your confidence "unto the end" as described in the broader context of Hebrews 3?**

### FAQ

**Does Hebrews 3:14 imply that salvation can be lost if one fails to persevere?**

Answer: Hebrews 3:14, along with other warning passages in the epistle, highlights the *nature* of genuine saving faith as enduring and steadfast, rather than suggesting that a truly regenerate person can lose their salvation. The author is addressing a community of professing believers, urging them to examine the authenticity of their faith. If one truly is "made partakers of Christ," their faith will, by its very nature, persevere "unto the end." The warning is against a superficial or incomplete faith that might appear genuine at the "beginning" but ultimately proves to be unfruitful and temporary, like the seed that falls on rocky ground in Jesus's parable ([Matthew 13:20-21](/matthew/13-20-21 "Matthew 13:20-21 - The Parable of the Sower")). The author's concern is that some might *never* have truly entered into God's rest due to an underlying unbelief, despite an initial profession. Therefore, perseverance is not a condition *for* salvation, but rather the *evidence* *of* salvation.

**What is meant by "the beginning of our confidence"?**

Answer: "The beginning of our confidence" refers to the initial trust, assurance, and conviction that believers experience when they first put their faith in Jesus Christ. It encompasses the foundational truths believed at conversion—the assurance of salvation, the conviction of Christ's Lordship, and the hope of eternal life. This "confidence" (Greek _hypóstasis_) is not merely a feeling but a firm, settled conviction based on the objective reality of Christ's work. It is the initial, foundational step of faith that sets one on the path of discipleship, which must then be held "stedfast" and unwavering throughout the entire Christian journey. It is the solid ground of our hope in Christ, as described in [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - Faith as the Substance of Things Hoped For").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 3:14, while exhorting believers to persevere, finds its ultimate fulfillment and enabling power in Christ Himself. Our ability to be "partakers of Christ" and to "hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end" is not rooted in our own strength or willpower, but in His perfect faithfulness and sustaining grace. Christ is the one who initiates this union, and He is the one who empowers its continuation. He is described as the "author and finisher of our faith" in [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking Unto Jesus"), meaning He both begins and perfects the faith He grants. Our perseverance is a participation in His own steadfastness, a reliance on His intercession, and a reflection of His indwelling Spirit. Just as Christ Himself endured the cross for the joy set before Him ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus Endured the Cross")), He enables His followers to endure. The promise of being "partakers of Christ" is secured by His finished work, and our holding fast is a response to His unfailing grip on us, fulfilling the promise that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ ([Philippians 1:6](/philippians/1-6 "Philippians 1:6 - God Will Complete His Work")). Ultimately, our steadfastness is a testament to His power and faithfulness working within us, allowing us to abide in Him and bear much fruit ([John 15:4-5](/john/15-4-5 "John 15:4-5 - Abide in Me")).

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

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.

Hebrews 6:11

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

1 Peter 4:13

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Hebrews 12:10

For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be partakers of his holiness.

Hebrews 6:4

For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

Ephesians 3:6

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Romans 11:17

And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;