Hebrews 10:23 and the Believer's Confidence in God's Faithfulness
Hebrews 10:23 exhorts believers to "Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful" (BSB) [1]. This verse serves as a foundational encouragement within the epistle, emphasizing the steadfastness required of those who have embraced the new covenant in Christ. It appears in the third and final division of Hebrews, which shifts from doctrinal arguments to practical exhortations for Christian living while awaiting Christ's return [9].
The immediate context of Hebrews 10:23 builds upon the preceding verses, which describe the believer's access to God through Christ. Hebrews 10:19-22 speaks of having "boldness to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus" and approaching God with "sincere hearts in full assurance of faith" [3, 9]. This confidence is rooted in Christ's sacrificial death, which provides complete cleansing from sin and transforms believers' hearts [3]. Therefore, holding resolutely to hope is a natural consequence of understanding the efficacy of Christ's work and the new covenant [3, 8].
The Greek word for "profession" or "confession" (ὁμολογία, homologia) in this verse refers to the hope that believers affirm, specifically that Christ's death secures a right relationship with God [4, 8]. This hope is not a mere wish but a confident expectation grounded in faith concerning the future inheritance [4]. The exhortation to hold "without wavering" (ἀκλινῆ, aklinē) implies steadfastness and an unwavering commitment to this hope, echoing earlier calls in Hebrews to remain "steadfast unto the end" [4].
The bedrock of this steadfast hope is the faithfulness of God. The phrase "He who promised is faithful" (πιστὸς γὰρ ὁ ἐπαγγειλάμενος, pistos gar ho epangeilamenos) underscores God's reliability to fulfill His word [1]. This concept of divine faithfulness is a recurring theme in Scripture, with numerous cross-references pointing to God's unwavering commitment to His promises [2]. For instance, God's faithfulness is highlighted in His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, and to all who are called by Him [2, 10]. The author of Hebrews frequently emphasizes God's faithfulness, as seen in Hebrews 6:17-18 and 11:11, where Abraham's faith in God's promise is a key example [4, 10]. Paul also affirms God's faithfulness in 1 Corinthians 1:9 and 10:13, and 1 Thessalonians 5:24 [4].
The "promises of God" are central to this faithfulness. These promises are contained in the Scriptures, made in Christ, and confirmed by an oath, establishing a covenant [2]. Charles Hodge notes that faith, as understood in Scripture, is a reception of truth based on divine testimony and a belief in God's authority [7]. He further explains that this faith is specifically in a promise, citing Abraham's unwavering belief in what God had promised [10]. Thus, the faithfulness of God is not an abstract concept but is demonstrated through His consistent fulfillment of His declared intentions [2].
The call to "hold resolutely" implies an active and continuous effort on the part of the believer. It is not a passive waiting but an engaged perseverance in the hope that has been confessed [4]. This perseverance is crucial because the Christian life involves challenges that might tempt believers to waver [4]. The author of Hebrews, therefore, encourages believers to maintain their confidence, knowing that the one who made the promises is utterly trustworthy [1].
This passage has functioned significantly in Christian tradition as a call to perseverance and trust in God's character. It reinforces the idea that the believer's assurance is not based on their own strength or merit, but on the unchangeable nature of God [6]. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, discusses how believers should not indulge in "vain confidence" but rather find security in God's mercy, implying that true confidence stems from God's faithfulness, not human presumption [6]. The Methodist theologian Adam Clarke, in his introduction to Hebrews 10, highlights the insufficiency of legal sacrifices and the new covenant established through Christ's will, leading to the access believers have to God [5]. This access, secured by Christ, forms the basis for the confident hope mentioned in verse 23 [5].
Sources
- Hebrews “Hebrews 10:23 (BSB) — Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Promises of God, The — Contained in the Scriptures -- Ro 1:2. Made in Christ -- Eph 3:6; 2Ti 1:1. Made to Christ. -- Ga 3:16,19. Abraham. -- Ge 12:3,7; Ga 3:16. Isaac. -- Ge 26:3,4. Jacob. -- Ge 28:14. David. -- 2Sa 7:12; Ps 89:3,4,35,36. The Israelites. -- Ro 9:4. The Fathers. -- Ac 13:32; 26:6,7. All who are called of God. -- Ac 2:39. Those who love him. -- Jas 1:12; 2:5. Confirmed by an oath -- Ps 89:3,4; Heb 8:6. Covenant established upon -- Heb 8:6. God is faithful to -- Tit 1:2; Heb 10:23. God remembers -- Ps 105:42; Lu 1:54,55. Are Good. -- 1Ki 8:56. Holy. -- ”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 10:22: 10:22 sincere hearts: Under the new covenant, believers have transformed hearts (8:10; 10:16; Jer 31:31-34). • fully trusting him: Christ’s work on our behalf gives us confidence that God will welcome us into his presence. • our guilty consciences have been sprinkled . . . our bodies have been washed: Christ’s sacrificial death has provided complete cleansing from sin (see 9:13-14, 19-23).”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 10:23: (Heb 3:6, Heb 3:14; Heb 4:14.) profession--Greek, "confession." our faith--rather as Greek, "our hope"; which is indeed faith exercised as to the future inheritance. Hope rests on faith, and at the same time quickens faith, and is the ground of our bold confession (Pe1 3:15). Hope is similarly (Heb 10:22) connected with purification (Jo1 3:3). without wavering--without declension (Heb 3:14), "steadfast unto the end." he--God is faithful to His promises (Heb 6:17-18; Heb 11:11; Heb 12:26, Heb 12:28; Co1 1:9; Co1 10:13; Th1 5:24; Th2 3:3; see a”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 10 (introduction): The insufficiency of the legal sacrifices to take away sin, Heb 10:1-4. The purpose and will of God, as declared by the Psalmist, relative to the salvation of the world by the incarnation of Christ; and our sanctification through that will, Heb 10:5-10. Comparison between the priesthood of Christ and that of the Jews, Heb 10:11-14. The new covenant which God promised to make, and the blessings of it, Heb 10:15-17. The access which genuine believers have to the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Heb 10:18-20. Having a High Priest over the Church of God, we ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: and so abused the goodness of God to their own destruction. But though you should hold that the words were addressed to elect believers, no inconsistency will follow. It is one thing, in order to prevent believers from indulging vain confidence, to repress the temerity which, from the remains of the flesh, sometimes gains upon them, and it is another thing to strike terror into their consciences, and prevent them from feeling secure in the mercy of God. 23. Then, when he bids us work out our salvation with fear and trembling, all h”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 10: in which the divine testimony is given. Paul says that God bears “witness both with signs and wonders” ( Hebrews ii. 4 ). And, secondly, that the proximate end of these manifestations of supernatural foresight and power was to authenticate the divine mission of the messengers of God. This being established, the people were called upon to receive their message and to believe on the authority of God, by whom they were sent. The third proof, that the Scriptures teach that faith is a reception of truth on the ground of testimony, is found in ”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 10:23: 10:23 We are to hold tightly . . . to the hope we affirm, that Christ’s death is effective in winning us right relationship with God.”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 10:19: Here begins the third and last division of the Epistle; our duty now while waiting for the Lord's second advent. Resumption and expansion of the exhortation (Heb 4:14-16; compare Heb 10:22-23 here) wherewith he closed the first part of the Epistle, preparatory to his great doctrinal argument, beginning at Heb 7:1. boldness--"free confidence," grounded on the consciousness that our sins have been forgiven. to enter--literally, "as regards the entering." by--Greek, "in"; it is in the blood of Jesus that our boldness to enter is grounded. Compare ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 74: argues from the case of Abraham, who, according to the express declaration of the Scriptures, was justified by faith; and he quotes from the old prophets the great principle, true then as now, that the “just shall live by faith.” (2.) In the second place, he proves that the faith intended was faith in a promise and not merely general piety or confidence toward God. Abraham, he says, “staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that what He had promised He wa”