Page 38 - Hebrews- Student Textbook

the right to use the OT in ways that would be inappropriate for modern interpreters. We cannot
reproduce the hermeneutical approach of the inspired authors.

3:11 "AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH" God's wrath is as true biblically as is God's love. It must be stated;
however, that both are anthropomorphic metaphors using human emotions and terminology. They
surely are true about God but not ultimate. God has adequately revealed Himself to us, but there is so
much about God that we simply cannot receive while still a part of this temporal, physical, sinful reality.

3:12

"be careful"

This is a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE; continue to be watchful! It not only is the beginning of the life of faith
that is crucial, but also the finish (cf. chapter 11)!!!

NASB, NKJV "brethren"
NRSV "brothers and sisters"
NJB "brothers"

See 3:1. This designation could either refer to believing Jews, or it could denote ethnic paternity.

"an unbelieving heart" This describes a believer who deserts the living God. A believing heart is one that
continues firm to the end (cf. v. 14 and chapter 11). The phrase "unbelieving heart" reflects a Hebrew
idiom "heart of unbelief" (cf. 4:6), as does "fall away," which reflects the Hebrew shuv ("return" or
"turn").

3:14 "we have become partakers of Christ" This is a PERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE. This implies a finished
progress that results in an abiding state of being.

"if" This is a THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL which means potential action. This is another warning admonishing
Christians to hold fast their confession (cf. 3:6; 4:14; 10:23).

NASB "if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end"
NKJV "if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end"
NRSV "if only we hold our confidence firm to the end"
TEV "if we hold firmly to the end the confidence we had at the beginning"
NJB "if we keep the grasp of our first confidence firm to the end"

This is an emphasis on perseverance. It is as valid a biblical emphasis as is security. They must be super-
glued together for a biblically balanced perspective (cf.3:6; 4:14; Mark 13:13; Rom. 11:22; 1 Cor. 15:2;
Gal. 6:7-9; 1 John 2:19; Rev. 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21; 21:7). Hebrews views the Christian life from the end
(cf. v. 14), not the beginning.

Most biblical doctrines come in dialectical or paradoxical pairs. The Bible is an eastern book which
uses figurative language expressing truth in very strong statements, but then balances it with other
seemingly contradictory statements. Thereby truth is found between the two stated extremes. Western
people tend to proof-text one side of the paradox and radicalize truth by literally and dogmatically

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