Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The original Greek text uses the phrase "confession of our hope," not "confession of our faith." This subtle but important shift highlights that our steadfastness isn't just about believing in God, but clinging to the future glory He has promised us, which sustains us through present difficulties. It’s the confidence in what’s coming that fuels our present resolve.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is urging believers to boldly and unwavering hold onto their hope in Christ. This comes after describing how Christ's sacrifice has opened the way to God's presence, making believers clean and allowing them to draw near with a true heart. The call to perseverance is rooted in the faithfulness of God who made these promises.
When you publicly declare your faith, what are you really sharing? It's more than just a statement of belief; it's a bold declaration rooted in what God has promised.
The verse calls us to 'hold fast the confession of our hope.' This isn't just a casual mention of what we believe, but a deep, unwavering declaration that stems from our Christian hope.
A Shared Declaration
The original Greek word for 'confession' implies speaking the same thing together. This means our outward declaration of hope is something we share with fellow believers. It's a collective testimony to the truth of the Gospel.
Rooted in Christ's Work
This hope is centered on Jesus Christ—His sacrifice, His resurrection, and His promise of eternal life. Our confession isn't based on wishful thinking, but on the finished work of Christ and the certainty of God's promises.
Life throws curveballs, and sometimes our faith feels shaky. This verse reminds us that wavering is a real danger, but steadfastness is within reach.
The call to 'hold fast without wavering' is crucial. The original language suggests not bending or being pushed aside. It's an active stance against doubt and discouragement.
Why the Warning?
The recipients of Hebrews were facing intense pressure, possibly from Jewish communities, and were experiencing delays in Christ's return. These challenges could easily lead to wavering. The writer knew that spiritual momentum could be lost if they didn't actively cling to their confession.
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The Danger of Falling Away
Wavering isn't just a minor stumble; it can lead to a loss of one's spiritual footing. The passage emphasizes the importance of not forsaking community and actively encouraging one another to maintain this steadfastness.
What's the ultimate reason we can stand firm when everything else seems uncertain? It's not our strength, but His.
The verse provides the ultimate anchor for our hope and confession: 'for he who promised is faithful.' This isn't just a nice sentiment; it's a theological bedrock.
The Character of God
God's faithfulness means He is true to His word and His character. He cannot lie, and His promises are unbreakable. This is the objective reality that sustains our subjective hope.
Promises for Today and Tomorrow
When the writer mentions 'he who promised,' it refers to God's promises throughout Scripture—promises of redemption, presence, guidance, and ultimately, eternal life. These promises aren't distant or conditional for believers; they are assured because of God's unchanging nature.
A Reason to Persevere
Because God is faithful, we can trust that He will fulfill all His promises. This truth gives us the courage to hold fast to our confession, even when circumstances seem to contradict it. Our confidence rests not in our ability to endure, but in His unwavering commitment to us.
Understand the original words
tēn homologian tēs elpidos · Greek Noun phrase
Refers to the objective, public declaration of faith in Christ; it is the truth about God's salvation which believers are commanded to maintain steadfastly.
pistos · Greek Adjective
God’s nature as reliable, trustworthy, and unchanging in keeping His covenant promises, serving as the foundation for the believer's perseverance.
The recipients of Hebrews were likely grappling with intense pressure, possibly including persecution and the looming destruction of the Temple, which made holding onto their Christian hope feel challenging. The author's call to 'hold fast' emphasizes the need for unwavering commitment amidst these severe trials.
c. AD 60-62— this verse
Composition of Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews is written during a time of significant hardship for its original Jewish Christian audience, likely in Rome. This period was marked by persecution and social pressure, threatening their commitment to Christ.
c. AD 40-60
Early Christian Persecutions
Christians faced sporadic persecution from both Jewish authorities and Roman officials. This created immense pressure on believers, especially those with Jewish backgrounds, to recant their faith and return to traditional Judaism.
c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome and Nero's Persecution
A devastating fire in Rome led Emperor Nero to blame and brutally persecute Christians. This event intensified the suffering and fear experienced by many early believers, potentially including the recipients of Hebrews.
c. AD 70
Destruction of the Second Temple
The Roman destruction of the Jerusalem Temple marked a definitive end to the Old Covenant sacrificial system. This event would have profoundly impacted Jewish Christians, highlighting the finality and superiority of Christ's sacrifice and the New Covenant.
This verse highlights God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, directly mirroring the assurance given in Hebrews 10:23 that 'he who promised is faithful.'
1 Corinthians 1:8-9It emphasizes God's faithfulness in preserving believers until the end, providing a strong parallel to the encouragement in Hebrews 10:23 to hold fast in the face of trials.
Hebrews 6:11-12This passage speaks about earnestly desiring to show diligence in the hope of salvation, directly relating to the exhortation in Hebrews 10:23 to hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.
Titus 1:2This verse directly connects eternal life with God's promise and His inability to lie, reinforcing the foundation of confidence found in Hebrews 10:23.
1 John 5:4It states that everything God has born is victorious over the world, and the victory that conquers the world is our faith, aligning with the victorious hope believers are called to hold onto.
cambridgeHebrews 10:23: "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)"
23 . the profession of our hope ] Rather, “the confession of our Hope.” Here we have the same trilogy of Christian graces as in St Paul—Faith ( Hebrews 10:22 ), Hope ( Hebrews 10:23 ), and Love ( Hebrews 10:24 ). without wavering ] “So that it do not bend.” It must be not only “secure” ( Hebrews 3:6 ; Hebrews 3:14 ), but not even liable to be shaken. for he is faithful that promis…
clarkeHebrews 10:23: "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)"
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith - The word ὁμολογια, from ὁμου, together, and λογος, a word, implies that general consent that was among Christians on all the important articles of their faith and practice; particularly their acknowledgment of the truth of the Gospel, and of Jesus Christ, as the only victim for sin, and the only Savior from it. If the word washed ab…
The original Greek text uses the phrase "confession of our hope," not "confession of our faith." This subtle but important shift highlights that our steadfastness isn't just about believing in God, but clinging to the future glory He has promised us, which sustains us through present difficulties. It’s the confidence in what’s coming that fuels our present resolve.
The author is urging believers to boldly and unwavering hold onto their hope in Christ. This comes after describing how Christ's sacrifice has opened the way to God's presence, making believers clean and allowing them to draw near with a true heart. The call to perseverance is rooted in the faithfulness of God who made these promises.
The author is urging believers to boldly and unwavering hold onto their hope in Christ. This comes after describing how Christ's sacrifice has opened the way to God's presence, making believers clean and allowing them to draw near with a true heart. The call to perseverance is rooted in the faithfulness of God who made these promises.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." — The original Greek text uses the phrase "confession of our hope," not "confession of our faith." This subtle but important shift highlights that our steadfastness isn't just about believing in God,…
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Last reviewed October 2026