For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God’s justice isn't just about punishment; it’s also about His faithfulness to remember and reward the genuine love you show for Him, even when you might be struggling. This verse highlights that your tangible acts of kindness toward other believers are seen by God as a reflection of your deep connection to His "name," proving you haven't fallen away from genuine faith.
For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is reassuring the discouraged readers that their past faithfulness and present service to fellow believers, motivated by love for God, are not unnoticed. He’s building on the parable of the soil, emphasizing that God is just and will not forget their genuine expressions of faith and love, even as he urges them to persevere and mature in their Christian walk. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that their good deeds matter deeply to God and are foundational to their hope.
Ever wonder if God truly sees your efforts, especially when things feel tough or your progress seems slow? This verse offers a powerful reminder.
The core idea here is that God's righteousness is on display through His perfect memory and faithfulness. When the writer says, "God is not unjust so as to forget your work," they're emphasizing that God cannot be unjust. His justice means He will remember and rightly value the genuine love and service His people offer.
Think of it like this: If someone promises you a reward for a task and then doesn't give it, they're being unjust. Similarly, God, in His perfect justice and faithfulness, will not forget the good deeds done in love for Him. This isn't about earning salvation, but about God's character – He is true to Himself and to His promises, which include acknowledging and rewarding His children's faithful actions.
What does it truly mean to serve God? This verse points to a specific kind of action that flows from genuine love.
The verse highlights "your work and the love that you have shown for his name." The phrase "for his name" is crucial. It means that the service wasn't just a general act of kindness, but an action done out of love for God Himself, recognizing and honoring who He is. This love was then demonstrated by "serving the saints" – fellow believers.
This isn't just about feeling good; it's about active service. The original Greek implies a continuous action, not just a one-time event. They were and . This ongoing dedication to meeting the needs of other believers, fueled by a love for God's very being and character (His 'name'), is what God sees and remembers.
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Understand the original words
adikos · Greek Adjective
Righteousness or holiness; describing God as one who acts in accordance with His holy and perfect nature, never failing to fulfill His promises or recognize the faith of His people.
ergon · Greek Noun
The fruit of faith; acts of obedience, service, and ministry performed out of devotion to God.
hagios · Greek Noun/Adjective
The set-apart people of God; fellow believers who have been sanctified by Christ and are members of the body of Christ.
This verse speaks to believers who may be facing spiritual weariness or doubt. The author reminds them that their past and ongoing acts of love and service for fellow believers, shown for God's name, are not forgotten by God. This historical context highlights that these acts of service were often performed during times of persecution and hardship for Christians, making their steadfastness even more remarkable.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The foundational events of Christianity, establishing the basis for salvation and the community of believers.
c. AD 33-34
The Stoning of Stephen
The martyrdom of Stephen, a Hellenist deacon, triggers a severe persecution of the church in Jerusalem, scattering believers throughout Judea and Samaria.
c. AD 46-48
First Missionary Journey of Paul and Barnabas
Paul and Barnabas spread the Gospel to Gentile regions, establishing churches and facing various challenges.
c. AD 50
The Jerusalem Council
A significant church council addresses the issue of Gentile inclusion, affirming that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not adherence to the Law of Moses.
c. AD 62-64— this verse
Writing of the Epistle to the Hebrews
The author of Hebrews addresses a community of Jewish Christians who are struggling with spiritual immaturity and the risk of apostasy, reminding them of Christ's superiority and the importance of perseverance.
c. AD 64
The Great Fire of Rome and Subsequent Persecution
While the exact date is debated, this period saw increased Roman hostility towards Christians, potentially intensifying hardships faced by believers mentioned in Hebrews.
This passage directly links giving even a simple cup of cold water to a disciple to not losing one's reward, highlighting that God notices and values acts of kindness shown in His name, just as Hebrews 6:10 emphasizes.
1 John 3:17This verse speaks of closing one's heart to a brother in need as not having God's love abiding in them, which in turn helps illuminate the 'love shown toward his name' in Hebrews 6:10 as actively demonstrated through compassion and service to fellow believers.
2 Corinthians 8:7This verse encourages believers to abound in acts of grace and love, just as they abound in faith, knowledge, and utterance; it echoes the sentiment of Hebrews 6:10 by connecting genuine faith with outward expressions of love and service.
Colossians 1:4Paul mentions hearing of the believers' love in Christ Jesus, connecting it directly to their faith and love for all the saints. This parallels Hebrews 6:10 by showing how love for God is demonstrated through love and service towards His people.
Hebrews 10:32This passage recalls the readers' past endurance and suffering for the gospel, reminding them of their 'work' and the 'love' they demonstrated then. It serves as a potent reminder of the kind of faithful actions the author of Hebrews values and believes God remembers, as stated in chapter 6.
ellicottHebrews 6:10: "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."
(10) In expressing the ground of his hope he does not directly say, “For I have heard of your fruitfulness;” he implies this, and then, in accordance with the parable of Hebrews 6:7 , he declares that God will surely bestow the promised reward. Herein lies his hope. Man’s work cannot in itself merit reward from God, b…
pooleHebrews 6:10: "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."
For introduceth the reason of the apostle’s former persuasion concerning them, which was the real graces of faith and love to God wrought in their hearts, and shown in their work, which was better than all enlightenings. God is not unrighteous; the affirmative is implied, God is just, and faithful, and true, in perfor…
God’s justice isn't just about punishment; it’s also about His faithfulness to remember and reward the genuine love you show for Him, even when you might be struggling. This verse highlights that your tangible acts of kindness toward other believers are seen by God as a reflection of your deep connection to His "name," proving you haven't fallen away from genuine faith.
The author is reassuring the discouraged readers that their past faithfulness and present service to fellow believers, motivated by love for God, are not unnoticed. He’s building on the parable of the soil, emphasizing that God is just and will not forget their genuine expressions of faith and love, even as he urges them to persevere and mature in their Christian walk. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that their good deeds matter deeply to God and are foundational to their hope.
The author is reassuring the discouraged readers that their past faithfulness and present service to fellow believers, motivated by love for God, are not unnoticed. He’s building on the parable of the soil, emphasizing that God is just and will not forget their genuine expressions of faith and love, even as he urges them to persevere and mature in their Christian walk. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that their good deeds matter deeply to God and are foundational to their hope.
"For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do." — God’s justice isn't just about punishment; it’s also about His faithfulness to remember and reward the genuine love you show for Him, even when you might be struggling. This verse highlights that you…
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Last reviewed October 2026