College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Hebrews 3:1-6
III.
He is superior to Moses. Hebrews 3:1 to Hebrews 4:13
A.
The comparison of Jesus and Moses with respect to greatness and glory. Hebrews 3:1-6
Text
Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, even Jesus; Hebrews 3:2 who was faithful to Him that appointed Him, as also was Moses in all his house. Hebrews 3:3 For He hath been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by so much as he that built the house hath more honor than the house.
Hebrews 3:4 For every house is builded by some one; but He that built all things is God. Hebrews 3:5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterward to be spoken; Hebrews 3:6 but Christ as a Son, over His house; Whose house are we, if we hold fast our boldness and the glorying of our hope firm unto the end.
Paraphrase
Hebrews 3:1 Since the author of the gospel is the Son of God, I exhort you, holy brethren, who by the preaching of the gospel (Chap. Hebrews 2:3) are partakers of the calling to enter into the heavenly country, (Ephesians 1:18) to consider attentively the dignity and authority of the Lawgiver and High-priest of our religion, Christ Jesus;
Hebrews 3:2 Who, in forming the gospel church, was faithful to God Who appointed Him His Apostle or Lawgiver, even as Moses also was faithful in forming all the parts of the Jewish church, God's house at that time.
Hebrews 3:3 But although the faithfulness of Jesus was not greater than that of Moses, He was counted by God worthy of more power than Moses, in as much as he who hath formed the services of the church, not for his own benefit, but for the benefit of others, is a more honourable person than any member of the church; such as Moses was, who needed the services of the Jewish church equally with the people.
Hebrews 3:4 Besides, every religious society is formed by some one: But He who hath formed all righteous communities and religious societies, is God; Who having delegated His authority to His Son, hath made Him Lord of all.
Hebrews 3:5 Now Moses indeed was faithful in forming all the parts of the Jewish church, as a servant who acted according to the directions which he received from God, without deviating from them in the least; because the Jewish church was designed for a testimony of the things which were afterwards to be spoken by Christ and His apostles.
Hebrews 3:6 But Christ, in erecting the gospel church, was faithful as a Son set over His Father's house as its Lawgiver: of Whose house we who believe, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, are members, if indeed we hold fast the bold glorying in the hope of resurrection to eternal life through Christ firm to the end, which we professed at our baptism.
Comment
Wherefore holy brethren
They are brethren, not by race or nationality, but by belief.
a.
It is impossible to have brotherhood when the fundamentals of faith are denied.
b.
International brotherhood will not be attained until men are brothers in Christ.
The verse speaks of holy brethren.
a.
In what way are we holy?
1.
We are made holy by sanctification at our baptism when we bury the old man of sin and rise to walk in newness of life.
2.
We are holy if we walk in holiness.
b.
None will see God unless holiness is present. cf. Ephesians 5:5; Hebrews 12:14.
c.
Church people need to live up to the name, holy brethren.
partakers of a heavenly calling
God's heavenly, or holy, calling comes through the Word:
a.
Heavenly agencies sometimes are used to bring preacher and convert together, but the call comes through preaching.
1.
Peter and the household of Cornelius were brought together, but the Word called Cornelius and his household to salvation.
2.
Paul was brought to the preacher by a heavenly instrumentality, but he was told what to do to be saved. Acts 9:6.
b.
This call is to a unique life:
1.
1 Corinthians 1:2: called to be saints.
2.
2 Thessalonians 2:14: called. to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
3.
Galatians 5:13: called for freedom.
4.
Romans 1:6: called to be Jesus Christ'S.
consider the Apostle
Singular attention is now to be given to Jesus Christ for several reasons:
a.
He was faithful. Hebrews 3:2.
b.
He was appointed. Hebrews 3:2.
c.
He was counted of more glory than Moses. Hebrews 3:3.
d.
He was a Son over His house. Hebrews 3:6.
Consider the apostleship of Jesus:
a.
The word, apostle means, one sent. Jesus claimed to have been sent:
1.
Luke 4:43: I must preach.. for therefore was I sent.
2.
Luke 20:9-16: He was the Son in the parable of the husbandman.
b.
To whom was He sent?
1.
Strictly speaking, to the Jews:
a)
Matthew 15:24: unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
b)
John 1:11: He came unto His own.
2.
Purposefully speaking, to all men:
a)
1 John 4:14: to be the Saviour of the world.
b)
John 3:16: the world.
and High Priest
The priestly system is more easily understood by some than by others:
a.
The Jews had a priestly system. See Leviticus 16.
b.
Most heathen groups have a priestly system, although it is a very corrupt one.
The Christian's High Priest is Christ, Who is perfect, without sin and at the right hand of God.
of our confession
The word confession is translated profession in the King James version:
a.
It is the Greek word, homologia, used in several other places:
1.
1 Timothy 6:12: Profession in K.J.; confession in A.S.
2.
2 Corinthians 9:13: Profession in K.J.; confession in A.S.
3.
Hebrews 4:14: Profession in K.J.; confession in A.S.
4.
Hebrews 10:23: Profession in K.J.; confession in A.S.
b.
We do confess our faith in a person:
1.
2.
c.
The confession of our faith is a profession; we confess faith, which obligates us to a way of life: The idea of profession is challenged by Newell. (p. 80)
a.
He seeks to emphasize that it is a confession in a person, and not a way of life.
b.
In reality, he is correct. We do confess faith, but the idea of profession is too often left out, so people are baptized and come out wet sinners.
even Jesus
What are we to confess about Jesus?
a.
Matthew 16:13-18: The Christ, the Son of the Living God.
b.
1 John 4:15: Jesus is the Son of God.
Some confess Him to be only a good, moral martyr.
What about those who will not confess the truth?
a.
2 John 1:7: They are deceivers, and the anti-Christ.
b.
1 John 2:22: They are liars.
who was faithful
The faithfulness of Jesus stands out:
a.
He was faithful to God in temptation.
b.
He was faithful to God in the miracles, giving God the glory.
c.
He was faithful in God's work, His Father's business.
d.
He was faithful even in death, Matthew 26:42; John 17:4; John 19:30, We may believe that He is now faithful in being our High Priest.
to Him that appointed Him
This word, appointed, is also translated advanced or made;
a.
Milligan suggests that the word refers not to origin, nor to begetting, but to task.
1.
His example is 1 Samuel 12:6: The Lord advanced Moses and Aaron.
2.
Christ was appointed to a task. John 9:4; Hebrews 12:2; Hebrews 3:2.
3.
It was a timely appointment.
4.
Jesus came willingly to His appointment.
There are some appointments that should concern men:
a.
A day to repent, Acts 17:30-31.
b.
A day to die, Hebrews 9:27.
as also was Moses in his house
Moses was a faithful person:
a.
Hebrews 11:25: He chose ill treatment with the people of God.
b.
Exodus is a picture of wayward, whimpering Israel and faithful Moses:
1.
They murmured, but Moses prayed.
2.
They worshipped the golden calf, but Moses worshipped God.
c.
Numbers 12:7 is a commendation of the faithful one. Israel was the house of God, not the house of Moses:
a.
Exodus 25:8: Let them make me a sanctuary.
b.
Exodus 29:45: I will dwell among the children of Israel.
more glory than Moses in all his house
Moses was a glorious person:
a.
He represents one division of the Old Testament. Luke 24:44.
b.
He was selected to be transfigured with Jesus. Matthew 17.
c.
Moses-' glory vanished. Matthew 17:5-6.
What is meant by glory?
a.
It means fame, honor, brightness, splendor, praise.
b.
Jesus is the most famous person in the world. Washington and Lincoln, are national heroes, but Jesus is international. What can be said about Jesus-' glory, pertaining to time?
a.
He had some glory on earth:
1.
John 17:4: I have glorified Thee.
2.
John 7:37-39: Jesus was not yet glorified.
b.
He received glory after His earthly mission:
1.
Acts 2:36: God hath made Him both Lord and Christ.
2.
1 Peter 1:21: God raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory.
c.
The church is now glorifying Him: Ephesians 3:21.
d.
His glory is yet to come:
1.
Matthew 16:27: He came in the glory of His Father.
2.
more honor than the house:
Does this imply that Jesus built the house of Israel?
a.
Yes, says Milligan. (p. 115)
b.
Christ may be regarded as the Builder and Furnisher of the whole house of Israel, of which Moses himself was a member. Christ is eternal; He was the rock from which Israel drank, so this figure is reasonable.
He that buildeth all things is God
The purpose of this verse is to establish the deity of Jesus.
Everything that is done should be ascribed to God.
1 Corinthians 3:6: Apollos watered, but God giveth the increase.
Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant
Several verses establish Moses-' faithfulness:
a.
It is established in Hebrews 11:24-30.
b.
He was faithful in building the Tabernacle according to the pattern, Exodus 25:40.
c.
Numbers 12:7: faithful in all my house.
God's house is referred to: cf. Numbers 12:7, He is faithful in all myhouse.
Moses was a servant: Numbers 12:8.
afterward to be spoken
In this sense, Moses was speaking as a prophet and giving an example of faithfulness:
a.
He was a herald of a doctrine to be published later.
b.
He was a forerunner of a coming prophet, Deuteronomy 18:15.
c.
His example is for all: 1 Corinthians 10:11; These things happened. by way of example.
but Christ as a Son over his house
Moses was a servant, but Christ was a Son in God's house:
a.
This is only one of the many figures applied to Jesus:
1.
Matthew 16:13-18: He is the Builder.
2.
1 Peter 2:4-6: He is Cornerstone.
3.
Hebrews 3:6: Son in the house.
4.
Hebrews 10:21: High priest over the house of God.
b.
The word own appears in the King James version: ... over His own house.
1.
Milligan challenges this translation. In this figure it is not His own house, but the house of God.
The expression house of Christ never appears, but always the house of God.
a.
Ephesians 2:19: Household of God.
b.
1 Timothy 3:15: in the house of God.
c.
Hebrews 10:21: over the house of God.
d.
1 Peter 4:17: judgment begins at the house of God.
e.
Ephesians 2:22: in whom ye are builders together.
f.
1 Peter 2:7: head of the corner.
Whose house are we
The former house was presided over by the High Priest and by Moses:
a.
It was transitory and typical, a shadow of something better to come.
b.
Now we are the glorious eternal house of God.
It is a joy to be a part of a house that cannot be destroyed:
a.
Matthew 16:13-18: The gates of Hades cannot prevail against it.
b.
Matthew 7:24-27: Storms of life will not destroy it.
if we hold fast our boldness
Faithfulness is an absolute essential to salvation, for the book of Hebrews eliminates the doctrine of once in grace, always in grace.
a.
We are of the household if we hold fast.
b.
The implication is that when we turn loose, we are no longer in the house of God.
c.
Many scriptures speak similarly:
1.
Matthew 10:22: endureth.
2.
Luke 9:62: putteth his hand to the plow.
3.
Revelation 2:10: faithful unto death.
4.
Hebrews 3:14: if we hold fast.
5.
Hebrews 6:5-6: fall away.
The word boldness is also translated confidence:
a.
It has the idea of freeness and boldness of speech.
b.
It means an inward state of full and undisturbed confidence. (Milligan.)
and the glorying of our hope
It is also translated, the rejoicing of hope:
a.
This is a contrast to crying, complaining Israel.
b.
Hope refers to the object of our faith.
1.
It is in the realm of the unseen.
Romans 8:24: Hope that is seen is not hope.
2.
We hope for the glorious body, the new heaven and the new earth.
firm unto the end
Our task is to complete a course that we have started:
a.
God will save us because of our effort, not in spite of it.
b.
A person cannot become a willful weakling and expect God to save him.
Study Questions
327.
What is the great theme of Chapter Three?
328.
What is it that makes men brethren?
329.
Can we be called brothers to those who deny the fundamentals of brotherhood?
330.
In what way are we made holy?
331.
What is the descriptive word used concerning brethren? Is it important? cf. Ephesians 5:5; Hebrews 12:14.
332.
Do we live up to the term?
333.
Of what are we partakers?
334.
How is it a heavenly calling?
335.
What heavenly agencies are used?
336.
What agencies were used in the life of Peter? Paul?
337.
Name some things related to our call concerning our character, relationship, etc.
338.
Who is the apostle to be considered?
339.
How can He be called an apostle? cf. Luke 4:43.
340.
Name the various things said about Jesus in this verse.
341.
To whom was Jesus sent primarily?
342.
Did He claim to be sent to all men? cf. 1 John 4:14.
343.
Does the Christian have a priest?
344.
Is the idea developed in this verse? In the book of Hebrews?
345.
How is Jesus our High Priest?
346.
How often does He sacrifice?
347.
What can be said about His sympathy?
348.
What can be said about His character?
349.
What is meant by the expression, of our confession?
350.
What is the alternate word used for confession in the King James version?
351.
Is our confession of faith in Christ also a pledge of profession?
352.
What do we confess?
353.
What do we confess about Him?
354.
What does the scripture declare concerning those who will not confess that He is the Christ? cf. 2 John 1:7; 1 John 2:22.
355.
Discuss the faithfulness of Christ throughout His life on earth. cf. Luke 2:49; Hebrews 12:2.
356.
If Christ was faithful on earth, what may we suppose about Him now?
357.
To whom was He faithful?
358.
What does the word appointed mean?
359.
Is the word advanced a good translation?
360.
Does the word made carry the idea?
361.
What appointment is referred to in Hebrews 3:2?
362.
Who appointed who? To what was He appointed?
363.
Did Jesus approach the appointment gladly?
364.
What appointments has God made for the sinner?
365.
Does the Christian have any appointments?
366.
Discuss Jesus-' faithfulness on the cross. Matthew 26:42.
367.
Discuss Moses-' faithfulness in the building of the Tabernacle.
368.
Compare the waywardness of Israel with the faithfulness of Moses.
369.
Discuss the house referred to here.
370.
Is it God's house or Moses-' house?
371.
Was the Tabernacle, or sanctuary, ever spoken of as belonging to Moses?
372.
Does the name of God appear in the original manuscript, as the new version would lead you to believe?
373.
Tell of the glory of Moses in the Old Testament and in the New Testament.
374.
What does glory mean?
375.
What glory had Jesus on earth?
376.
What glory is ascribed to Christ in Acts; in the Epistles; in Revelation?
377.
Should the church glorify Christ? cf. Ephesians 3:21.
378.
Does Hebrews 3:5 infer that Moses did not build the house?
379.
Does Hebrews 3:6 infer that Jesus built the house of Israel?
380.
What scriptures teach Christ's presence during the wilderness journey?
381.
Should everything be ascribed to God?
382.
Does everything that is made necessitate a builder?
383.
Is there room for evolution in this verse?
384.
Check different versions. Do they translate it (Hebrews 3:1-6) His house, or God's house?
385.
Consult verses that speak of Moses-' faithfulness. cf. Exodus 25:40; Numbers 12:7-8.
386.
Whose house is spoken of in Numbers 12:8?
387.
What relationship did Moses have to the house?
388.
What is meant by afterward to be spoken?
389.
Was Moses speaking a prophecy through his life or by an oral message?
390.
Were these Old Testament experiences an example to us? cf. 1 Corinthians 10:11.
391.
If Moses was a servant, what was Christ in God's house?
392.
Was Christ in the house or over it?
393.
Is the idea of the faithfulness of Christ inferred here?
394.
Is the word own that appears in the King James version a problem of exegesis? Whose house would it be if the word own is allowed?
395.
Do we have the expression, house of Christ, in the New Testament?
396.
Compare the verses that speak of the house of God, Ephesians 2:19; 1 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 10:21; 1 Peter 4:17.
397.
Who is in the house of God? Do Christians comprise it?
398.
What qualification is made in this verse?
399.
If we turn loose of our boldness, can we be of the house of God?
400.
Is this true, once in grace, always in grace?
401.
What are we to hold to?
402.
What will keep us in God's house?
403.
Name some other scriptures which speak of man's need for faithfulness.
404.
What is boldness? What other word could be used.
405.
How do we hold fast to our boldness?
406.
What does the word glorying mean?
407.
How do we glory in hope?
408.
Is there room for complaint when our hope is alive?
409.
What is a firm hope? How does hope differ from faith?
410.
How long is our hope to be firm?
411.
What end is meant?