Hebrews 10:23

Analysis & Commentary

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) The second exhortation (after "draw near" in verse 22) commands steadfast confession of faith. "Let us hold fast" (katechōmen, κατέχωμεν) means to hold down, hold firmly, retain possession. The present subjunctive indicates continuous action—keep on holding fast, never letting go. This is not passive belief but active grip, determined retention despite opposition or doubt.

"The profession of our faith" (tēn homologian tēs elpidos, τὴν ὁμολογίαν τῆς ἐλπίδος—literally "the confession of our hope") refers to the public declaration of Christian faith. Homologia means confession, agreement, acknowledgment. This is not private, internal belief but public, verbal confession (Romans 10:9-10). In a context of persecution, public confession risked social ostracism, economic hardship, and physical violence. The temptation to deny or minimize Christian identity was real and powerful.

"Without wavering" (aklinē, ἀκλινῆ) means unwavering, not bending or inclining. The word pictures a ship holding course despite storms or a soldier maintaining formation despite enemy pressure. Christian confession must be steadfast, not fluctuating with circumstances, social pressure, or internal doubt. This firmness isn't based on our strength but on God's faithfulness.

The parenthetical statement "(for he is faithful that promised)" (pistos gar ho epangeilamenos, πιστὸς γὰρ ὁ ἐπαγγειλάμενος) provides the foundation for unwavering confession. Our confidence rests not on our faithfulness but on God's. He who promised is faithful—absolutely trustworthy, utterly reliable, incapable of breaking His word (Numbers 23:19, 2 Timothy 2:13). Our perseverance is grounded in His faithfulness. If God is faithful to His promises, we can safely stake everything on His word without fear that He will fail or change.

Historical Context

The original recipients of Hebrews faced increasing persecution from both Jewish and Roman authorities. Confessing Christ meant potential exclusion from the synagogue (John 9:22), loss of property (Hebrews 10:34), and possibly death (Hebrews 10:32-34). The temptation to recant, hide faith, or return to Judaism to escape suffering was immense. This exhortation addresses that pressure directly: hold fast your confession regardless of cost.

Throughout church history, seasons of persecution have tested believers' willingness to hold fast their confession. The early church martyrs, medieval Waldensians and Lollards, Reformation-era Protestants, modern persecuted churches in communist and Islamic countries—all faced the choice: confess Christ and suffer, or deny Him and find relief. Those who held fast often cited this verse as their anchor.

The confession of faith became formalized in the early church creeds (Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed) and later Protestant confessions (Augsburg, Westminster, etc.). These documents provided standard statements of faith that believers could publicly affirm, clearly distinguishing orthodox Christianity from heresy. To "hold fast the profession" meant adhering to these core truths despite pressure to compromise or accommodate false teaching. The Reformation battles over justification by faith alone involved holding fast the confession against both Roman Catholic additions and Anabaptist reductions.

Questions for Reflection

• In what circumstances are you most tempted to hide, minimize, or compromise your Christian confession?
• How does meditating on God's faithfulness to His promises strengthen your resolve to remain faithful in your confession?
• What does it mean practically to hold fast your confession "without wavering" in a culture increasingly hostile to Christian truth claims?