Hebrews 10:35
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Hebrews 10:35
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
Chapter Context
Hebrews 10 is a homiletical epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of worship, sacrifice, salvation. Written during before Jerusalem's destruction (c. 60-70 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Jewish Christians faced persecution pressure to return to Judaism's legal protections.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-39: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it provides guidance for worship and spiritual devotion. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Hebrews and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Hebrews 10:35
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
Analysis
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. Building on their past faithfulness (verses 32-34), the author exhorts continued perseverance. "Cast not away" (mē apobalēte, μὴ ἀποβάλητε) is an aorist subjunctive with negative particle—don't throw away, don't abandon. The warning implies they were tempted to discard something valuable. The image is of deliberately throwing away treasure out of weariness or discouragement.
"Your confidence" (tēn parrēsian hymōn, τὴν παρρησίαν ὑμῶν) means boldness, openness, confidence—specifically their bold confession of Christ and confident access to God through Him (Hebrews 4:16, 10:19). This confidence is precious—it enables prayer, worship, witness, and perseverance. To cast it away is to abandon the very foundation of Christian life.
"Which hath great recompence of reward" (hētis echei megalēn misthapodosian, ἥτις ἔχει μεγάλην μισθαποδοσίαν) provides motivation. Misthapodosian means reward, recompense, payment. The confidence they're tempted to abandon carries immense future reward. Present suffering is temporary; eternal reward is forever. To abandon confidence for relief from temporary suffering is to trade eternal treasure for momentary ease—a catastrophic bargain.
This verse balances warning with encouragement. The warning (don't cast away) presupposes the possibility of abandoning faith—a real danger requiring vigilance. The encouragement (great reward) provides motivation to endure. Christian perseverance isn't grim duty but hope-filled confidence in certain, magnificent reward.
Historical Context
The original readers, facing ongoing persecution, were tempted to recant Christian profession to escape suffering. Renouncing Christ might restore property, family relationships, employment, and physical safety. The temptation was real and powerful. The author reminds them that what they gain by denying Christ (temporary earthly relief) pales compared to what they lose (eternal reward).
Throughout church history, Christians facing persecution have struggled with this choice. During Diocletian's persecution (303-313 AD), many Christians surrendered Scripture copies or offered incense to pagan gods to save their lives. Some, called "traditors" (those who handed over), later sought restoration to the church. The Donatist controversy involved whether such people could be true Christians. The biblical answer: genuine believers persevere; those who permanently abandon faith demonstrate their profession was never genuine (1 John 2:19).
Reflection
- What circumstances or pressures most tempt you to compromise your Christian confession or confidence?
- How does meditating on future eternal reward strengthen present faithfulness and endurance?
- In what practical ways can you cultivate and maintain confident boldness in your Christian walk?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Hebrews 3:6, 3:14, 4:14, 11:26, Psalms 19:11, Matthew 5:12