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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
3:1-10:18 Jesus Is Superior to the Mosaic Law. Having concluded that Jesus is superior to the mediators of the Mosaic law (i.e., angels, 2:2), the author now establishes the superiority of Jesus to Moses himself (3:1-6), of Jesus to the Aaronic high priesthood (4:14-7:28), of the new covenant in Jesus' blood to the former covenant (8:1-13), and of Jesus' death to the Mosaic sacrifices (9:1-10:18). This exposition also leads to three prolonged exhortations to Christian perseverance (3:7-4:13; 5:11-6:12; 10:19-39).
3:1-6 Jesus Is Greater than Moses. While Moses was one of God's most faithful servants (vv. 2, 5), Jesus is the faithful high priest and Son of God. Thus Jesus is worthy of more glory (vv. 1-2, 6). This leads to exhortations and warnings (3:6-4:13).
3:1 Therefore. That is, in light of Jesus' high priesthood (2:17). holy brothers. Members of the family of God (3:12; 10:19; 13:22); also called "saints" or sanctified ones (13:24). heavenly calling. "Heavenly" elsewhere describes God's perfect order (8:5; 9:23) and the future life with God (11:16; 12:22); for "calling," see 2:11 and 9:15. Jesus is an apostle in the most basic sense of that term ("one who is sent," cf. "messenger," John 13:16; and references to Jesus as one who is "sent": Luke 4:18; 9:48; 10:16; John 3:17; 6:57). our confession. The gospel, possibly already codified in an oral creed (see Heb. 4:14; 10:23; cf. 2 Cor. 9:13; 1 Tim. 6:12).
3:2 faithful. Jesus and Moses fulfilled their God-appointed roles (2:17; 3:5; cf. Num. 12:7; 1 Chron. 17:14 LXX). Although Jesus is superior to Moses, Moses still receives significant respect (cf. Num. 12:7-8), which elevates Jesus all the more.
3:3-6 more glory. Despite Moses' great faithfulness in following God's redemptive plan in the exodus and in recording the law, Jesus is superior (on Jesus' glory, see 1:3; 2:9; 13:21). The house analogy shows that Jesus as the Son of God (who was also actively involved in creation; see 1:2-3) has a privileged place in the household of God (1 Chron. 17:14), while Moses remains a servant in that household (Num. 12:7).
3:6 Christ. First mentioned here in Hebrews (cf. v. 14; 5:5; etc.), this title is the Greek equivalent of "Messiah," meaning "anointed one" (see 1:9). (The name "Jesus" first appears in Hebrews in 2:9.) we are his house. Like other NT building metaphors for the church (see ESV cross-references), this speaks to the corporate identity of the church as God's own abode. If indeed we hold fast introduces a series of exhortations and warnings. Given this confident message of hope, the Christian life involves endurance. See note on 3:14.
