• Hebrews 3:1
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 3 Ὅθεν, From which, ἀδελφοὶ brothers ἅγιοι, holy, κλήσεως of calling ἐπουρανίου of heavenly μέτοχοι, partakers, κατανοήσατε mind YOU down τὸν the ἀπόστολον apostle καὶ and ἀρχιερέα chief priest τῆς of the ὁμολογίας confession ἡμῶν of us Ἰησοῦν, Jesus,

  • Hebrews Study Notes—Chapter 3
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 3:1

      holy brothers: For the first time in this letter, the apostle Paul addresses the Hebrew Christians directly, using the unique designation “holy brothers.” The early Christians often referred to fellow believers as “brothers.” (Heb 10:19) In writing, they also referred to other Christians as “the holy ones.” (Heb 6:10; 13:24) Here Paul combines those expressions. He and his fellow Christians were brothers because they belonged to the same spiritual family. (See study note on Ro 1:13.) They were holy in the sense that they had been sanctified and set apart for God and his service.​—See study note on Ro 1:7.

      partakers of the heavenly calling: The calling, or invitation, that spirit-anointed Christians had received from God gave them the prospect of ruling with Christ in heaven. (Ro 8:17, 30; 1Co 1:26, 30; Re 5:9, 10; see study note on Col 1:20.) The Mosaic Law pointed forward to this hope. (Ex 19:5, 6) However, fulfilling this “promise of the everlasting inheritance” in heaven was made possible only by the ransom sacrifice of Christ Jesus. (Heb 9:14, 15 and study note) It was an undeserved kindness from God. Only those who exercised faith in Jesus had that heavenly hope.​—See study notes on Php 3:14; 2Ti 1:9.

      consider: The Greek verb here rendered “consider” conveys the idea “to think about very carefully.” Paul is urging the Hebrew Christians to reflect on and consider closely the role that Jesus played as “the apostle and high priest.” The more fully those Christians understood that role, the more determined they would be to remain faithful.​—Heb 3:6.

      the apostle: An apostle is a person who has been sent to represent someone. (See study note on Joh 13:16; Glossary, “Apostle.”) Jesus could be called an apostle because God sent him to the earth as His representative. (Joh 3:17; 6:57; 7:29 and study note; 1Jo 4:14) At Heb 3:2-6, Paul goes on to show ways in which Jesus was superior to Moses, who could also be considered an apostle because he was sent as God’s representative to Pharaoh.​—Ex 3:10; 4:28; 7:16.

      acknowledge: Or “confess.” To acknowledge Jesus, a person has to express publicly his allegiance to and faith in Jesus. (At Heb 4:14; 10:23, the same Greek word is rendered “public declaration.”) In this context, Paul highlights the need for Christians to recognize Jesus’ role as a superior, permanent, and sympathetic High Priest.​—Heb 2:17; 4:14, 15; 7:24, 27.