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This is parallel with Heb. 6: 11, 12. They had ministered to the saints, and they
were continuing so to do. They had shown (endeiknumi) love unto the name of the Lord.
Now the Apostle says:
"But we earnestly desire for each one of you to show (endeiknumi) the same diligence
to the full assurance of hope unto the end" (Heb. 6: 11 not AV JP).
They had shown, may they continue to show, for this was closely associated with the
great recompense of reward. We catch an echo of chapter 3: 6 and 14 here:
"Whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm
unto the end" (Heb. 3: 6).
"We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast
unto the end" (Heb. 3: 14).
These are called "partakers of the heavenly calling" in verse 1 of chapter 3:, and the
failure to enter into the land of promise, which occupies the remainder of chapters 3:
and 4:, is again before us in Heb. 6: 11, 12:
"That ye be not slothful, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit
the promises" (not AV JP).
The mention of the word "slothful" bids us compare this passage with Heb. 5: 11
where the same word is translated "dull". This has already appeared in the structure
given in Volume XXX, page 30. The context is concerning Christ and His people
"being made perfect". The figures used are those of "babes" and "full grown or perfect".
The "dull" had made no progress, they had remained babes. The further lessons
connected with their perfecting and with Christ as the Priest after the order of
Melchisedec could not be told them in their condition. These things are carried over to
Heb. 6: 12. The dull or slothful would fail "after the same example of unbelief"
(Heb. 4: 11), for the "inheriting" of promises must not be confounded with those gifts in
grace that are ours through Christ alone.
Heb. 11: 33 speaks of those whose faith "wrought righteousness" (which cannot refer
to justification without works); who "obtained promises". Heb. 6: 15 tells us that this
"obtaining" is the result of "patient endurance":
"And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise."
The Hebrews, though saved, were in danger of giving up and going back. The
Apostle seeing this, and knowing the history of his people as he did, was allowed the
privilege of writing to his kinsmen this word of exhortation (13: 22). Throughout the
epistle the thought of slipping away, turning back, failing to enter, losing confidence,
denying the Lord, bartering the birthright as did Esau, is uppermost. The going on to
perfection is enforced and illustrated by the examples of Caleb and Joshua, the elders
who obtained a good report, and by the example of the Lord Himself. Work, love, hope,
faith, patience; if the word "labour" be retained in verse 10, we have a similar series to
that set out in I Thess. 1: 3, and expounded in that epistle.