Art Toombs Ministries
Online Bible Commentary
Because of Their Unbelief
Hebrews 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." 16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. (NKJV)
In this passage, the writer of the letter to the Hebrews continues with his warning against unbelief. This is the writer’s second warning to the Hebrews in this letter, having begun in the previous passage.
In all five warnings were issued, and they all were specific warnings directed at specific goings on with the people. Although the letter is anonymous, the writer was very familiar with this group of Hebrews, as they were with him.
In my opinion, this letter was written by Paul, his last letter, to the Hebrew Christians in late 67 A.D. to early 68 A.D. His amanuensis is likely Luke.
Paul begins by writing “For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end” (v. 14). The literal Greek translation for verse fourteen is: “partakers for we have become of Christ, if truly the beginning of the assurance until end firm we hold fast;”.
The meaning is that we will not fall into disbelief because when we persevere to the end we will share in the glory of Christ in Heaven. Even though this verse appears to be conditional because of the presence of the word “if”, it actually means that the action is as good as done.
The Greek word translated “if” is “ei”, which can be translated ”since”, a better translation in this verse. This verse represents a figure of speech called the heterosis of tenses.
It is a prophetic utterance that, although it seems to be in the future, is actually in the past. The action is already seen as being accomplished through Divine purpose, displaying the absolute certainty that we cannot lose our salvation.
Paul continues by writing “while it is said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion" (v. 15). Verse fifteen’s literal translation from the Greek is “in the to be said, Today if the voice of Him you hear, no do harden the hearts of you, as in the provocation.”
This verse is a figure of speech called an ellipsis of repetition. It is a quote from Psalm 95:7-8, and a repeat of verses 7-8 in this chapter of Hebrews. It is repeated here for emphasis.
Paul continues this thought with “For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?” (v. 16). Paul is re-emphasizing to the Hebrews not to harden their hearts and provoke God like their ancestors did during their forty years of wandering in the desert after the exodus from Egypt. They heard the command of the Lord, but they did not obey because of unbelief, a lack of trust (Dt. 1:26).
Next, Paul writes “Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?” (v. 17). The unbelief of their ancestors provoked God and incurred His wrath.
An entire generation, some 600,000 Hebrews, were made to wander in the desert for forty years until all had died. Only Caleb and Joshua were spared from that unbelieving generation, because they were the only two who held steadfast to their belief in the God of the Bible.
Paul writes “And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?” (v. 18). God swore that they would “never enter His rest” because of their disobedience. So the Hebrews were not allowed to enter His rest, the Promised Land,
Paul concludes this passage with “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief” (v. 19). Except for a few, the Hebrews were not allowed to enter the Promised Land because of their “unbelief” (v. 19).
Note Paul’s use of the three words “sinned” (v. 17), “disobeyed” (v. 18), and “unbelief” (v. 19). They are all connected, forming the reason that one is not allowed to enter God’s rest, whether it be the Promised Land, or Heaven.
The sin was the result of unbelief. Disobedience was the action of unbelief. Unbelief is the cause that we cannot enter God’s rest.
Unbelief is a lack of trust in God. It is not trusting in the promises of the Bible.
It is trusting in one’s self, others, or other gods and not in the God of the Bible. It is the unforgiveable sin.
All other sins of disobedience can be forgiven by God. But unbelief cannot. It, and it alone, will keep us out of Heaven.