Let Us Consider One Another
According to the Louw & Nida Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains, the word translated consider in Hebrews 10:24, means “to give very careful consideration to some matter. … to consider closely.” Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament says, “to consider attentively, fix one’s eyes or mind upon.”
In Hebrews 10:24, what is it that we are supposed to be watching attentively? It’s one another! The clear meaning of the Hebrews writer’s statement, given him by the Holy Spirit, is that Christians keep a close watchful attentiveness toward one another. We are looking out for each other! Obviously, the only way to do that is if we are together regularly.
Going on, in Hebrews 10:26, the writer says, “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…” The word “for” in that statement means “because.” So, why did the Holy Spirit have the Hebrews writer exhort Christians to keep a close watchful eye on each other? Because sin is extremely dangerous and we are in the greatest danger of sin when we stay out of each other’s view!
“A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.”
(Proverbs 18:1, NKJV)
To Stir Up
The word translated “stir up” means “…stimulating a change in motivation or attitude” (Louw & Nida). Or, “an inciting, incitement; to provoke” (Thayer’s).
Christians are supposed to be keeping a close watchful eye on each other to stimulate, motivate, and provoke one another to “love and good works.”
Not Forsaking
The word translated “forsaking” in Hebrews 10:25, means “to cease from an activity which has gone on for some time – to cease, to stop, to forsake” (Louw & Nida). And, “to abandon, desert” (Thayer’s).
The Hebrews writer is saying that we must not cease, or stop, the continual practicing of “assembling ourselves together.” Why? Because we need the motivation of the church – our brothers and sisters in Christ – to motivate and provoke us to “love and good works.” Without that regular assembling together we don’t have that motivation and “sin lies at the door”! (Genesis 4:4). Again, the more we keep ourselves isolated from the community of believers, the more likely we will “sin willfully” by turning back to our former worldliness. It is the careful watchfulness of those who love and care about us – our family in Christ – that will help keep us safe.
Assembling Together
In the Greek, the statement is “assembling together of ourselves.” “Assembling together” is one Greek word preceding the word translated “of ourselves.”
“Assembling together” means, “the gathering together of a group, gathering, assembly” (Louw & Nida). Thayer’s says, “a gathering together in one place.”
The only way we can keep a close watchful eye on each other is by being together with each other!
This passage, in the negative – “not forsaking” – is an explicit command for us to meet in regular assembly. If we “cease” from, or “abandon,” that regular assembly then we have broken God’s command! Of course, that is if it is a willful choice we are making to not assemble. If we are unavoidably hindered from the assembly then that is not forsaking the assembly. But, if we are choosing to do so, without just cause (i.e. we just don’t want to go to church), then we are sinning.
The Hebrews writer was addressing an original audience that was going through a very difficult and discouraging time. I’m sure we can relate! It is in times like this that we need the assembling of ourselves together more than ever. We need to be in a community of people that will help us, motivate us, to what is right and good. Discouragement is always worse – even becoming depression – when we isolate ourselves from others. We require the interaction and encouragement of a community to grow as we should. Please don’t cut yourself off from your greatest source of strength in a difficult time. Lean on your brothers and sisters in Christ for the help and encouragement we all need.
In Christian Love,
Norm
Regrettably, you grossly misrepresent Hebrews 10:24-25 as virtually all other church authorities do. When the complete book of Hebrews is studied and considered, especially the adjacent verses, and the entire Counsel of God, two things are most obvious and divine absolutes. First; the “assembling” has NOTHING to do with the current age. Hebrews is not written to the body of Christ. The assembling refers to the coalition of converts and believers in the world to come. Second; the “day” has NOTHING to do with church, church service, SUN-day, or any other church service day, none of which are words and terms found in Scripture even once. The “day” is a pointed and direct reference to the DAY OF THE LORD. Jesus NEVER taught nor preached the current age and anything in it or about. Jesus taught and preached, the Kingdom of God, it’s constitution, the will of God, and LIFE AFTER DEATH.
First of all, the passage in Hebrews 10 has absolutely nothing to do with church, and in fact has nothing to do with the current age, then or now. Secondly, Hebrews is not written to the dissemblers in the church system. It is written to the conceited jewish converts who were skeptical of associating with the others. The word “assembling” is a direct reference to the coalition of TRUE believers and the “world to come”. How can you possibly miss that? AND, in verse 25, where do you see the words church, church service, church assembly, and SUN-day? The words “day approaching” is a specific reference to the Day of the Lord- and could not possibly mean SUN-day because there were no names of the days of the week until Constantine assigned them using the names of pagan gods in 330 AD. As a former and ashamed member of the COC, I found them to be every bit of heretical as the catholics. A person can assemble in a church until pigs fly, but without baptism into repentance (Acts 19:4), washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5), declared justification (Romans 8:30), and sanctification by the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 6:11), there is no possible chance of a restored relationship with God. Anyone who believes church can accomplish that, is badly deceived.