Hebrews 3:1

Holy brethren (adelpoi agioi). Only here in N.T., for agioi in 1 Thessalonians 5:27 only in late MSS. See Hebrews 2:11 for same idea. First time the author makes direct appeal to the readers, though first person in Hebrews 2:1 . Partakers (metocoi). See Luke 5:7 for "partners" in the fishing, elsewhere in N.T. only in Hebrews ( Luke 1:9 ; Luke 6:4 ; Luke 12:8 ) in N.T. Of a heavenly calling (klhsew epouraniou). Only here in the N.T., though same idea in Luke 9:15 . See h anw klhsi in Philippians 3:14 (the upward calling). The call comes from heaven and is to heaven in its appeal. Consider (katanohsate). First aorist active imperative of katanoew, old compound verb (kata, nou), to put the mind down on a thing, to fix the mind on as in Matthew 7:3 ; Luke 12:24 . Even Jesus (Ihsoun). No "even" in the Greek, just like the idiom in Luke 2:9 , the human name held up with pride. The Apostle and High Priest of our confession (ton apostolon kai arcierea th omologia hmwn). In descriptive apposition with Ihsoun and note the single article ton. This is the only time in the N.T. that Jesus is called apostolo, though he often used apostellw of God's sending him forth as in John 17:3 (apesteila). This verb is used of Moses as sent by God ( Exodus 3:10 ). Moffatt notes that apostolo is Ionic for presbeuth, "not a mere envoy, but an ambassador or representative sent with powers." The author has already termed Jesus high priest ( Exodus 2:17 ). For omologia (confession) see 2 Corinthians 9:13 ; 1 Timothy 6:12 . These Hebrew Christians had confessed Jesus as their Apostle and High Priest. They do not begin to understand what Jesus is and means if they are tempted to give him up. The word runs through Hebrews with an urgent note for fidelity ( 1 Timothy 4:14 ; 1 Timothy 10:23 ). See omologew (omon, same, legw, say), to say the same thing, to agree, to confess, to profess.