Verse 23

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for he is faithful who has promised.

This is the second exhortation which the Apostle draws out by way of inference from the principles of truth which he had before declared and confirmed. And it is the substance or end of the whole parenetical or hortatory part of the Epistle; that, for the obtaining whereof, the whole doctrinal part of it was written, which gives life and efficacy to it. Therefore he spends the whole remainder of the Epistle, in the pressing and confirming of this exhortation, on a compliance wherewith the eternal condition of our souls does depend. And this he does, partly by declaring the means whereby we may be helped in the discharge of this duty; partly by denouncing the eternal ruin and sure destruction that will follow the neglect of it; and partly by encouragements from their own former experiences, and the strength of our faith; and partly by evidencing to us in a multitude of examples, how we may overcome the difficulty that would occur to us in this way, with other various cogent reasonings; as we shall see, if God pleases, in our progress.

In these words, there is a duty prescribed, and an encouragement added to it.

As to the duty itself, we must enquire: (1.) What is meant by the profession of our faith? (2.) What is meant by holding it fast? (3.) What to hold it fast without wavering?

1. Some copies read, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], the profession of our hope, which the Vulgar follows, the profession of the hope that is in us; and so it may have a respect to the exhortation used by the Apostle, (Chap. 3:6). And it will come to the same with our reading of it; for on our faith our hope is built, and is an eminent fruit thereof. Therefore holding fast our hope, includes in it the holding fast of our faith, as the cause is in the effect, and the building in the foundation. But I prefer the other reading, as that which is more suited to the design of the Apostle, and his following discourse; and which his following confirmations of this exhortation do directly require, and which is the proper subject of our [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], or profession. See Chap. 3:1.

Faith is here taken in both the principal acceptations of it, namely, that faith whereby we believe, and the faith or doctrine which we do believe. Of both which we make the same profession; of one as the inward principle, of the other as the outward rule. Of the meaning of the word itself, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], or joint profession, I have treated largely, Chap. 3:1.

This solemn profession of our faith, is two-fold. (1.) Initial. (2.) By the way of continuation, in all the acts and duties required thereunto. The first, is a solemn giving up of ourselves to Christ, in a professed subjection to the Gospel, and the ordinances of divine worship therein contained. This of old was done by all men, at their first accession to God in the assemblies of the Church. The Apostle calls it, the beginning of our confidence, or subsistence in Christ and the Church (Chap. 3:6). And it was ordinarily in the primitive times, accompanied with excellent graces and privileges.

For, (1.) God usually gave them hereon great joy and exultation with peace in their own minds (1 Peter 2:9). Has translated us out of darkness into his marvellous light. The glorious marvellous light, whereunto they were newly translated out of darkness, the evidence which they had of the truth and reality of the things that they believed and professed, the value they had for the grace of God in this high and heavenly calling, the greatness and excellency of the things made known to them, and believed by them, are the means whereby they were filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory. And respect is had to this frame of heart in this exhortation. For it is apt on many accounts to decay and be lost: but when it is so, we lose much of the glory of our profession.

(2.) They had hereon, some such communication of the Spirit in gifts, or graces, that was a seal to them of the promised inheritance (Ephesians 1:13). And although what was extraordinary herein is ceased and not to be looked after, yet if Christians in their initial dedication of themselves to Christ and the Gospel, did attend to their duty in a due manner, or were affected with their privileges as they ought, they would have experience of this grace, and advantage in ways suitable to their own state and condition.

Secondly, the continuation of their profession first solemnly made, avowing the faith on all just occasions, in attendance on all duties of worship required in the Gospel, in professing their faith in the promises of God by Christ, and thereon cheerfully undergoing afflictions, troubles and persecutions on the account thereof, is this profession of our faith that is exhorted to.

2. What is it to hold fast this profession? The words we so render, are [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], and sometimes [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], singly, as (1 Thessalonians 5:23). [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] and [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], are indefinitely used to this end (ch. 3:6; ch. 4:14; Revelation 2:25; ch. 3:11). So that which is here [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], is [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], (chap. 4:14).

And there is included in the sense of either of these words,

- 1. A supposition of great difficulty with danger, and opposition against this holding the profession of our faith. - 2. The putting forth of the utmost of our strength and endeavours in the defence of it. - 3. A constant perseverance in it, denoted in the word keep; possess it with constancy.

III. This is to be done without wavering, that is, the profession must be immovable and constant. The frame of mind which this is opposed to, is expressed (James 1:6): one that is always disputing, and tossed up and down with various thoughts in his mind, not coming to a fixed resolution or determination. He is like a wave of the sea, which sometimes subsides and is quiet, and sometimes is tossed one way or another, as it receives impressions from the wind. There were many in those days who did hesitate in the profession of the doctrine of the Gospel; sometimes they inclined to it and embraced it, sometimes they returned again to Judaism; and sometimes they would reconcile and compound the two covenants, the two religions, the two churches together, with which sort of men our Apostle had great contention. As mens minds waver in these things, so their profession wavers; which the Apostle here condemns or opposes to that full assurance of faith which he required in us. It is not to be bent one way or another, by impressions made from any things or causes; but to abide firm, fixed, stable, in opposition to them. And it is opposed to,

1. A halting between two opinions, God or Baal, Judaism or Christianity, Truth or Error. This is to waver doctrinally.

2. To a weakness, or irresolution of mind as to a continuance in the profession of faith against difficulties and oppositions.

3. To a yielding in the way of compliance, in any point of doctrine or worship contrary to or inconsistent with the faith we have professed. In which sense the Apostle would not give place, no not for an hour to them that taught Circumcision.

4. To final apostasy from the truth, which this wavering up and down, as the Apostle intimates in his following discourse, brings to. Therefore it includes positively,

(1.) A firm persuasion of mind, as to the truth of the faith whereof we have made profession. (2.) A constant resolution to abide therein, and adhere thereunto against all oppositions. (3.) Constancy and diligence in the performance of all the duties which are required to the continuation of this profession. This is the sum and substance of that duty which the Apostle with all sorts of arguments presses on the Hebrews in this Epistle, as that which was indispensably necessary to their salvation.

1. There is an internal principle of saving faith required to our profession of the doctrine of the Gospel, without which it will not avail.

2. All that believe, ought solemnly to give themselves up to Christ and his rule, in an express profession of the faith that is in them, and required of them.

3. There will great difficulties arise in, and opposition be made to, a sincere profession of the faith.

4. Firmness and constancy of mind with our utmost diligent endeavours, are required to an acceptable continuance in the profession of the faith.

5. Uncertainty and wavering of mind, as to the truth and doctrine we profess, or neglect of the duties wherein it does consist, or compliance with errors for fear of persecution and sufferings, do overthrow our profession, and render it useless.

6. As we ought not on any account to decline our profession, so to abate of the degrees of fervency of spirit therein, is dangerous to our souls.

Upon the proposal of this duty, the Apostle in his passage interposes an encouragement to it, taken from the assured benefit and advantage that should be obtained thereby; for, says he, He is faithful that has promised. And we may observe in the opening of these words the nature of the encouragement given us in them.

1. It is God alone who promises. He alone is the Author of all Gospel promises; by him are they given to us (2 Peter 1:4; Titus 1:1). Hence in the sense of the Gospel, this is a just periphrasis of God, He who has promised.

2. The promises of God are of that nature in themselves, as are suited to the encouragement of all believers to constancy, and final perseverance in the profession of the faith. They are so, whether we respect them as they contain and exhibit present grace, mercy and consolation; or as those which propose to us things eternal in the future glorious reward.

3. The efficacy of the promises to this end, depends upon the faithfulness of God who gives them. With him is neither variableness, nor shadow of turning. The strength of Israel will not lie nor repent. God's faithfulness is the unchangeableness of his purpose and the counsels of his will, proceeding from the immutability of his nature, as accompanied with almighty power for their accomplishment, as declared in the Word (see chapter 6:18; Titus 1:2). This therefore is the sense of the Apostle's reason to the end he aims at: Consider, says he, the promises of the Gospel, their incomparable greatness and glory, in their enjoyment consists our eternal blessedness; and they will all of them be in all things accomplished towards those who hold fast their profession, seeing he who has promised them, is absolutely faithful and unchangeable.

The faithfulness of God in his promises, is the great encouragement and support, under our continual profession of our faith against all oppositions.