Heb 3:1-6 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Heb 3:1-6: 3:1-6 The author compares Jesus to Moses, setting Jesus forward as the supreme example of faithfulness. The great status of Moses, a revered figure in Judaism, is used to show the incomparable greatness of Jesus. 3:1 dear brothers and sisters who belong to God: Literally holy brothers. Speakers and writers of the ancient world often addressed religious gatherings as “brothers” (Greek adelphoi ), referring to both men and women. • think carefully about this Jesus: Focusing on Jesus is a primary means of persevering in the faith (2:9 ; 12:1-2 ). • God’s messenger (literally God’s apostle ): This description might be highlighting the Son’s role in bearing a proclamation of God’s name and message (2:12 ; Matt 10:40 ; Mark 9:37 ; Luke 10:16 ).

Summary for Heb 3:1-6: 3:1-6 ^a The author compares Jesus to Moses, setting Jesus forward as the supreme example of faithfulness. The great status of Moses, a revered figure in Judaism, is used to show the incomparable greatness of Jesus. 3:1 ^b dear brothers and sisters who belong to God: Literally holy brothers. Speakers and writers of the ancient world often addressed religious gatherings as “brothers” (Greek adelphoi), referring to both men and women.

• think carefully about this Jesus: Focusing on Jesus is a primary means of persevering in the faith (2:9 ^c; 12:1-2 ^d).

• God’s messenger (literally God’s apostle): This description might be highlighting the Son’s role in bearing a proclamation of God’s name and message (2:12 ^e; Matt 10:40 ^f; Mark 9:37 ^g; Luke 10:16 ^h).
3:2 ⁱ Jesus was faithful to God and to the task to which the Father had appointed him (5:7-10 ^j; 12:1-3 ^k; Phil 2:5-11 ^l), just as Moses had been (Num 12:7 ^m). Many Jews of the first century regarded Moses as the greatest person in history, of even higher status than the angels.
Summary for Heb 3:3-6: 3:3-6 ⁿ Jesus deserves far more glory for two reasons. First, a person who builds a house deserves more praise than the house itself. The Messiah is the one who builds God’s house (see 2 Sam 7:13 ^o). The implication is that Moses is part of the house (i.e., God’s people) that God has built. Second, whereas Moses was a servant in God’s house, Christ, as the Son, is the heir in charge of God’s entire house. Sons have greater status than household servants.
3:6 ^p We are part of Christ’s house if we keep our courage. The author could not give unqualified assurance to those who were drifting away from Christ and the church. Those who persevere in the faith have assurance that they are part of God’s house (see 3:14 ^q; Rom 8:9 ^r, 17 ^s; 11:22 ^t; 2 Cor 13:5 ^u; Col 1:22-23 ^v).