Why, holy brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
holy.
Colossians 1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
1 Thessalonians 5:27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
partakers.
Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Romans 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Romans 15:27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
the heavenly.
Romans 1:6,7 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: …
Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose…
Romans 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
consider.
Isaiah 1:3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
Isaiah 5:12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.
Isaiah 41:20 That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.
the apostle.
John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
and.
who share in the heavenly calling
The "heavenly calling" refers to the divine invitation to participate in God's redemptive plan and eternal kingdom. This calling is not earthly or temporal but originates from heaven, highlighting its divine nature and ultimate purpose. It echoes the call of Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, where God calls him to leave his country for a promised land, symbolizing the believer's journey towards a heavenly inheritance. This calling is a reminder of the believers' future hope and the assurance of their salvation.
set your focus on Jesus
The exhortation to "set your focus on Jesus" is a call to prioritize Christ above all else. In the context of Hebrews, this is crucial as the audience is tempted to revert to old covenant practices. By focusing on Jesus, believers are reminded of His supremacy and sufficiency. This aligns with Hebrews 12:2, which encourages believers to fix their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. It is a call to remain steadfast and not be swayed by external pressures or distractions.
the apostle and high priest
Jesus is uniquely described as both "apostle" and "high priest." As an apostle, He is the sent one, representing God to humanity, similar to how Moses was sent to lead Israel. As a high priest, He represents humanity before God, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. This dual role fulfills and surpasses the functions of Old Testament figures, such as Moses and Aaron, and establishes Jesus as the mediator of a new covenant. The high priestly role is further elaborated in Hebrews 4:14-16, emphasizing Jesus' empathy and intercession for believers.
whom we confess
The phrase "whom we confess" indicates a public declaration of faith in Jesus. Confession involves acknowledging Jesus' lordship and His work of salvation. This is a central tenet of Christian belief, as seen in Romans 10:9-10, where confession is linked to salvation. In the context of Hebrews, this confession is a commitment to hold fast to the faith despite external challenges. It is a call to remain faithful to the truth of the gospel and to proclaim it boldly.
• The word “therefore” looks back to everything in Hebrews 2, where Jesus is shown as the merciful and faithful High Priest who shared our humanity (Hebrews 2:17-18). Because He suffered and helps those being tempted, the writer now draws a practical conclusion for us.
• Scripture often links doctrine to action with this hinge word (Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 1:13). Truth invites response.
• Believers are called “holy” because we are set apart by Christ’s blood (Hebrews 10:10). Holiness is not earned; it is received.
• “Brothers” highlights family. Jesus is “not ashamed to call them brothers” (Hebrews 2:11). In Him we enjoy real spiritual kinship (Matthew 12:50).
• Our call is “heavenly”—originating with God and aimed at glory. Paul speaks of “the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
• This calling is shared; no believer walks alone. Together we press on toward our citizenship in heaven (Philippians 3:20; 2 Timothy 1:9).
• The command is active: intentionally direct mind and heart toward the Lord. Later the writer repeats, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2).
• Focusing on Christ guards us from drifting (Hebrews 2:1) and from hardening our hearts (Hebrews 3:12-13).
• Practical ways to focus:
– Treasure His Word daily (John 15:7).
– Remember His works in worship (Psalm 103:2).
– Seek His presence in fellowship (Matthew 18:20).
• “Apostle” means “sent one.” The Father sent Jesus into the world (John 20:21; 1 John 4:14). As the ultimate messenger, He perfectly reveals God (Hebrews 1:2-3).
• “High priest” speaks of representation. Jesus entered the true sanctuary with His own blood (Hebrews 4:14; 7:24-27). He bridges the gap between God and mankind forever.
• Holding both titles, He brings God down to us and lifts us up to God.
• Confession is open allegiance. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’…you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
• This shared confession unites believers (1 Timothy 6:12-13) and anchors hope: “Let us hold resolutely to the hope we confess” (Hebrews 10:23).
• Faith is never meant to be private; it overflows in words and actions that honor Christ (Matthew 10:32).
Because Jesus fully represents God to us as Apostle and represents us before God as High Priest, believers—holy siblings bound by a heavenly calling—are urged to center every thought, affection, and confession on Him.
(1) Wherefore.--The address which here begins (the first direct address in the Epistle) bears the same relation to all that has preceded, as Hebrews 2:1-4 bears to the first chapter. In particular, the contents of the second chapter are gathered up in this verse, almost every word of which recalls some previous statement or result.Holy brethren.--United in one brotherhood in virtue of a common sonship (Hebrews 2:10) and of a common brotherhood (Hebrews 2:11) with Jesus, Him "that sanctifieth" (Hebrews 2:11).
Partakers.--Through Him who "took part" of our earthly nature (Hebrews 2:14) we are partakers of a "heavenly calling" (Hebrews 2:10) as God's sons. . . .
Verse 1. - Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus (Ξριστὸν before Ἰησοῦν is ill supported, and to be rejected from the text). Reference to what has gone before is perceptible throughout this verse. The persons addressed are "holy," as being among the "sanctified" (Hebrews 2:11); "brethren," as being, with the writer, in this relation to Christ (Hebrews 2:11, 12, 13, 17); their calling is a heavenly one, being from heaven (Hebrews 1:1) and to heaven (Hebrews 2:10). Jesus is their" Apostle," as having been sent into the world, as above set forth, from God; their "High Priest," as implied, though not distinctly expressed, at the end of Hebrews 2, which led up to the idea. "Jesus" is added at the end in apposition, so as to fix attention on him, as the bearer of these titles, who was known by that name in the flesh. On the title "Apostle," we may observe that, though it is nowhere else in the New Testament applied to Christ, yet its idea with respect to him is frequent both in this Epistle and elsewhere (cf. Luke 4:43; Luke 9:48; Luke 10:16; John 17:3, 18, etc.). The word ὁμολογία (translated "confession;" in the A.V., "profession") is generally used for the Christian's avowal of his faith before men (cf. Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 10:23; 2 Corinthians 9:13; 1 Timothy 6:12). The genitive here depends on both the preceding substantives, its force probably being that Jesus, as Apostle and High Priest, is the object of our confession of faith. On Jesus, then, being such, the readers are called to fix earnestly their mental gaze, and in doing so take further note of his superiority to Moses, which is the subject of what follows.