Paycheck Believers
For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. Hebrews 10:36 NASB
What was promised – The Greek text actually doesn’t say, “what was promised.” It says, “the promise.” It’s not obvious to me why the translators decided to change a perfectly intelligible Greek word (ten epangelian) from a definite noun into a subjunctive clause (ESV does the same, NIV turns it into a verb), but by this time I realize that I just can’t comprehend the mind of the translating committees. They seem to have their own agendas (not usually explained to the reader). It seems to me that the author of Hebrews makes it quite clear. “The promise” will be ours if and when we have done the will of God.
What is “the promise”? Well, we only have to back up a few verses to find the answer. It is the confidence to “enter the holy place,” drawing near because we have had our hearts “sprinkled” and our bodies “washed” (verse 22). All of this language is taken directly from the vocabulary of ritual and moral purity found in the Tanakh. This suggests that the promise is our ability to enter into God’s presence, to share fellowship with Him. And while it is certain that there is an eschatological element in this (that the full fellowship with the Father will one day become a reality), it is also certain that we have already been invited into this fellowship even now. Once again we discover that the author of Hebrews sees our situation as “already – but not yet.”
But there is another factor at play here, one that we might skip over because of its implications. The point of this verse is to encourage endurance. The promise is the result of continuing in God’s will. It isn’t a “once and for all” decision. Commensurate with the approach of the Tanakh, fellowship with God requires hesed, and hesed demands faithful loyalty over time. “You may receive” is a subjunctive, aorist, middle, plural verb. In other words, it has significant consequence for the subject (middle); it is for all of us (plural); it is an accomplished fact (aorist); but it depends on the condition described (subjunctive). God pays on commission, not salary! The bonus is earned through obedience to His will. It is not guaranteed just because you signed up as an employee. Fellowship is the result of patient fortitude and persistent tenacity in the pursuit of His will. And to the victor belong the spoils.
Perhaps the NASB, NIV and ESV changed the words for “the promise” because they didn’t want readers to think that the experience of fellowship with God could be judged by our current apprehension of His presence. Perhaps they wanted us to think that it is all far off so that we won’t ask, “Am I in harmony with Him today?” It’s much easier to imagine that it will all work out in the end if I don’t have any standard to judge my behavior right now. But I’m not so sure that the author of Hebrews would agree. What do you think?
Topical Index: promise, epangelian, endurance, hesed, Hebrews 10:36
The mystery remains, Skip? If not Paul, who is the writer of Hebrews?
I have always loved the thoughts and Spirit of the Letter of Hebrews
God, who at often times and in diverent manners spoke in time Past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Has in these last days, spoken unto us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Who, being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Being made so much better than the angels, as he has by inheritance, obtained a more excellent name than they.
For to which of the angels said he at any time, You are my Son, this day have I begotten you? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
And again, when he brings in the firstbegotten into the world, he says, And let all the angels of God worship him.
And of the angels he says, Who makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
But to the Son he says, Your Throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Your kingdom.
You have loved Righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even your God, has anointed You with the Oil of Gladness above your fellows.
And, You, Lord, in the beginning, had laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of your hands:
They shall perish; but you remain; and they all shall wax old as does a garment;
And as a vesture shall You fold them up, and they shall be changed: but You are the same, and your years shall not fail.
But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool?
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth TO MINISTER for them WHO SHALL BE heirs of salvation?
Hebrews 1
Obviously this is intended for us while we are alive and Faithful in THIS world while it is called TODAY, never mind the next.
I cannot separate the insights in Hebrews from the record of John who writes;
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them HE GAVE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1
John carries this even further in the Revelation;
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
To HIM THAT OVERCOMES will I grant to SIT WITH ME IN MY THRONE, even as I ALSO OVERCAME, and AM SET DOWN WITH MY FATHER IN HIS THRONE.
He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.
Revelation 3
This brings us back to Hebrews 1
Who can despise such a High Calling in the Faith, even if others cannot see it or grasp what it is saying. What Patience and Love does it require? It sheds a different light and possibility on Jesus saying he goes to prepare a place for us, and being ONE WITH GOD. It is always Current upon overcoming the sins of the Flesh and the Ways of this world.
King James Bible does say “the promise”
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Same for a word you had to explain the other day also, but I had no time to call attention to it then.
This is why I say the KJB is for me, and not even the NKJV either.
I value my old Bibles that belonged to my ancestors. For 400 hundred years the KJB produced good results, the new versions (pre-versions) product doubt and questions and lack of faith.
“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” I Cor. 14: 8
God watches over His Word, but there are lots of “bibles” sold that are not the Word of God.
Well, I have said all this before and gave links. God will lead those who ask for wisdom and that is a fact we all know.
Dorothy, my personal KJV version was printed in 1855, before CanaDa and Israel existed among the Nations of the world. The TV news reporting on the Bible Obama would use for his 1st Inaugural was a Revelation for me. It’s the very same KJV edition Lincoln used in taking his Oath of Office.
It has wonderful illustrations and the year every Book of the Bible was written. It also has a
micro-concordance in the columns. I have noticed there are words with a shade of meaning difference to newer KJV.
Transliteration vs. Translation (vs. Tradition?)
These “translations” of the holy writ, while meant to be helpful, may have been harmful. Are we making the gospel of Christ- “too easy?” Even lately, the concept of “Easy Believism” (strange name) has been tossed back and forth for discussion. Friends, “whatever we believe, we live by (“by-live”)- the rest is just religious talk.”
So what is this “Easy Believism?” Are these people related to the “pan-millenialists?” (it will all pan out somehow?)
Maybe a better question to ask might be: “Is God (who is holy) able to communicate and reveal Himself to (sinful) man?” And the answer is? No? God, (the God) the One who is Sovereign and mighty, the One who is able to save completely is not able, because He has “stood by in silence” and allowed the written words of His Book to be clouded and corrupted by a man? (no matter how “brilliant” or educated they may seem.. (“There’s no fool like an educated fool.”)
Yes, it is a legitimate question for there are now so many “versions” of the scripture to choose from. Too many choices? And (of course) which one is legit? So what do we do? Quit? Throw in the towel and walk away from a Book which has for centuries given new life and living hope and blessed peace to thousands upon thousands?
The “fault” (if we must lay blame!) does not lay with God. It is our fault for not hearing what God has to say and (as the scriptures state) ~ it is the glory of kings to search out a matter~ What does that mean? Study. Study to show yourself (yes, I’m talkin’ to you) a student of the scripture. And the whole time u got ur nose in the Book, ask God (and again I say) ask God to help you to understand the 5 W’s of investigation. And here they are (in no particular order)- “Who, what, where, when and why.” And of all of these my own (personal) favorite is the “why!” And wouldn’t you know it, the “why” is so closely related to the “Who!” lol!
~ Study to show yourself (yes, it’s personal) approved unto God a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of Truth. ~ (2 Timothy 2.15) Don’t depend upon the Preacher or your momma or you daddy or your neighbor – or my words or any other “commentator!” Friends, “common taters” are sold for 12 cents a bushel. We (all) must individually and corporately know God’s Book. Know it by heart. Read it, meditate and marinate in it. (is anyone left listening? – or have you left me long ago.. (I should have tweeted this,- no doubt!)
~ Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth ~ (John 17.17) Say.. Whose word is this anyway? Mine? Certainly not- rest assured. And then again, “rest assured” – these are His words.
Now how many are left wondering -what does “sanctify” mean? lol!! Oh, happy day! Shall we? or is enough -enough for now. Milk or meat? Who has any teeth left anymore? (feed us mush!)
~ I would not have you ignorant, brethren! ~ (1 Thessalonians 4.13) My thanks to those (translators?) concerned with the sin of syntax in providing the comma for us! Paul had a message to proclaim. He went everywhere doing what? First century followers of Jesus went everywhere doing what? Preaching, proclaiming and presenting the good news. They were convinced that Jesus wanted everyone, everywhere to …do what? Or for that matter, what was the mission of our Messiah Himself? (anyone?) ~ “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19.10)
If (or since) this was the mission of The Messiah, what should our “mission” be? Uh.. “to seek and to save that which was lost?” Mr. Sheep,.. “ya think?”
~ All we like sheep have gone astray..~ Now how many translations or commentators or sermons do we need to be exposed to before it finally “dawns on us”- ALL means ALL.
“We” (as in all of us) are in this thing together. We the sheeple are in desperate need of a Savior. One, whose very Name is “God is Salvation.” Has God provided Himself the Lamb? (he asked in wide-eyed wonder!) And again, – the answer is? “Rest assured.” He has.
(and) ~ He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? ~ (Romans 8.32)
“You need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” Hebrews 10:36 NASB
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv-ITJBpWvI
Hmmm
Speaking of promises, I was reading some Ralph Waldo Emerson yesterday
And came across the following definition of “Emer”
A “promise”
And then, if I understood Skip correctly, he said you need “endurance” when you do the will of God
And if you do the will of God, you can enter the “Holy place”
And receive the “promise”
The author of Hebrews sees our situation as “already – but not yet.”
I think the point of Hebrews 10:36 is to encourage “endurance”
And the “promise” will be fulfilled as the result of continuing in God’s will
It seems to me that continuing in “God’s will” is a sign of “loyalty”
And that loyalty to God is the “key” to the Kingdom
As I have mentioned on numerous occasions over the years
In a movie called The Professionals we learn
That there is only one type of person who can “endure”
The type of “wilderness” in which we find God
Not Professionals, men tempered like steel, who work for money
But rather men like their good friend and adversary, Jesus Raza
The Revolutionary Hero who does not work for money
Raza works as matter of principle
And in the end, Raza ends up with Claudia Cardinale
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv-ITJBpWvI
Skip, how does one effectively share this sort of thing with others? Many today, if not most, believe the Scriptures to be inerrant even in their translations. The more I read from these faulty translations the more I see errors and even purposeful misdirection, even if not meant maliciously. Any help is appreciated.
with great care and concern since it will threaten most. Start with the very easy ones, like John 3, and then get them only to admit that there might be some problems in translation. Then move for there.
Will you please point me to your post on John 3? Thanks Skip.
Do a search from the website on John 3:14. You will find the link and the continuing research