For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them. We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end, that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises.
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But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things for you, and things that accompany salvation, even though we speak like this. For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them. We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end, that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises. For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” Thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men indeed swear by a greater one, and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation. In this way God, being determined to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil; where as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Parallel Translations
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For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them.
We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end,
that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises.
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For god is not vnrighteous that he shuld forget youre worke and laboure that procedeth of love which love shewed in his name which have ministred vnto the saynctes and yet minister
Yee, and we desyre that every one of you shew the same diligence to the stablysshynge of hope even vnto the ende:
that ye faynt not but folowe them which thorow fayth and pacience inheret the promyses.
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For God is not vnrighteous, that hee should forget your worke, and labour of loue, which ye shewed toward his Name, in that ye haue ministred vnto the Saints, and yet minister.
And we desire that euery one of you shew the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope vnto the ende,
That ye be not slouthfull, but followers of them, which through faith and patience, inherite the promises.
Cross-references (109)
- Hebrews 13:16 (v10) But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
- Matthew 10:42 (v10) Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you he will in no…
- Galatians 6:10 (v10) So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.
- Hebrews 13:7 (v12) Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.
- Hebrews 10:36 (v12) For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
Show all 100 cross-references
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (vv10, 12) remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and…
- Acts 10:4 (v10) He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, “What is it, Lord?” He said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the needy…
- Colossians 3:17 (v10) Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.
- Matthew 25:35-40 (v10) for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. I was naked, and…
- Proverbs 14:31 (v10) He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
- 1 Timothy 6:18 (v10) that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share;
- Mark 9:41 (v10) For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose…
- Romans 12:11 (v12) not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
- 2 Peter 1:5-8 (v11) Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;…
- Acts 4:34-35 (v10) For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the…
- Romans 5:2-5 (v11) through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only this, but…
- Hebrews 3:6 (v11) but Christ is faithful as a Son over his house. We are his house, if we hold fast our confidence and the glorying of our hope firm to the…
- James 2:15-17 (v10) And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you tells them, “Go in peace. Be warmed and filled;” yet you…
- 1 John 2:25 (v12) This is the promise which he promised us, the eternal life.
- Acts 2:44-45 (v10) All who believed were together, and had all things in common. They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according…
- Romans 12:13 (v10) contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.
- 2 Corinthians 9:11-15 (v10) you being enriched in everything to all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. For this service of giving that you…
- Galatians 5:13 (v10) For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.
- Hebrews 3:14 (v11) For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence firm to the end,
- 1 John 3:14-18 (v10) We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn’t love his brother remains in death. Whoever…
- 2 Timothy 1:17-18 (v10) but when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently and found me (the Lord grant to him to find the Lord’s mercy in that day); and in how many…
- Philemon 1:5-7 (v10) hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints, that the fellowship of your faith…
- 2 Peter 1:10 (vv11–12) Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.
- John 13:20 (v10) Most certainly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who sent me.”
- Acts 11:29 (v10) As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea;
- 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 (v10) Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia, how in much proof of…
- Hebrews 10:22 (v11) let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having our body washed…
- Nehemiah 5:19 (v10) Remember me, my God, for good, all that I have done for this people.
- Proverbs 19:17 (v10) He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.
- Jeremiah 6:16 (v12) Yahweh says, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, ‘Where is the good way?’ and walk in it, and you will find rest for…
- Romans 2:7 (v12) to those who by perseverance in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life;
- Philippians 4:16-18 (v10) For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need. Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your…
- Hebrews 10:32-35 (v11) But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings; partly, being exposed to…
- 1 John 3:14 (v11) We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn’t love his brother remains in death.
- Revelation 2:26 (v11) He who overcomes, and he who keeps my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations.
- Deuteronomy 32:4 (v10) The Rock: his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. A God of faithfulness who does no wrong, just and right is he.
- Nehemiah 13:22 (v10) I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day.…
- Nehemiah 13:31 (v10) and for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the first fruits. Remember me, my God, for good.
- Psalms 20:3 (v10) remember all your offerings, and accept your burned sacrifice.
- Proverbs 18:9 (v12) One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
- Proverbs 24:30-34 (v12) I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding: Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its…
- Isaiah 32:17 (v11) The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.
- Jeremiah 2:2-3 (v10) “Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Yahweh says, “I remember for you the kindness of your youth, the love of your weddings;…
- Jeremiah 18:20 (v10) Should evil be recompensed for good? For they have dug a pit for my soul. Remember how I stood before you to speak good for them, to turn…
- Acts 9:36-39 (v10) Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of…
- Acts 10:31 (v10) and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God.
- Romans 15:13 (v11) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Romans 15:25-27 (v10) But now, I say, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints. For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain…
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (v10) Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its…
- 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 (v10) Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I commanded the assemblies of Galatia, you do likewise. On the first day of every week,…
- 2 Corinthians 9:1 (v10) It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,
- 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7 (v10) Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted with us,…
- 2 Thessalonians 3:13 (v11) But you, brothers, don’t be weary in doing what is right.
- 2 Timothy 4:8 (v10) From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to…
- Hebrews 5:11 (v12) About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing.
- James 1:3 (v12) knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
- 2 Peter 3:14 (v11) Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without defect and blameless in his sight.
- 1 John 3:1-3 (v11) See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us,…
- Revelation 14:12-13 (v12) Here is the perseverance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” I heard a voice from heaven…
- Matthew 24:13 (v11) But he who endures to the end will be saved.
- Luke 8:15 (v12) Those in the good ground, these are those who with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produce fruit with…
- Romans 4:12 (v12) He is the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father…
- Romans 8:25-26 (v12) But if we hope for that which we don’t see, we wait for it with patience. In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we…
- Romans 12:11-12 (v11) not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer;
- 1 Corinthians 13:13 (v11) But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 (v11) Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in…
- Galatians 6:9 (v11) Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up.
- Philippians 3:15 (v11) Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you.
- Colossians 1:5 (v11) because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Good News
- 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (v11) and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind…
- 1 Thessalonians 4:10 (v11) for indeed you do it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you abound more and more;
- Hebrews 1:14 (v12) Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
- Hebrews 6:15 (v12) Thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
- Hebrews 12:1 (v12) Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily…
- James 5:10-11 (v12) Take, brothers, for an example of suffering and of perseverance, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we call them…
- 1 Peter 1:3-5 (v11) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope…
- 1 John 1:9 (v10) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- Proverbs 12:24 (v12) The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.
- Proverbs 13:4 (v12) The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
- Proverbs 15:19 (v12) The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
- Matthew 22:32 (v12) ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?’ God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
- Luke 20:37-38 (v12) But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord ‘The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of…
- Romans 3:4-5 (v10) May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written, “that you might be justified in your words, and might…
- Romans 8:24-25 (v11) For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees? But if we hope for that which we don’t…
- Romans 12:8 (v11) or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with…
- Galatians 5:6 (v10) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.
- Philippians 1:9-11 (v11) This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are…
- Colossians 1:23 (v11) if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard,…
- Colossians 2:2 (v11) that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that…
- 2 Thessalonians 1:4 (v12) so that we ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God for your perseverance and faith in all your persecutions and in the…
- Hebrews 11:8-17 (v12) By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing…
- Hebrews 11:33 (v12) who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
- 1 Peter 1:21 (v11) who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope might be in God.
- 1 John 3:19 (v11) And by this we know that we are of the truth, and persuade our hearts before him,
- Revelation 13:10 (v12) If anyone is to go into captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, he must be killed. Here is the…
100 distinct cross-references across this passage (109 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (20 sources)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv10–12 10. For God is not unrighteous, etc. These words…
10. For God is not unrighteous, etc. These words signify as much as though he had said, that from good beginnings he hoped for a good end.
But here a difficulty arises, because he seems to say that God is bound by the services of men: “I am persuaded,” he says, “as to your salvation, because God cannot forget your works.” He seems thus to build salvation on works, and to make God a debtor to them. And the sophists, who oppose the merits of works to the grace of God, make much of this sentence, “God is not unrighteous.” For they hence conclude that it would be unjust for him not to render for works the reward of eternal salvation. To this I briefly reply that the Apostle does not here speak avowedly of the cause of our salvation, and that therefore no opinion can be formed from this passage as to the merits of works, nor can it be hence determined what is due to works. The Scripture shows everywhere that there is no other fountain of salvation but the gratuitous mercy of God: and that God everywhere promises reward to works, this depends on that gratuitous promise, by which he adopts us as his children, and reconciles us to himself by not imputing our sins. Reward then is reserved for works, not through merit, but the free bounty of God alone; and yet even this free reward of works does not take place, except we be first received into favor through the kind mediation of Christ.
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We hence conclude, that God does not pay us a debt, but performs what he has of himself freely promised, and thus performs it, inasmuch as he pardons us and our works; nay, he looks not so much on our works as on his own grace in our works. It is on this account that he forgets not our works, because he recognizes himself and the work of his Spirit in them. And this is to be righteous, as the Apostle says, for he cannot deny himself. This passage, then, corresponds with that saying of Paul, “He who has begun in you a good work will perfect it.” (Philippians 1:6.) For what can God find in us to induce him to love us, except what he has first conferred on us? In short, the sophists are mistaken in imagining a mutual relation between God’s righteousness and the merits of our works, since God on the contrary so regards himself and his own gifts, that he carries on to the end what of his own goodwill he has begun in us, without any inducement from anything we do; nay, God is righteous in recompensing works, because he is true and faithful: and he has made himself a debtor to us, not by receiving anything from us; but as Augustine says, by freely promising all things.
And labor of love, etc. By this he intimates that we are not to spare labor, if we desire to perform duty towards our neighbors; for they are not only to be helped by money, but also by counsel, by labor, and in various other ways. Great sedulity, then, must be exercised, many troubles must be undergone, and sometimes many dangers must be encountered. Thus let him who would engage in the duties of love, prepare himself for a life of labor.
He mentions in proof of their love, that they had ministered and were still ministering to the saints. We are hence reminded, that we are not to neglect to serve our brethren. By mentioning the saints, he means not that we are debtors to them alone; for our love ought to expand and be manifested towards all mankind; but as the household of faith are especially recommended to us, peculiar attention is to be paid to them; for as love, when moved to do good, has partly a regard to God, and partly to our common nature, the nearer any one is to God, the more worthy he is of being assisted by us. In short, when we acknowledge any one as a child of God, we ought to embrace him with brotherly love.
By saying that they had ministered and were still ministering, he commended their perseverance; which in this particular was very necessary; for there is nothing to which we are more prone than to weariness in well-doing. Hence it is, that though many are found ready enough to help their brethren, yet the virtue of constancy is so rare, that a large portion soon relax as though their warmth had cooled. But what ought constantly to stimulate us is even this one expression used by the apostle, that the love shown to the saints is shown towards the name of the Lord; for he intimates that God holds himself indebted to us for whatever good we do to our neighbors, according to that saying,
“What ye have done to one of the least of these, ye have done to me,” (Matthew 25:40;)
and there is also another,
“He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord.” (Proverbs 19:17.)
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv10, 12 He praiseth them for their charity, thereby encouraging them…
He praiseth them for their charity, thereby encouraging them to go forward, and to hold out to the end.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv10–12 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your…
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Ver. 10. For God is not unrighteous] That is, unfaithful, 1Jn 1:9. There is a justice of fidelity as well as of equity.
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To forget your work.] The butler may forget Joseph, and Joseph forget his father’s house; but forgetfulness befalls not God, to whom all things are present, and before whom there is written a book of remembrance for them that fear the Lord, and think upon his name, Mal 3:16-17.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv10–12 For introduceth the reason of the apostle’s former persuasion…
For introduceth the reason of the apostle’s former persuasion concerning them, which was the real graces of faith and love to God wrought in their hearts, and shown in their work, which was better than all enlightenings.
God is not unrighteous; the affirmative is implied, God is just, and faithful, and true, in performing what he promiseth, as well as not unrighteous: the certain truth is asserted in this emphatical negative; compare 2Th 1:6,7, with 1Jo 1:9; should he not perform he would be unjust.
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To forget your work: God always remembers all things, because his knowledge is perfect; and he will take notice of grace in these Hebrews manifested by their works, so as to recompense and reward them for it, by perfecting his gracious work in them; which having promised, the apostle is confident of the good estate of them through grace, Phi 1:6. He will never forget the work of your faith in his name, your courageous profession of the gospel, Gal 5:6; Col 1:4; 1Th 1:3; a grace of God in them which made their souls delight in him, such as was purely Divine, beginning and ending in God, carried out in the labour and exercise of it to his glory, showing it in all the supplies they give his in his name, to Christians as they are his, Mar 9:41.
And labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister: their labour of love was evidenced by what they had done, and were doing, for Christ, in their using all effectual means for supplying, comforting, preserving, and delivering his members, giving their goods to them, and their lives for them, 1Jo 3:10-18. So the apostle asserts these did, Heb 10:32-34. So did Aquila and Priscilla love Paul, Rom 16:3,4. And this they did show to such as were God’s children, and bore his name, the present suffering Christians, who endured rifling, plundering, banishing, imprisonment, and death for their faith in Christ’s name: those brethren who, being loved in and for God, do evidence to these Hebrews that they are passed from death to life, 1Jo 3:14.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv11–12 Note here, 1. That although the apostle had a…
Note here, 1. That although the apostle had a firm persuasion, that they were sincere and upright, and would hold on their way, yet he exhorts them to show the same diligence which they had done, and to persevere to the end, as they had begun.
Learn hence, That ministerial exhortation unto duty is needful, even unto them that are sincere in the practice of it, that they may abide and continue therein: we desire that you show diligence unto the end.
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Note, 2. The special duty he exhort them to, and that is, to attain a full assurance of hope. Hope is a certain and assured expectation of good things promised, accompanied with love, and a longing desire to enjoy them. A full assurance of hope, is such a fixed, constant, and prevailing persuasion, concerning the good things promised, and our certain enjoyment of them, as will support us under, and carry us through all the difficulties and troubles that we conflict with.
Learn hence, That a good man may, in this life, arrive at an assurance of faith and hope, as touching the goodness of his condition in the life to come. The original word signifies a full gale of hope, a metaphor taken from sailors, who enter the harbour with a full gale of wind, both with facility and safety. The Christians soul is a ship sailing in a tempetuous sea: Faith represents the pilot, love the sail, hope the wind that must fill the sail: be the pilot ever so confident, the sail spread to the utmost, yet without a gale of wind the ship lies becalmed, moves not towards the harbour. A Christian on earth without hope, is as a ship at sea without wind.
Note, 3. The special means directed to, in order to the attaining of this full assurance of hop, and that is, to show diligence, the same diligence, and that to the end.
Learn thence, That Christians ought by no means to wax secure, but to use all their hope to a full assurance; We desire that every one of you do show the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope to the end.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv10–12 And we desire that everyone of you do show…
And we desire that everyone of you do show the same diligence,.... In the constant exercise of the graces of faith and love, and in ministering to the necessities of the saints: there is a spiritual labour, diligence, and industry to be used by the saints; and former diligence is a motive to future; and is a means of attaining to full assurance, as appears by what follows; and this is to be shown for the glory of God, for the evidence of the above graces, and for an example and encouragement to other saints: and the persons addressed being "everyone", this shows the apostle's impartiality in his exhortations, and served to remove all groundless suspicions in particular persons; and the manner of his addressing them shows his hearty concern for their welfare, his mildness and gentleness towards them, and his design to encourage them to go forward; and that his exhortation might have the greater weight, he uses the plural "we"; and this exhortation, put in this form, moreover shows that what he had said before had no tendency in some things to encourage despair, or in others carelessness and indolence: and what he had in view in the whole was, that they might arrive
to the full assurance of hope unto the end; not only that they might keep up an hope, but attain to the full assurance of it; as to interest in the love and grace of God; in the covenant of grace, its blessings and promises; in God, as a covenant God and Father; in Christ, as a Saviour and Redeemer; and as to the truth of the work of grace upon their souls, and their right and meetness for the possession of eternal glory and happiness: the phrase, "unto the end", may either respect the continuance of the grace of assurance; or refer to the showing forth of their diligence and industry in ministering to the saints, as they had done, to the end of their lives.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv10–12 For - Ye give plain proof of your faith…
For - Ye give plain proof of your faith and love, which the righteous God will surely reward.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv10–12 Verse 10. God is not unrighteous] God is only…
Verse 10. God is not unrighteous] God is only bound to men by his own promise: this promise he is not obliged to make; but, when once made, his righteousness or justice requires him to keep it; therefore, whatever he has promised he will certainly perform. But he has promised to reward every good work and labour of love, and he will surely reward yours; God's promise is God's debt.
Every good work must spring from faith in the name, being, and goodness of God; and every work that is truly good must have love for its motive, as it has God for its end.
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The word του κοπου, labour, prefixed to love, is wanting in almost every MS. and version of importance. Griesbach has left it out of the text.
Ministered to the saints] Have contributed to the support and comfort of the poor Christians who were suffering persecution in Judea. As they had thus ministered, and were still ministering, they gave full proof that they had a common cause with the others; and this was one of the things that proved them to be in a state of salvation.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v12 Heb 6:12. That ye be not slothful — Νωθροι,…
Heb 6:12. That ye be not slothful — Νωθροι, careless and negligent, or dull, sluggish, and indolent, namely, in the use of the means of grace, or in those works of piety and virtue which are the proper fruits of faith and love; but followers — μιμηται, imitators; of them who through faith — In God, and in the truths and promises of his holy word; and patience — Or, long-suffering, as Μακροθυμιας rather signifies, enduring long in the constant exercise of faith, hope, and love, notwithstanding any or all opposition, and the bearing all trials and troubles, of whatever kind, with composure of mind and resignation to the divine will; inherit the promises — Dr. Whitby would render it, inherited the promises, supposing that the expression refers to the promises made to Abraham and the other patriarchs respecting the multiplication of their seed, their being put in possession of Canaan, and the various other promises made to them, the accomplishment of which they afterward received. But the participle, κληρονομουντων, being in the present tense, will hardly bear to be so rendered, signifying literally, are inheriting, namely, the promises. Pierce and Macknight, therefore, understand it of the believing Gentiles, who at the time when the apostle wrote were inheriting those promises made to Abraham concerning all nations of the earth being blessed in him and his seed. But, as Dr. Doddridge observes, if this were intended as a hint to stir up the Jews to emulation, as is supposed, “it was indeed a very obscure one; for, comparatively, it is a low sense in which Christians, in this imperfect state, can be said to inherit the promises. It seems rather to refer to all good men, who were departed out of our world, whether in former or latter days, and under whatever dispensation they died. Taking it in this view, it is a conclusive argument against the soul’s continuing in a state of sleep during the intermediate period between death and the resurrection.” This certainly seems the most natural interpretation of the verse, namely, that “the apostle meant to lead his readers to meditate on the happiness of Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Job, and all those who had on earth lived by faith in the promises of God, especially the great promise of a Saviour, and eternal salvation by him; and had patiently waited, laboured, and suffered in the obedience of faith; and in consequence were at the time, when the apostle wrote this, inheriting the promises of God, of eternal blessings, through Christ, to all believers.” — Scott.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv10–12 For God is not unrighteous - God will do…
For God is not unrighteous - God will do no wrong. He will not forget or fail to reward the endeavors of his people to promote his glory, and to do good. The meaning here is, that by their kindness in ministering to the wants of the saints, they had given full evidence of true piety. If God should forget that, it would be “unrighteous:
(1)Because there was a propriety that it should be remembered; and,
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(2)Because it is expressly promised that it shall not fail of reward; Mat 10:42.
Your work - Particularly in ministering to the wants of the saints.
Labour of love - Deeds of benevolence when there was no hope of recompense, or when love was the motive in doing it.
Which ye have showed toward his name - Toward him - for the word “name” is often used to denote the person himself. They had showed that they loved God by their kindness to his people; Mat 25:40, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
In that ye have ministered to the saints - You have supplied their wants. This may refer either to the fact that they contributed to supply the wants of the poor members of the church (compare the note on Gal 2:10), or it may refer to some special acts of kindness which they had shown to suffering and persecuted Christians. It is not possible now to know to what particular acts the apostle refers. We may learn.
(1)That to show kindness to Christians, because they are Christians, is an important evidence of piety.
(2)It will in no case be unrewarded. God is not “unjust;” and he will remember an act of kindness shown to his people - even though it be nothing but giving a cup of cold water.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v11 Ad expletionem spei usque ad finem, Greek: pros ten…
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[BIBLIOGRAPHY]
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Ad expletionem spei usque ad finem, Greek: pros ten pleorophorian. See the signification of this word, Luke i. 1.
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George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv10–12 not unrighteous--not unfaithful to His own gracious promise. Not…
not unrighteous--not unfaithful to His own gracious promise. Not that we have any inherent right to claim reward; for (1) a servant has no merit, as he only does that which is his bounden duty; (2) our best performances bear no proportion to what we leave undone; (3) all strength comes from God; but God has promised of His own grace to reward the good works of His people (already accepted through faith in Christ); it is His promise, not our merits, which would make it unrighteous were He not to reward His people's works. God will be no man's debtor.
your work--your whole Christian life of active obedience.
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labour of love--The oldest manuscripts omit "labor of," which probably crept in from Th1 1:3. As "love" occurs here, so "hope," Heb 6:11, "faith," Heb 6:12; as in Co1 13:13 : the Pauline triad. By their love he sharpens their hope and faith.
ye have showed--(Compare Heb 10:32-34).
toward his name--Your acts of love to the saints were done for His name's sake. The distressed condition of the Palestinian Christians appears from the collection for them. Though receiving bounty from other churches, and therefore not able to minister much by pecuniary help, yet those somewhat better off could minister to the greatest sufferers in their Church in various other ways (compare Ti2 1:18). Paul, as elsewhere, gives them the utmost credit for their graces, while delicately hinting the need of perseverance, a lack of which had probably somewhat begun to show itself.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv10–12 10. For—Grounds of this favourable hope. You have in…
10. For—Grounds of this favourable hope. You have in some points done so well that God will afford you abundant enabling grace to persevere, if you use it.
Unrighteous—The word must not, with Stuart, be softened to unkind. God holds himself righteously bound to grant more grace for grace well used. The man who does a measure of sincere duty may lay hold of God’s righteousness as pledged to aid him, in accordance and without measure. And the writer goes on to show that God is pledged by both word and oath.
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Forget—Not to be forgetful, but to consign to oblivion by an instant act.
Work… love—More authoritative reading, labour and love. Their labour was not dead works, (Heb_6:1,) but was animated with love.
His name—For God holds your labour as done to himself. The name of God often stands, reverently, for God himself. Rom_15:9; Act_19:17; Mat_12:21.
Ministered to the saints—Either to their own poor in Jerusalem, or to Christians visiting and sojourning there. Jerusalem was the Christian as well as Jewish metropolis, and crowds of Christians would visit it, especially on great festival days, needing hospitality. This rendered it desirable that the “poor saints” at Jerusalem should be aided by other churches. Note on Act_2:5.
Do minister— You still persevere; and, while you do so, there is strong ground of hope. Your real danger is, that the popular contempt of Christ will shake your faith.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv10–12 10. to forget] The aorist implies “to forget in…
10. to forget] The aorist implies “to forget in a moment.” Comp. Heb_11:6; Heb_11:20. God, even amid your errors, will not overlook the signs of grace working in you. Comp. Jer_31:16; Psa_9:12; Amo_8:7.
and labour of love] The words “labour of” should be omitted. They are probably a gloss from 1Th_1:3. The passage bears a vague general resemblance to 2Co_8:24; Col_1:4.
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toward his name] which name is borne by all His children.
in that ye have ministered to the saints] In your past and present ministration to the saints, i.e. to your Christian brethren. It used to be supposed that the title “the saints” applied especially to the Christians at Jerusalem (Rom_15:25; Gal_2:10; 1Co_16:1). This is a mistake; and the saints at Jerusalem, merged in a common poverty, perhaps a result in part of their original Communism, were hardly in a condition to minister to one another. They were (as is the case with most of the Jews now living at Jerusalem) dependent in large measure on the Chaluka or distribution of alms sent them from without.
and do minister] The continuance of their well doing proved its sincerity; but perhaps the writer hints, though with infinite delicacy, that their beneficent zeal was less active than it once had been.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv10–12 (10) In expressing the ground of his hope he…
(10) In expressing the ground of his hope he does not directly say, “For I have heard of your fruitfulness;” he implies this, and then, in accordance with the parable of Heb_6:7, he declares that God will surely bestow the promised reward. Herein lies his hope. Man’s work cannot in itself merit reward from God, but (1Jn_1:9) the righteous God cannot neglect His own promise and law that such works shall receive reward.
Your work and labour of love.—The best MSS. omit “labour”; so that the words run thus: to forget your work, and the love which ye showed toward His name. The “fruit” consisted in brotherly love, but it was offered unto God (Heb_6:7); the bond of brotherhood was the joint relation to “His name” (Heb_2:10). With the last words compare Rom_15:26; Rom_15:31.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv10–12 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work…
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and the love (tou kopou in the Textus Receptus is ill supported, having, perhaps, been interpolated kern 1Th_1:3) which ye showed towards his Name, in that ye ministered to the saints, and do minister. It appears that the Hebrew Christians had formerly (some especial occasion being probably referred to) been active in their charity towards fellow-Christians in distress, and that such charity had not ceased. On this is grounded the persuasion that they will be kept steadfast in the faith. Those who had so shown their faith by their works would surely not be allowed to lose it. The very idea of the Divine justice implies that the use of grace, thus evidenced, will be rewarded by continuance of grace. Cf. Php_1:6, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perfect it (epitelesei) until the day of Jesus Christ; "where also there is reference to deeds of charity, shown in the case of the Philippians by their sympathy with the apostle in his bonds, which charity he prays may "abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all discernment." No difficulty need be felt in this reference to God"s justice, as though it involved the doctrine of human merit, de congruo or de condigno, claiming reward as of debt. The simple and obvious view, that God, in virtue of his justice, will be most gracious to those who have used his grace, by no means contravenes the doctrine of all grace being the free gift of his bounty. (cf. 1Jn_1:9 Rom_2:6, etc.) Observe, too, as bearing on the idea of this passage, how the will to do the will of God is said by our Lord to be followed by knowledge of the doctrine, (Joh_7:17) and how works of charity are the very tests of the final judgment. (Mat_25:31, etc.)
Ministering to the saints.
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For God is not unrighteous to forget your work, etc. Our text leads us to consider the ministry to the saints in three aspects.
I IN ITS EXEMPLARY EXERCISE. "Ye ministered unto the saints, and still do minister.
1. The nature of this ministry.
(1) Probably pecuniary aid to the poor. Saints may be in secular poverty. Lazarus the saint was an afflicted beggar; the man who was not a saint was "rich, clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day." "Did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith?" etc. (Jam_2:5) The persons addressed in our Epistle probably sent contributions of money to certain of their fellow-Christians who were in poverty. (see Act_11:29, 30 Rom_15:25, 26 1Co_16:1 2Co 8, 1Co 9)
(2) Sympathy with the afflicted and persecuted. "Becoming partakers with them that were so used" (i.e. reproached and persecuted). "For ye both had compassion on them that were in bonds," etc. (Heb_10:32-34) A worthy tribute this to most noble and beautiful conduct. Such ministering to the saints was especially becoming in the disciples of him who "bore our griefs and carried our sorrows," and who "came not to be ministered unto, but to minister," etc.
2. The continuousness of this ministry. "And still do minister." Their kind feeling did not expend itself in one effort or in one contribution. Their conduct in this respect is exemplary. We shall do well if we imitate them. (Rom_12:13 Gal_6:10 Heb_13:16 1Jn_3:17)
II IN ITS EXALTED MOTIVE. "The love which ye showed towards his Name." They ministered to the saints because they loved God. This is the noblest of motives. Let us consider it. It involves:
1. Gratitude to God. They ministered to those who were his, because he had done so much for them. Gratitude eagerly inquires, "What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?" We serve him by serving his saints.
2. Devotion to God. This ministry was expressive of more than gratitude to God. The Christian"s love to God is more than gratitude to him. It includes reverent admiration of him, and willing consecration to him of the heart"s holiest feeling and the life"s best service. And ministry to his saints for the love which we have for him he accepts as ministry to himself. "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it," etc. (Mat_25:40, Mat_25:45)
3. Recognition of the common relationship to God of both the givers and the receivers of this help. They showed their love toward his Name by this ministry, because they felt that they and those to whom they ministered were alike his children. They realized their common brotherhood, hence they voluntarily shared their afflictions. This is the most exalted motive for Christian service love to God. It is most disinterested, most inspiring, most sustaining.
III IN ITS CERTAIN REWARD. "God is not unrighteous to forget your work," etc. But did this ministry to the saints give the ministers a claim upon God for reward? Would he have been unjust if he had not remembered and rewarded their works? Two facts compel us to answer, "No;" viz.
(1) that all the good works of Christians are imperfect;
(2) that the inspiration for every good work proceeds from him.
"The righteousness of God spoken of in our passage," says Ebrard, "is that which leads, guides, and governs every man according to the particular stage of development which he occupies. It is here affirmed of God that he does not give up to perdition a man who can still in any way be saved, in whom the new life is not yet entirely extinct, and who has not yet entirely fallen away; but that he seeks to draw every one as long as they will allow themselves to be drawn." It would not be just in God to withdraw his gracious assistance from one who was producing the fruits of Christian faith; for he has pledged his word that he will save such persons, tie will not forget their work and labor of love. "God will not forget you, for that would be ceasing to be God. If God were to forget for one moment, the universe would grow black vanish rush out again from the realm of law and order into chaos and night." Most encouraging are the declarations of this truth in the Bible. (see Deu_4:31 Isa_49:14-16 Heb_13:5) This not forgetting their work and the love which they showed toward his Name implies:
1. Preservation from apostasy. This is the point of connection with the main argument. Their production of the fruits of Christian faith was an evidence that they were not falling away from Christ. And God would keep those who out of love to him ministered to his saints.
2. Generous recognition of their services...Nothing is overlooked, nothing of Christian work is unrecognized or unacknowledged by him.
3. Gracious reward of their services. (See Mat_10:42 Mar_9:41)
CONCLUSION.
1. An example of Christian ministry. Imitate it.
2. An example of a sure method of guarding against apostasy. Do not think of apostasy, but of continuous progress. Produce the fruits of good works out of love to God, and you most effectively preclude spiritual defection or decline. W.J.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv10–11 God is not unrighteous to forget your work
Heb_6:10
God is not unrighteous to forget your work
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The guarantee of usefulness
I.
GOD KNOWS OF EACH ITEM OF OUR CHRISTIAN SERVICE. Our deeds of love populate the Divine mind with immortal images.
II. GODS RIGHTEOUSNESS IS AN ACTIVE FENCE IX HIS NATURE. It gives quality to all that He is, and thinks, and does. It is the guarantee of right becoming victorious; the pledge of the final supremacy of love; the rock on which faithful service may build its hopes.
III. GODS RIGHTEOUSNESS RENDERS CERTAIN THE FINAL USEFULNESS OF ALL CHRISTIAN SERVICE.
1. His righteousness creates interest in our service. He looks on our deeds with pleasure.
2. His righteousness creates sympathy with us in what we do. Because the holy feeling that prompts us to deeds of love is akin to that which dwells in God, He feels towards our work the same as we do, He enters into our longing to bless others, He shares in our yearning to cheer and guide and save men.
3. His righteousness ensures the using up of our deeds of love in the line of His own purpose. There is not a true prayer uttered, not a holy wish cherished, not a kind word spoken, not a deed of mercy performed, not a single Christian act in the service we daily seek to render to our Lord, in public or in private, known of men or out of sight, but that He knows it, holds it before His mind, graciously delights in it, enters into its spirit, and, as a consequence, actually lays hold of it as a precious element of good, to blend it with His own volitions, and make it harmonise with, and give impetus to, all that He once did when, on earth in the person of His dear Son, He laid the foundation that is to be both blessed and everlasting. (C. Chapman.)
Gods righteousness as an encouragement to Christian service
I. THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH. The work distributed amongst us may be very different in quality, in interest, in popularity, in result; yet God does not overlook any of it. He sees the mother talking of Jesus to her children at home, as well as the preacher who expounds Divine truth in the great congregation. The words which in weakness and fatigue are penned by a writer for the press, on the side of purity or national integrity, or peace among the nations, or fairness between the classes, are as much thought of by God as the society organised for the defence of theological truth. The medical man who heals the poor without reward, the employer who dares to give unto his servants what be knows to be just and equal, the merchant or tradesman who for the sake of the Lord he loves refuses to receive an advantage which his competitor would eagerly seek--all these, in time of disappointment, may remember the assurance, God is not unrighteous to forget your work. And what of work more directly religious? Is not the Lord mindful of that? Even we think sometimes with sympathy of our brothers in distant lands, exposed to hostility from the heathen, and to perils by land and by sea, perils from malaria, accident, and privation; but the all-seeing God knows them, and cares for them far more than we, and He will not forget their work. And if your service is less public than theirs, it is none the less regarded by Him, whose wisdom not only built the mountains, but clothed the lilies of the field. We know but little of each other, but He knows us altogether, and He is as pleased with the childs prayer as with the martyr death of the bravest soldier in His army.
II. THE FIDELITY OF THE LORD. The idea seems to be this; God will not overlook your work, so as to make no use of it; it will not be forgotten, but will find its place in the fulfilment of the Divine purpose. Man is unfaithful and forgetful in such matters. An editor may ask some one to write a paper, and when with toil and care it is finished, he may have forgotten all about it, and may issue his work without finding any place for the authors labour--men are often forgetful. The other day, in crossing a wild part of Dartmoor, I saw a magnificent block of stone, carefully and skilfully cut into a hexagon, and there it lay unheeded amid the heather, beaten by storms, bleached by sunshine--useless. Perhaps the builder had forgotten to fetch it, or perhaps he thought the block too heavy to carry over the rough roads; but, whatever the reason, some skilful stonemason had worked hard, but uselessly. Now, looking down upon our work in obscure homes, in nut-of-the-way offices, in quiet spheres of service, this inspired man says: God is not unfaithful to forget your work. (A. Rowland, LL. B.)
The present and future rewards of charity
I. HOW ACCEPTABLE GOOD WORKS ARE TO GOD, AND WHAT REWARDS HE HATH PROMISED TO THOSE WHO SHALL BE FOUND ABOUNDING IN THEM.
II. A PRINCIPLE OF CHRISTIAN LOVE AND CHARITY IS OF ALL OTHER THE MOST PREVALENT TO INDUCE MEN TO SUCH GOOD WORKS
III. BY THE EXPRESSION LABOUR OF LOVE IS PLAINLY SUGGESTED THAT GOOD WORKS ARE OFTEN ACCOMPANIED WITH MUCH TROUBLE AND DIFFICULTY.
IV. MINISTERING TO THE WANTS AND NECESSITIES OF OUR CHRISTIAN BRETHREN IS SHOWING-A REGARD TOWARDS THE NAME OF GOD.
V. WE HAVE PERSEVERANCE IN THOSE: DUTIES RECOMMENDED TO US, BY THE EXAMPLE OF THOSE HEBREWS, WHO ARE NOT ONLY MENTIONED AS
FORMERLY MINISTERING TO THE NECESSITIES OF THEIR INDIGENT BRETHREN, BUT AS CONTINUING TO DO THE SAME. (S. Knight, D. D.)
The righteous reward
I. God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour Of love; INASMUCH AS HIS DOING SO WOULD RE UNGENEROUS, UNGRACIOUS, UNKIND. Were He not to acknowledge it, He might seem to be damping your zeal. In this view the statement is fitted seasonably to encourage you. Few and faulty your best services may be; unsatisfying to yourselves; much more to your God. Well might He reject them all. But would He be justified in doing so? Would it be in harmony with what He has revealed to you of the riches of His glory, and what lie has made you to taste of the fulness of His grace? No. He does not upbraid you with the value of His undeserved benefits to you. He will not upbraid you with the worthlessness of what you give to Him. All that He bestows, He bestows in good faith. All that you render, He will take in good part.
II. God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love; INASMUCH AS HIS DOING SO WOULD BE INCONSISTENT WITH HIS FAITHFULNESS AND TRUTH. He is to be regarded as hiring you, and assigning to you your service. He does so in the exercise of His own requestionable discretion, according to His own good pleasure, and the freedom of His own will. Be does not leave it to you to devise a way in which you may, at your own discretion, manifest your loyalty. But He enlists you as His soldiers and subjects, under command. You are to offer service voluntarily. But when your offer is accepted, you are to obey orders. This consideration may seem, in one view to detract from any claim on your part for any recompense of reward. It divests your work and labour of love, which you show to His name, of the character of a spontaneous or strictly self-prompted and self-directed offering. What you do or suffer is not at your own hand, but by His appointment. But, in another view, the certainty of your being amply recompensed is thus placed on the highest possible ground. I feel, indeed, that I have nothing which, as from myself, I can offer to my God. I am myself His property, His purchased possession; not my own. All the store of talents and resources out of which I can offer comes from Him, and is all His own. And I, His servant, must offer it, not as I choose, but as lie desires and directs. But does that thought, I ask again, detract in the least from my confident persuasion that what I offer will be accepted and requited? Does it not, on the contrary, enhance my assurance tenfold? Would it be fair for a master enlisting servants in such a way, on such terms, under such obligations, to forget their work, to let it pass into oblivion unrequite? Be it that it is work or service to which they are indispensably bound, and which they have no discretionary liberty to accept or decline; for which, therefore, they have no title to stipulate for payment beforehand, or to demand payment afterwards. Be it even that they understand that condition of their engagement, and consent to it, that does not acquit the master, in his own judgment at least, whatever they may think. If he is honest, high minded, he will not suffer his servants to entertain a moments doubt of his intention to acknowledge their faithfulness, and make all ,he world know that he does so. And is God unrighteous? Is He who solemnly binds you in so strict a covenant of service to let it be supposed that He can act unfaithfully or unfairly? And is He unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love--the work and loving labour of His chosen and His redeemed? Surely it is no vain thing, but rather a very blessed thing, for you thus to serve the Lord, having such a simple, single-eyed, meek, and honourable confidence as this in the truth and faithfulness of Him whom you serve!
III. There are other CONSIDERATIONS OF A GENERAL SORT that might be brought forward to strengthen this quiet assurance. For instance, here is one. If, in one view, God commits Himself to you; in another view lie commits you and binds you to Himself. In the service of God, if loyal, you must make up your mind to relinquish not a few of those sources of pleasure which the world presents to you. And for whatever you may thus give up, He whom you serve may be expected, if He is to act worthily of Himself, to provide some kind of equivalent. If you lose the favour of men, you have the favour of God. If you cease to have the peace which the world gives, when, with its refuges of lies, it soothes your conscience, you have the peace of God which passes understanding. If you have to cut off a right hand, to pluck out a right eye, maimed as you are and wounded, you enter into life. If the good things of earth are to be your treasure no more, you have better treasure in heaven, where no moth corrupts and no thief breaks through to steal. Thus far I have spoken of the recompense of the reward, Gods not forgetting your work and labour of love, as simply righteous on His part. But, before leaving that topic, I must remind you that the righteousness is still always of grace. It is the righteousness, not of law, but of equity. It gives you no such claim or title as you might enforce in a court of justice by procedure of a legal sort. All your claim must rest upon the good faith or kind favour of the other party. This does not touch the certainty of your being rewarded. But it divests you of all title to reckon upon it as your due. How blessed a thing is it in this view, to disown all right of yours, and lean on the righteousness of God! Further, the righteousness in question is not that of express compact, but rather that of a fair and amiable understanding. It is not a case, as between debtor and creditor, to be adjusted upon a balance of business accounts and books. Your remuneration is rather an honourable acknowledgment of the spirit in which you work than an exact and formal discharge of the work itself. Hence this principle, while it leaves no room for presumption on your part, leaves abundant room for the most liberal discretion on the part of God. Lessons:
1. As God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, be not ye unrighteous to forget your duty to Him. As He is, so to speak, on honour with you, be you scrupulously and sensitively on honour with Him. Many motives should prompt this duty. Think on the way in which He receives you into His favour; on the amazing sacrifice of His Son, whom He gives to the death of the Cross, that He may reconcile you to Himself; receiving you graciously, and loving you freely. He opens His heart to you. Will you not give your hearts to Him?
2. If God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love towards His name, you need not care to remember it. You need not keep a record of your doings. Your record and theirs is on high. (R. S.Candlish, D. D.)
Good works not meritorious
I. IN WHAT SENSE GOD WOULD NOT BE UNRIGHTEOUS, THAT IS, UNJUST, THOUGH HE SHOULD FORGET OUR GOOD WORKS, that is, though He should not reward us with eternal life for them.
1. Whatsoever good action a man can perform, that he upon many accounts owes unto God, his Maker, his Preserver, his Benefactor. But no one, surely, who pays to another what he strictly owes him, can thereby oblige that other to bestow on him a reward, or can make him properly his debtor.
2. Even amongst equals no one is of right, and in strict justice, obliged to recompense the labour and pains of another, but he who hath voluntarily bound himself thereunto by some covenant, or who at least is enforced thereunto by the law of some superior. What consideration, therefore, can oblige God to bestow upon man eternal life but His own free and gracious promise, since He hath no superior; nor can any law be prescribed to Him but what He vouchsafes to prescribe to Himself, and to guide His own actions and dispensations by?
3. To this it may be farther added that all our good thoughts, words, and works proceed entirely from the grace of God, and are His free gifts bestowed upon us, out of His mere bounty and mercy. Should God, therefore, by bestowing on us one grace, be thereby in justice obliged, for that very reason, to bestow on us another?
II. But now, lest to avoid one extreme, we should foolishly run into another; lest for fear of carrying the value of our good actions too high, we should on the other side sink their price too low; it will be proper to show that, notwithstanding what has been said hitherto by way of abatement of their pretended worth, THEY ARE STILL IN MANY RESPECTS HIGHLY VALUABLE BEFORE GOD; and that though they cannot by way of purchase procure for us, yet upon other considerations they will secure to us eternal happiness. Now the least that can be said concerning the value of good works proceeding from the love of God, and designed to His glory, is this: that though we should not be made partakers of eternal happiness merely because of them, yet neither can we be saved without them; though they are not the meritorious causes, yet they are the necessary conditions, of our salvation; though where they are found, they do not give a legal title to salvation; yet where they are not found, the persons destitute of them have not so much as an equitable title to eternal bliss from the mercy of God. For virtuous and religious actions are the way chalked out by God, by which we must arrive at the glories which shall be revealed; they are the means ordained by Him, by which we may certainly and effectally, though not of right acquire, yet in fact obtain everlasting happiness. (Bp. Smalridge.)
Gods righteousness as it implies faithfulness
By the argument of the apostle, as righteousness is put for faithfulness, it is manifest that Gods righteousness is a prop to mans faith and hope. Man may and must believe and expect a reward of every good thing from the righteousness of God, even because He is righteous and will not tail to do what He hath promised. This righteousness of God assureth us of the continuance of His mercy. What grace moved Him to begin, righteousness will move Him to continue and finish.
1. This informs us in the wonderful great condescension of God to man; even so low as to bind Himself to man, and that so far as if He failed in what he had promised, He is willing to be accounted unrighteous Psa_7:17).
2. This doth much aggravate the sin of infidelity, which is not only against the grace and mercy of God, but also against His truth and righteousness.
3. This teacheth us how to trust to Gods mercy, even so as God may be just and righteous in showing mercy. (W. Gouge.)
Works of love
These Christians gave themselves to work. Active and practical exertions, indeed, when the case admits of them, are essential to personal Christianity. Their labour is here attributed to love; and this soft and sacred principle is well fitted alike to prompt, to sustain, to sweeten, and to sanctify active efforts for the glory of God and the good of man. The love specified had been shown towards Gods name. God Himself was one special object towards whom it had been directed; and in loving believers, the persons spoken of had loved them for the Fathers sake. Towards Him, then, they had exercised--towards Him, also, the) had shown--this love; for it did not sleep invisible among the secrets of their soul--it raised itself up for effort, it aimed at practical results and performed a practical work, and not, indeed, by ostentatious display, but, by its exertions and its fruits, it showed itself. And in what did their love appear? to what particular enterprise did it address itself? These Christian Hebrews had ministered, and still continued to minister, to saints--to pious persons who required their pecuniary or active aid. The wants of other followers of Christ who were in humble circumstances, or by whom, in some way, their help was needed, secured their sympathy and received their succour. A meet field for Christian love to occupy! An appropriate work for Christian kindness to perform. (A. S. Patterson.)
Known unto God
One evening a gentleman was strolling along a street to pass the time. His attention was attracted by the remark of a little girl to a companion in front of a fruit store, I wish I had an orange for ma. The gentleman saw that the children, though poorly dressed, were clean and neat, and calling them into the store, he loaded them with fruit and candies. Whats your name? asked one of the girls. Why do you want to know? queried the gentleman. I want to pray for you, was the reply. The gentleman turned to leave, scarcely daring to speak, when the little one added, Well, it dont matter, I suppose; God will know you, anyhow. (Baxendales Anecdotes.)
Encouragement for the less successful minister
Though God may grant more of spiritual in gathering to one minister than to another, this is no proof that the less successful minister is the less valuable with Him. Some surgical instruments are used constantly, others but occasionally; yet the latter may be as valuable as the former. If the falling of a tree require fifty strokes, and one man give three, another five and forty, and another finish the business with two strokes more, we do not debate which of these men did most to fell the tree, which of them ought to have most wages, or which, at least, know how much he has contributed to the work. Nor have we any more reason to be jealous about our own private importance in the great work of converting our fellow-sinners. (J. A. Bengel.)
A full reward expected
A military gentleman once said to an excellent old minister in the north of Scotland who was becoming infirm, Why, if I had power over the pension list, I would actually have you put on half-pay for your long and faithful services. He replied, Ah, my friend, your master may put you off with halfpay, but my Master will not serve me so meanly; He will give me full pay. Through grace I expect a fall reward. (Clerical Library.)
Certain reward
Dionysius caused musicians to play before him and promised them a great reward. When they came for their reward, he told them they had already had it in their hopes of it. God does not disappoint His servants. (New Encyclopaedia of Illustrations.)
Small efforts recognised by God
A certain king would build a cathedral; and that the credit of it might be all his own, he forbade any from contributing to its erection in the least degree. A tablet was placed in the side of the building, and on it his name was carved as the builder. But that night he saw, in a dream, an angel, who came down and erased his name, and the name of a poor widow appeared in its stead. This was three times repeated, when the enraged king summoned the woman before him, and demanded, What have you been doing, and why have you broken my commandment? The trembling widow replied, I loved the Lord, and longed to do something for His name and for the building up of His church. I was forbidden to touch it in any way; so, in my poverty, I brought a wisp of hay for the horses that drew the stones. And the king saw that he had laboured for his own glory, but the widow for the glory of God; and he commanded that her name should be inscribed upon the tablet. (Ralph Wells.)
God rewards His servants
When Calvin was banished from ungrateful Geneva, he said, Most assuredly if I had merely served man, this would have been a poor recompense; but it is my happiness that I have served Him who never fails to reward Ills servants to the full extent of His promise. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv10–12 10. For God is not unrighteous to. Though the…
10. For God is not unrighteous to. Though the Hebrew Christians had not advanced in knowledge (5:12), yet they had shown the fruits of the love of Christ in ministering to the saints.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v11 We greatly desire
We greatly desire
Even though the author uses the plural pronoun "we," he is most likely referring only to himself. AT: "I greatly desire" (See: Pronouns)
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diligence
careful, hard work
to the end
The implicit meaning can be stated explicitly. AT: "to the end of your lives" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
in order to make your hope certain
"in order to have complete certainty that you will receive what God has promised you"
imitators
An "imitator" is someone who copies the behavior of someone else.
inherit the promises
Receiving what God has promised believers is spoken of as if it were inheriting property and wealth from a family member. AT: "receive what God promised them" (See: Metaphor)
translationWords
confidence
inherit
faith
patient
promise
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv10–12 6:10 He will not forget how hard you have…
6:10 He will not forget how hard you have worked: In showing that they love God and his people, their works bear witness to their true relationship with God (Rom 2:6-7; 1 Cor 3:13-15; Jas 2:14-20). God remembers (Exod 2:24; 1 Chr 16:15; Ps 106:45) and acknowledges those who are truly his.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.