Hebrews 10:23
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Context
This verse is part of a series of exhortations following the great section on Christ's once-for-all sacrifice. It is the central member of a faith-hope-love triad calling believers to draw near, hold fast, and consider one another.
What Does Hebrews 10:23 Mean?
Hebrews 10:23 urges believers to hold firmly to their confession without wavering, because the God who made the promise is faithful. The command "hold fast" pictures gripping something tightly and refusing to let go, even under pressure. The original readers were tempted to loosen their grip on Christ, and the author calls them to a steady, unwavering grasp on what they had professed.
The phrase "without wavering" addresses the wobbling, back-and-forth instability that doubt and hardship can produce. The exhortation is not merely to feel certain but to keep standing firm regardless of how circumstances shift. The reason for this confidence is given in the parenthesis: "for he is faithful that promised." The strength to hold on does not come from the believer's own willpower but from the reliability of God. He keeps His word; His promises do not fail. So the call to perseverance rests on the character of God rather than the strength of the one holding on. This verse stands at the heart of a triad in the chapter -- faith, hope, and love -- and here hope is the focus. Because the Promiser is trustworthy, the hope we confess is worth clinging to without compromise.
In the Original Language
The Greek katechōmen ("hold fast") means to hold down or retain firmly, and aklinēs ("without wavering") means unbending or not leaning.
Cross References
“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
- Hebrews 10:36
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”
- 1 Corinthians 1:9
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.”
- Hebrews 4:14
Application
When doubts or hardships tempt you to loosen your grip, hold firmly to your confession of hope, trusting that the God who promised will keep His word.