Hebrews 3:6

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 3:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “but Christ as a son, over his house; whose house are we, if we hold fast our boldness and the glorying of our hope firm unto the end.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

but Christ as a son, over his house; whose house are we, if we hold fast our boldness and the glorying of our hope firm unto the end.
Hebrews 3:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6but Christ as a son, over his house; whose house are we, if we hold fast our boldness and the glorying of our hope firm unto the end.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But Christ as a Son over his own house, etc..] As Moses was not, though the Jews say that he was tybd hyram f48 and tybh l[b f49, “lord and master of the house”; yea, and tyb ˆb, “the Son of the house” f50; but this he was not: Christ is the Son and heir, the Lord and master; he is a Son, not by creation, or by adoption, or by office, but by nature: hence it appears that he is God, and is equal with God; and this his sonship is the foundation of his office, and he becomes the heir of all things: and when he is said to be “as a Son”, it does not intend mere resemblance; but is expressive of his right to heirship and government, and of the esteem and reverence he had in his house, and of his…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But Christ--was and is faithful (Heb 3:2). as a son over his own house--rather, "over His (GOD'S, Heb 3:4) house"; and therefore, as the inference from His being one with God, over His own house. So Heb 10:21, "having an High Priest over the house of God." Christ enters His Father's house as the Master [OVER it], but Moses as a servant [IN it, Heb 3:2, Heb 3:5] [CHRYSOSTOM]. An ambassador in the absence of the king is very distinguished--in the presence of the king he falls back into the multitude [BENGEL]. whose house are we--Paul and his Hebrew readers. One old manuscript, with Vulgate and LUCIFER, reads, "which house"; but the weightiest manuscripts support English Version reading. the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But Christ as a Son over his own house - He is not a servant. To the whole household or family of God he sustains the same relation which a son and heir in a family does to the household. That relation is far different from that of a servant. Moses was the latter; Christ was the former. To God he sustained the relation of a Son, and recognized Him as his Father, and sought in all things to do his will; but over the whole family of God - the entire Church of all dispensations - he was like a son over the affairs of a family. Compared with the condition of a servant, Christ is as much superior to Moses as a son and heir is to the condition of a servant. A servant owns nothing; is heir to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“But Christ was faithful as a Son; whose house we are, while we hold fast, and shall be unto the end, if we hold fast our confidence in God, and glorying in his promises; our faith and hope. Hebrews 3:7”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:6 We are part of Christ’s house if we keep our courage. The author could not give unqualified assurance to those who were drifting away from Christ and the church. Those who persevere in the faith have assurance that they are part of God’s house (see 3:14; Rom 8:9, 17; 11:22; 2 Cor 13:5; Col 1:22-23).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“as: Heb 1:2, Heb 4:14; Psa 2:6, Psa 2:7, Psa 2:12; Isa 9:6, Isa 9:7; Joh 3:35, Joh 3:36; Rev 2:18 whose: Heb 3:2, Heb 3:3; Mat 16:18; Co1 3:16, Co1 6:19; Co2 6:16; Eph 2:21, Eph 2:22; Ti1 3:15; Pe1 2:5 if: Heb 3:14, Heb 4:11, Heb 6:11, Heb 10:23, Heb 10:35, Heb 10:38, Heb 10:39; Mat 10:22, Mat 24:13; Gal 6:9; Col 1:23; Rev 2:25, Rev 3:11 rejoicing: Rom 5:2, Rom 12:12, Rom 15:13; Th1 5:16; Th2 2:16; Pe1 1:3-6, Pe1 1:8 Hebrews 3:7”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification