In the past, brethren have had divergent opinions on the meaning of Hebrews 10:25. What does the text actually teach?
Sincere attempts to determine the meaning of any passage in the Scriptures are commendable. While some might arrive at different conclusions about its meaning, diligent study promotes reaching the correct meaning and applying it to our efforts to serve God.
Hebrews 10:25 is a passage which many have quoted and applied, some with an understanding of the context and some without such understanding. In my judgment, the Holy Spirit was appealing to the Hebrew Christians to rescue them from their drifting away from Christ (Heb. 2:1-4; 4:14-16; 5:9-11; 10:35-39; 12:1-2, 25-29; 13:22) in their disastrous return to the Law of Moses (10:19-25). One should get the point here: their assembling with each other, and the beneficial effects noted in verses 24 and 25, was one divine provision for their spiritual strength/stamina, so that they remain faithful to Christ. They needed such assemblies for their spiritual survival, just as the Lord knew all Christians need to remember His death for spiritual survival (1 Cor. 11:24-25, 27-32).
To assist them in their efforts to stay faithful to Jesus Christ, the Spirit reminded them of certain advantages believers enjoy in Christ: (1) confidence/boldness in serving Christ (v. 19), based upon (2) the blood of Jesus opening up the way to heaven (v. 20), where we have (3) a great high priest interceding for us (v. 21). In view of these blessings/advantages, he exhorted them: (1) to draw near (v. 22), (2) to hold fast (v. 23), and (3) to consider (v. 24).
The latter part of considering how to stir one another up to love and good works is the point where verse 25 connects. Such consideration of others in Christ demands that we meet together with them, not neglect our meeting together (v. 25). In meeting together, believers should exhort each other in the planned activities of worship (v. 25). Besides an individual disciple’s effort to worship and praise God (i.e., maintain a vertical relation of fellowship with God), he also maintains a horizontal relationship and shares fellowship with other Christians with whom he meets. This relationship/fellowship requires spiritual maintenance so it might thrive, and not merely exist. Each child of God is responsible for building up other members of God’s family (3:13). We supply such maintenance in the gatherings of the saints, according to Hebrews 10:24-25. When a Christian willingly refrains from gathering with the saints, whether once or many times, he ignores the pleading of the crucified Savior and the Holy Spirit. He also neglects the sacred responsibility of considering others in Christ, which he should manifest in seeking to stir them up to love and good works. Let us never forget the dual functions of worshiping our God and edifying our brethren. These are to be carried out in our assembling. It is not an either/or situation, but a both/and situation!
It matters little to us which day the writer had in mind in verse 25. It could have been Jerusalem’s destruction or the Lord’s second coming (or some approaching day of doom), but the need for encouraging and edifying one another would be the same. Each one was then approaching for them, and the latter is certainly approaching in our case. They and we face a judgment, necessitating our concern for each other being shown in our gathering with each other. They needed the spiritual strength each could supply to the other. Whatever the approaching direful occasion might have been for them, we know what it is in our situation, don’t we? Let us then use all such opportunities to promote the love and good works which will prepare us to meet the Lord when He comes again (2 Tim. 4:8).
