And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
We have a terrible enemy. Amongst other things, he would like to take a temporary theory based in the season of COVID-19 lockdowns and make it a permanent fixture in our belief system: there is safety in solitude.
The author of Hebrews disagrees.
In fact, the author insists that we “consider” … what does he mean? Are we to sit around and think about ways to encourage others to good works and to meet together?
The Greek word katanoeō is translated as “consider,” but it might better be translated as “take notice of,” or “keep an eye on one another.”* Maybe you have been in situations within church communities that felt like gossip and judgementalism reigned supreme. This is not what the author of Hebrews is talking about. He is talking about looking out for one another for the sake of love.* The author tells us that to forsake this kind of intentional involvement in Christian community is a recipe for falling away from Christ.*
We all hit rough spots in life. Sometimes these difficult seasons bring us to a place so low that we cannot lift ourselves up. We need encouragement, and encouragement cannot happen in isolation.*
The author of Hebrews does not intend his words to be wielded as a weapon for church event burnout. It’s not about being in a building every time it’s open, or being involved in a meeting every time it takes place.* God desires that we meaningfully engage regularly in the life of the body of Christ.*
Isolation isn’t safe. It’s dangerous. We need each other.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to meaningfully engage in the community of Jesus. Perhaps God would have you change your mind on isolation. Maybe today God would have you begin to pay attention to those around you, looking for opportunities to encourage believers who are going through a tough time.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.
Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!
*Stedman, R. C. (1992). Hebrews (Heb 10:19–25). IVP Academic.
Grindheim, S. (2023). The Letter to the Hebrews (D. A. Carson, Ed.; pp. 507–508). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
France, R. T. (2006). Hebrews. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, pp. 136–137). Zondervan.
Guthrie, G. (1998). Hebrews (pp. 345–346, 348). Zondervan Publishing House.