Let us not stop meeting together, as some have the custom; rather, let us exhort ourselves, and all the more so when you see that the day is drawing near.
10:25 — Persecution and general opposition discouraged many Hebrew brothers and caused them to stop assembling with the saints for public worship. This was sinful. Gathering contributes to the stimulation mentioned in the previous verse. The New Testament makes much mention of the public assembly (Ac 2:42; Acts 20:7; 1Co 14:1-40; 1Co 16:1-2; Jas 2:2). — “not leaving”. The same verb is used in 13:5 (I will leave). — “to congregate,” or gather together. The Greek text here uses the noun episunagogue, which means to come together in one place. This is the thing that should not be left. This word is also used in 2Thess 2:1. Our reunion with Christ in the last day depends very much on our public gatherings as local churches now. The one thing is preparatory for the other. This act of assembling in assembly applies to all meetings of the local church (if possible) and not just one particular one! — “as is the custom of some, but exhorting us; and all the more as you see that day drawing near.” The Hebrew brothers, to whom the author wrote this epistle, saw some terrible day (event) approaching. The author did not have to explain which day he was referring to. Seeing that day approaching must have served as a great encouragement to be faithful (not leaving the meetings), instead of being more and more indifferent and neglectful. It may be that the author refers to the day of the destruction of Jerusalem, which was to happen in that generation (Matt 24:34), and that it was of great interest to them. Having to flee to the mountains (Luke 21:20-21), and the other calamities on earth (Luke 21:23), would demand of the brothers great spiritual determination and fidelity, so as not to be defeated. For this reason, it was convenient for them to continue meeting for exhortation in their spiritual exercises. See verse 37. If the “day” in this verse refers to the end, to the personal second coming of Jesus Christ, then the point is this: Let us be faithful and persevering, never failing to meet together and exhort one another, because each day brings us more. near the final day (Romans 13:11), when we will give an account to God. Now, if we turn from the faith, in that day we will be condemned.
Source: Commentary on the New Testament by Partain
not stopping meeting. Matt 18:20; Joh 20:19-29; Acts 1:13, Ac 1:14; Acts 2:1, Ac 2:42; Ac 16:16; Acts 20:7; 1Co 5:4; 1Co 11:17, 1Co 11:18, 1Co 11:20; 1Co 14:23; Jude 1:19.
but exhorting us. Hebrews 10:24; Hebrews 3:13; Romans 12:8; 1Co 14:3; 1Thess 4:18; 1Thess 5:11; Matt 24:33, Matt 24:34; Tue 13:29, Tue 13:30; Romans 13:11-13; Phil 4:5; Jas 5:8; 1Pe 4:7; 2Pe 3:9, 2Pe 3:11, 2Pe 3:14.
Source: The Treasury of Biblical Knowledge
HOW YOU SEE THAT DAY IS NEAR. The day of Christ’s return is drawing near for His faithful (see ARTICLE THE RAPTURE, P. 1724. ). In the meantime, they will face many tests and persecutions of a spiritual nature, and much deception regarding doctrines. Believers should meet regularly in order to encourage each other to stand firm in Christ and in the apostolic faith of the new covenant.
Source: Full Life Study Bible
not stopping meeting. Corporate worship in the congregation is a vital part of spiritual life. This is a warning against apostasy in an eschatological context (cf. 2Thess 2:1). The writer refers to the approaching “day” (the second coming of Christ; cp. Romans 13:12; 1Co 3:13; 1Thess 5:4). exhorting us. The exhortation is manifested in various forms such as encouragement, consolation, warning and strengthening. This exhortation is characterized by an eschatological urgency that requires an increase in intensity and number of activities the closer the day of Christ approaches (cf. Hebrews 3:13; zip 1Thess 4:18).
Source: MacArthur Study Bible
10:25 — Persecution and general opposition discouraged many Hebrew brothers and caused them to stop assembling with the saints for public worship. This was sinful. Gathering contributes to the stimulation mentioned in the previous verse. The New Testament mentions the public assembly a lot (Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; 1Co 14:1-40; 1Co 16:1-2; Jas 2:2).
–“not leaving”. The same verb is used in 13:5 (I will leave).
–“to congregate”, or meet. The Greek text here uses the noun episunagogue, which means to come together in one place. This is the thing that should not be left. This word is also used in 2Thess 2:1. Our reunion with Christ in the last day depends very much on our public gatherings as local churches now. The one thing is preparatory for the other. This act of assembling in assembly applies to all meetings of the local church (if possible) and not just one particular one!
–“As some have the custom, but exhorting us; and all the more as you see that day drawing near.” The Hebrew brothers, to whom the author wrote this epistle, saw some terrible day (event) approaching. The author did not have to explain which day he was referring to. Seeing that day approaching must have served as a great encouragement to be faithful (not leaving the meetings), instead of being more and more indifferent and neglectful. It may be that the author refers to the day of the destruction of Jerusalem, which was to take place in that generation (Mat 24:34), and which was of great interest to them. Having to flee to the mountains (Luke 21:20-21), and the other calamities on earth (Luke 21:23), would require great spiritual determination and fidelity from the brothers, so as not to be defeated. For this reason, it was convenient for them to continue meeting for exhortation in their spiritual exercises. See verse 37.
If the “day” of this verse refers to the end, to the personal second coming of Jesus Christ, then the point is this: Let us be faithful and persevering, never failing to meet together and exhort one another, for each day brings us closer to the final day. (Rom 13:11), when we will give an account to God. Now, if we turn from the faith, in that day we will be condemned.
Source: Reeves-Partain Notes
— the day: It is evidently the day of the Lord. See notes to Hebrews 9:28 Already 1Co 1:8.
Source: Hispano-American Interdenominational Translation
CROSS-REFERENCES
p460 Deu 31:12; Matt 18:20; Ac 2:42; Acts 20:8
461 Isa 35:3; Romans 1:12
r 462 Rom 13:11; 2Pe 3:12
Source: New World Translation
25 super (1) For the Hebrew believers, in their time and situation, to stop meeting together would have been to abandon the new covenant way of contacting God, that is, to leave the church and return to their old religion, Judaism. This would have interrupted the administration of God’s grace, which constitutes a serious sin before God (v.26).
25 super (2) Congregate as Christians. In those days the Hebrew believers, who previously went to the meetings of Judaism, had come out of it. After believing in Christ and becoming Christians, they attended Christian meetings; this was equivalent to being separated from Judaism. Therefore; the return of any of them to the meetings of Judaism, was equivalent to separating from the proper Christian assemblies, which agree with the New Testament economy of God. Therefore, Paul exhorted them not to give up meeting together as Christians.
Source: New Testament Commentary Recovery Version
congregate ie, the gathering of Christians for worship and spiritual edification.
that day. ie, that of the coming of the Lord (cp. also v. Hebrews 10:37; 1Co 3:13; Phil 1:10).
Source: Ryrie Annotated Study Bible
T190 The reflexive pronoun ἑαυτῶν is used instead of ὑμῶν αὐτῶν (very emphatic): of yourselves (this pronoun is used instead of ἡμῶν αὐτῶν -BD284).
Source: Grammar Help for the Study of the Greek New Testament
§ Literally “the Day.”
Source: Free Bible Version of the New Testament
Peshitta Bible 2006 Notes:
10.25 Literally, our congregation.
Source: Peshitta in Spanish