Hebrews 10:24–25 – A Sola Scriptura Examination

The Exhortation in Hebrews 10:24–25

Hebrews 10:24–25 contains a clear admonition to believers. It urges Christians to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” openbible.info and “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another” openbible.info. This dual command highlights two practices side by side: actively gathering with fellow believers, and actively encouraging each other. The verse concludes with the reminder “and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” openbible.info, indicating an increasing importance of these practices as the final day (the day of Christ’s return or judgment) approaches.

“Not Neglecting to Meet Together” – The Call to Gather (ἐπισυναγωγή)

The phrase “meeting together” in Hebrews 10:25 translates the Greek word episynagōgē (ἐπισυναγωγή). This word literally means a gathering or assembling of people biblehub.com. In Scripture, episynagōgē is used only one other time, in reference to the ultimate gathering of believers to Christ at His coming ( “our gathering together to Him” in 2 Thessalonians 2:1) hermeneutics.stackexchange.com. In Hebrews 10:25, the context clearly refers to believers assembling with one another (since it says “assembling of ourselves together” and speaks of encouraging “one another”) openbible.info. The instruction is “not forsaking” or “not neglecting” this assembling – implying that some were in the habit of abandoning regular fellowship. The verse directly exhorts Christians not to give up meeting with their fellow believers. It does not specify a particular day of the week or a special building (the early church met in homes and public places as recorded in Scripture), but it strongly encourages the practice of gathering as a community of faith. In the New Testament, we see that Christians did regularly come together: for example, those in Jerusalem “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” openbible.info, and the believers in Troas gathered on the first day of the week to break bread and hear teaching openbible.info. Paul even refers to the Corinthian church “coming together as a church” when they met, albeit correcting their conduct in those meetings openbible.info. These biblical examples underscore that assembling together was a normal and vital part of Christian life. Thus, “not neglecting to meet together” in Hebrews 10:25 is a direct encouragement, grounded in Scripture alone, to be physically present with other believers for mutual worship and fellowship. It points to the importance of corporate gathering in the Christian faith.

“Encouraging One Another” – Living Out Mutual Exhortation (παρακαλέω)

Alongside the call to gather is the command to “encourage one another”. The original Greek term here is parakaleō (παρακαλέω), which means to exhort, encourage, or comfort – literally “to call alongside” with the intent to strengthen or console, biblehub.com. This encouragement is not a passive gesture but an active, continual responsibility believers have toward each other. Hebrews 10:24 links this to spurring each other on “to love and good works” openbible.info. In other words, Christians meet together not as a mere formality, but in order to actively inspire and urge one another toward loving attitudes and tangible good deeds. Scripture interprets Scripture on this point: earlier in the same letter, Hebrews 3:13 instructs, “exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” openbible.info. This indicates that encouragement is meant to be a regular, even daily, practice among believers, helping each other stay faithful. Similarly, Paul writes to the Thessalonians, “encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” openbible.info. The emphasis in the Bible is that Christians should continually speak life, truth, and encouragement to each other – comforting the faint-hearted, urging one another to persevere, and spurring growth in Christlike character. This parakaleō ministry can happen in any context: whether in a formal gathering or in casual daily interactions, the goal is the same – to edify (build up) one another in faith. Indeed, when believers do gather, everyone can contribute to this mutual encouragement. As 1 Corinthians 14:26 says, “When you assemble, each one has a… contribution. Let all things be done for edification” biblehub.com. Thus, “encouraging one another” in Hebrews 10:25 encompasses the full spectrum of Christians urging each other on – through teaching, comforting, warning, and inspiring – so that their faith is lived out vibrantly in daily life.

Gathering vs. Daily Life – What Does the Passage Refer To?

Hebrews 10:24–25, taken on its own terms (Sola Scriptura), encompasses both the act of gathering together and the ongoing daily walk of faith. The command is first about meeting together – which certainly includes regular assemblies of believers. The verse pointedly warns against forsaking communal gatherings, clearly supporting the idea that Christians are meant to come together (Option 1). Yet, the purpose of those gatherings is not fulfilled by attendance alone; it is fulfilled by what believers do during and as a result of those meetings: encouraging one another and provoking each other to love and good works. This strongly links to living out one’s faith in daily life – practicing love and doing good (Option 2). The text itself joins the assembling and the encouraging in one thought, suggesting they work in tandem. We gather in order to spur each other on to live godly lives, and we continue to encourage each other day by day. The Bible does not present it as an either/or choice. In fact, the gathering of the church is repeatedly shown as a catalyst for strengthened daily discipleship. Believers who meet together pray, learn, and exhort one another, and then carry that encouragement into their individual lives. Conversely, a genuine daily walk with God will naturally seek fellowship for mutual support. Hebrews 10:25 therefore encompasses both aspects (Option 3): it is an exhortation to participate in corporate fellowship and to make one’s walk with God a lived reality, spurred on by mutual encouragement. The verse, read in context and compared with other scriptures, shows that assembling with other Christians and encouraging each other to persevere in faith and good works are inseparable components of the Christian life openbible.infoopenbible.info. In summary, through Scripture interpreting Scripture, Hebrews 10:24–25 calls Christians to meet together faithfully and, in doing so, to energize one another’s daily walk with God in love, good deeds, and steadfast faith – “and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” openbible.info

Sources:

• Holy Bible, Hebrews 10:24–25openbible.infoopenbible.info (original Greek terms: episynagōgē – gathering/assemblybiblehub.com; parakaleō – encourage/exhortbiblehub.com)

• Cross-referenced Scriptures: Acts 2:42openbible.info; 1 Corinthians 14:26biblehub.com; Hebrews 3:13openbible.info; 1 Thessalonians 5:11openbible.info