Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 3:14

"for we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end:" — Hebrews 3:14 (ASV)

For. Take heed (Hebrews 3:12) lest there be anything that may lead astray, for we have become partakers of the Christ if (and only if) we hold the beginning of our confidence firm until the end.

In Hebrews 3:6, since Israel had been spoken of as God’s house, the Christian hope finds expression in whose house are we, Here, the comparison with Israel journeying to the land of promise suggests another figure, and all blessing is summed up in becoming “partakers of the Christ,” foretold and expected as the Fulfiller of all promises.

Two different words in the two verses are rendered “confidence” in the Authorized Version. The former, as we have seen (Hebrews 3:6), is “boldness;” the latter (here used) is applied to those who make a firm stand when attacked, who stand firmly under pressure.

In the first energy of the new life, such firm constancy had been shown by them (Hebrews 10:32–34); but would it be maintained until the end?