Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 3:1

"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, [even] Jesus;" — Hebrews 3:1 (ASV)

The address “holy brothers” combines affection and consecration. These people are members of the Christian family and are dear to the writer. They are also people who have been set apart for the service of God. The reference to “the heavenly calling” shows that the initiative of this service comes from God. “Therefore” links this section to the preceding. Because Christ has taken our nature and can help us, therefore we are invited to consider him in his capacities as apostle and high priest. “Apostle” (GK 693) is applied to Jesus only here in the NT, but the idea that God “sent” him with a mission is more frequent, especially in John. “High priest” emphasizes the sacrificial nature of that mission. Though “Jesus” is the most glorious of beings, his name draws attention to his humanity. It is as a human being that his work as apostle and high priest is accomplished.