Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 3:13

"but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin:" — Hebrews 3:13 (ASV)

Contrariwise, the Hebrew Christians must encourage one another constantly and urgently. The author sees Christian fellowship as very important. It can build people up in the faith and form a strong bulwark against sin and apostasy (cf. 10:25; Matthew 18:15–17). “Daily” means that encouragement should be habitual. “As long as it is called Today” adds a touch of urgency, for “Today” does not last forever. The aim of the swift action desired by the writer is that not a single one of his readers be “hardened” (GK 5020). This verb refers not only to “the heart” but is general. One’s whole life may be hard, and in that case one is no candidate for spiritual progress. What hardens a person is “sin’s deceitfulness.” The readers were being tempted to go back to Judaism in the belief that by doing so they would be better off. But sin deceives those who think like this. Temporal and physical safety will be bought only at the price of spiritual disaster.