John Calvin Commentary Hebrews 10:25

"not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting [one another]; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh." — Hebrews 10:25 (ASV)

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, etc. This confirms the view that has been given. The composition of the Greek word should be noted, for ἐπὶ signifies an addition; then ἐπισυναγωγὴ, assembling together, means a congregation increased by additions.

The wall of partition having been pulled down, God was then gathering as His children those who had been aliens from the Church. Thus, the Gentiles were a new and unusual addition to the Church.

The Jews regarded this as a reproach to them, so that many withdrew from the Church, thinking that such a mixture afforded them a just excuse. Nor could they easily be persuaded to surrender their own right. Furthermore, they considered the right of adoption as unique and belonging exclusively to themselves.

The Apostle, therefore, warns them that this equality might not provoke them to forsake the Church. And, so that he might not seem to warn them without reason, he mentions that this neglect was common to many.

We now understand the apostle's design and the necessity that compelled him to give this exhortation. At the same time, we may gather a general doctrine from this passage:

It is an evil prevalent everywhere among humankind that everyone sets himself above others. Especially, those who seem to excel in anything can hardly tolerate their inferiors being on an equality with themselves.

Furthermore, there is so much peevishness in almost everyone that individuals would gladly create their own churches if they could, for they find it very difficult to adapt themselves to the ways and habits of others.

The rich envy one another; and scarcely one in a hundred can be found among the rich who grants to the poor the name and rank of brethren. Unless similarity of habits, or some attractions or advantages, draw us together, it is very difficult even to maintain continuous harmony among ourselves.

Therefore, we all greatly need the admonition to be stirred up to love and not to envy; not to separate from those whom God has joined to us, but to embrace with brotherly kindness all who are united to us in faith. And surely, we ought all the more earnestly to cultivate unity, as Satan is all the more eagerly watchful either to tear us by any means from the Church or secretly to lead us astray from it.

And such would be the happy effect if no one were overly self-satisfied, and if all of us were to maintain this one goal: mutually to stir one another to love, and to allow no rivalry among ourselves except that of doing good works. For undoubtedly, contempt for the brethren, peevishness, envy, an excessive estimation of ourselves, and other sinful impulses clearly show that our love is either very cold or does not exist at all.

Having said, Not forsaking the assembling together, he adds, But exhorting one another; by which he intimates that all the godly should by all possible means exert themselves in the work of gathering together the Church from every side. For we are called by the Lord on this condition: that each one should then strive to lead others to the truth, to restore the wandering to the right way, to extend a helping hand to the fallen, and to win over those who are outside.

But if we ought to bestow so much labor on those who are still aliens to the flock of Christ, how much more diligence is needed in exhorting the brethren whom God has already joined to us?

As the manner of some is, etc. From this it appears that the origin of all schisms was that proud men, despising others, were too self-satisfied.

But when we hear that there were unbelieving men even in the age of the Apostles who departed from the Church, we ought to be less shocked and disturbed by similar instances of defection that we may see today. It is indeed no minor offense when men who had given some evidence of piety and professed the same faith as us fall away from the living God. However, as it is not a new phenomenon, we ought, as I have already said, to be less disturbed by such an event.

But the Apostle introduced this clause to show that he did not speak without cause, but in order to apply a remedy to a disease that was spreading.

And so much the more, etc. Some think this passage has the same meaning as Paul's statement: It is time to awake out of sleep, for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed (Romans 13:11).

But I rather think that reference is made here to the last coming of Christ. The expectation of this should especially stir us to the practice of a holy life, as well as to careful and diligent efforts in the work of gathering together the Church.

For what purpose did Christ come, if not to collect us all into one body from that dispersion in which we are now scattered? Therefore, the nearer His coming is, the more we ought to labor so that the scattered may be assembled and united, that there may be one fold and one shepherd (John 10:16).

If anyone were to ask how the Apostle could say that those who were still far from the manifestation of Christ saw the day near and very close at hand, I would answer this: from the beginning of Christ’s kingdom, the Church was so constituted that the faithful should have considered the Judge as coming soon. Nor were they, in fact, deceived by a false idea when they were prepared to receive Christ at almost any moment. For such was the condition of the Church from the time the Gospel was proclaimed, that the whole of that period might truly and properly be called the last.

Those, then, who died many ages ago lived in the last days no less than we do. The worldly-wise and scoffers laugh at our simplicity in this respect, considering as mythical all that we believe concerning the resurrection of the flesh and the last judgment.

But so that our faith may not fail through their mockery, the Holy Spirit reminds us that a thousand years are before God as one day (2 Peter 3:8). Therefore, whenever we think of the eternity of the celestial kingdom, no time should seem long to us.

Furthermore, since Christ, after having completed all things necessary for our salvation, has ascended into heaven, it is only reasonable that we who are continually looking for His second manifestation should regard every day as though it were the last.