John Calvin 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)

Therefore, holy brethren, ... He concludes the preceding doctrine with a necessary exhortation: that the Jews should attentively consider what kind of being and how great Christ is. As he had previously, by naming him a teacher and a priest, briefly compared him with Moses and Aaron, so he now includes both aspects. For he adorns him with two titles, as he sustains a twofold character in the Church of God. Moses was a prophet and a teacher, and Aaron was a priest; but the two offices belong to Christ. If, then, we seek to know him rightly, we must inquire what kind of being he is. Indeed, he must be clothed with his own power, so that we do not grasp an empty shadow and not him.

First, the word consider, is important, for it indicates that special attention is required, since he cannot be disregarded without consequence, and that at the same time the true knowledge of Christ is sufficient to dispel the darkness of all errors.

To encourage them further to pursue this study, he reminds them of their calling; as if he had said, “God favored you with no ordinary grace when He called you into his kingdom; it now remains for you to keep your eyes fixed on Christ as your leader on the path.”

For the calling of the godly can only be confirmed by a thorough surrender of themselves to Christ.

Therefore, we ought not to regard this as said only to the Jews, but as a general truth addressed to all who desire to come into the kingdom of God.

They ought diligently to attend to Christ, for he is the sole instructor of our faith and has confirmed it by the sacrifice of himself.

For confession, or profession, is to be understood here as faith, as if he had said that the faith we profess is vain and futile unless Christ is its object.