Matthew Henry Commentary Hebrews 3:14-19

"for we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end: while it is said, To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For who, when they heard, did provoke? nay, did not all they that came out of Egypt by Moses? And with whom was he displeased forty years? was it not with them that sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient? And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief." — Hebrews 3:14-19 (ASV)

The saints' privilege is that they are made partakers of Christ—that is, of the Spirit, the nature, graces, righteousness, and life of Christ; they have a share in all Christ is, in all he has done, or will do. Christians should maintain until the end the same spirit with which they set out in the ways of God.

Perseverance in faith is the best evidence of the sincerity of our faith. Hearing the word often is a means of salvation, yet, if not heeded, it will further expose them to the Divine wrath. The happiness of being partakers of Christ and his complete salvation, and the fear of God's wrath and eternal misery, should stir us up to persevere in the life of obedient faith.

Let us beware of trusting in outward privileges or professions, and pray to be numbered with the true believers who enter heaven, when all others fail because of unbelief. Just as our obedience corresponds to the power of our faith, so our sins and lack of care correspond to the prevalence of unbelief in us.