Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,
These cross references all serve to emphasize the importance of perseverance and endurance in the face of suffering. They remind us that we must remain steadfast in our faith and trust in God's plan. They also emphasize the need to remain humble and recognize that our ultimate reward comes from God. Finally, they remind us that even if we have been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, and shared in the Holy Spirit, we must still strive to resist sin and remain faithful.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Galatians 3:3-4: Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? | Both passages emphasize the importance of enduring suffering in order to achieve spiritual growth. Hebrews 10:32 encourages readers to recall the former days when they had to endure a hard struggle with sufferings after they were enlightened. Galatians 3:3-4 challenges readers to consider whether their sufferings were in vain by asking if they are now being perfected by the flesh after having begun by the Spirit. |
| Philippians 1:29-30: For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. | Both passages refer to suffering for the sake of Christ. Hebrews 10:32 speaks of suffering endured after being enlightened, while Philippians 1:29-30 speaks of suffering as a privilege granted by God for the sake of Christ. The second passage also encourages believers to be engaged in the same struggle as Paul, who faced and continued to face suffering for the sake of Christ. |
| 2 Timothy 2:3-13: Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. | Both passages emphasize the importance of perseverance in the Christian life. Hebrews 10:32 encourages readers to remember the hard struggle they endured when they were first enlightened, while 2 Timothy 2:3–13 emphasizes the importance of competing according to the rules and of working hard, in order to please the Lord and receive the reward of understanding. |
| 2 Timothy 4:7-8: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. | Both passages refer to the Christian life as a race or a fight. Hebrews 10:32 speaks of the hard struggle and sufferings we endure in the Christian life. 2 Timothy 4:7–8 speaks of Paul's own experience of fighting the good fight and finishing the race, and of the reward of righteousness that awaits us at the end of the race. This reward is not just for Paul, but for all who have loved the appearing of the Lord. |
| Hebrews 6:4: For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, | Both passages refer to the same group of people: those who have been enlightened and have tasted the heavenly gift and shared in the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 10:32 speaks of the hard struggle and sufferings these people endured in the past. Hebrews 6:4 emphasizes the impossibility of them falling away from the faith once they have been enlightened and have experienced the heavenly gift and the Holy Spirit. |
| Hebrews 12:4: In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. | Both passages discuss the idea of struggling against something. Hebrews 10:32 refers to a hard struggle with sufferings, which could be a metaphor for life's struggles and hardships. Hebrews 12:4 speaks of a struggle against sin, which is a spiritual battle that all believers must endure. Both passages encourage readers to persevere in the face of difficulty, no matter the form it takes. |
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the hard struggle and sufferings we endure in this life. We are grateful for the strength You give us to fight the good fight, to finish the race, and to keep the faith. We ask for Your grace and mercy to help us resist sin and to stay focused on Your will for our lives. Thank You for the spiritual enlightenment You provide, the heavenly gifts You give, and the presence of Your Holy Spirit. May we always remember the example of Your Son and His sacrifice on the cross. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.