Upon reflecting on the Book of Hebrews, there is much we can learn. The writer of Hebrews is unknown; however, every word written in it is inspired by God. When reflecting on these verses, we can grow in Christ and deepen our relationship with Him. Here are 30 verses to reflect on in the Book of Hebrews.
1. Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Jesus is the exact representation of God because Jesus is God. Through Jesus’ death on the cross, He provided us with the free gift of salvation. Now, in the present, Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father.
Many people will try to tell us that Jesus isn’t God, but that’s not true. Jesus is God, as Hebrews 1:3 tells us — Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of God.
- When are you tempted to doubt Jesus’ divinity?
- How does it make you feel to know that Jesus is sitting at the right side of the Father right now?
2. Hebrews 1:13
To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”
Hebrews 1:13 is a perfect representation of Jesus’ divinity. Many false cults and false beliefs try to say Jesus is an “angel.” As we can see from this passage, Jesus is God. He is so much more than an angel as He is God Himself.
This passage also refers back to the Old Testament in the Book of Psalms. God the Father never told an angel to sit at His right hand and to make their enemies a footstool for their feet, but rather, God the Father says this to Jesus.
- Which angels are mentioned by name in the Bible? Does God the Father ever give them special privileges?
- What does this passage teach us about Jesus’ divinity and authority?
3. Hebrews 2:2-3
For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
The salvation the writer of Hebrews is talking about is the salvation we are given by placing faith in Jesus. If we ignore the salvation given to us by Christ, there will be punishment.
Everyone who doesn’t place faith in Jesus will go to hell when they die. They go to hell because of their unbelief. It is up to us individually to believe in Jesus and place our faith in Him.
- Have you placed faith in Jesus? If not, what is holding you back?
- How can you use this passage when sharing the gospel?
4. Hebrews 2:8b-9
In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
Through this passage, we can see how Jesus is now crowned in glory and honor because He died for our sins. Since Jesus died for our sins, He tasted death for each of us. If we place faith in Jesus, we won’t have to experience eternal life without Him.
Jesus already tasted death and separation from the Father so that we won’t have to. Jesus humbled Himself by taking on the form of a man in order to save us from our sins. He did this because He loves us.
- How does it encourage you to know that Jesus is now crowned with glory?
- Whenever you experience pain, do you ever reflect on the truth that Jesus tasted death and knew the pain of death? If so, how did this affect your perspective?
5. Hebrews 2:14-15
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil — and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
In this passage, we are told that Jesus was human, just like you and me. He was fully man, but He was also fully God. When Jesus came to the earth, He did not sacrifice or lose any of His divinity.
He was still fully God while at the same time being fully human. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, He was able to defeat the devil and free us from our slavery to sin. This is a wonderful truth to always keep with us.
- Does it change your perspective on Jesus since you know He is both fully man and fully God?
- Since Jesus has freed us from death and from our fear of death, how do you think it has helped you grow in your life?
6. Hebrews 2:18
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Jesus was tempted in every way that we are tempted, yet He did not sin. The Lord never sinned. While He was tempted, He overcame each temptation.
Since the Lord overcame temptation, He is able to help us also overcome the temptation to sin. It will be difficult, but if we go to Jesus in prayer, He will be able to help us. Rely on Jesus’ strength and pray to Him the next time you feel temptation.
- Does it help you to know that Jesus can help you overcome temptation?
- When you are feeling tempted, what are some steps you can take to not give into the temptation?
7. Hebrews 3:1
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.
This is a great passage that reminds us to fix our thoughts on Jesus. In the hectic world of today, it can be easy for our thoughts to drift away from the Lord. We have to be intentional in focusing our thoughts on Jesus.
Jesus is our Savior and our Lord. He should mean everything to us because, without Him, we wouldn’t have hope. Turn to the Lord and fix your thoughts on Him. When you do this, it will help you in your service to Him.
- What are some ways you can fix your thoughts on Jesus?
- When do you find it most difficult to focus on Christ?
8. Hebrews 3:7-8
So, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness.
Hebrews 3:7-8 points back to the Old Testament. Just as the Israelites hardened their hearts in the rebellion, we, too, in the present day, can harden our hearts in difficult times.
The Holy Spirit urges us to not harden our hearts. Instead, we need to soften our hearts to the Lord and believe in Him. Times will get difficult, yet it is vital that we never allow our hearts to become hardened against God’s voice.
- Is your heart hardened? If it is, what are some ways you can soften it?
- How are you prone to harden your heart during hard times?
9. Hebrews 3:12
See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
Similar to the previous verse, Hebrews 3:12 reminds us that we don’t need to have a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from God.
If we turn away from God and reject Him, there will be consequences. Instead of turning away from God, we need to turn toward Him. We need to pour our hearts out to Him and allow Him to heal our wounds.
- Do you have an unbelieving heart? If so, what can you do to believe?
- How often do you turn away from God? What would help you turn back to Him?
10. Hebrews 4:12-13
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
The Word of God that is spoken here is the Bible. Many people believe the Bible is just like any other book. This is not true, as the Bible is living, active, and the true words of God.
Each time we read the Bible, we should be convicted. This passage also tells us that God sees everything we do, and we will have to give an account to Him one day for all our actions. This should compel and convict us to do the right thing.
- Are you convicted each time you read the Bible? Why or why not?
- What are a few steps you can take to live better for God?
11. Hebrews 4:15-16
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Jesus is our high priest. He is able to understand our weaknesses and the temptation we experience. Jesus didn’t fall into temptation, but He does know what it feels like.
Since the Lord has undergone temptation and weakness, we know He understands us. Due to the Lord understanding our pain, we can be more confident to stand before Him and find grace as well as mercy in His presence.
- Do you have a hard time relating to Jesus? How does this passage help you better relate to Him?
- How does it change your perspective to know that you can confidently go to the Lord in prayer without fear?
12. Hebrews 6:1-2
Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
This passage points us to the truth that, as believers, we need to be working toward maturity. We should not be kept in the elementary teachings about the Bible and Christ.
While these basic truths are important, after we have become a believer for several years, we need to start learning about other deep truths of the Bible.
Our knowledge of God never stops. We need to keep the same hunger we had at first and continue to learn more about Jesus.
- Do you feel you are stuck in the elementary teachings about Christ? If so, what can you do to move on in maturity?
- Is there any reason you don’t want to move on from the elementary teachings of Christ?
13. Hebrews 6:10
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
It is encouraging to know that God will not forget our work and the love we have shown to Him. It is easy for us to feel discouraged or even sad about things — especially if we feel as though God doesn’t notice them.
God does see everything we do, and He appreciates everything we do for Him. Even if nobody notices the good that you do, God does.
- Even if nobody sees you do the right thing, do you still feel appreciated?
- How is it encouraging to you to know that God will never forget all of your hard work?
14. Hebrews 6:19-20
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
The hope we have as an anchor for the soul is our salvation in Jesus. Jesus is our exact representation of hope. The Lord died on the cross for us in order for us to be forgiven of our sins and given eternal life.
Our hope can firmly rest in Christ because He loves us. He is also our high priest forever, and He understands everything we are going through. No matter what pain you are experiencing, Jesus understands, and He will walk with you through the pain.
- Where do you currently find your hope? Is it in something besides Jesus?
- How does it change your perspective to know that Jesus is your eternal hope?
15. Hebrews 7:26-27
Such a high priest truly meets our need — one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.
Jesus is the high priest spoken of in this passage. He is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens, and unlike any other high priest.
Unlike other high priests who had to offer sacrifice for sins over and over again, Jesus offered Himself once for all time to permanently do away with all sin.
Through this, Jesus is the perfect sacrifice. There is no longer any need for sacrifices because Jesus was the perfect sacrifice.
- What does it mean to you that Jesus is your high priest, who fully understands you?
- How can you use this passage to remind you of Jesus’ great sacrifice?
16. Hebrews 9:15
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance — now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
Through Jesus’ death, He brought forth the new covenant. The old covenant is no longer in use. Anyone who believes in Jesus will be part of this new covenant. Jesus died for us in order for us to be a part of this new covenant. We are now set free because of Jesus.
- How does the new covenant change your perspective on life?
- How does it help you to know that Jesus has set you free?
17. Hebrews 9:24
For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.
Jesus did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands as the sanctuaries did in the past. Instead, Jesus entered heaven to stand before the Father.
Unlike the former high priests, who entered an earthly sanctuary, Jesus entered into the presence of the Father. Each time we sin, Jesus forgives our sin and reminds the Father we have been forgiven of our sins.
- How does this passage comfort you?
- Does this passage change your perspective on the sanctuaries of the Old Testament?
18. Hebrews 9:27-28
Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
This passage first tells us that we are all destined to die once and then face judgment. Unlike many false beliefs, the Bible tells us we only have one life. We will not be reincarnated, nor will we be physically born again.
After we die, we will face judgment. In the same way, the next time Jesus comes to earth during His Second Coming, He will bring salvation to all the people who placed faith in Him.
- What did you previously think happened after death? How does this change your perspective?
- How do you feel knowing that Jesus will return a second time?
19. Hebrews 10:4
It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
In the Old Testament, mankind had to offer bulls, goats, and other animals as sacrifices for their sin. None of these things truly took away the sin of the people.
Hebrews 10:4 tells us plainly that the blood of these animals couldn’t really take away the sin of the people. This is why the blood of Jesus is so important. Through His blood, we are eternally forgiven of our sins.
- Why couldn’t the blood of bulls and goats take away sins?
- Are there any rituals you do to give you a false view of forgiveness? What can you do to change this?
20. Hebrews 10:14
For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Through Jesus’ one and only sacrifice, He has made us perfect and consistently wants us to be holy. While perfection and holiness are unattainable by us as individuals, when we are given our glorified bodies, we will be made perfect.
This is only possible because of Jesus. It is because of His sacrifice that one day, we will no longer sin, no longer get sick, and no longer die.
- How important do you see the sacrifice of Christ to be?
- How can you better reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus this week?
21. Hebrews 10:22-23
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
As Hebrews 10:22-23 tells us, we can draw closer to God because we have the assurance of faith. Through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, we are given the promise of eternal life.
Our hope is not rooted in false information. Rather, our hope is rooted in Christ. Since our hope is in the faithfulness of Christ, we have no reason to fear.
- How can you better hold tight to your faith in Christ?
- How does it affect your life to know that you can fully trust in God and His promises?
22. Hebrews 10:29
How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?
This is a convicting and eye-opening passage. It tells us the punishment that will befall on those who trample Jesus under their feet. Instead of praising Jesus and believing in Him, they have treated Him terribly and rejected Him.
They don’t worship Him, and they don’t respect Him. The punishment of these individuals will be eternal separation from God in hell. This truth can help point the loss into the right direction of placing faith in Jesus.
- Does it motivate you to learn more about Jesus because of this passage?
- If you have insulted Christ or treated Him as an unholy thing, what can you do to change?
23. Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
This is one of the most popular verses in all of Hebrews. It reminds us of what the true definition of faith is. This passage is in reference to the “hall of faith.”
Hebrews 11 details all the people in the Old Testament who were eagerly awaiting a better place to be. They didn’t see these things to come, but they still had faith. In the same way, we need to have full faith in God.
- Why is having faith hard for you? What can you do to change this?
- Do you have confidence in the Lord? If not, why?
24. Hebrews 11:16
Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Similar to the previous passage, “they” in this passage refers to the people in the Old Testament who had great faith. They were waiting and yearning for a better country.
They never saw this day come, yet they still trusted God. Even though during their life they did not receive what was promised, they still had faith in God. Their hope for a better country is found in heaven itself.
- What prayers are you waiting to be fulfilled? How can you have faith if they are answered with a no?
- How are you similar or not similar to the Old Testament people of faith?
25. Hebrews 11:39-40
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Yet again, connecting with the former passages, none of these people from the Old Testament received what they had been promised, yet they received something far greater.
This reality could only be brought forth in the future. God has something planned far greater for us. The ultimate promise of the perfect place to live will be finalized in the New Heaven and New Earth.
- How can the individuals’ faith from the Old Testament encourage you?
- What are you most looking forward to in the New Heaven and New Earth?
26. Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Throwing off the sin that entangles us can often be extremely difficult. This passage encourages us to throw off everything that hinders us, including sin, and run with perseverance the life Jesus has given us. We need to fix our eyes on Jesus and focus on Him.
The Lord endured much pain and agony in order for us to now have a relationship with Him. In our relationship with Him, we can ask Him to help us run the race He has set before us.
He can also help us throw off everything that prevents us from living the life He has planned for us. Go to Him in prayer, and He will help you.
- What sin easily entangles you?
- How can you better fix your eyes on Jesus?
27. Hebrews 12:7
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?
Discipline is hard. Nobody likes to be disciplined because it’s painful. Just as our father disciplines us, God also disciplines us.
We don’t need to see this as God picking on us because he’s not. Instead, He is disciplining us for our betterment and our growth. Whenever you are disciplined, be encouraged because it shows you are a child of God.
- What hardship have you endured lately? Is it discipline from God?
- How can you thank God for His discipline instead of complaining?
28. Hebrews 12:14-15
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
Living at peace with others is very important. Sadly, in a time of racism and sexism, this doesn’t happen often. As believers, we need to strive to live holy and peaceful lives.
We need to be kind to everyone and extend Jesus’ love to all people. Through doing this, we can also help others not fall short of the grace of God and prevent any bitter feelings from growing.
- Do you find it hard to live in peace with others? Why or why not?
- Are you living a life in honor of God? If not, how can you improve?
29. Hebrews 12:28-29
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
The kingdom spoken of here is God’s kingdom. Anytime a person places faith in Jesus, they have a promised spot in God’s kingdom.
God’s kingdom will be amazing in every way. Since we know this is true, we need to worship God. It is only because of Him that we have this future promise.
- What most excites you about living in God’s kingdom?
- How can you better worship God at the present time?
30. Hebrews 13:5-6
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
In this verse, God promises that He will never leave us or forsake us. We can say with confidence that God is our helper, and we won’t fear.
This is a beautiful passage that points us back to trusting God. We can have complete trust in God because He has never failed us, and He won’t start now. Since the Lord is our helper and our great Shepherd, we have no reason to be afraid.
- How does knowing God will never leave you or forsake you make you feel?
- How can you live out this new knowledge today?
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