It is not uncommon for preachers to use Hebrews 10:25 as an exhortation to the congregation to get themselves to the Sunday morning meeting. I may have done that myself at some point. Upon closer examination, this seems to limit the depth of the exhortation. Actually, the main verb controlling this verse, κατανοῶμεν, is in verse 24. It is in the subjunctive mood, classified particularly as a hortatory subjunctive which gives it the sense of an imperative. It is then translated thus: “let us consider.”Most English translations translate παροξυσμὸν of verse 24 as an infinitive, thus “to stir.” It’s not actually an infinitive. It is the object of the preposition εἰς, which here might be translated something like “for the purpose of.”
Both love and good works are genitive nouns which seem to me most likely objective as παροξυσμὸν, the lead noun, is a verbal noun.
The translation of verse 24 could then be something like this: “Also let us consider one another for the purpose of the provocation of love and good works…”
Clearly the main verbal action here is “consider” one another. Love and good works is then not limited to stirring “others” up, it is that these actions be provoked in “reciprocal” ways. Verse 25 tells us what is critical for this to take place, namely that we not neglect the meeting together.
It is worth noting that NIV translates in such a way that ἐγκαταλείποντες (neglecting) is treated like another hortatory subjunctive verb, thus giving it force equal to the command to consider one another. NIV translates thus: “Let us not neglect…”(v. 25a). However, it is not a verb and therefore not hortatory. This is a participle with a negative particle controlling it so it translates: “not neglecting.” Not neglecting what? Not neglecting the meeting. Why? So we can have a big crowd on Sunday morning? No. It is so we can have appropriate means to “consider” one another. Again, it should be stressed that “consider” is the action commanded.
The meeting must be of such a nature that it engenders provocation of love and good works among all who are members one of another. We should teach this passage in such a way that exhorts our congregations to “consider one another.” The meeting together is the place where provocation to love and good works happens. The meeting then should be of such a character that it easily provokes reciprocal love and good works that are tangible. I submit that meetings in addition to Sunday morning and of a different nature are required for this “consideration” to appropriately take place.
Every-member participation meetings are the norm for Mountain Community.
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