10
The reference to Jesus being the object of faith can also be detected from the author's use of
the word oJ
mologiv
a
(confession), which is found three times in Hebrews (3:1; 4:14; 10:23). The
term "confession" (oJ
mologiv
a)
may be understood either as the subjective act of confession or
objective content of Christian faith.
34
No matter how the term is interpreted, the expression
emphasizes that Jesus is the content (or the object) of faith for believers. In 4:14 the author
mentions that the content of the confession is "Jesus, the Son of God." Throughout the epistle,
"the sonship of Christ expresses his unique function as mediator and sacrifice between God and
man, as the agent in creation, and as the transcendent Son of God."
35
In 10:23 the author speaks
of "holding fast the confession of our hope." The word "hope," which is more specific than
"faith," "gives distinctness to special objects of faith to be realized in the future. Hope gives a
definite shape to the absolute confidence of faith."
36
Hope in Hebrews always refers to an
objective content, consisting of present and future salvation. More specifically, in 10:23, it refers
to an objective reality related to the priestly ministry of Christ.
37
Hebrews 3:1 requires special attention. The author exhorts readers to consider "the apostle
and high priest of our confession" (3:1). The phrase provides insight on the nature of oJ
mologiv
a
.
What is the content of the confession which they were exhorted to hold fast? I am inclined to
believe that the expression "the apostle and high priest" (3:1) is the summary statement of the two
doctrinal sections that the author has described (i.e., 1:114 and 2:518). This is seen from the
use of the word o{
qen
in 3:1. The term aj
rciereuv
"
refers back to 2:518, which describes the
humanity of Jesus (i.e., the humiliation and glory of the Son). The author indicates that Jesus is
qualified to become a merciful and faithful high priest (2:1718). This thought leads to the
possibility that "apostle" (aj
pov
stolo"
) might even go back to 1:114. Although the word is not
34 For a detailed discussion of the interpretation of oJmologiva please refer to Victor Rhee,
Faith in Hebrews:
Analysis within the Context of Christology, Eschatology, and Ethics (New York: Peter Lang, 2001), 8689.
35 Vernon H. Neufeld, The Earliest Christian Confessions (Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1963), 13536.
36 B. F. Westcott, The Epistle to the Hebrews: A Historical and Theological Reconsideration (London:
Macmillan, 1889), 323.