NOTES for Heb 10:19-25

Today the apostle Paul once again invites us onto “thin ice”: he calls us to something very, very difficult. “Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds... let us encourage one another.” You may say this is nonsense, not difficult at all. But let us remember. How do we react to those who try to encourage us to do good deeds? Come now, think back... “Young man, give your seat to the elderly lady!” Is this what the apostle wants from us? Or perhaps we simply need to act more subtly? “Brother, in Christ's name...” What is the real issue here? Judging by how many problems attempts to teach someone something usually create, one might well conclude that the whole undertaking is useless... But did Paul really propose that we teach? Could this be the answer? What is required of us is not instruction at all, but friendly participation: simply to be near, simply to be together. And if a brother or sister is having a hard time, to offer support. Then, not from above but as equals, we will be able both to “provoke one another to good deeds” and to “encourage one another,” provided we remember that this same person has the right and the duty to encourage us as well.