Hebrews 3:14

For we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end.

On this verse, Albert Barnes inquired:

What else can be said so honorable of a man as that he "is a partaker of Christ," that he shares his feelings here, and that he is to share his honors in a brighter world? Compared with this, what is it to participate with the rich and the gay in their pleasures; what would it be to share in the honors of kings and conquerors?[12]

The union of Christ and his members provides the entire foundation of their hope. Those who believe and obey Christ partake of his righteousness, by imputation; receive the judicial discharge from their sins, by means of his sacrifice; and look forward to entering heaven itself by having become members of his spiritual body the church.

Here again, as in Hebrews 3:6, is given the necessity for believers to continue faithfully and enthusiastically "to the end"; what end? Any end whatsoever! Perhaps the words "to the end" are unspecific on purpose in order to cover a range of meanings such as: (1) the end of a particular period of temptation; (2) the end of life; (3) the end of the world; and (4) perhaps even "the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:9). Such expressions as this, seeming at first to be indefinite, are often far richer in meaning than a more specific statement would have been.

Regarding the word "confidence," its rather broad meaning accentuates the unity of this verse with the statement in Hebrews 3:6, "glorying of our hope." In fact, "confidence" contains the thought of "glorying"; and this is indicated by the translation "in this confidence of glorying" (2 Corinthians 11:17). Westcott said, "It is used by the Greek writers for firmness under torture; and generally for courageous firmness of character."[13]

[12] Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1963), Vol. Hebrews, p. 88.

[13] Brooke Foss Westcott, op. cit., p. 85.