"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
— Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
Hebrews 10:23 asks you to hold on, and it gives the reason in the same breath: the one who made the promise keeps his word. This page gives the verse, what the key Greek words mean, where it sits in Hebrews 10, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about hope and Bible verses about God's faithfulness.
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The verse
The King James reads: "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)"
"Hold" or "hold fast" is katechō (G2722), to hold firmly or keep hold of. "Profess" or "profession" is homologia (G3671), a confession, what you say out loud that you believe. The KJV says "faith" here, but the Greek word is elpis (G1680), hope, which is why the NIV reads "hope." "Unswervingly" or "without wavering" is aklinēs (G186), not leaning to one side. "Faithful" is pistos (G4103), trustworthy, and "promised" is epangellomai (G1861), to announce a promise.
Where it sits in Hebrews 10
The paragraph begins, "since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus" (Hebrews 10:19). Three "let us" lines follow. "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart" (verse 22). "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess" (verse 23). And "let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24-25).
A few verses later the letter adds, "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised" (Hebrews 10:36). The next chapter starts, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for" (Hebrews 11:1).
What the verse is saying
Aklinēs pictures something that does not tip or lean. Hope gets pushed sideways by delay, hardship, and doubt, and the verse asks you to keep it upright.
The verse does not tell you to hold on by trying harder. It points you to God: "he who promised is faithful." Your grip can shake, but the promise rests on his faithfulness, not yours. Lamentations says the same thing about God's mercies: "They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Questions people ask
What does Hebrews 10:23 say?
In the NIV it says, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." The KJV says, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)"
Why does the KJV say "faith" and the NIV say "hope"?
The Greek word in Hebrews 10:23 is elpis, which means hope. The NIV translates it directly; the KJV renders it "faith."
What does "hold unswervingly" mean?
The Greek aklinēs means not leaning or bending to one side. It describes a hope that stays steady instead of tipping over when things get hard.
What does "he who promised is faithful" mean?
It means the reason to keep hoping is God's character. The Greek pistos means trustworthy: the one who made the promise will keep it.
What verses go with Hebrews 10:23?
Hebrews 10:24-25 (spur one another on), Hebrews 10:36 (you need to persevere), Hebrews 11:1 (faith is confidence in what we hope for), and Romans 15:13 (the God of hope) are close companions.
