What does Hebrews 3:3 mean?

For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. Hebrews 3:3

Explanation

Hebrews 3:3 compares the glory attributed to a figure believed to be Jesus Christ with that of Moses. The verse suggests that as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself, so too the one who constructs or establishes a “household” of faith—interpreted by Christians as Jesus—is more glorious than one who is part of that creation, like Moses. The deeper meaning behind this analogy is that Jesus is the creator of the covenant and the spiritual lineage that Moses is part of. Since the creator is always greater than the created, the passage elevates Jesus above Moses in terms of honor and glory.

Historical Context

The Epistle to the Hebrews, traditionally attributed to Paul but without definitive authorship, was written for Jewish Christians. At the time, some might have continued to regard Moses as the supreme religious authority. Hebrews addresses this audience with arguments designed to establish the superiority of Christ over all things, including figures from the Hebrew Scriptures like Moses. Moses was viewed with great reverence as the Lawgiver and as the mediator between God and the Israelites, but the author of Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus is superior even to him.

Theological Insights

Different Christian denominations may emphasize varying insights from this verse:

• Traditional Christian Viewpoint: Jesus is often seen as the divine Logos, the agent of creation, and therefore intrinsically holds a higher station than Moses. This reinforces the doctrine of the Trinity, where Jesus is co-equal with God the Father.

• Reformation Perspective: Reformers might stress that this passage underscores the sufficiency of Christ alone for salvation, contrasting with the Old Covenant where Moses played a central role.

• Messianic Judaism: Believers within this movement, who maintain a strong connection to Jewish traditions, might focus on how Jesus (Yeshua) is a fulfillment and continuation of the law given through Moses.

Practical Applications

This verse could be used in various context to encourage believers to:

• Prioritize a personal relationship with Christ over adherence to religious tradition or law.
• Recognize the authority of Jesus in spiritual matters above historical or cultural figures.
• See the role of Jesus in establishing and building their faith.

Cross-References

• John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
• Colossians 1:16-17, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible… And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
• Matthew 5:17, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”

Language Study

In the original Greek, key words in Hebrews 3:3 such as “worthy” (ἀξιωθεὶς, axiōtheis) and “builded” or “builder” (κατασκευάσας, kataskeuasas) carry substantial weight. The term translated as “worthy” implies merit and a valuation of status, while “builder” encompasses roles of creator, craftsman, and founder—indicating an intimate connection with the formation and establishment of a structure, or metaphorically, a community of faith.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The reverence for foundational figures is not unique to Christianity; other religious traditions also hold their founders or key prophets in high esteem. For instance, Islam reveres Muhammad as the final prophet, while Moses is still a respected prophet within Islam. Similarly, in the Hindu tradition, various avatars of Vishnu, such as Krishna, are seen as having divine natures. The elevation of Jesus above Moses in this Christian text reflects the typical pattern of religious evolution, where newer figures or revelations build upon and sometimes assert superiority over previous ones.

Scientific Perspectives

While this verse doesn’t directly engage with scientific topics, the idea of building or creation resonates with themes in natural science regarding causality and the origins of complex structures. The scientific understanding of the cosmos and life relies on the concept of cause and effect, which could metaphorically parallel the biblical concept of Jesus as the “builder” of the spiritual cosmos.

Commentaries

Various Bible scholars and theologians provide insights into Hebrews 3:3. For example:

• Matthew Henry: He highlights that Christ has built the house which is His church or His people, and being the builder, He must have more honor than the house itself.

• John Calvin: Emphasizes the superiority of Christ as the Son over Moses as a servant, indicating a fundamental difference in their roles and status.

• William Barclay: Suggests that the readers of Hebrews might have been tempted to slip back into old beliefs that elevated Moses above all, and this verse seeks to remind them of the new covenant in Christ.

Scholars generally agree that the primary function of this verse is to elevate the status of Christ in early Christian theology by making a comparative assessment with the towering figure of Moses in Jewish tradition.