The Hope We Profess

 

In a world saturated with empty promises, performative spirituality, and superficial declarations, the call of Scripture rings with urgent clarity: true profession, or confession, must originate from the depths of a heart aligned with God’s own. Hebrews 10:23 stands as a critical exhortation for believers navigating discouragement, cultural pressure, and spiritual fatigue. Using the English Standard Version, the verse declares: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”

This is no casual suggestion. It is a hortatory imperative, wrapped in the pastoral urgency of the author of Hebrews, who is writing to Jewish Christians on the brink of abandoning their newfound faith in Christ for the familiar rituals of Judaism. The verse invites us into a profound exploration of what it means to confess, not merely with our lips, but with a heart that has internalized God’s truth until it becomes our own. We will exegete key Greek terms and phrases directly from the original language, drawing out their nuances, historical context, practical implications, and transformative power. Along the way, we will contrast mechanical repetition with heartfelt conviction, examine edge cases of doubt and trial, and uncover how this confession fuels endurance in every season of life.

The Broader Context of Hebrews 10:23

To fully appreciate Hebrews 10:23, we must situate it within the chapter and the epistle. Hebrews was penned to a community facing persecution, social ostracism, and the temptation to revert to Old Covenant practices. The author has just unfolded the superiority of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1-18), contrasting it with the repetitive, ineffective offerings of the Levitical system. He paints a vivid picture of the new covenant reality: believers now have boldness to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19), a great high priest over the house of God (Hebrews 10:21), and an invitation to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22).

Verse 23 flows directly from this. It is the third of four “let us” exhortations in Hebrews 10:19-25, forming a practical triad: draw near (v. 22), hold fast (v. 23), and stir up one another (vv. 24-25). The context is communal and eschatological. These believers were wavering under pressure, much like many today who face cultural shifts, personal crises, or unanswered prayers. Discouragement threatened to erode their confession. Yet the author anchors them not in their own strength but in the faithfulness of “he who promised.” This promise echoes Yahweh's covenantal fidelity throughout the Old Testament, now fulfilled in Christ. The verse thus serves as both warning and encouragement: hold fast, or risk drifting; hold fast, because God’s character guarantees the outcome.

Nuances abound here. The audience’s Jewish background meant they understood confession as public acknowledgment of covenant loyalty, think of the Shema or temple declarations. In Christ, this confession shifts from ritual to relational reality, centered on the hope (ἐλπίς) of resurrection, inheritance, and the return of the King. Edge cases emerge immediately: what if persecution intensifies, as it did for these readers (Hebrews 10:32-34)? What if hope feels distant amid chronic illness or relational brokenness? The verse anticipates such realities by grounding confession in divine faithfulness rather than fluctuating emotions.

Exegeting the Greek

Let us begin with the Greek text of Hebrews 10:23: κατέχωμεν τὴν ὁμολογίαν τῆς ἐλπίδος ἀκλινῆ, πιστὸς γὰρ ὁ ἐπαγγειλάμενος.

The opening verb κατέχωμεν is a first-person plural present subjunctive of κατέχω. In classical and Koine Greek, κατέχω carries the force of “to hold down,” “to retain firmly,” “to possess securely,” or “to keep in one’s grasp without release.” It is not a passive holding but an active, deliberate retention, much like a wrestler pinning an opponent or a sailor securing a sail against the wind. The subjunctive mood in this hortatory construction (“let us…”) issues a collective call to action: we are to hold fast together, as the body of Christ. This implies ongoing effort, not a one-time decision. In the context of Hebrews, it counters the very real danger of apostasy warned about later in the chapter (Hebrews 10:26-31). The nuance is pastoral: holding fast requires vigilance amid life’s storms, yet it is possible precisely because of the preceding verses’ assurance of access to God.

Next comes τὴν ὁμολογίαν, the definite article τὴν specifies “the” confession, pointing to a particular, shared reality. The noun ὁμολογίαν is the accusative singular of ὁμολογία, a compound from ὁμός (same, one and the same) and λόγος (word, speech, reasoned expression). Etymologically, ὁμολογία denotes “saying the same thing,” “agreement,” “acknowledgment,” or “public declaration of alignment.” In extrabiblical Greek, it described legal contracts, philosophical consensus, or civic oaths. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts of verbal commitment that reflect inner reality (see also 2 Corinthians 9:13; 1 Timothy 6:12-13). Here, it is no mere verbal formula. True ὁμολογία is the believer’s spoken agreement with God’s revealed truth, words that flow from a heart transformed by the λόγος of God Himself (John 1:1, 14).

Crucially, the object of this confession is τῆς ἐλπίδος, of the hope. Ἐλπίδος (genitive singular of ἐλπίς) is not wishful thinking but confident expectation rooted in God’s promises. In Hellenistic literature, ἐλπίς could mean uncertain anticipation, but in biblical usage, especially Pauline and here, it is assured future possession (Romans 5:2-5; Titus 2:13). The hope here encompasses the full eschatological package: the return of Christ, the resurrection body, the new heavens and earth, and the completion of redemption. By specifying “confession of our hope,” the author elevates the confession beyond abstract doctrine to a lived, expectant faith. This nuance addresses a common pitfall: many confess “faith” in the present tense (healing now, provision now) while neglecting the forward-looking hope that sustains through delay. The Greek forces us to confess not just what is, but what will surely be because God has spoken.

The adverbial modifier ἀκλινῆ is particularly striking. This adjective (accusative singular feminine, agreeing with ὁμολογίαν) appears only once in the entire New Testament. Derived from the alpha-privative ἀ- (not) plus κλίνω (to bend, incline, or lean), it literally means “unbent,” “unwavering,” “not declining,” or “fixed in a straight perpendicular.” Picture a plumb line that refuses to sway no matter the wind or weight applied. Commentator Donald Guthrie notes that this word pictures “an upright object not inclining at all from the true perpendicular. There is no place in the Christian experience for a hope that is firm at one time and shaky at another.” It demands consistency, a confession that does not vacillate with circumstances, emotions, or opposition. In a culture of deconstruction and shifting doctrines, ἀκλινῆ calls believers to hold fast to God’s word amid cultural headwinds.

The clause closes with the grounding reason: πιστὸς γὰρ ὁ ἐπαγγειλάμενος. Πιστὸς is the nominative masculine singular of πιστός, faithful, trustworthy, reliable. It echoes the covenant name of God in the Septuagint (Deuteronomy 7:9; Lamentations 3:23). Γάρ introduces the causal explanation: “for” or “because.” Ὁ ἐπαγγειλάμενος is the aorist middle participle of ἐπαγγέλλομαι, “the one who promised” or “the one who has pledged Himself.” The aorist tense points back to the definitive act of promising, primarily in Christ’s finished work and the new covenant oaths. This phrase shifts the burden from human performance to divine character. We hold fast not because our faith is perfect, but because the Promiser is. Implications ripple outward: in seasons of apparent silence, when prayers seem unanswered and hope deferred sickens the heart (Proverbs 13:12), this confession anchors us in God’s unchangeable reliability.

The Heart of True Confession is Alignment, Not Parroting

Having unpacked the Greek, we turn to the essence of ὁμολογία as heartfelt profession. This is no superficial echo but a profound unity of heart and mouth. Consider the illustration of an author and a reader. An author pours thoughts, convictions, and beliefs onto the page; the words are an extension of the writer’s very self. When a reader encounters those words, mere intellectual agreement is possible, but true alignment occurs only when the reader internalizes them. The ideas migrate from page to mind, then to heart. Over time, through meditation and reflection, the reader’s convictions merge with the author’s. What began as borrowed language becomes personal conviction. Now, when the reader speaks, it is no longer recitation; it is proclamation from the platform of their own transformed heart. The two are aligned, speaking the same language because their inner worlds have synchronized.

This mirrors the believer’s relationship with God’s word. Mechanical confessions, repeating phrases heard in sermons, podcasts, or books without heart engagement, are like a parrot mimicking sounds. The words may sound orthodox, even powerful, yet lack the backing of genuine πίστις (faith). They emerge from the mouth but never penetrate the καρδία (heart). Jesus warned against this in Matthew 15:8: “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” True ὁμολογία, by contrast, is the fruit of sowing God’s λόγος deeply until we see as He sees, hear as He hears, and feel as He feels. Our hearts beat in syncopation with His. The confession then carries authority because it flows from conviction, not coercion or habit.

Biblically, this pattern repeats. Abraham’s confession of hope (Romans 4:18-21) was not rote; he “grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” David’s psalms overflow with raw, heart-aligned declarations amid caves and battles. Even Jesus, facing the cross, confessed hope in the Father’s promises (Hebrews 12:2). Edge cases test this: suppose a believer battles chronic doubt after prolonged suffering. The Greek does not demand flawless emotion but persistent κατέχωμεν, an active choice to retain the confession while the Holy Spirit works alignment. Meditation (Psalm 1:2), prayerful study, and community accountability bridge the gap between head knowledge and heart possession. The implication is liberating: you need not manufacture faith; you cultivate it by immersing in the word until it reshapes you.

Practical Pathways to Heart Alignment

How, then, do we move from parroting to profound profession? Three deliberate steps emerge from Scripture and the Greek exhortation.

First, commit wholly to believing what God says. This requires surrendering natural reasoning when it contradicts divine revelation. Romans 12:2 calls for mind renewal; without it, confessions remain surface-level. Choose, as an act of will, to elevate God’s promises above sensory evidence or cultural consensus.

Second, invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate and internalize the word. Jesus promised the Spirit would “guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). Pray specifically for revelation that makes Scripture experientially real, so real that contradiction feels absurd. This is the bridge from intellectual assent to heartfelt ownership.

Third, engage in disciplined study and meditation. Take the specific promise, write it out, speak it aloud, journal its implications, and revisit it daily until alignment occurs. The process may take weeks or months, but the result is an unbendable (ἀκλινῆ) confession. Related considerations include accountability: share your confession with mature believers who can stir you up (Hebrews 10:24-25). In corporate worship, collective ὁμολογία amplifies individual resolve.

Nuances matter. Not every confession yields instant results; some operate in the realm of hope, awaiting God’s timing. Prosperity gospel distortions ignore this, reducing ὁμολογία to a formula. Conversely, fatalistic passivity dismisses the active κατέχωμεν. Biblical balance holds tension: confess boldly while resting in the Promiser’s πιστός nature.

The Faithfulness of the Promiser is Our Anchor

The verse’s climax, “for he who promised is faithful”, shifts focus outward. Charles Spurgeon captured it well: “That exhortation, ‘Let us hold fast,’ might well be written on the cover of every Christian’s Bible. We live in such a changeful age that we need all to be exhorted to be rooted and grounded, confirmed and established, in the truth.” Our wavering often stems from self-reliance; the Greek redirects us to divine constancy. God’s faithfulness is not abstract but covenantal, seen in Abraham’s seed, the exodus, the exile return, and supremely in Christ’s resurrection. In personal trials, job loss, health decline, and family rupture, this truth sustains. We confess hope not because circumstances align, but because the One who pledged eternal life cannot lie (Titus 1:2).

Implications extend to every domain: evangelism becomes bold proclamation of shared hope; suffering becomes testimony to unwavering confession; legacy-building ensures the next generation inherits not formulas but heart-aligned faith.

Open Your Mouth From the Depths of Your Heart

Hebrews 10:23 summons us to a confession that is true profession, ὁμολογία born in the heart, held fast without bending, anchored in the faithful Promiser. Get into God’s word. Sow it until alignment dawns. Then declare it over mountains of impossibility, valleys of despair, and horizons of promise. The mountain will move not because your words are magical, but because they echo the heart of the One who spoke the universe into being.

Beloved, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. He who promised is faithful. May your life become a living exegesis of this verse, words from the heart that reshape reality for God’s glory.

Holding Fast to Our Faith

 

In the journey of faith, there come moments when the Spirit reminds us of truths we may have overlooked or taken for granted. Recently, I was stirred by memories of individuals I once knew, believers who voiced what appeared to be powerful declarations of faith. Their statements echoed the language of Scripture, laced with promises of victory, healing, and breakthrough. Yet, something was missing. Their words rang hollow, like echoes in an empty chamber. They sounded right on the surface, but there was no authentic root. These confessions were no more genuine than the mechanical repetition of a parrot mimicking sounds it has heard without understanding their weight or origin. The parrot can imitate the ring of a telephone perfectly, yet it possesses no real connection to the call on the other end. In the same way, faith without heartfelt alignment produces no fruit, no transformation, no mountain-moving power.

This observation draws us straight into the heart of Hebrews 10:23, where the inspired writer urges us with these words in the English Standard Version: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” This verse stands as a pivotal exhortation in the epistle to the Hebrews, a letter addressed to Jewish Christians facing intense pressure to revert to old covenant practices amid persecution and doubt. The author paints a vivid picture of endurance in the New Covenant, reminding readers of Jesus as the superior High Priest who has secured our access to God once and for all. Chapter 10 builds on this foundation, contrasting the temporary sacrifices of the old system with the perfect, once-for-all offering of Christ. It calls believers not to drift but to draw near, to assemble together, and above all, to cling tenaciously to the hope we profess.

To fully grasp the depth of this command, we must turn to the original Greek text and exegete its key phrases. The verse reads in the Greek: κατέχωμεν τὴν ὁμολογίαν τῆς ἐλπίδος ἀκλινῆ, πιστὸς γὰρ ὁ ἐπαγγειλάμενος. Each element carries layers of meaning that move beyond surface-level English translation, inviting us into a richer understanding of what it means to live unwaveringly in faith. We will explore these terms one by one, using the English Standard Version as our English anchor while unpacking the original language to reveal nuances, implications, and practical applications for our daily walk with God. This exegesis is not merely academic; it is pastoral, designed to stir our hearts toward authentic confession that produces lasting fruit.

“Let Us Hold Fast” The Call to Collective Perseverance in κατέχωμεν

The opening phrase, “Let us hold fast,” translates the Greek κατέχωμεν. This is a hortatory subjunctive in the present tense, functioning as an urgent, communal appeal: “Let us keep on holding fast.” The verb κατέχω carries the idea of seizing firmly, possessing securely, or restraining something from slipping away. In classical Greek usage, it often described holding a position in battle against overwhelming odds or retaining legal possession of property. Here in Hebrews, it evokes the image of a believer gripping the truth tightly amid life's storms, refusing to release what has been entrusted.

The present tense emphasizes ongoing action, an active, continual choice rather than a one-time event. It is not enough to have grasped faith yesterday; we must keep on holding it today, tomorrow, and in every season. This communal “let us” (κατέχωμεν) underscores the corporate nature of faith. The author of Hebrews writes not to isolated individuals but to a community tempted by discouragement and isolation. In the broader context of Hebrews 10:24-25, this holding fast is paired with spurring one another on to love and good works, and with gathering together rather than neglecting assembly. Edge cases arise here: what happens when personal trials isolate us? When cultural pressures or personal failures make the grip feel slippery? The exhortation reminds us that perseverance is strengthened in fellowship, where shared confessions reinforce one another.

Nuances abound. Κατέχω also implies not merely passive retention but active defense. In a world of shifting doctrines and fleeting spiritual fads, this verb calls us to stand as sentinels over the hope we have received. The implications for modern believers are profound: in an age of deconstructive narratives and diluted Gospel messages, κατέχωμεν demands that we resist the drift. It is a call to vigilance, echoing earlier warnings in Hebrews 2:1 against “drifting away” and 3:6 about holding fast our confidence to the end. Theologically, this holding fast rests not on our strength but on the finished work of Christ, as the chapter’s context makes clear. We hold because He has already secured us.

“The Confession of Our Hope” Alignment of Heart and Word in τὴν ὁμολογίαν τῆς ἐλπίδος

Central to the verse is “the confession of our hope,” rendered from τὴν ὁμολογίαν τῆς ἐλπίδος. Here, the exegesis deepens dramatically with the noun ὁμολογίαν. This word is a compound formed from ὁμός, meaning “the same” or “one of the very same kind,” and λόγος, the Greek term for “word,” “speech,” or “reasoned expression.” When joined, ὁμολογία conveys the profound idea of “saying the same thing”, not superficial repetition, but deep, heartfelt agreement and alignment. It is far more than a verbal acknowledgment; it pictures a life synchronized with divine truth, where one’s spoken words flow from an inner conviction that mirrors God’s own perspective.

The English Standard Version’s choice of “confession” captures this, but the original ὁμολογία expands it beautifully. In the Septuagint and other New Testament occurrences (such as 2 Corinthians 9:13 and 1 Timothy 6:12-13), ὁμολογία denotes a public, binding declaration rooted in conviction. It is not the parrot’s mimicry, but the author’s own voice echoed in the reader’s transformed heart. Consider this illustration: as a writer pours thoughts, convictions, and beliefs onto the page, those words become an extension of the author’s very self. If you read, internalize, and fully embrace them, meditating until they reshape your thinking, you move beyond mere quotation. You align with the author’s viewpoint. Those words cease to be external; they become your own. Your speech then springs from genuine conviction, not rote repetition. This is precisely the picture of ὁμολογία in Hebrews 10:23. The believer who has sown God’s Word deeply into the heart reaches a place where confession is no longer empty chatter but a unified heartbeat with the Father.

Paired with this is τῆς ἐλπίδος, “of our hope.” Ἐλπίς in Greek is no vague wish or optimistic daydream. In Biblical usage, it denotes a confident expectation, a sure and steadfast assurance grounded in God’s promises. Unlike the fleeting hopes of the world, Christian ἐλπίς is anchored in the resurrection of Christ and the certainty of His return (see 1 Thessalonians 5:8 and 1 Peter 1:3). In Hebrews, this hope is explicitly tied to the New Covenant realities: access to God’s presence, an unshakeable kingdom, and the promise of eternal inheritance. The confession, therefore, is not abstract doctrine but a living declaration of future reality breaking into the present, hope that sustains through trials, persecution, or apparent delay.

Nuances here address common pitfalls. Many profess faith mechanically, reciting promises without the alignment ὁμολογία demands. Their words may sound scriptural, yet lack the transformative power because they originate only from the mind or lips, not the regenerated heart. The implication is clear: true ὁμολογία requires sowing the Word until it renews the mind (Romans 12:2), until God’s perspective becomes ours. Edge cases include seasons of suffering where hope feels distant. Here, ἐλπίδος reminds us that confession sustains precisely because it looks beyond circumstances to the faithful Promiser.

“Without Wavering” Steadfast Resolve in ἀκλινῆ

The phrase “without wavering” translates the adverbial accusative ἀκλινῆ, a term that appears only once in the New Testament. Derived from ἀ- (a negative prefix) and κλίνω (to lean, incline, or bend), ἀκλινῆ literally means “not leaning,” “unbent,” or “unwavering.” It evokes the image of a perfectly upright pillar that does not tilt under pressure, an object fixed in true perpendicular alignment. Commentator Donald Guthrie captures this vividly: the Greek word pictures “an upright object not inclining at all from the true perpendicular. There is no place in the Christian experience for a hope that is firm at one time and shaky at another.”

This rarity in Scripture heightens its impact. In the context of Hebrews’ audience, believers wavering under discouragement and the pull of familiar rituals, ἀκλινῆ serves as a direct counter. It demands consistency, not sporadic zeal. Charles Spurgeon, reflecting on this exhortation, noted that “‘Let us hold fast’ might well be written on the cover of every Christian’s Bible. We live in such a changeful age that we need all to be exhorted to be rooted and grounded, confirmed and established, in the truth.” The nuance lies in its active endurance: wavering often stems from external pressures (persecution in the first century, cultural skepticism today) or internal doubts (unanswered prayers, prolonged waiting). Yet ἀκλινῆ calls for resolve that refuses to compromise, even when the natural mind protests.

Implications extend to every area of life. In marriage, career, or health crises, an ἀκλινῆ confession stands firm. Related considerations include the role of community accountability, κατέχωμεν, which ensures we do not attempt this alone, and the danger of legalism if holding fast becomes self-reliant. The balance is grace-empowered perseverance.

“For He Who Promised Is Faithful” The Unshakable Foundation in πιστὸς γὰρ ὁ ἐπαγγειλάμενος

The verse culminates in the grounding clause: “for he who promised is faithful,” from πιστὸς γὰρ ὁ ἐπαγγειλάμενος. Πιστός means reliable, trustworthy, and true to one’s word, qualities attributed supremely to God throughout Scripture (see Deuteronomy 7:9; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:13). The aorist participle ἐπαγγειλάμενος (“he who promised”) points back to the divine declarations of the New Covenant, fulfilled in Christ’s blood and ratified by His resurrection. God is not merely able; He is πιστός, faithfully committed to His promises.

This shifts the focus from our faltering grip to God’s unchanging character. We hold fast not by willpower alone but because the Promiser never fails. Theologically, this echoes the epistle’s emphasis on Christ’s superiority: His priesthood, sacrifice, and covenant are flawless. Practically, it frees us from performance-based faith. When doubt assaults, perhaps in the “why” of unanswered prayer or the weariness of waiting, πιστός anchors us. Examples abound: Abraham’s long wait for Isaac, the Israelites’ wilderness wanderings, or modern believers enduring chronic illness. In each, God’s faithfulness proves the foundation.

Edge cases deserve attention: what if promises seem delayed by human standards? The text assures us that πιστός operates on divine timing, producing maturity (James 1:2-4). Implications for evangelism and discipleship are vast, our confessions model this reliability to a skeptical world.

Cultivating Heartfelt Ὁμολογία

Returning to the parrot analogy, we see the stark contrast. Mechanical confessions, repeating phrases heard in sermons or books without internalization, yield no results because they lack ὁμολογία’s alignment. True profession flows from a heart saturated with Scripture. How, then, do we cultivate this?

First, choose belief deliberately. Commit mind, heart, and strength to God’s Word, even when it contradicts natural reasoning. Second, invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate truth, making it living and active (Hebrews 4:12). Third, engage in disciplined study and meditation. Sow the seed until alignment occurs, until you see as God sees, hear as He hears, and feel as He feels. At that point, confession shifts from lips to life, from parroting to power.

Consider practical examples: a believer facing financial lack meditates on Philippians 4:19 until ἐλπίδος becomes visceral conviction. Or one battling illness clings to Isaiah 53:5 until ὁμολογία declares healing from a unified heart. Cross-references reinforce this: Mark 11:23 links heart-belief with spoken confession for mountain-moving faith; Romans 10:9-10 ties heart belief and mouth confession to salvation itself.

Broader angles reveal nuances. In corporate worship, collective κατέχωμεν amplifies power through agreement (Matthew 18:19-20). In personal trials, ἀκλινῆ prevents the double-mindedness James 1:6-8 warns against. Culturally, in a relativistic age, this verse counters compromise by anchoring in πιστός truth. Theologically, it upholds sola scriptura, Word-centered faith, while pastorally encouraging the weary.

Living the Exhortation

Hebrews 10:23 is not isolated; it flows from the chapter’s call to draw near (v. 22) and anticipate Christ’s return (v. 25). In a post-Christian culture rife with deconstruction and distraction, the exhortation remains urgent. We face pressures akin to the original audience: secularism pulling toward old patterns, internal doubts eroding hope. Yet the response is the same, κατέχωμεν through ὁμολογία rooted in πιστός.

Consider implications across life stages. For new believers, it means moving beyond initial excitement to rooted conviction. For veterans, it guards against complacency or burnout. In family settings, parents model ἀκλινῆ confession for children, sowing generational faith. In global missions, persecuted Churches exemplify this holding fast amid real threats, their ἐλπίδος shining brighter in darkness.

Nuances include the balance of boldness and humility. Confession is not presumptuous, demanding, but a humble agreement with God’s will. Edge cases, such as when promises involve suffering (2 Timothy 3:12), remind us that ἐλπίδος encompasses eternal reward. Ultimately, this verse liberates: our faithfulness rests on His. As Spurgeon urged, let it be inscribed on every Bible, a constant reminder in our changeful world.

A Call to Authentic Confession

Beloved, let Hebrews 10:23 ignite fresh resolve. Get into God’s Word. Meditate until ὁμολογία aligns your heart with His. Then open your mouth, declare over mountains, valleys, and every circumstance. The One who promised is πιστός; therefore, hold fast ἀκλινῆ. Your confession, born of deep conviction, will move mountains, sustain hope, and glorify the faithful God.

In closing, may we echo the early Church: not as parrots but as partners with the Divine Author. Let us κατέχωμεν τὴν ὁμολογίαν τῆς ἐλπίδος ἀκλινῆ, for He who promised is faithful.