The writer of the book of Hebrews tells believers that they should not forsake the practice of assembling together. This verse is often taken out of context to guilt someone into coming to church. Just what Christians need — other Christians who show up for a church service who are angry, frustrated, yet “guilted” into attending worship!

Taken in context, however, the purpose for believers to assemble together is powerful: to help each other remain faithful to God in living for Him!

The World English Bible states it this way: “let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for He who promised is faithful. Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:23–25, WEB)

The word, “provoke”, in verse 24, bears a unique meaning. In today’s culture, the word has a negative connotation in which one who is provoked is incited to anger. From the Greek, provoke simply means to incite, to stimulate one into action. In this context, it is a positive urging or motivating of others toward the demonstration of love and doing good works.

For a believer to hold fast to his confession of hope in Jesus (verse 23), he or she must focus on coming together with other believers to remain strong in the faith and faithful to the end of being conformed into the image of Jesus!

The word, “exhorting”, is also key. Why do believers assemble together? The author of Hebrews tells us we are to provoke each other into acting in love and good works, which is most effective when we are together, by exhorting one another — to encourage, hold accountable, to urge and admonish. This all leads to inspiring and strengthening one another in our walk with Jesus.

This is not the only passage in which the author of Hebrews addresses this need to strengthen and encourage each other as believers. Earlier in the letter (Hebrews 3:12–13), the author understands the importance and need for believers to help each other remain strong in the faith, recognizing that doing so together as an assembly of believers has synergy — a greater success in the power of an assembly versus attempting to remain strong in the faith individually.

In a practical sense, the Apostle Paul states to the believers in Philippi (Philippians 4:2–3) that believers there should help two women (who are creating division) through exhortation and encouragement, to return to good works for “the cause of the Gospel”, as they previously did.

To the Galatians, Paul tells Christians to “carry one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). The Apostle Peter states that believers are to “use whatever gift you have… to serve others” (1 Peter 4:10). Solomon declares that “two are better than one… if either falls down, one can help the other up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10). He continues, “iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).

During the formation of the early church, Luke writes, “they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship…” (Acts 2:42), which included meals together and praying together. They recognized the value and need to encourage and exhort one another in the faith, and local assemblies were formed throughout the world as Christianity spread for the purpose of teaching and encouraging those of faith to grow in Christ.

With clear Biblical direction, Christians remain faithful to God and in living the Christian life through gathering together — corporately for worship, and as groups to inspire, urge, exhort, and encourage (provoke) each other in living as God commands us to live. As humans who keep the sinful nature, even after accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, we risk becoming stagnant or even “falling away” from the faith without constant reminders and role models to propel us down the path God has for us. Paul equates that journey with running a race, and the author of Hebrews tells us to lay aside every weight that can slow us down (Hebrews 12:1).

Believers are to serve others, carry each other’s burdens, love, and prefer others over self (Romans 12:10; Ephesians 4:2; 1 Peter 4:8–9; 1 John 3:11). These commands are most fully fulfilled through coming together in worship, fellowship, and serving one another. In other words, through assembling together in community.

Such gatherings provide a display of genuine love for each other, giving believers a safe place to be and to belong through intentional relationships, serving together and serving each other, sharing wisdom, sharing life experiences that encourage and guide others in the faith, and providing accountability to run the race to the finish line so we hear, “Well done, good and faithful steward” (Matthew 25:21, 23; Luke 19:17; 1 Corinthians 4:2).

There is purpose and power in community and God does more than just “encourage” it; He commands it! He knows that for reconciled humans to have a lasting relationship and fellowship with Him, we must also build and have strong, lasting relationships with other believers. Do not miss the power of community!