Hebrews 12:28
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Study Note
Study Note
The conclusion to the contrast between Sinai (shaking, darkness, terror) and Zion (heavenly Jerusalem, innumerable angels, Christ) — 'let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe' — makes eschatological security the ground for worship rather than its reward. The 'unshakeable kingdom' contrasts with everything that the earthquake at Sinai and the promised final shaking (12:26-27, quoting Haggai 2:6) will remove, while it endures. The response called for — gratitude expressed in worship — presents liturgy as the appropriate first movement of those who have received an unshakeable gift in a world of constant instability. The verse stands as Hebrews' clearest summary of the relationship between eschatological gift and present practice: reception of the kingdom generates grateful worship as its natural expression.
Other Translations
Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe:
wherefore, a kingdom that cannot be shaken receiving, may we have grace, through which we may serve God well-pleasingly, with reverence and religious fear;
If then, we have a kingdom which will never be moved, let us have grace, so that we may give God such worship as is pleasing to him with fear and respect:
Cross References
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