Hebrews 10:24 exhorts us to "consider one another to provoke to love and to good works." The word "consider" here means to attend to "possible failures or weaknesses among the members of the church."¹ The passage is linked to the issue of church attendance, assembling together, which could be seen as an example (see Heb 10:25). But obviously, this duty extends to other issues as well, as is clear when we look at the totality of Scripture.

This duty to "consider each other" is more easily said than done, especially in our day. People today do not easily allow themselves to be corrected. They consider themselves au­tonomous. Individualism reigns supreme and it is considered taboo to call one another to order. This individualism is also evident in church. Church people are children of their time and are influenced by their time also in this respect. Indeed, sinful man has always been easily irritated and apt to take offence, when admonished. He needs grace to take admonition to heart. He needs to be watchful and to live closely to the Word of God.

By grace we discover the loving care with which the Lord surrounds His church. He does not lose sight of His people even for one moment. But we also discover that His people have the tendency to wander away from the Lord and not obey His voice. The Lord calls His people back and admonishes them with a view to keep them on the right way of His Word. That is a great blessing.

Positive Focus⤒🔗

Allow me to begin by correcting a frequent misperception. Many think that the duty of considering one another is essentially negative. Admittedly, some do indeed meddle in all sorts of issues, precisely with negative intentions or a negative focus. They are quick to criticise and eager to set others straight. This is not the type of mutual consideration that the author to the Hebrews is promoting.

This is clear from the context: "consider one another to provoke to love and to good works."

One commentator even wonders whether perhaps there were negative instances in the congregation of the Hebrews, which occasioned the writer to use these words. Did they pay attention to one another too much in a negative way, and did they provoke one another unto evil?² This mutual consideration has nothing to do with being 'bossiness' or 'meddlesomeness.' That is a corruption of the true mutual consid­eration. The focus of such consideration is fundamentally positive, namely, the well being of the whole flock. The author to the Hebrews holds forth "love" and "good works" as the aim of such mutual consideration. By way of considering each other, we are to stir each other up to good works, that is, to a life that is in love consecrated to the Lord and committed to the welfare of our neighbour. Mutual consideration should have a positive focus.

Proper Means←⤒🔗

The way in which we are to practice mutual consideration is by exhorting one another. Hebrews 10:25 uses this phrase to show how we are to consider each other, as do Hebrews 3:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:18, and 1 Thessalonians 5:11. The original Greek can also mean "comfort one another" or "call to the side of" or "strengthen one another by one's words." In 1 Thessalonians 3:2 Paul writes that Timothy's mission was "to strengthen and encourage the believers in their faith." The name Barnabas illustrates this same principle. His name means "son of consolation." The early apostles called Joses "Barnabas" (Acts 4:36), because he was such an encourager within the circle of the apostles and the early church.

The word "exhorting" also highlights the means of the Word. We cannot exhort each other by means of our own feelings, opinions, or ideas. We have to base ourselves on the Word of God and use the Word of God in exhorting each other. If a person knows a situation in which he has such a task of stirring up someone or other, he must do so on the basis of the Word and with the Word. That provides true exhortation and encouragement. This is what Paul and the author apostles were constantly doing in their epistles. Take, for instance, Paul's exhortation to the Corinthians concerning the need to assist the poor (2 Cor 9:5). He comes to them with guidance from Scripture and seeks to stir them up to love and good works.

Official Obligation←⤒🔗

Who exactly is to engage in this duty? First of all, we have to emphasise here that Christ is the Head, also in this duty. God Himself is at work in this mutual consideration. He in the Lord Jesus Christ has oversight of His church. In 1 Peter 2:25 the Lord Jesus is called "the Shepherd and Bishop (Overseer) of your souls." Secondly, the apostles were commis­sioned by their Lord and Saviour. They came with their authoritative admonition and consolation. Thirdly, we read in the New Testament that elders or overseers were ordained in each church (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). In Philippians 1:1 they are mentioned together with the deacons. But, finally, we do need to pay attention to the fact that Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians to "all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops (overseers) and deacons." Also the other letters of Paul are addressed to the church or churches or the saints. The addresses of Peter's letters are essentially no different.

The verses quoted above from the letter to the Hebrews make clear that the members of the congregation are to pay attention to one another. An essential characteristic of the oversight of the congregation is that it is the members of the congregation who pay atten­tion to one another to "provoke (them) to love and good works." All the believers are called to pay attention to one another, to take heed to one another, to admonish one another. In Article 28 of the Belgic Confession of faith we confess that everyone in the church "serve the edification of the brothers and sisters, accord­ing to the talents which God has given them as members of the same body." Likewise, Answer 55 of the Heidelberg Catechism states that,

everyone is duty-bound to use his gifts readily and cheerfully for the benefit and well­being of the other members.

We must constantly remind ourselves of being responsible for each other by paying attention to one another, "and if necessary, address, admonish, and provoke each other." Indeed, we first must take heed to ourselves (cf. Acts 20:28). How are we over against the Lord and His service? Does our life reflect a sincere faith-surrender to the Lord, and is His service to us a service of love? Nevertheless, we cannot stop here. We together form one body.

When one member suffers in the congrega­tion, the congregation as a whole and all members individually suffer. When one member deviates, it means that the unity has been damaged, that the community has been breached. Who is not affected by that? It touches all of us! The mutual admonishing, the looking after each other, concerns the preser­vation and the experiencing of the unity of faith.³

God, who by the Holy Spirit lives in the congregation, comes to the erring and straying person when he is admonished. The call is, therefore, significant and serious. It impels the person in question to return to the love of God and of the congregation. It is an essential function of the body of Christ that live in the community of the Spirit.⁴ The congregation itself bears responsibility. It ought to be active and vocal. It may not leave the paying attention to one another to the office bearers. The office bearers are to educate the congregation in this. Is it not clear from Romans 12:8 that "exhorting" is one of the gifts granted to the believers? Matthew 18:15-19 supports this as it focuses on saving the sinner.

If your brother shall trespass against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone: if he shall hear you, you have gained your brother.Matthew 18:15

Conclusion←⤒🔗

As I wrote at the start, it is difficult to pay attention to one another and administer reproof, particularly in the individualistic climate that we are in. Yet, where the love of Christ constrains us, barriers are removed in His strength. There His honour will be the focal point together with the well being of His flock and the salvation of the sinner. What a joy to see fruit on this labour! Joy when a brother or sister or young member returns to the service of the Lord!

To be sure, we ourselves are not able to bring back to the congregation those members who are in a process of alienating themselves. But the Lord is able. We do need the Lord in seeking our neighbour. Also this ministry cannot be performed without prayer, in which we ask the Lord to enable us to speak the right words and to have the right attitude and the deep sense that we too need the same grace in life and death.