Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
The book of Hebrews was written to a community of Jewish Christians who were under serious pressure — facing social rejection, loss of property, and possibly persecution for following Jesus. Many were tempted to walk away from their faith entirely to avoid more suffering. The word translated 'confidence' in the original Greek suggests bold assurance — not arrogance, but the settled trust that comes from knowing who you believe in. The author urges them not to throw away what they have built at the moment when holding on feels most costly. The promise is that this kind of steadfast faith carries a real reward.
God, I won't pretend the waiting hasn't worn on me. Some days my confidence feels more like a habit than a conviction. Remind me today that you are faithful even when I am tired, and help me hold on — not by sheer willpower, but by trusting that you see what I cannot. Amen.
There's a particular kind of exhaustion that sets in when you've been hoping for a long time and nothing has visibly changed. The faith that once felt solid starts to feel embarrassing. You stop talking about it. You quietly put it on the shelf — not because you stopped believing, but because holding on started to feel like the most foolish thing in the room. Hebrews was written to people who knew that feeling. They had paid real costs for their faith and were wondering if it was worth it. The writer doesn't offer a timeline or explain why things went sideways. He just says: don't throw away what you've built. That worn, weathered trust you've been carrying — it is worth more than you think right now. You're not at the end of the story. Keep your grip.
What does 'confidence' mean in this context — is the author describing an emotion, a decision, or something else entirely?
Can you remember a time when you were close to giving up on something you believed God had called you to? What happened, and what kept you going?
This verse promises a reward for not throwing away your confidence — but what do you do when that reward feels distant or completely unclear?
How do you support someone in your life who seems to be losing their spiritual footing without making them feel judged or patronized?
What is one area of faith or calling where you've been quietly tempted to give up — and what would holding on look like in a practical way this week?
Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
2 Chronicles 15:7
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58
For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
Proverbs 23:18
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Galatians 6:8
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 1:6
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:10
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9
Do not, therefore, fling away your [fearless] confidence, for it has a glorious and great reward.
AMP
Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
ESV
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
NASB
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
NIV
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
NKJV
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!
NLT
So don't throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It's still a sure thing!
MSG