Should churches meet in person? Let’s discuss Hebrews 10:25 and “not neglecting to meet together”

In recent weeks, there’s been a lot of discussion about the proper way for churches to worship. 

One of the passages cited most often in support of meeting in person is Hebrews 10:25: “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” 

But what does the author of Hebrews mean when he admonishes those who “neglect to meet together?” 

And what does that mean for churches today? 

Context is key

One of the most important principles when reading Scripture is understanding the context of a given passage. 

Sometimes a verse can encapsulate the larger message so well that it can stand on its own. John 3:16 is a good example. While the surrounding verses are important, they only amplify the clear meaning of that single verse. 

Other times, the larger context is crucial for accurately understanding what the biblical author is trying to say. Philippians 4:13, for example, shows up on a lot of motivational posters and athletes’ tattoos because the idea that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” is a powerful message. 

The larger context, however, reveals that the only reason Paul could say that is he had learned, regardless of his circumstances, to be completely dependent upon Christ for both strength and guidance. His faith wasn’t a superpower that enabled him to do anything he wanted, but that’s how it’s often misinterpreted by those who cling to verse 13 without taking into account the surrounding verses.

So, into which category does Hebrews 10:25 fit best? 

To find our answer, let’s take a look at the rest of the chapter. 

What’s the context of Hebrews 10:25?

The whole chapter of Hebrews 10 is primarily about finding peace and assurance of our salvation through reliance on the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice rather than on a legalistic view of actions we can take…