Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

HEBREWS 11:25KJV
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Hebrews 11:25 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 11:25 mean?

Hebrews 11:25 describes someone choosing to endure hardship alongside God’s people rather than enjoying sinful pleasures that only last a short time. The verse highlights a deliberate decision to identify with those who follow God, even when it means suffering, instead of seeking temporary enjoyment that comes from doing wrong.

The writer of Hebrews is talking about Moses, explaining how he chose to suffer with the Israelites instead of living in comfort as part of Pharaoh’s household. This choice is presented as an example of faith, showing that Moses valued lasting things connected to God over fleeting, self-centered pleasures.

The Greek behind Hebrews 11:25

  • "Choosing" (ἑλόμενος, helomenos): This word means making a deliberate, thoughtful choice, not just reacting or drifting into a situation. The verse emphasizes that Moses actively decided to side with God’s people.
  • "Affliction" (συγκακουχεῖσθαι, sugkakoucheisthai): This Greek word means to suffer together with others. It points out that Moses wasn’t just suffering alone, but was sharing in the hardships of the Israelites.
  • "Pleasures" (ἔχειν, echein; ἀπόλαυσις, apolausis): The word ἀπόλαυσις (apolausis) refers to enjoyment or satisfaction, especially of physical or worldly things. The verse contrasts this kind of pleasure with the deeper value of faithfulness.
  • "Season" (πρὸς καιρὸν, pros kairon): This phrase means “for a limited time” or “for a season.” It underscores that the enjoyment of sin is temporary, not lasting.

Why Hebrews 11:25 matters

  • Hebrews 11:25 clears up the idea that faith always leads to comfort or ease; it shows that faith sometimes means choosing a harder path.
  • The verse highlights that the pleasures of sin are real but short-lived, helping readers see the difference between temporary satisfaction and lasting reward.
  • This verse connects Moses’ story to the broader theme of Hebrews 11, which is about people who lived by faith and made difficult choices because they trusted God’s promises.

Where else these words appear

“pleasures” Greek G619 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

“Choosing” Greek G138 · used in 3 verses

  • Philippians 1:22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

“season” Greek G4340 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
  • Mark 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
  • 2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

“rather” Greek G3123 · used in 81 verses

  • Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  • Acts 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
  • 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.