Our great desire must in most languages be expressed by a verb; for example, “We desire greatly” or “We desire very much.” Our really represents the desire of the writer and therefore may be translated as “I desire very much.” As can be seen from Revised Standard Version, this verse repeats the Greek word for “show” from verse 10 and uses it to make a comparison. “The same earnestness” (eagerness, keenness) may imply (a) “be as earnest in the future as you have been in the past” or (b) “be as earnest in your hope as you have been in your work of love.” The first alternative is simpler, since the writer has just stated that the help they have been giving belongs to their salvation and is pleasing to God.

To the end comes at the end of the verse in Greek and is therefore emphasized. New English Bible does this by expansion: “until your hope is finally realized.”

In a number of languages it is impossible to speak of to the end without indicating what end is involved. Here, the end may mean either the end of the age or the end of the readers’ lives. 11.40 suggests that the writer may not have separated the two events. In many languages it is necessary to choose either the end of the age or the end of their lives. Sometimes it is possible to employ a rather general phrase such as “until the time you reach your goal.” This figurative substitute may be justified in view of the obscurity of the text itself.

That each one of you keep up his eagerness to the end may be restructured as “that each one of you continue to be eager until the end.”

In 10.22, Revised Standard Version‘s “assurance” means “confidence” (Good News Translation has sure) and is close in meaning to the word which Good News Bible translates confidence in 3.6, brave in 4.16, complete freedom in 10.19, and courage in 10.35. Here, however, the word may mean “fullness,” and hope may stand for “what you hope for.” This would give the meaning “show the same eagerness to the end, with a view to receiving the full measure of what you hope for.” This fits in well, both with the immediate context (see the next verse) and with the underlying theme discussed at the beginning of section 6.9-12.

The things you hope for may be expressed as “what you wait for patiently and with desire” or “the good which you wait for with patience.” The Greek term for hope has the important components of patience, waiting for, and the expectation of something good.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Letter of the Hebrews. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .