Proverbs 25:13

25:13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, ¹ 

so is a faithful messenger to those who send him,

for he refreshes the heart ²  of his masters.

John 17:18

17:18 Just as you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. ³ 

John 17:2

17:2 just as you have given him authority over all humanity, ⁴  so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him. ⁵ 

Colossians 1:23

1:23 if indeed you remain in the faith, established and firm, ⁶  without shifting ⁷  from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has also been preached in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become its servant.

Hebrews 3:1

Jesus and Moses

3:1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, ⁸  partners in a heavenly calling, take note of Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess, ⁹ 

¹ sn The emblem in the parallelism of this verse is the simile of the first line. Because snow at the time of harvest would be rare, and probably unwelcome, various commentators have sought to explain this expression. R. N. Whybray suggests it may refer to snow brought down from the mountains and kept cool in an ice hole (Proverbs [CBC], 148); this seems rather forced. J. H. Greenstone following Rashi, a Jewish scholar who lived a.d. 1040-1105, suggests it might refer to the refreshing breeze that comes from snow-capped mountains (Proverbs, 260). C. H. Toy suggests a snow-cooled drink (Proverbs [ICC], 464), and W. McKane an application of ice water to the forehead (Proverbs [OTL], 585). Some English versions replace “snow” with “water” (cf. TEV “cold water”; CEV “cool water”). These all attempt to explain the simile; but the point is clear enough, a faithful servant is refreshing to his master. The analogy could be hypothetical – as refreshing as the coolness of snow would be in harvest time.

² tn Heb “he restores the life [or, soul] of his masters.” The idea suggests that someone who sends the messenger either entrusts his life to him or relies on the messenger to resolve some concern. A faithful messenger restores his master’s spirit and so is “refreshing.”

³ sn Jesus now compared the mission on which he was sending the disciples to his own mission into the world, on which he was sent by the Father. As the Father sent Jesus into the world (cf. 3:17), so Jesus now sends the disciples into the world to continue his mission after his departure. The nature of this prayer for the disciples as a consecratory prayer is now emerging: Jesus was setting them apart for the work he had called them to do. They were, in a sense, being commissioned.

⁴ tn Or “all people”; Grk “all flesh.”

⁵ tn Grk “so that to everyone whom you have given to him, he may give to them eternal life.”

⁶ tn BDAG 276 s.v. ἑδραῖος suggests “firm, steadfast.”

⁷ tn BDAG 639 s.v. μετακινέω suggests “without shifting from the hope” here.

⁸ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 2:11.

⁹ tn Grk “of our confession.”