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Studies In Hebrews #7
Hebrews 10:26-39
Willful Sin (10:26-31)
As he has done before (2:1-4; 3:7-19 and 5:11-6:8), the writer sounds out a
warning. "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of
the truth,
there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation
of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries"
(10:26). The
context of these words suggests something much more serious than what Paul
called being "overtaken in any trespass" because such a person as that was to be
restored (Gal.6:1). He has already shown that Christ, as our High Priest, can
"succor them that are tempted", sympathize with them in their infirmities and
"bear gently with the ignorant and erring" (2:17f; 4:15f; 5:2). What the writer
has in mind is that "falling away from the living God" he spoke of in 3:12, that
apostasy against which he warned his readers in 6:4-8. If one knows the truth,
and then knowingly and willingly turns and rejects that truth, there remains no
sacrifice for them to appeal to. They are left without a sacrifice to be
benefited from since they rejected the "once for all" sacrifice of Jesus
(10:10,12). All that remains for such an individual is a "fearful expectation of
judgement" (10:27).
Rejecting the Mosaic law resulted in sore punishment. "The soul that doeth aught
with a high hand...the same blasphemeth Jehovah; and that soul shall be cut off
from among his people" (Num.15:30). They were to "stone them to death with
stones" (Deut.17:2-7). They were to die since they had blasphemed Jehovah in
rejecting His laws. Such sinners died "without compassion" (10:28). The willful
sinner under Christ can expect "much sorer punishment" since by their sin they
had "trodden under foot the Son of God...counted the blood of the covenant
wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the
Spirit of grace" (10:29; see again 6:4-6). Those who willingly turn their back
on the law of Christ to engage in sin show contempt for God's only begotten Son,
show they regard "the precious blood of Christ" (1 Pet.1:19) as powerless and
insult the Holy Spirit. "Sorer punishment" surely awaits such sinners. "It is a
fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (10:31; cf.Matt.10:28).
Verse 26 began with the simple word "for". The word connects what was before
with what follows. Our author had just addressed the custom some had of
forsaking the assembling of the saints together (10:25). He then says, "for if
we sin willfully..." As we consider 10:26-31 we must not miss a point he is
making--"forsaking our own assembling together" is one example of sinning
willfully. Such shows contempt for God's Son who died for us. It is as if your
only son died saving your neighbor from a fire and then that same neighbor skips
the funeral to satisfy selfish desires. Such forsaking shows disrespect and
contempt for the one who gave his life for others.
We can draw near to God with confidence (10:19-22), or we can fall into His
hands terrified (10:26-31).
The Need To Persevere (10:32-39)
As he did with the stern warning of 6:4-8, so the warning of 10:26-31 is
followed with words of encouragement. He knows the strong words he has
been giving could tend to discourage them if left alone. Since this would defeat
his purpose (13:22), he continues with words to reassure and encourage.
They are first reminded of their endurance and faithfulness in "former days"
(10:32-34). They were made to endure "a great conflict of sufferings" shortly
after they were "enlightened" with the truth of the gospel (cf.6:4,5). In all
likelihood the persecutions of Acts 8:1 are referred to. Some had endured "being
made a gazing stock...by reproaches and afflictions" while others became
"partakers with them that were so used". Those who had not been made a public
spectacle in this persecution had compassion and offered help to those who were
persecuted, even though such put them in a position where they also could have
been "made a gazing stock". Out of love they had "ministered unto the saints"
(6:10). They also "took joyfully" the spoiling of their physical possessions.
Because of their faith in Christ and their support of those who were made a
gazing stock, they suffered loss of the things of this world. They endured such
losses "joyfully" because they knew a possession was awaiting them which was
both "better" and "abiding" (see also Matt.6:19-21). The words of Jesus may also
have been on their mind, "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they
shall separate you from their company, and reproach you, and cast out your name
as evil, for the Son
of man's sake. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy: for behold, your reward is
great in heaven" (Lk.6:22,23). Because of their faith in Christ they suffered
persecutions. They are commended for their endurance of such persecutions.
Having commended them for their faithfulness and endurance in "former days" the
Hebrew author now encourages them to maintain their boldness and develop
patience (10:35-39). Earlier in this epistle the author said, "but Christ as a
son, over his house; whose house are we, if we hold fast our boldness and the
glorying of our hope firm unto the end" (3:6). He encouraged them to maintain
boldness to be identified as God's house. Here he tells them maintaining that
boldness
will bring "great recompense of reward". Note again the words of Jesus in Luke
6:23: "Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy: for behold, your reward is great
in
heaven". This boldness had helped them before to endure persecutions and it
would prove helpful for such in the future.
They needed to be patient to be able to fulfill the will of God and in the end
"receive the promise". Earlier he told them to be "imitators of them who through
faith
and patience inherit the promises" (6:12). He said of Abraham, "having patiently
endured, he obtained the promise" (6:15). Abraham, through his descendants,
received God's promised rest. The Hebrews needed to maintain their boldness and
develop patience so they could receive the promised rest yet remaining (cf.4:1).
They needed to understand "the Lord is not slack concerning his promise" (11
Pet.3:9). Habakkuk 2:3,4 is used to encourage them to be patient: "yet a very
little
while, He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry." In using this passage
the Hebrew writer apparently has in mind the coming of Jesus in judgment upon
the nation of Israel (see 12:25-27; Matt.24; Rev.22:7,20), which coming occurred
in 70 A.D. In their patience they are to live by faith, not turning back to the
old ways. He expresses confidence in his readers when he says, "we are not of
them that shrink back unto perdition: but of them that have faith unto the
saving of the soul." He expresses confidence in their living by faith and in so
doing encourages them to continue steadfastly in the life of a Christian.
In closing the chapter he spoke of those who had "faith unto the saving of the
soul." In chapter 11 he gives numerous examples of those who lived by faith and
in so
doing illustrates to the Hebrews, and to us, what kind of faith we must have to
save our soul. Such examples will prove very useful in encouraging the Hebrews
to
remain faithful unto Christ.
By Alex Ogden
From Expository Files 1.10; October, 1994
