You might call such a person a Prodigal Son in reverse. Such a person faces ostracism, opposition, ridicule, and maybe even death. Though the author of Hebrews is unknown (many suspect it was Paul), the writer obviously had an exhaustive knowledge of the Old Testament since a great many Old Testament themes and citations are used. By David J. Stewart Then the emphasis is on ‘wilfully ‘and on continuance in sin. We know this because of the title, but also because so much of the book is explained by the understanding that the readers were Jewish. For if we sin wilfully; rather, are wilfully continuing in sin. Apostasy is an intentional falling away or defection. He bases his request on “your lovingkindness” (חֶ֫סֶד hesed). As the context shows (cf. He frames his entire point around the nation of Israel’s experience in the wilderness as i… FOR WHOM DOES HEBREWS 10:26-31 TEACH A “PUNISHMENT WORSE THAN DEATH”? Hebrews 10:26 envisions something much more serious–a deliberate, premeditated rejection of Christ. Hebrews 10:26. Hebrews 10:26-31 The Message (MSG) 26-31 If we give up and turn our backs on all we’ve learned, all we’ve been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! He is the one who made the way into the Holy of Holies so that the rest of us could follow into God’s presence (Hebrews 10:19–20). The author of Hebrews is speaking to a group of Christians who know the Mosaic Covenant and have placed their faith in Jesus as the Messiah. "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." Hebrews 10:26. Do you have any thoughts or questions about this post? Better and Lasting Possessions (Hebrews 10:32-34) Hebrews 10:35-36. We know how hard it is for a Muslim to give up Islam and become a Christ-follower. But one day he begins to have doubts. Hebrews 10:26 can only be understood in its near context (and in the context of the book of Hebrews). Does Hebrews 10:26 mean that a believer can lose salvation? We’ve already believed and been reborn, birth is final. He repeatedly quotes the Psalms and the Prophets in areas regarding the history of the Hebrews as if they know them. The whole idea of “deliberate” sin doesn’t involve things like saying a swear word or skipping church or being in a bad mood or missing an appointment. Hebrews 10:26, NASB: "For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins," Hebrews 10:26, NLT : "Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins." If Jesus isn’t enough for you, then nothing your old life offers will satisfy and there is no other way your sins can be forgiven. First of all there is no ‘if’ in the passage; it is stated as an actual case, not a supposed one. with a true heart--without hypocrisy; "in truth, and with a perfect heart"; a heart thoroughly imbued with "the truth" ( Hebrews 10:26). Now, the Hebrew writer turns in verse 26 to what will happen if we do not heed his exhortation. Here’s a relevant example. It’s about renouncing Christ after knowing him and following him and then decisively turning your back on him. 22. 26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Maybe he misses the daily calls to prayer. See Strong's #2617. Cf. v. 23), the author was concerned here, as throughout the epistle, with the danger of defection from the faith. It is often translated mercy, kindness, or lovingkindness. What is the purpose of the warning passages in Scripture. That sort of thing does happen from time to time. John Grisham’s Advice to Aspiring Writers, Subscribe to Pastor Ray’s blog by email », Frequently Asked Questions (about the Bible and life). The Hebrew word hesed חֶ֫סֶד is found 249 times in 239 verses in the Hebrew Bible. Apostasy is an intentional falling away or defection. What is the sin spoken of in Hebrews 10:26? For our purposes, let’s focus on Hebrews 10:26, “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.» Context here is all-important. Apostates are those who move toward Christ, right up to the edge of saving belief, who hear and understand the Gospel, and are on the verge of saving faith, but then reject what they have learned and turn away. And the mosque starts looking good to him. Therefore, when the writer said in Hebrews 10:26, “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,” he is talking about those who had received the knowledge of the truth but were rejecting it–not that they were saved and lost their salvation. Barnes's Hebrews 10:26 Bible Commentary For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth - If after we are converted and become true Christians we should apostatize, it would be impossible to be recovered again, for there would be no other sacrifice for sin; no way by which we could be saved. 3. The passage, together with Hebrews 10:26-29, Matthew 12:32, 1John 5:16 (see the Notes), occupied an important place in early controversies, as those of the Montanists and Novatians, who refused absolution to those who, after baptism—or, in the language of the early Church, after “illumination” (Hebrews 6:4)—fell into heinous sin. The Purpose of the Book of Hebrews. Hebrews 10:26 “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,” Explanation and Commentary of Hebrews 10:26. Maybe he misses his family. Hebrews 10:29 NASB A person who continues in conduct, thoughts, and words that by their nature deny Christ, reject grace, spurn redemption, and push away the Holy Spirit is certainly flirting with spiritual disaster of the most severe kind. This is not blind faith—on the contrary, most of the content of this letter is evidence supporting the fact that Jesus Christ is, in fact, God's ultimate plan for our salvation. I believe that is what the gospels point out. Only God does. The KJV translation here, “if we sin willfully,” is superior to NIV’s if we deliberately keep on sinning, as the words “keep on” overplay the Greek tense. Hebrews 3:12 , 2 Kings 21:16 ; and the violation, not of the law, Hebrews 10:28 , but of the whole economy of the New Testament, Hebrews 10:29 . He references the Levitical priesthood and its details regarding atonement as if they understand what he’s talking about. It says that animal sacrifices won’t help if believers count Christ’s blood as insufficient. The source of the enlightenment is , the result is repentance and faith, Hebrews 6:1. First, I would not separate Hebrews 4:13 from Hebrews 4:12. We must understand that the book of Hebrews was written to Jewish believers. The word "willfully" is from the Greek word hekousios, it means: "voluntary, of one's own accord." Maybe he is just tired of the pressure. But suppose that a Muslim becomes a Christ-follower and not only follows Jesus but begins to grow, to learn, to deepen his faith. Thus, by "the house of God," over which Jesus is, heaven is included in meaning, as well as the Church, whose home it is. By James T. Bartsch. When Hebrews 10:26 says “no sacrifice for sins is left,” it means “If you reject Christ after claiming to know him, there is no place else for you to go.” If you turn your back on Jesus, going back to the synagogue (the situation faced by the first-century readers of Hebrews) or the mosque (as in my example) will not help you. J. PAUL TANNER Research Professor, BEE World Tyler, Texas Hebrews 10:26-31 stands as one of the most difficult passages to in-terpret in the entire NT. To receive the knowledge of the truth does not mean they are saved. also 2 Corinthians 4:4 and Ephesians 1:18. It is a Dreadful Thing to Fall into The Hands of the Living God (Hebrews 10:28-31) Hebrews 10:32-34. What does it mean to 'fall from grace' (Galatians 5:4)? This is the only unforgivable sin and it’s impossible for a Christian to commit it. The one and only sin mentioned in the first ten chapters of Hebrews is unbelief. When Hebrews 10:26 says “no sacrifice for sins is left,” it means “If you reject Christ after claiming to know him, there is no place else for you to go.” If you turn your back on Jesus, going back to the synagogue (the situation faced by the first-century readers of Hebrews) or the mosque (as in my example) will not help you. An Examination of Hebrews 10:26-31 and its Larger Context. Hebrews 10:26-29 New International Version (NIV). The Cross and Salvation: The Doctrine of Salvation by Bruce Demarest. Apostates are those who move toward Christ, right … Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus is the “pioneer” of our faith. Hebrews 10:26 (NKJV) For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, The "if" here is a third class condition meaning: "maybe yes, maybe no." Hesed חֶ֫סֶד in the Hebrew Bible, Survey of Literature and Summary. The author of Hebrews says that the Israelites perished in the desert when after receiving the law of Moses, they disobeyed it. Can a Christian lose their salvation? 2. Hebrews 10:26 doesn’t say Christ’s sacrifice isn’t sufficient for you (or anyone else). Hebrews 10:26 can be read by believers fearlessly. Hebrews 10 is not talking about normal Christian growth and the struggles we all face. No one knows when that time will come. Lots of issues here, and I begin by acknowledging the fierce debate surrounding the proper interpretation of the “warning passages” in Hebrews. What does it mean to work out salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12)? We know this because… 1. All contributions are tax-deductible. That is, if we fail to draw near, hold fast, and consider one another–things that we KNOW we should do–the Hebrew writer considers this failure to be sinning … If you have a Facebook account, you may comment below: Keep Believing Ministries is a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! The thought that there is a sin one can commit that results in God’s fiery judgment as a punishment worse than death is A. Does Matthew 7:21-23 mean that believers can lose salvation? It is a word which needs to be noted. The book of Hebrews is meant to encourage Christians not to give up on their faith. Let’s further suppose that he becomes a pastor and preaches the Word of God. Ἑκουσίως , wilfully ) For after the truth has been acknowledged , the excuse of ignorance is taken away.— ἁμαρτανόντων , if we sin ) To sin here means entire revolt or apostasy from GOD, Hebrews 10:29 , ch. Paul's essential purpose in writing this book is to pull Jewish believers away from continuing in the temple ritual now that that ritual had been fulfilled in the incarnation, life, and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The book of Hebrews was, of course, written to the Hebrew people. He is the one who blazed the trail. Hebrews 10:26-29 warns against the sin of apostasy. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Hebrews 10:26-29 warns against the sin of apostasy. "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). One day he begins to think, “Maybe I was wrong about Jesus.” One day the price seems too high for him. ( Hebrews 4:16, 7:19.) 10:26-27. In my judgment it’s not talking about what we call “backsliding” into sin. If you continue on sinning willfully, there IS a point in which God will turn you over to a reprobate mind - Romans 1:28. When persecution and fear put pressure on believers, our response should be to "hold fast" to the truth. So he gives in, gives up his pastorate, leaves the church, “de-converts” and returns to Islam and makes a big show of it. Suppose he joins a Christian church, endures the opposition, faces the ridicule, knows that his family despises him but continues to grow in grace. 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