Hebrews 10

Hebrews 10:19-11

Divine Service - Hebrews 10:19 to Hebrews 11:40 emphasizes our divine service based upon the available priesthood of Jesus Christ who ever lives to intercede for the saints. Hebrews 10:19-25 reflects back upon the message contained in Hebrews 5:1 to Hebrews 10:18 by telling us how we are to respond to Jesus’ present-day ministry as our Great High Priest. The previous discussion explained the superior priesthood of Jesus (Hebrews 7:1-28) and His superior sacrifice (Hebrews 8:1 to Hebrews 10:18). We now have the access and boldness to enter into the holy place because of His one-time blood sacrifice (Hebrews 10:19-20) and because He now intercedes for us as our Great High Priest (Hebrews 10:21). We now can maintain our sanctification: spirit, soul, and body. We can draw near to God and serve Him with a pure heart (Hebrews 10:22), and hold fast our confession, reflecting our mental decisions (Hebrews 10:23), and walk in love towards others, which indicates our physical actions (Hebrews 10:24-25). The author then gives a warning against falling away in Hebrews 10:26-39 for those who refuse to decide to this great revelation of the depth of his redemption in Christ Jesus. The author supports his opening exhortation (Hebrews 10:19-39) by giving the example of those who served God under the Old Covenant in order to reach glorification by their persevering faith in God (Hebrews 11:1-40). Outline – Here is a proposed outline:

1. 4th Exhortation: Good Works — Hebrews 10:19-392. 4th Doctrinal Discourse — Hebrews 11:1-40

Hebrews 10:26-39

Warning Against Drawing Back – Hebrews 10:26-39 gives a warning against drawing back, or falling away to those who may decide not to draw near unto God and hold fast their confession of faith in Christ, denying the high priesthood and atonement of Jesus Christ that was explained in Hebrews 6:1 to Hebrews 10:18. We have similar statements in Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 6:4-6; Hebrews 12:15; Hebrews 12:25. Hebrews 6:4-6 and Hebrews 10:26-31 contain a similar statement, that those who turn away from God willfully after knowing the truth cannot find repentance a second time. Between these two statements is a lengthy doctrinal discourse on the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ, which reveals that His offering secured eternal redemption for mankind once and for all. Therefore, Jesus Christ cannot make a second offering for sin. The Purpose of this Warning - The teaching that the author of Hebrew has made in 6-10 about the priesthhood of Jesus Christ and the believer’s responsibility to draw near to the throne of God is so contradictory to the Law, in such conflict to the mindset of the Jews who have lived under the Law for the past fifteen hundred years, that he concludes it with a stern warning. It would be natural for a Jew to walk away and say that this is impossible to be true, to throw aside the Law and accept a life of grace alone without some form of works. He would be strongly inclined to believe that a Christian still had to do something to earn access to God’s acceptance and love. Yet, God has put all of the sins of mankind upon His Son, and there is no wrath and condemnation left for us, His children. Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, Hebrews 10:26 — “after that we have received the knowledge of the truth” – Comments - This phrase describes someone who has at one time embraced Jesus Christ as the Messiah, describing the five stages listed in Hebrews 6:4-5 that a mature believer attains. Hebrews 10:26 — “there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins” – Comments - Under the Levitical priesthood, there was always next year when the high priest entered the holy of holies to atone for the sins of the people. However, in Christ the sacrifice was made once for all. Hebrews 10:26 — Comments - In Hebrews 6:1-3 the author discusses with them about going on further into the truth of God’s Word, partaking of meat and no longer milk. He warns them in Hebrews 6:4-6 of the dangers of rejecting this truth once it has been imparted. This revelation truth of Jesus being our Great High Priest was then presented in Hebrews 7:1 to Hebrews 10:18. This is why we find a similar statement to Hebrews 10:26 in Hebrews 6:4-6, which says: “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” If a person has met these five conditions of (1) being enlightened unto their need for salvation, (2) tasting of the gift of salvation, (3) being filled with the Holy Spirit, (4) having grown in the knowledge of God’s Word, and (5) having exercised the supernatural gifts of the Spirit, if he should go back into the world, he cannot come back to the Lord in repentance. This is exactly what Hebrews 10:26 is saying. Thus, the revelation of the knowledge of the truth that a person must receive before falling away without repentance being available is listed in Hebrews 6:4-6. Hebrews 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Hebrews 10:28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Hebrews 10:28 — Comments – In Hebrews 10:28 the author provides an Old Testament example of God’s fiery judgment and devouring of adversaries. Although there were many offences under the Law that made a provision for an atonement through a sacrifice, Hebrews 10:28 is referring to those extreme examples of rebellion in order to explain how believers under the new covenant can also turn in rebellion against Christ. For example, the man who was picking up sticks on the Sabbath day was stoned (Numbers 15:32-36). The Law also required that if a person entices another to serve other pagan gods, he would be stoned (Deuteronomy 13:6-11; Deuteronomy 17:2-7). If a person offered his children in sacrifice to pagan gods, he was to be stoned (Leviticus 20:2). If a person operated in witchcraft, he was to be stoned (Leviticus 20:27).

If a person blasphemed God, he was to be stoned (Leviticus 24:10-23). Korah gathered a group of men to rebel against Moses, and God opened the earth and swallowed them up (Numbers 16:1-34). Achan stole some items from the city of Jericho, and he was stoned (Joshua 7:1-26). Although these Israelis were a part of the covenant between Israel and God, having a hope of redemption, some of them fell back in rebellion and were judged by God. Thus, the author has an Old Testament analogy of a New Testament truth under the new covenant. Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Hebrews 10:29 — “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy” – Comments - They will be worthy of God’s fierce judgment. This shows God’s holiness and righteous judgment. Hebrews 10:29 — “and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace” – Comments – Doing despite means to insult or outrage. We see an example of this in Matthew 12:32, “And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” Hebrews 10:29 — Comments – Three acts are listed here that are done against God:

1. Trodden underfoot the Son of God
2. Counted the blood of the covenant as an unholy thing
3. Done despite unto the Spirit of grace Paul is exhorting them not to fall under such rebellion (Hebrews 6:9). Hebrews 6:9, “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.” Note God’s same wrath against His covenant-breaking children in Deuteronomy 29:19-20. Deuteronomy 29:19-20, “And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.” God is the same yesterday and today. He does not change. Malachi 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Illustration: 1 Samuel 3:14, “And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.” Hebrews 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. Hebrews 10:30 — “For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord” – Comments - The statement in Hebrews 10:30 regarding vengeance belonging to the Lord can apply to parenting. A child tends to take upon himself acts of vengeance and retribution. He is to be disciplined for such behaviour and learn to let his parents apply punishment for those who have done wrong in a household. One reason for this is that a child is incapable of correctly judging the full situation and applying correct judgment. God gave parents the roll of discipline in the home because they can see a bigger picture of how to properly instill discipline in wrongdoing. In the same way, God sees the big picture when we are done wrong, and He alone reserves the right to inflict judgment. Hebrews 10:30 — Comments - Hebrews 10:30 addresses those who for sake God. There is a judgment from God that is certain to come for those who draw back from the Christian faith. This judgment is also referred to in Hebrews 10:27. Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31 — Comments - We easily apply this verse to the judgment of the lost sinner. But God’s judgment is very much a part of the believer’s life. When a believer lives, he must constantly be willing to judge himself, lest he be judged by God (1 Corinthians 11:32). 1 Corinthians 11:32, “But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” When a believer dies he must fact judgment on the words that he has done in this life. Note: 1 Corinthians 3:13, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” Hebrews 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” The context of this passage is talking about the believer. Therefore, this verse applies to the believer as well as to the sinner Hebrews 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Hebrews 10:32 — “after ye were illuminated” – Comments - The Greek word φωτίζω (G5461) is used twice in the epistle of Hebrews (Hebrews 6:4; Hebrews 10:32). This word describes the same event of those who have been enlightened by the Holy Spirit to the revelation of Jesus Christ through the preaching of the Gospel. Hebrews 6:4, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,” Hebrews 10:33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. Hebrews 10:33 — “Partly… and partly” – Comments - They endured a great struggle of suffering in two ways:
4. Themselves being persecuted.
5. Being ridiculed because of helping those who were persecuted. Hebrews 10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Hebrews 10:34 — Word Study on “in my bonds” – Many modern English versions translate the phrase “in my bonds” as a verb used substantivally: “on the prisoners” (RSV), “on them that were in bonds” (ASV), “with those in prison” (NIV). Hebrews 10:34 — Comments - Although the average believer recognizes obvious abuses of love in his Christian life, there is a deeper walk with the Lord where we become much more sensitive to walking in love with others. In 1 Thessalonians 4:10 Paul exhorts the believers to strive to grow in their love walk by saying “that ye increase more and more.” John the apostles defines this type of mature love as “perfect love” (1 John 4:18). John explains that it means a believe can come to the place where he no longer makes decisions based on the fear of man, but he strives to please God in pure love and devotion to Him as all costs. We find an excellent example of mature, self-less love in the life of Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1:15-18). In contrast to Phygellus and Hermogenes, who were ashamed of Paul’s bonds and hid their faith in Christ for fear of Roman persecutions, Onesiphorus boldly kept the faith in the face of possible persecutions, even going as far as visiting Paul during his Roman imprisonment, which Luke mentions in general in Acts 28:30. Onesiphorus walked in self-less love, while many others in Asia were self-centered because they were moved by fear. 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” We find another example in Hebrews 10:32-34, where the author describes the persecutions endured by these believers because of their faith in Christ. Their goods were plundered by those who were persecuting them (Note Jesus’ commandment on this issue of the spoiling of their goods in Luke 6:30.) Despite such persecutions, these Hebrew saints were not ashamed of Paul’s bonds. Luke 6:30, “Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.” Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. Hebrews 10:35 — Comments – The same Greek word παῤῥησία (G3954) (boldness, confidence) was used in Hebrews 10:19, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,” and it is used again in Hebrews 10:35, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.” Our confidence, or boldness, gives us the courage to enter into God’s presence and seek help in time of need, as stated in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need,” where we find παῤῥησία used again. Without this confidence, we would withdraw back from God in fear, being more conscience of our sins that of Jesus’ blood sacrifice that has already paid for these sins. We are to have no consciousness of sin as God’s children. Our faith is a practical expression of our confidence that we have in God and His Word. The devil is after this confidence in God. Sin makes men cowards through condemnation. This statement in Hebrews 10:35 is a good example of Mar 4:17 in the sense that those believers who become offended lose their confidence towards God. 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.” Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. Hebrews 10:36 — Scripture Reference - Note: Hebrews 6:12, “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Hebrews 10:37 — Comments - The Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, among other passages of Scripture, tells us about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Hebrews 10:38 — “Now the just shall live by faith” - Comments - Faith will be defined in Hebrews 11:1 with an emphasis on perseverance, rather than on salvation, as in the epistle of Romans. “but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him” - Comments – The author of Hebrews has exhorted to come boldly unto the throne of grace through the one-time sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We are not to draw back in fear, believing that our sins have blocked our access to God. Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:39 — “But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition” – Comments - The word “perdition” refers to eternal damnation. These believers could shrink back and lose their salvation. Illustrations: Lot’s wife became a pillar of salt for looking back: Genesis 19:17, “And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” Jesus warns of looking back: Luke 9:62, “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” The children of Israel looked back to Egypt in the wilderness: Numbers 14:1-4, “And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.” Mark 4:13-20 - Afflictions and cares of this world cause us to look back and not enter into rest. As believers, we have a better option than to look back: John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Hebrews 10:39 — “but of them that believe to the saving of the soul” – Comments - How do we believe to the saving of the soul? We do this by taking God’s Word as a part of our lifestyles (James 1:21). The next chapter is an illustration of those who lived by faith to the saving of their soul. James 1:21, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” Hebrews 10:39 — Comments - Paul is exhorting these Hebrews to press on and not to draw back as in Hebrews 6:9. Thus, we have a choice, to draw back, or to press on by faith. Hebrews 6:9, “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.” He will define this type of persevering faith in Hebrews 11:1, then he will go through the Old Testament Scriptures and cite many examples of those who persevered by faith and received God’s promises.