The Severest Warning Against Apostasy
The writer of Hebrews argues for the superiority of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, over all other entities and institutions. Jesus is greater than all. To receive the knowledge of the truth (Heb 10:26), as it is in Jesus (Eph 4:21), is a marvelous grace brought to God’s elect redeemed people by the Holy Spirit.
There are, however, five warnings issued in the New Testament Epistle to the Hebrews. Hebrews 10:26–31 is the most severe. The audience in receipt of this letter/sermon were Christian Jews in the first century A.D. The temptation to return to Judaism troubled Jewish followers of Jesus because of the powerful allure of teachings, traditions, and community/family peer pressure.
Whether one is a Jew or a Gentile, the main problem is sin. Sin is lawlessness (1 Jn 3:4). There is only one Law-giver and Judge who is able to save or destroy (Jas 4:12). Therefore, it is imperative to understand that sinners die because death is a consequence of sinful rebellion against God (Rom 6:23). Jesus warned that eternal punishment in fiery hell awaited those judged by the Word of God on the last day (Mt 25:41, 46; Jn 12:48; Jude 7). The sons of Adam, conceived in sin (Ps 51:5; Rom 5:12), living and dying in sin are condemned from the outset (Jn 3:18; Rom 5:16).
To hear the Gospel of salvation, but then to reject the Word of God is utter futility because there is only one way into right standing with God the Father. Jesus Christ, the righteous, is the way (Jer 23:6; Jn 14:6; 1 Jn 2:1); and only His sacrifice of Himself on the cross delivers sinners from the judgment and wrath to come (1 Thess 1:10; Heb 7:27; 9:26). This is the irreversible judgment by fire (2 Pet 3:7–12; Rev 20:14–15). One remains an enemy of God if willful sinning is the continuing way (10:26–27).
The writer employs an argument that moves from a lesser example to a greater example of judgment (10:28–29). In the Law of God, a criminal offense that brought a death sentence required two or three witnesses. A death penalty offense invited a severe judgment and punishment. The author’s audience would have been very familiar with this sequence of justice. The greater argument is that rejection of the Person and work of Christ warrants a far more severe judgment and punishment. God’s exclusive way of salvation — the Son of God shedding His blood for the forgiveness of sins — is the message brought forth by the Spirit of grace (10:29). It is a message to be believed and held fast to the end of days.
Three punishable crimes are listed in Hebrews 10:29. First, when one hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ and then rejects it, he is rejecting Him. To trample someone is to walk all over him. With every hearing of the Gospel of God, it is a fresh footprint atop the Son of God.
Second, the very cleansing agent for sin is the blood of the covenant, which was shed by the Son of God on the cross of Calvary (Mt 26:28). It is wicked to judge the precious blood of Jesus as unclean (1 Pet 1:19). God accepts no other form of payment for any sin to be forgiven. There is also no other agent for one’s conscience to be cleansed (Heb 9:14; 10:22).
Third, it is the God of all grace who has sent the Holy Spirit to reveal the Son of God and His purification of sins to us. Rejecting Jesus Christ, and His perfect work of redemption, is called an “insult” (Gk. enubrisas) to the Spirit of grace. God’s grace is called “glorious” and it is worthy of all praise.
If the Spirit of Christ bears witness of Christ, then to deny the testimony of the Spirit and the Word of truth is to call God a liar, which amounts to blasphemy (Mt 12:32; Lk 12:10). This is the unforgivable sin that results in God’s vengeance against His enemies (10:30).
The Jewish people were chosen by Yahweh to serve Him. Instead, they served as an example of unbelief and disobedience, following the pattern of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Thus, the Lord judges the Jews by the same standard He does for all people (10:30). The Savior of God’s chosen people, Jew and Gentile, is Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).
The advantages Yahweh gave to His covenant people did not help them because of weakness in their sinful flesh. Ethnic Israel serves as a foil for the true Israel who is Jesus Christ, our only hope (Is 49:1–6; 1 Tim 1:1; Col 1:27). The knowledge of the truth points us to God who is true (Rom 3:4) and to His perfect Son, who is Himself the truth (Jn 14:6).
The writer of Hebrews explicitly warns, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (10:31); therefore, let us humble ourselves before the Almighty with reverential fear, knowing from this revelation from God’s holy Word that there is truly hell to pay if one continues in sin, for our God is a consuming fire (Heb 12:29), who has promised to exact His vengeance upon all who despise His perfect Son (Dt 32:25; Rom 12:19; Heb 10:30).
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
March 12, 2024
Hebrews 10:26–31
