The Warning Passages in Hebrews

Another AOMin email =). Thought you might enjoy this one also. I was asked how to properly understand Hebrews 10:26.

Hello Matt,

Excellent Question.

First, let's consider the context of the book of Hebrews. The writer is addressing Jewish believers about the passing away of the Old Covenant and the newness of the New Covenant. He charges them to remember the surpremacy of Christ's ministry and that there is no Old Covenent to go back to.

In Hebrews 2:1-5 we read:

Hebrews 2:1-5 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. ² For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, ³ how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, ⁴ God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. ⁵ For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking. (NASB)

The writer urges them to pay closer attention to what they had heard (the gospel), so that they wouldn't drift away from it.

We again see this urging to continue in the truth ...

Hebrews 4:14-16 ¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (NASB)

Christ is the Great High Priest of this New Covenant who fulfilled the Old Covenant Law. We can also approach the throne of grace in our time of need - therefore, "let us hold fast our confession," wrote the writer of Hebrews.

The writer blatantly informs us of the superiority of the New Covenent:

Hebrews 8:6 ⁶ But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. (NASB)

And finally, before we reach 10:26, he continues with his theme in the preceding three verses:

Hebrews 10:23-25 ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; ²⁴ and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, ²⁵ not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (NASB)

He brings out something new here: Christians ought to continue meeting together for worship. Apparently some had been forsaking the gatherings. The local church is an intimate part of the believer's life. There is no such thing as a "lone ranger" type Christian. The reason for this is that we are to encourage one another in the faith. Not only do believers in Christ enjoy being around other believers, but we need to spur one another on to good deeds (including our belief in the Savior).

Now we reach 10:26-27:

Hebrews 10:26-27 ²⁶ For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. (NASB)

Having considered much of the context of the book of Hebrews, I need to point out one another important thing ... the writer of this epistle did not have God's ability to look into the hearts and minds of his audience. He did not have the certainty that God has as to whether his entire audience were true believers in Christ. Now then ... I believe that the proper way to understand this text is with an understanding that this is a warning to his readers. If one continues on in their sins after receiving the truth, he can expect a wrathful day on the Day of Judgment. Such warnings are means to encourage unbelievers towards repentance unto life, as well as the further sanctification of believers.

Another warning passage in this epistle can be found in Hebrews 6:

Hebrews 6:4-9 ⁴ For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, ⁶ and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. ⁷ For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; ⁸ but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned. ⁹ But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. (NASB)

The writer refers to those who have once been enlightened to the truth of the gospel (verses 1-2) but then abandon the truth (verse 6). If these should fall away, and again trample the truth of God underfoot, God gives a warning that He will not again bring them to repentance. Verse 9 informs us that the writer is distinguishing apostates from true believers: "But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation..." The apostates in Heb 6:4-9 are those mentioned in chapter 3, verses 16-19 - the ones who did not mix what they heard (the promises of God) with faith. The warning in this text, as well as Hebrews 10, serves as a warning to the unbelieving reader, and as a warning to the believing reader.

Scripture speaks elsewhere about apostates:

1 John 2:19 ¹⁹ They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. (NASB)

Those who persevere in their sin and thus abandon God's church and His truth were never really born of the Spirit of God. Their going out is a clear demonstration of this.

On a related note, I need to say that each and every time a believer sins, he does so willingly does he not? We choose to sin. Yet, as God's people we are no longer slaves to sin, though we still have the remaining sinful flesh (Romans 7:14-17). So we are left battling sin until our death (or the glorious return of our Savior). And it is a battle. We spend our entire lives trying to obey God's commandments, to become more sanctified, to improve our personal holiness each day.

If one is looking for assurance in their salvation, look to Christ. Our Lord is a merciful God and delights in forgiving sinners. Once sin is confessed, put it behind you and press on so that you might honor God.

I hope this was beneficial for you. If you have further questions, or if there is anything else I can do for you, please let me know.

In Christ,
Casey Ryan
AOMin