To Be One in Christ: We Have Treasure in the Jars of Clay -- the Series of Explanation and Analysis of Scripture (15) - 10 - part II
The Explanation and Analysis of the Verses in Chapter 10 of HEBREWS
It is edited and compiled under the guidance of Holy Spirit. All thanks, praises and glories be to God!
The WARNINGS on the Salvation: (IV) The dangers of keeping on sinning deliberately (10:26-39)
(1) Warns against those who keep on sinning deliberately (10:26-31)
(2) Encourages that the believers should move on bravely (10:32-39)
A. Praises them for giving up themselves in the past for the sake of LORD (10:32-34)
B. Encourages them the attitudes that they should keep now (10:35-39)
(1) Warns against those who keep on sinning deliberately (10:26-31)
Heb 10:26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,
(NOTES)
“we”: refer to all who have received the knowledge of the truth -- the believers.
“deliberately keep on sinning ”:
It is certainly more severe than sinning unintentionally. Here, “deliberately keep on sinning”, indicates to do something one knows is wrong and disobey the words of God. All wrongdoing is sin (1Jo 5:16-17), and there is sin that does not lead to death. One should repent and mend one’s way, compensate the wrongdoings, and pray to confess one’s sins.
“sacrifice for sins ”:
refers to Christ’s sacrifice as the sin offerings -- the accomplishments of redemption by the sacrifice of Christ Himself (Heb 7:27; 9:12; 10:12-14).
“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left”:
If we keep on sinning deliberately and do not repent, that will go beyond the category of the righteous forgiveness of God and lose the salvation. The redemption from LORD Jesus Christ is to rescue us from the sins and evils, but absolutely not to give the excuse for anyone to do sins and evils; we must not abuse the grace and should not live in the sins any more. We must make every effort to pursue Holiness in Christ and be away from the sins and evils.
Heb 10:27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
(NOTES)
For those who keep on sinning deliberately and do not repent, they certainly can only tremble with fear to wait for the judgment of God. This judgment is the judgment to convict and punish the sinners.
“raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. ”: “raging fire ” refers to the fire of destruction; “the enemies of God” are those who are against and disobey God.
Note: whoever sins is the enemy of God (Rom 5:8-10). Those who sin deliberately and are not willing to repent, and those who refuse and disobey God, are the enemies of God; just as the devil is deliberately against God. Their ending is only “raging fire ”.
“only” shows that these people have no chance to be saved anymore; same as the verses of (6:6-8) “if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss ... is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. ”.
Heb 10:28-29 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?
(NOTES)
According to the records on (Num 35:30; Deu 17:6; 19:15), whoever violates the law of Moses, will be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Here, this incident is cited to prove that the sin of trampling the Son of God is more severe. Moses is only a servant of God. He can only see the back of God in the glory of God (Exo 33:19-23). The covenant of law that he passed on to the Israelites, is established only through the blood of bulls and goats. Those who carry out these laws are also the same as the average people, and they themselves are the priests of men’s world who are “subject to weakness”. However, Christ is the Son of God; He is the LORD who is equal to God with the same glory and is One in God. The new covenant that He established with us, is established through His blood of redemption; the one who gives the grace of the new covenant to people, is not the men of flesh, but is the Holy Spirit. Thus, even men who violate the laws of Moses died without mercy; how much worse punishments one will be judged to deserve if he looks down on the grace of the new covenant of God? Here, it lists three facts of sins so that the believers can understand through their own conscience that such people deserve more severe punishments:
A. who has trampled the Son of God under foot:
It refers to those who insult the Son of God with worst and rudest manner, and mistreat the Son of God with the cruelest method. If one unintentionally tramples the feet of someone who has certain position on earth, he will be warned for that. No mention who has trampled the Son of God under foot? See also verse (6:6) “they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” It is known that the sin that “has trampled the Son of God under foot” and the sin that “they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” are actually the same. In both cases, they know the truth while go astray from it deliberately.
B. who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him:
It refer to those who look down on the accomplishments of the redemption of the blood of Christ, and regard the shedding blood and death of Christ as common thing without surpassing value over the ordinary people; or think that it is similar to the blood of the bulls and goats in the old covenant, and is only a symbol of shedding blood without respecting it as the blood of redemption. This disrespectful manner crosses out the significance and value of the sacrifice of Christ for men. Not only they themselves can not share in redemption of Christ, but also defile the salvation of Christ. It is actually adding a lot more sins to themselves.
C. who has insulted the Spirit of grace:
The Holy Spirit gives the redemption accomplished by Christ to people. If one insults the Holy Spirit, refuses and disobeys the inspiration and work of the Holy Spirit (Mat 12:31; Act 7:51), although they used to be enlightened, have received the knowledge of the truth, and understand the power of God, they still do not sincerely accept the grace given by the Holy Spirit, and fall away from the truth. They certainly have no hope to be saved any more, and they can only wait for the “fire of the judgment”.
A summary of these 3 sins is that even though they know the truth and grace of the redemption, they still willingly keep on sinning deliberately without repentance. For such people, their punishments are “more heavier”. These three verses explain the reason of verse 26: “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, ”. It is because the grace of the redemption of Christ is the only effective way of salvation for us, as to those “who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? ”, they reject the salvation and redemption of Christ, and certainly have no way to be saved.
Heb 10:30 For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people."
(NOTES)
The upper verse: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” is cited from (Deu 32:36; Psa 94:1; Psa 135:14); the latter verse: “The Lord will judge his people” (Psa 50:4); both indicate that those in the above verses who fall away from truth will eventually be punished by God, and absolutely won’t be exempt from the heavy punishments they deserved. It is because God will judge His people, and separate those who fall away from His people. This verse implies that as to those who fall away from the truth in the above verses, not only they reject the salvation for themselves, blaspheme the blood of Christ and Holy Spirit, but also make those belong to Christ suffered. Therefore, the author said with comforts that: “For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," ” We know that who spoke these words is the almighty, holy and righteous God. Therefore, He will put His words into effect; He will take the revenge for His “Son”, and will revenge for the sufferings of all who are redeemed by Christ to become His children but are mistreated by those who fall away from the truth. These words are the severe warning to those who fall away from the truth, but are great comforts to those who suffered for the truth.
Heb 10:31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
(NOTES)
This verse is a fearful warning to those who keep on sinning deliberately without repentance. The hand of the living God, is the safest and most peaceful place for those who trust in Christ, for no one can snatch them out of the hand of the living God (Joh 10:28-29); however, the hand of the living God is dreadful to those who disobey and resist God. They absolutely can not escape the hand of the living God, and no one can “rescue” them from the punishments that God will give them.
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ” (Mat 10:28) We must fear the almighty, most high, most honorable and most holy God, and shun evil (Pro 3:7; 8:13).
Note that the fourth warning is much more severe than the first three ones. However, there are still some comforts and encouragements. As to the five serious warnings in this book, all of them have some words to comfort the believers.
(2) Encourages that the believers should move on bravely (10:32-39)
A. Praises them for giving up themselves in the past for the sake of LORD (10:32-34)
Heb 10:32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering.
(NOTES)
“Remember those earlier days”:
Remember the days in the past; they are not like those in verse (6:4), who are enlightened but reject the light they have seen. They are those who suffered for the truth that enlightened them. It is obvious that they not only are enlightened, but also accept the light of Gospel sincerely into them and fight and suffer bravely for Gospel.
Heb 10:32latter-34 when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.
(NOTES)
In these verses, it talks about the persecutions that they suffered:
(1) stood your ground in a great contest (or “endured a great and painful struggle”):
They did not yield to the evil force to give up their faith. On the contrary, they fought bravely for the Gospel, overcame the persecutions, and took hold of their faith.
(2) in the face of suffering:
The spiritual battles are not to obtain the victory of the flesh and blood; but by the spiritual power, to overcome the sufferings from outside, and not to be shaken by the sufferings. They suffered a lot from their own people for the sake of Gospel, but they did not lose heart.
(3) were publicly exposed to insult and persecution:
Those who persecute the believers, before and after damaging the believers’ body and property, must insult and slander them viciously, in order that after their sufferings, they would also lose the sympathy from others at the same time such that others would think that is what they deserved.
It is also translated as “ were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions” (K.J.V.). The worldly people think that Christians who suffer for Christ are foolish. They saw the believers changed their life suddenly and refused the evils and wrongdoings, and seemingly theatrical and abnormal to the ordinary people. They either directly persecuted the believers, or looked on with folded arms; looked at the persecution of the believers as watching a play, without sympathy but laughing at it instead. The Hebrew believers had such an experience; therefore, the author said that they “were made a gazingstock ”. However, the apostle Paul also admitted that “ We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men.” (1Co 4:9). This is a very good teaching for us. Each faithful Christian, is a “spiritual actor”. They must obey the direction of the spiritual “director” (Holy Spirit) and the spiritual “actor’s lines” (the Bible); on the spiritual “stage” (world), speak and act to be a successful “actor”. If they speak and act according to their own favors, they are doomed to fail and subject the Lord’s name to disgrace.
(4) the confiscation of their property:
Because of their faith in LORD, their property were plundered. And they became the poverty-stricken poor, and their life was threatened. However, they didn’t complain why LORD did not bless them. It is obvious that they believe in LORD not for the good things in this world at all; on the contrary, they are willing to give up their wealth in this world.
Their attitudes in the sufferings:
(1) sympathized with those who suffered:
They “stood side by side with those who were so treated”. On one hand, they themselves suffered for the Gospel; on the other hand, they sympathized others who suffered for Gospel; what a glorious testimony they gave about the sufferings. Many people in their sufferings only desire for the sympathy from others, and are afraid very much that they might suffer more if they involve in other’s trouble. However, these believers do not hope others to sympathize them and do not complain that they involved in other’s trouble; on the contrary, they remember others who are suffering, are not afraid of being involved in troubles and are willing to suffer together with the brothers; they are indeed the best examples for the believers.
(2) sympathized with those in prison:
Among their brothers, some suffered even more, not only their properties were plundered, but also they were put into the prison. Although they themselves were oppressed, still they were not afraid, and sympathized and supported those who suffered even more. It is obvious how earnest their love to LORD is; they only symphonized other’s difficulties without worrying about themselves.
(3) joyfully accepted the confiscation of their property:
They willingly suffered all the persecutions and loss of their belongings for LORD without any reluctance and complaints. They were willing to suffer; therefore, they bore with the sufferings willingly and joyfully. If they do not suffer willingly, the sufferings might not be exempted because of their unwillingness, but they will feel more painful. Therefore, we should be like them to suffer willingly; thus, we will truly benefit from it.
(4) knew that they had better and lasting possessions:
The reason that they can joyfully and willingly bear with the sufferings is because they have better hope. Their hope is the better and lasting possessions in heaven. Therefore, they despised the earthly and temporary possessions, and were willing to give them up for LORD. In the previous verses, LORD has encouraged them to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess”. Here, it points out that the reason that they can suffer for LORD before, is because they held unswervingly to the hope they profess. However, now on the contrary, they start to shrink back and lose heart; it is because they do not hold firmly the hope they profess.
B. Encourages them the attitudes that they should have now (10:35-39)
Heb 10:35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
(NOTES)
(a) The confidence they should keep:
It is also translated as “fearless confidence” (A.M.P.). That is the fearless confidence they had before: they were not afraid to suffer for LORD, to be involved in others’ trouble, and to lose the property; with such a fearless confidence, they will be richly rewarded. However, as to the Hebrew believers, although they had such confidence in the past, they are not same fearless as before. Naturally, now they believe in LORD for a longer time, they should be more brave than they were at the beginning. However, on the contrary, now they have less confidence than they had in the beginning. Therefore, the author encourages them that “do not throw away your confidence”. Many believers are also like this, their spiritual situation was better in the past than now. If they could recover the situation as they were in the beginning of believing in LORD; that would be fairly good.
The spiritually good deeds of the believers might be lost. Even though we have good spiritual virtues before, love LORD sincerely, and have the experiences of suffering for LORD. However, all of them do not mean that we now love LORD the same as before and now we might be inferior to the past. Just as the Hebrew believers, they need to recall their fearless attitude to love LORD in the past, so that to encourage themselves to love LORD the same as before. One must be watchful all the time and hold firmly to the faith to the end.
Heb 10:36-37 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay.
(NOTES)
(b) The perseverance and the hope that one should have:
Not only they should keep all the fearless confidence as before, but also they should keep the perseverance and hope as before. At that time, the Hebrew believers were still facing the same tests as before both on faith and life. However, they did not have the same confidence, perseverance and hope as before. Therefore, the Holy Spirit inspired the author to encourage them to keep their attitudes before, in order to overcome the present “sufferings”.
“need to persevere”; it is apparent that “perseverance” is the necessary condition to do the will of God. To obey the will of God, one need to have the perseverance and look at the sufferings as their duties. The apostle Paul said: “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Act 14:22). Therefore, one must fulfill the will of God, and whoever stands firm to the end will be rewarded. “because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ” (Jam 1:3) “when you have done the will of God” is the prerequisite. However, here, “what he has promised” is not the common promise on life or work. But refers to the following verse: “For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay.” That is, the Savior they trust in, will come soon. What they suffered are just temporary. When the time comes, He will repay those who mistreated them and they will enjoy the portions and blessings for the righteous.
The author knows very well that the promise of the Second Coming of Christ is the biggest hope of the believers, and is the biggest strength to make them persevere to fulfill the will of God. If they hold on to this good hope, they won’t feel like the days of sufferings are too long. They only feel that after “a very little while”, they will see LORD. When the believers feel that the days of this life are short, they will especially feel that the Day of LORD approaching. Therefore, the author uses the precious promise of the Second Coming of LORD to encourage them so that they have solid confidence on the hope of the future.
“because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us” (Rom 5:3-5) This is the massage needed by the believers who are in the sufferings and are discouraged.
Heb 10:38-39 But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
(NOTES)
(c ) The faith that they should have:
In these two verses, the author strengthens them with the faith that they should have; that is, they are not “who shrink back and are destroyed”, “but of those who believe and are saved”, for “The righteous will live by faith.” (Hab 2:4; Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11). This is the faithful promise of God. Since they have this sure and eternal hope, they should fulfill the will of God fearlessly, should not be discouraged and shrink back such that they will not please God.
“The righteous will live by faith.” This is not only the reliable guarantee for those who trust in Christ to be saved, but also the great comfort for the believers in sufferings. Although they encountered all kinds of sufferings for the sake of Gospel, even lost their lives of the body. However, no one can take away their eternal life that they received though faith (Joh 10:28-29). Although they might lose life in the world “by faith” , they will live “by faith” in the glories of the eternal life (2Co 4:17-18).
“But we are not”:
Note that, here, the author did not say that we are hopefully not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but with assured manner of speaking said: “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.” Therefore, this verse clearly separates the Hebrew believers from those who fall away from the truth. It shows that although the author warns them about the dangers of those who fall away from the truth, he believes that they are the same as the author and do not belong to that kind of people. This verse is similar to the verse (6:9). In that verse, the author also warns them about the end of those who fall away from the truth; but he shows clearly that he believes that as to those Hebrew believers, although they are spiritually weak, they can have more faith than those who are destroyed so that they will be saved.
Reference:
1. Zhongdao Chen: “The Lectures on the Bible Studying of the Letters in New Testament”.
