*Hebrews 10:19-39
The author of Hebrews encourages believers to hold fast to their faith, reminding them of the importance of perseverance and the certainty of God’s promises.
- Confidence in Faith:
- The passage begins by encouraging believers to have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.
- This new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, allows us direct communion with God.
- Call to Persevere:
- The author urges Christians to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, emphasizing that God who promised is faithful.
- Believers are encouraged to consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
- The importance of not giving up meeting together (as some are in the habit of doing) but encouraging one another, especially as the Day of the Lord’s return approaches.
- Warning Against Willful Sin:
- A stern warning is given about the dangers of deliberately continuing in sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth.
- The text explains that no sacrifice for sins is left for those who sin willfully after coming to the knowledge of truth, only a fearful expectation of judgment and raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
- Recall of Past Sufferings:
- The author reminds the readers of earlier days after they had received the light, during which they endured in great conflicts full of suffering.
- They were publicly exposed to insult and persecution, and they stood side by side with those who were so treated.
- They sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of their property, knowing that they themselves had better and lasting possessions.
- Exhortation to Endurance:
- Believers are encouraged to persevere so that when they have done the will of God, they will receive what he has promised.
- The author quotes from Habakkuk: “For in just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.”
- Righteousness by Faith:
- The passage concludes with a declaration that the righteous will live by faith, but if any turn away, God takes no pleasure in them.
- Believers are urged not to be those who shrink back and are destroyed, but those who believe and are saved.
Hebrews 10:19-39 encourages us to stay strong in our faith, trust in God’s promises, and support one another. It reminds us that we can come to God with confidence because of what Jesus has done for us. Even when life is difficult, we should not give up but keep doing what is right and encouraging others to do the same. We can apply this by holding on to our faith, helping those around us, and trusting that God will reward our perseverance.
Hebrews 10:19-39 (WEB)
10:19 Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, 21 and having a great priest over God’s house, 22 let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our body washed with pure water, 23 let’s hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful.24 Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. 28 A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment do you think he will be judged worthy of who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me. I will repay,” says the Lord. Again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.32 But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppressions, and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so. 34 For you both had compassion on me in my chains and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the heavens. 35 Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward. 36 For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.37 “In a very little while,he who comes will come and will not wait.38 But the righteous one will live by faith.If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul.