*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.
10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
10:28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 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? 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.
10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 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.
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.
10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.