Art Toombs Ministries
Online Bible Commentary
A Dreadful Thing
Hebrews 10:26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people." 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, (NKJV)
The early Eastern Church (Dionysius and Clement, both of Alexandria), from the second century, claimed Paul was the writer of Hebrews. The Western Church later agreed.
Luke translated the letter to the Hebrews into Greek, according to Clement in the second century. Luke was with Paul during his second Roman imprisonment and was his amanuensis during Paul’s final days (2 Timothy 4:11).
It is likely that Luke was also Paul’s amanuensis for this letter. My conclusion is that this was Paul’s last writing, written in late 67-early 68 A.D.
In this letter, Paul is writing to Hebrews who have converted to Christianity from Judaism. Family and friends are pulling at them to return to Judaism, so Paul is ministering to these Hebrew Christians of the superiority of Christ.
The book of Hebrews contains five warnings. This passage represents the fourth of the five warnings.
It is a warning against apostasy, turning your back on the God of the Bible. The reason for this warning was to discourage the Hebrew Christians of the day from turning back to Judaism.
Paul begins this passage with “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth” (v. 26a). He refers to apostasy as deliberately sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth of the Bible.
The apostate knows the truth of the Bible, and rejects it. He chooses not to follow the Bible.
The Bible is the word of God. So, the apostate is rejecting God, in the persons of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Paul continues by writing “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (v. 26b). The apostate is rejecting Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
So, no sacrifice for sins is left. The apostate has no other path to salvation.
Paul continues with “but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (v. 27). The Greek word translated “fearful” is phoberos from the root of the word for “phobia”. The word is better translated as “frightful”, or “dreadful”.
Since he has rejected the means to salvation, the apostate will spend eternity separated from God. He will live eternally in Hell. He will experience the “judgment” of fire (v. 27b).
He will be “devoured” (v. 27c) because he has made himself an enemy of God. The Greek word translated “devoured” also means to eat. It does not carry the meaning of complete consumption but more of an eating away, such as someone who is suffering from the constant, overbearing heat of Hell.
Next, Paul writes “Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses” (v. 28). This verse refers to Dt. 17:6-7.
Under the Law of Moses an Israelite who rejects the Law could be sentenced to death on the basis of two or three witnesses. The testimony of only one witness was not enough.
Paul continues with “Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?” (v. 29). The crime of the apostate is even more serious than physical death.
He has rejected Christ, Christ’s sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit. For this crime the apostate is sentenced to a more severe punishment than death.
He suffers the torment of Hell and “dies” many times over every day. His punishment never ceases.
Next, Paul writes “For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people.’ " (v. 30). Here, Paul quotes from Dt. 32:35-36.
God promises to “repay” and “judge” his people who worship other gods. What many people do not understand is that we all worship a god.
Our god is whatever rules our life. If money rules our life, our god is money. If work rules our life, our god is work.
God is a jealous God. He creates His people, loves them, protects them, and blesses them.
He even gives them some of Himself, a conscience. All He asks in return is to acknowledge the source, God himself.
The apostate is not acknowledging the source. He has turned his back on the only true God and worships his own god.
Paul concludes this passage with “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (v. 31). The apostate has fallen “into the hands of the living God”.
God is merciful and loving. But He is also just.
Without judgment there is no justice. The apostate has committed a crime, and therefore there must be justice.
Since God is the one who has been assaulted, He is the one who metes out the justice.
“It is a fearful” or dreadful, thing (v. 31a) for the apostate to be judged by God. His punishment is more severe than death itself.
This can all be avoided. We can acknowledge and worship the true God, the God of the Bible.
We can allow Him to rule our life, instead of our own made-up god. Each person is responsible themselves for making this decision.
If the “dreadful thing” happens, we have only ourselves to blame. We certainly cannot blame God.
He loves us and wants only the best for us. He forgives every poor decision we make except for one, unbelief. We must not turn our backs on God.
That one decision we must get right. Our eternal destiny hangs in the balance.