Hebrews 10:26.. what is it really saying?

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Deuteronomy

Well-known member
Jun 11, 2018
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#41
Hello @Blik, I'll be back with more later (Dv), but I thought this except from Wuest's NT Word Study might be worth considering (though I am not in agreement that this sin, or at least a similar kind of sin, cannot be committed today, though this could make for an additional/interesting conversation).

I do agree (because of the verb tense, the context, & the type of sin that it is) that this sin (the rejection of Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord) is both intentional and habitual.

(10:26) The sin which the book warns against is that of a Jew of the first century who left the temple sacrifices, identified himself with the visible Church and made a profession of Messiah as High Priest, renouncing that profession and returning to the temple sacrifices. This sin is spoken of in 2:1 as letting New Testament truth slip away, in 3:7, 8 as hardening the heart against the Holy Spirit, in 6:4 as falling away and crucifying the Son of God, in 10:26 as a wilful sin, and is analyzed in 10:29 as the three-fold sin against the three Persons of the Triune God. This sin could only be committed in the first century while the temple was still standing and only by an unsaved Jew or proselyte to Judaism. In this case, there can be no secondary application to present day circumstances or individuals.
This sin is described as a wilful sin. The word is hekousios (ἑκουσιος), which means, “voluntarily, of one’s own accord.” It is opposed to sins committed inconsiderately, and from ignorance or weakness. The Greek has it, “If we go on sinning wilfully,” stress being placed upon the habitual aspect of the sin. The immediate context defines that sin as one of the continued forsaking of the means of grace at the services of the Christian assemblies, and the habitual commission of the sin defined in Hebrews 10:29. ~Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Vol. 10, p. 183). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

And here is one more concerning both apostates, as well the word ἐπίγνωσις, which is translated as "knowledge" in v26.

Every apostate is an unbeliever, but not every unbeliever is an apostate. Many people have never had the opportunity to hear the gospel, even in part. They are sinful and, of course, do not believe in Christ, because they have never heard of Him or of His claims. An apostate, however, is well acquainted with the gospel. He knows more than enough to be saved.
The Greek language has two primary words that can be translated “knowledge.” Gnōsis has to do with ordinary knowledge, and in the New Testament is often used for general spiritual knowledge. But epignōsis, the word used in verse 26, denotes full knowledge, understanding, and discernment. In other words, the persons described here are those who have much more than a passing acquaintance with the gospel. They know it well. An apostate has all the information. He lacks nothing intellectually. He has epignōsis. He is among those who have “once been enlightened, … tasted of the heavenly gift,” and even “been made partakers of the Holy Spirit” (Heb. 6:4).
An apostate can be bred only in the brilliant light of proximity to Christ. Apostates are not made in the absence, but in the presence, of Christ. They are bred almost without exception within the church, in the very midst of God’s people. ~MacArthur, J. F., Jr. Hebrews (p. 272). Chicago: Moody Press.

~Deut

Hebrews 10
26 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.
28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.”
31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
22,846
8,324
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#42
They’ll never convince me. I don’t get how they can’t see it. Is there anything that Jesus cannot do? Past present & future
Just a thought:
Would attaining a condition of 100% sinlessness then make you immortal in the sense that death cannot claim you, furthermore would it make you immune from all diseases?
 

Nebuchadnezzer

Well-known member
Feb 8, 2019
1,134
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#43
So this verse gets used alot to say that willful sin after salvation can lead to Jesus' sacrifice no longer being effectual. Effectively saying the salvation is undone for the individual.

But what is the Hebrews 10 context?

I know a lot of Hebrews has sacrifice related to animal sacrifice .

I know the Hebrews, if they had sinned would have offered up an animal sacrifice to symbolize the forgiveness of sin.

So what is really going on with this verse?
In a nut shell. It means you should continue to fear God.
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
7,136
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#44
Isn't the term 'deliberate' obvious? Having been used here with particularity to sin suggests an other category. There is also 'hidden' sin; those which Psalm 19:12 alludes to (both types are mentioned if you include v13). Albeit these may be no less 'willful', we are not so adept at readily identifying them, exactly, as sin and so enabled to correct our course and turn away from them, not without turning to God for help in revealing them to us.

12 Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful (presumptuous) sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgression.
 
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Reformyourself

Guest
#45
You asked someone if they were sinless, now you are saying you know that they cannot be. So why did you ask if they were sinless? I am glad you understand scripture.
They CAN be😊
 
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Reformyourself

Guest
#46
Just a thought:
Would attaining a condition of 100% sinlessness then make you immortal in the sense that death cannot claim you, furthermore would it make you immune from all diseases?
I would inherit (the only life that matters) eternal life...diseases?? ‘you are very much mistaken, they are like the angels in heaven’
 
Jan 25, 2015
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#47
Study the Levitcal Law and you will see NO Sacrifices for willful sin... the writer of Hebrews is speaking from that perspective... we overlay a modern day perspective that does not fit.

Willful sin is not a reference to rejecting Christ as Saviour ... that does not fit the context.
Hi EH :) Sorry for the cross but I didn't agree with that.

Have you ever considered that the whole Bible except for maybe one or two authors was written by Jews? The Torah was their point of reverence.

There should be no difference in our view of "accidental sins" (which is a lack of knowledge) and willful sin... any sin (if you know the Bible) is willful sin my sister :) .

Hosea 4 warns us what will happen if we have a lack of knowledge.

God bless my friend
 
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Reformyourself

Guest
#48
It means what it says. Christ’ sacrifice wasn’t some insignificant offering. You can’t live life according to the flesh unrepentant and keep thanking God for the Blood of the Lamb. It’s like the circumcision. To the foreskin, a ritual gesture, to the heart, a profound life altering experience. God wants the latter. He wants sheep that follow, not branded with His logo just to scurry all over the countryside. You can’t serve two masters. It all means the same. We were bought with His Blood to be slaves to righteousness, not slaves to sin.
AMEN 🙏
 
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Reformyourself

Guest
#49
Thank you for acknowledging you are not sinless 100% of the time and we should all press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God, just as Paul did.
Thankyou for thanking me 🤪
 
Mar 28, 2016
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#50
Study the Levitcal Law and you will see NO Sacrifices for willful sin... the writer of Hebrews is speaking from that perspective... we overlay a modern day perspective that does not fit.

Willful sin is not a reference to rejecting Christ as Saviour ... that does not fit the context.
The reference is sin working in a person "violating the law."

The Holy Spirit that dwelt in the Galatian believers willfully called them back to repentance. The foolish Galatians who denied Christ in their heart . A fool says there is no God not seen .The warning. "God does not promote fools" But rather as he with us makes the load lighter. Empowering us do the work. . stop murmuring . Like with Peter, what about John?

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure Do all things without murmurings and disputing: Philiians2:13-14
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
3,230
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New Zealand
#51
Well so far I am thinking the sacrifice in this verse is about animal sacrifice and that the Hebrews, if they sin willfully cant go back to the old system and sacrifice an animal to account for their sin. So being under the New Covenant to look to Jesus, the one sacrifice for all.
 
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Reformyourself

Guest
#52
Well so far I am thinking the sacrifice in this verse is about animal sacrifice and that the Hebrews, if they sin willfully cant go back to the old system and sacrifice an animal to account for their sin. So being under the New Covenant to look to Jesus, the one sacrifice for all.
Agreed. We kind of got distracted from the original posted verse, didn’t we? 😐
 
Dec 12, 2013
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#53
This verse is squarely directed at those who count the blood of Christ a common ordinary base thing while trampling JESUS under their feet.....IT IS NOT directed at a saved man and indicative of LOSING SALVATION!
 
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EleventhHour

Guest
#54
Hi EH :) Sorry for the cross but I didn't agree with that.

Have you ever considered that the whole Bible except for maybe one or two authors was written by Jews? The Torah was their point of reverence.

There should be no difference in our view of "accidental sins" (which is a lack of knowledge) and willful sin... any sin (if you know the Bible) is willful sin my sister :) .

Hosea 4 warns us what will happen if we have a lack of knowledge.

God bless my friend
You did not understand what I wrote.
 
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EleventhHour

Guest
#58
Well so far I am thinking the sacrifice in this verse is about animal sacrifice and that the Hebrews, if they sin willfully cant go back to the old system and sacrifice an animal to account for their sin. So being under the New Covenant to look to Jesus, the one sacrifice for all.
Look into whether there was an animal sacrifice for "willful sun" under the Levitical system.... all the sacrifices were for breaking the law since the law was so onerous... there was only sacrifices for unintentional sins

Intentional sin was always open rebellion against God , hence "willful"


They could never sacrifice an animal for intentional sin.