College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

Hebrews 10:19-39

Exhortation based on the priesthood of Christ. Hebrews 10:19-39.

Text

Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, Hebrews 10:20 by the Way which He dedicated for us, a new and living Way, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; Hebrews 10:21 and having a great Priest over the house of God; Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience: and having our body washed with pure water, Hebrews 10:23 let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for He is faithful that promised: Hebrews 10:24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.

Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, Hebrews 10:27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. Hebrews 10:28 A man that hath set at nought Moses-' law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses: Hebrews 10:29 of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged 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? Hebrews 10:30 For we know Him that said, Vengeance belongeth unto Me, I will recompense. And again, The Lord shall judge His people.

Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hebrews 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye endured a great conflict of sufferings; Hebrews 10:33 partly, being made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, becoming partakers with them that were so used. Hebrews 10:34 For we both had compassion on them that were in bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your possessions, knowing that ye have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one, Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward. Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.

Hebrews 10:37 For yet a very little while.

He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry.

Hebrews 10:38 But My righteous one shall live by faith:

And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him.

Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul.

Paraphrase

Hebrews 10:19 Well then, brethren, as the improvement of the doctrine of Christ's priesthood, all believers having boldness in death, the entrance into the habitation of God, by the blood of Jesus;

Hebrews 10:20 Which entrance Christ hath dedicated for us Jews and Gentiles, by making it a way new and life-giving, into the true Holy Place, through the veil, that is, through His flesh, by the rending of which He hath opened to us this new way;

Hebrews 10:21 Also, having a great Priest officiating in heaven, the true house of God, Who presents our addresses to the Father, and is able to help us when tempted;

Hebrews 10:22 Let us worship God with a sincere heart, in full assurance of acceptance through faith in Christ's death as an effectual sin-offering; being cleansed, not in the body by the legal sprinklings, but in hearts from the terrors of an evil conscience, by repentance and by the blood of Christ;

Hebrews 10:23 And being washed in body with the clean water of baptism, whereby we professed our faith in Christ as our only High Priest, let us hold fast the confession of our hope of salvation through His ministrations, unmoved by the threats of our persecutors; for faithful is He who hath promised us pardon through Christ.

Hebrews 10:24 And, when in danger of being seduced, by the arguments, examples, and threatenings of unbelievers, let us attentively consider one another's virtues, and failings, and circumstances, that by proper motives we may excite one another to love and good works;

Hebrews 10:25 Not leaving off the assembling of ourselves together for worshipping God, as the custom of some is who are afraid of persecution from unbelievers, but exhorting one another; and this so much the more, as from the signs of the times ye see the day approaching, in which the power of your unbelieving brethren will be broken.

Hebrews 10:26 For if, terrified by the evils which attend the profession of the gospel, we renounce it contrary to our conscience, after having attained to the knowledge and belief of the gospel, there remaineth to such persons no more sacrifice for sins;

Hebrews 10:27 But some dreadful apprehension of the judgment remaineth, and a punishment by fire, the effect of God's anger, to devour all the adversaries of God, whether secret or open.

Hebrews 10:28 The justice of never pardoning them who wilfully apostatize from the gospel, will appear to you, Hebrews, from this, That any one who presumptuously disregarded the law of Moses, though but a political law, was put to death without mercy, if convicted by two or three witnesses.

Hebrews 10:29 If so, of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be counted worthy, who, by wilfully renouncing the gospel, hath trampled under foot the Son of God as an impostor, and reckoned His blood, whereby the new covenant was ratified, and the apostate himself was separated to the worship of God, the blood of One justly crucified; and hath maliciously opposed the Spirit, the Author of the miraculous gifts.

Hebrews 10:30 The character of God makes the punishment of apostates certain: For we Jews know how powerful and terrible He is Who hath said, Punishment belongs to Me, I will repay, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord will avenge His people of their oppressors. If so, will He not avenge His Son, and Spirit, and the disciples of His Son, of those who insult them?

Hebrews 10:31 To fall into the hands of an enraged enemy is dreadful; but it is far more dreadful to fall into the hands of the living God, Whose power no enemy can resist.

Hebrews 10:32 Be not terrified by your persecutors; but, to encourage yourselves, call to remembrance the former days, in which, being newly enlightened with the Gospel, ye courageously sustained, with God's assistance, a grievous persecution from your unbelieving brethren;

Hebrews 10:33 Partly, indeed, whilst ye were made a public spectacle, as malefactors in a theatre, both by the reproaches cast on you as atheists for deserting the institutions of Moses, and by the afflictions which befell you on that account; and partly, whilst ye kept company with and comforted them who were treated in the same cruel manner.

Hebrews 10:34 For ye even suffered with me in my bonds, both at Jerusalem and at Caesarea, and the loss of your goods ye took with joy, because ye were inwardly persuaded that ye have better substance laid up for you in heaven, even a permanent substance, which cannot be taken from you either by force or by fraud.

Hebrews 10:35 Wherefore, having formerly behaved so bravely, cast not away your boldness now, as cowardly soldiers cast away their shields, and run in the day of battle; which courage, maintained to the end, will have a great reward in heaven.

Hebrews 10:36 Ye must however have perseverance as well as courage, that when ye have done the will of God, by enduring to the end, ye may receive the accomplishment of Christ's promise, Matthew 24:13, to save you from your enemies.

Hebrews 10:37 The persecution will not last long: For, to use the words of Habakkuk, Habakkuk 2:3, in a very short time He Who is coming will come, and destroy the Jewish state, and will not tarry; and then your brethren shall cease from persecuting you.

Hebrews 10:38 Live in the firm belief of these things, for (Habakkuk 2:4) the just by faith shall live. But if he draw back, if he loseth his faith, God's soul will not be well pleased with him.

Hebrews 10:39 But I am persuaded we are not of the number of those who draw back from Christ, unto their own destruction; but of those who live by faith, so as to obtain the salvation of the soul.

Comment

Having therefore, brethren, boldness

We need not be fearful, trembling souls, with an inferiority complex, before a forgiving Christ. Salvation has been planned; let us accept it at once. Come with confidence.

1 John 3:21: Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God.

The high priest of old entered with fear and trembling because if he neglected a small item he could expect death, but we may enter with assurance of life.

to enter into the Holy Place

Does he mean heaven or the church?

McKnight says, Heaven itself where Deity dwells.

Milligan agrees that the holiest of places is referred to. We only enter heaven as we have entered the kingdom of heaven, the church.

by the blood of Jesus Christ

The priest could enter only with blood, so there is now no other way. Jesus is the Door (John 10:9) of the church, of heaven itself.

by the way which He dedicated for us a new and living Way, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh.

We have a dedicated Way dedicated by Jesus.

John 14:6speaks of Christ as the Way.

Christ's Way became a persecuted Way, Acts 9:2.

The word Christianity does not appear. It was spoken of as The Way, Acts 19:9: But spoke evil of The Way, Acts 19:23: Arose no small stir about The Way. Acts 24:14: After The Way, which they call a sect.

The new and living Way is in contrast to the old way.

It is a Way prepared by a living Saviour, in contrast to the lifeless pavement trodden by the high priest.

We attain it by a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1.

New means freshly slain, newly slain. Newell, p. 344.

Thayer is quoted: Properly, lately slaughtered.

Vincent: Later the word was weakened into -new.-'

It is as though He were just now slain for us.

Through the veil, that is to say, His flesh, contrasts the old veil with the new.

The Jew could not enter the tabernacle's Holy of Holies, but we shall have the privilege to pass through the veil into heaven.

Christ's way is so superior to the old covenant that a Jew is foolish to fail to see it.

Christ's flesh is the veil here in figure, but it is spoken of in another sense by Jesus. John 6:54: Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood hath eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day. Also John 6:55-56.

and having a great High Priest

Newell says we do not serve Him as Priest; He serves us, But of course Christ has other relationships with His people which demand service. Great is probably used to indicate His personal dignity and royal highness. We Christians have Him. What a glorious privilege!

over the house of God

The place where people dwell is meant by the word house. He must mean the church if house is meant.

McKnight says this was meant by the translators.

McKnight disagrees, however, and feels heaven is meant. Milligan feels that both the church and heaven are meant.

See 1 Timothy 3:15: The church is the house of God.

See Hebrews 8:2: Christ is a minister of the heavenly sanctuary. Things pertaining to God may be meant.

let us draw near

Here we have the approach of man to his God.

It must be done, and clone correctly.

Proper attitudes are symbolized in the Old Testament.

Without washing, the priests were not allowed to minister, and were threatened with death. Exodus 30:19-21.

This symbolized the washing of the inward heart.

We cannot come to God unrepentant and unclean in heart.

with a true heart

Absence of hypocrisy, deceit, guile, not with a heart that trusts in sacrifices of animals, but in God. There is nothing in Christ but truth, so we must make our lives correspond with His.

in fulness of faith

Being fully persuaded, full of conviction. Hebrews speaks of shrinking back, Hebrews 10:39, which is the opposite of fulness of faith.

having our hearts sprinkled

This is symbolism; you can-'t actually sprinkle your heart.

You can-'t run it through a grinder and sprinkle it.

You can-'t open up the heart and Sprinkle on it a substance. Sprinkled means cleansed. Observe the many related verses: 1 John 1:7: The blood of His Son cleanseth us from all sin. Numbers 19:2-10: The Hebrews were sprinkled.

Hebrews 12:24: We are come to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than Abel.

Note in 9th Chapter sprinkling with hyssop.

1 Peter 1:2: Unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.

Newell observes that beginning with Exodus 29:16 the word sprinkle appears forty times.

from an evil conscience

Compare 1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The Christian can never forget his sin and be free, but he can feel that his conscience is cleansed.

and having our body washed

Observe these similar New Testament verses:

Titus 3:5: Both of regenerationaccording to His mercy He saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:26: That He might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the Word.

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins calling on His name.

The Old Testament parallel:

The high priest was to wash his flesh before putting on the garments. Leviticus 16:4.

Levites were cleansed the same way.

See Leviticus 8:6; Leviticus 8:24. Both sprinkling and washing with water are illustrated in the consecration of Aaron and his sons.

Exodus 30:19-21: Priests were to wash before serving, and were threatened with death if they failed to do so. Calvin, page 237, should be noted here:

(This scripture) is generally understood of baptism, but it seems to me more probable that the apostle alludes to the ancient ceremonies of the law; and so by water he designates the Spirit of God, according to what is said by Ezekiel: -I will sprinkle clean water upon you.-' Ezekiel 36:25. If sprinkling is figurative, then washing must be likewise.

The subject of immersion is not so destitute of proof that this verse is needful to prove it.

Milligan challenges this and says it refers to the bath of regeneration as found in Titus 3:5.

with pure water

Observe Newell, page 350: It doesn-'t refer to baptism for it is just as effective with muddy water as with pure water. Does he mean purified water? There is no instruction as to purification in the New Testament.

In the case of Philip and the eunuch, no purification of the water took place.

On Pentecost, no purification of water is suggested.

If actual clean water is meant here literally, then at times the Jordan and many streams would delay baptism until the muddy season expired.

let us hold fast the

Man's job, not God'S, is stated here.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things, hold fast that which is good.

2 Timothy 1:13: Hold fast the pattern of sound words.

Hebrews 3:6: Whose house we are, if we hold fast our boldness and the glory of our hope firm unto the end.

Hebrews 4:14: Having a great High Priest, let us hold fast our confession.

Revelation 2:25: Nevertheless that which ye have, hold fast till I come.

Revelation 3:3: Hold fast and repent.

Revelation 3:11: Hold fast which thou hast.

Too many exhortations to hold fast are found to believe that God will do all of it.

confession of our hope

The word profession probably is the meaning. Confession's importance is stated frequently in the New Testament:

We confess the Person in Whom is our hope.

that it waver not

Small faith, wavering faith, is condemned.

James 1:6: But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting, for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed.

Matthew 14:31, to Peter who was sinking: O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

As a wavering S. O. S. is fatal for men and ships, so a wavering faith often fails to bring God to the rescue.

for He is faithful Who promised

Since Christ and God are so faithful, there is no need for an occasion of doubt.

Christ did all that He said He would do on earth, so proving His faithfulness.

He said He would rise from the dead, and He proved it, so no more evidence is needed.

Christ's faithful life ought to make us steadfast in His promises.

and let us consider one another

We are our brother's keeper, although Cain inferred otherwise. We can-'t live the Christian life alone, and we must be considerate of others.

to provoke

Means to excite, to stir up. Our lives are to be salt, light, leaven and provocation. Matthew 5:16.

unto love and good works

Too many Christians have people mad and disgusted instead of encouraged to good work. Love for one another, love for the Lord, the church, good works, must be encouraged by our lives.

not forsaking our own assembling together

Nothing is accomplished without assembling.

Political rallies depend upon assemblies for victories.

Education, for sharing of knowledge, depends on regular attendance.

We have definite reasons for assembling.

To worship God.

To fellowship with His people.

To commemorate Christ's death.

Observe assembling in the scripture:

Acts 2:42: They continued.

Acts 2:44-46: And all that believed were togethercontinuing stedfastly with one accord.

Acts 4:23: Being let go they came to their own company.

Acts 4:32; Acts 5:12-14; Acts 11:26; Acts 12:12.

as the custom of some is

Perhaps because of persecution some were neglectful. What excuse is there for people who have such a custom today?

Freedom of worship has come to mean free not to worship.

Those who neglect to worship are those who neglect to encourage, to pray and to pay.

but exhorting one another

Some say to exhort one another of the coming day of judgment, but we don-'t exhort to assemble for this. Some say the day of death, but this isn-'t a day to exhort. The day of assembling to worship is what he means when he tells us to exhort.

A day of worship approaching is a day for us to exhort brethren to anticipate.

He is talking about assembling, and we must exhort brethren to get ready to assemble as the day for assembling around the table of the Lord approaches.

so much the more

It should cause us to be more zealous, more diligent as time hastens. Exhortation should be more intense as the time factor becomes more prominent.

as ye see the day drawing nigh

The Lord's Day must be referred to, the day for assembling to remember the Lord.
Milligan, page 284, also McKnight, have a conviction here:

It refers to the day of Jerusalem's overthrow.
If not the above, then it refers to Christ's coming.

It is true that the expression, the day, refers to future events connected with the coming of the Lord, but not in this verse.

The text speaks of assembling that can be forsaken.

Those who were forsaking assembling were not forsaking an assembly in judgment time, but regular assembly privileges afforded to them then each Lord's Day.

for if we sin wilfully

Observe he has been talking about absentees.

Deliberately absenting oneself from the Lord's Supper is wilful sin.

Church members should examine their hearts to see if it is an excuse or a reason that kept them from the table.

Sinning wilfully is producing sin

Producing sin is not in the nature of the Christian.

2 Peter 1:4: Become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.

1 John 2:1: These things I write unto you that you may not sin.

1 John 3:9: Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin because His seed abideth in him and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God.

Note the Greek word for sin wilfully, poionpoiei, in I John.

The verb is poico: to make, to form, to construct.

The unregenerate man lives in sin and loves it; the regenerate man may lapse into sin, but he loathes it.

The Christian does not practice or form sin.

after that we have received the knowledge of the truth

A knowledge of the truth should make us produce fruit of the Spirit, instead wilful sin. A return to sin is a worse state than the first, according to 2 Peter 2:20-22.

there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sin

The Jews had none for the sin of the high hand.

Numbers 15:30: But the soul that doeth aught with a high hand, whether he be home born or a sojourner, the same blasphemeth Jehovah and that soul shall be cut off from among the people.

See Isaiah 1:10-15; Isaiah 59:1-2.

Also Jeremiah 6:19-20; Jeremiah 7:9-16.

God hates sin deeply, and for those enlightened ones who know better and have the power to escape and refuse it, there is no sacrifice to cover it.

With the power of God, there is no excuse for wilful sin. See Philippians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13.

The Christian Life

Not willful Sin

Not unto Death

Sacrifice for sin

Renewed unto Repentance

With Christ

Exhorts Christ

Faith in Blood

Honor to Holy Spirit

Holy

The Willful Sinner

Contrast the above with Hebrews 10:29

Sin of High Hand

Willful Sin

Cp. Numbers 15:30

Death

No sacrifice for sin
Falling away; impossible to renew without Christ
Trodden underfoot the Son of God
Counted the blood an unholy thing
Done despite unto the Spirit of Grace

but a certain fearful expectation of judgment

Those who go out from the blood of Christ have not only an evil conscience to feel but also the wrath of God to face.

Hebrews 10:31 expresses fearfulness of God's wrath.

2 Peter 3:8-13 describes the method of God's destruction. Nahum expressed that God's judgment grows out of the fact that He is a jealous God, See Nahum 1:2; Nahum 1:6-7.

and a fierceness of fire

Of course this is not a new doctrine.

Fire destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.

Fire destroyed Korah and his rebellious company. Numbers 16:35.

John preached about fire. Matthew 3.

Peter preached about fire. 2 Peter 3:8-14.

Hebrews 10:27 says God is a consuming Fire.

Christ will come as a flaming Fire. 2 Thessalonians 1:8.

This Greek word Luxos does not always mean fire.

In Acts 13:45 it is translated envy, jealously.

Acts 5:7wrath, indignation.

Romans 10:2, It is translated zeal.

Hebrews 10:27. The American Standard Version footnotes it as jealousy.

which shall devour the adversaries

Whether the above word is fire, jealousy, or indignation, the result is the same.

The backward-treading individual is to be counted as an enemy.

Those not for Him are adversaries. Matthew 12:30.

Paul, in 1 Corinthians 16:9, says that there are many adversaries.

a man that hath set at naught Moses-' law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses

Setting aside amounted to apostasy and was a capital offense. Deuteronomy 17:3-6. Without compassion shows the strictness of an absolute God.

Numbers 15:32-36 is an example.

Sentiment cannot enforce the law. Enforcement calls for all sentiment to be aside.

Two or three witnesses were required to establish the fact.

See Deuteronomy 17:6.

Note the fact that an elder must likewise have a plurality of accusers before being condemned. 1 Timothy 5:19.

of how much sorer punishment

Such offenses were trifling in comparison to turning against Christ after once being for Him. The word sorer carries the idea of severity.

think ye, shall he be judged worthy

Deserving the worst for deserting the best is suggested. Cf. Luke 12:47-48.

Jesus suggested that the one who knew that he was sinning, but did not cease from it, deserved many stripes.

How undeserving of forgiveness is the one who turns his back on Christ after knowing Him.

Note the three charges against such a one:

Treading upon Christ.

Discounting the blood of Christ.

Insulting the Spirit.

who hath trodden under foot the Son of God

Who has treated Christ with contempt is meant here. It is an utter disregard of the King of our lives, tramping upon Him as though we were king and He a lowly conquered creature.

and hath counted the blood of the covenant

Note the ways it is spoken of:

Hebrews 10:19: The blood of Jesus.

Hebrews 9:14: The blood of Christ.

1 Peter 1:2: The blood of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:19: The precious blood of Christ.

1 John 1:7: The blood of Jesus, his Son.

Revelation 7:14: White in the blood of the Lamb.

The blood is to take away the errors of repentant people, not wilful sinners.

wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing

Unholy in Greek means common, in contrast to sacred. He has treated it as though no power or atonement were in it.

and hath done despite

Insult, defiance is meant here, We see people who try to hurt loved ones; this is spite.

Despite is an intensified form of the word, translated, to treat shamefully in Matthew 22:6; to insult in Luke 18:32; Acts 14:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:2.

unto the Spirit of grace

The Spirit that bestowed upon them such wonderful blessings is meant, When we turn from the path of the fruit of the Spirit to produce evil fruit, we endanger our soul.

How important is the Spirit?

Matthew 12:28: By Him Christ worked miracles.

John 16:8: By Him God convinces the world of righteousness and judgment.

John 7:39 and Romans 8:26: He comforts the saints and helps their infirmities.

When we insult Him there is no forgiveness. Matthew 12:32; also Mark 3:29; Luke 12:10.

for we know Him that said

Deuteronomy 32:35-36: God is speaking. The Hebrews knew the God that stated this. The Hebrews knew the faithful God Who in times past punished men for sin. They no doubt knew the severity of God in His dealing with Ananias and Sapphira.

vengeance belongeth unto Me

God has certain rights, and vengeance is one of them.

Leviticus 19:18: Thou shalt not avenge.

Romans 12:19: Avenge not yourselves.

1 Thessalonians 4:6: The Lord is the avenger.

A discussion of vengeance should consider three things;

God delegated the power to execute apostates of the nation of Israel to the rulers of the people.

Now He has resumed the power, and He reserves apostates for an everlasting destruction.

Justice demands vengeance.

I will recompense

God can do an adequate job.

Romans 1:27 :Receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due.

Hebrews 2:2: Every transgression received a just recompense of reward. How shall we escape?

1 Peter 4:18: For if the righteous are scarcely saved.

Man's judgment is feeble in comparison to God'S.

Observe these scriptures:

Matthew 25:46: These shall go into everlasting punishment. 2 Thessalonians 1:9: Everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.

2 Peter 3:10-13.

Compare this with our one-to-five year imprisonments with good food, libraries, recreation, etc., furnished to the criminal. And again, Deuteronomy 32:36.

the Lord shall judge His people

Judge here means govern.

God will divide the godly from the hypocrites.

See Psalms 1:5: Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment. Also Matthew 25:46.

The hypocrites may grow as tares, but their doom is certain. I am glad God governs His people and that He will judge us, rather than men who judge by the outward appearance.

it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God

Examples of itOld Testament characters:

Adam and Eve.

Cain.

People of Noah's day.

Sodom and Gomorrah.

Korah.

An example of it in the New Testament is that of Ananias and Sapphira. The destruction pictured by Peter, and by the Book of Revelation, is the worst yet.

but call to remembrance the former days

They had had days of strife, battle and victory over sin, and these should be remembered.

Early days of Christian experience, a reminder of past faithfulness, should encourage me to strive again.

in which after ye were enlightened

Enlightment is of Christ.

John 8:12: I am the Light of the world, He that followeth Me shall not walk in the darkness, hut shall have the Light of life.

God's word casts the light for men to follow.

ye endured a great conflict of sufferings

Probably the persecution that broke out after Stephen's death.

Acts 8:1; Acts 12:3.

The persecution by brethren of loved ones is the most severe.
Jesus prophesied that brethren would deliver up brethren.

Matthew 10:21-22.

partly being made a gazingstock

Exposed to public shame is meant. The meaning or use of the word partly should be considered.

Some suggest: This suffering took place partly while they were being made a gazingstock.

Likely not all had endured the same suffering.

In Greek and Roman theaters, criminals were often publicly abused and insulted. Acts 19:29 and 1 Corinthians 4:9.

both by reproaches and afflictions

Reproaches were the unkind words heaped upon the Christians, The unbelievers treated the Christians as they treated Christ.

Afflictions refers to those various sufferings and calamities which they endured.

and partly becoming partakers with them that were so used

If they as individuals had not suffered, they had helped financially those that had been persecuted, This may be alluded in Hebrews 6:10.

for ye both had compassion on them that were in bonds

King James version: For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, makes it personal.

The difference appears in some manuscripts.

The difference doesn-'t affect the meaning.

In either case he praises them for their faithfulness.

Paul had endured all that is named, so if they had helped Paul only, they had shared.

This is the commendable thing about the Hebrews, as seen in Hebrews 6.

and took joyfully the spoiling of your possessions

The early church was scattered, Acts 8, which no doubt meant possessions were taken from them. Those whose treasures are in heaven do not sorrow for earthly losses.

knowing that ye yourselves have a better possession and an abiding one

Our possessions cannot be spoiled.

Matthew 6:19: lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume; 1 Corinthians 9:25: They do it to obtain a corruptible crown; 1 Peter 1:4.

Everything here is temporary, while in heaven everything is abiding.

cast not away therefore your boldness

The cowards in battle would throw aside their weapons and flee, and of course this meant defeat. The Christian is to gird on, to be strong, to be confident, with the shield of faith. Ephesians 6:13-18.

The word boldness here is not cockiness nor haughtiness, but confidence.

This is gained in Christ. See Ephesians 3:12.

Only the confident have the confidence of God.

which hath great recompense of reward

The faithful know that their labor is not vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58: Eternal life will be ours.

Galatians 6:9: We shall expresses certainty.

John 6:27: Some labor for that which perishes.

If we cast away our confidence, we throw away our chances for eternal life.

for ye have need of patience

The author's analysis of their specific need is patience. We win our own salvation by patience, and also win the souls of others. See Luke 21:19.

that having done the will of God ye may receive the promise

Patience in spite of discouragement leads one on to do the will of God, When God's will is done, then God's promise is assured and received.

Abraham found it to be true, Hebrews 6:15.

The children of Abraham by faith will someday obtain the promise.

Eternal life and all its joys is meant here.

for yet a very little while

This suggests that a short time remains, Milligan and the American Standard Version editors feel that this language is from Habakkuk 2:3.

He that cometh shall come and shall not tarry

Milligan: -Obviously it is Christ, He says not the second coming, but the providential coming to save them from Jerusalem. Newell thinks Christ's coming is the promise found in Hebrews 10:36.

The Christian does not look to death but to the coming of Christ.

but My righteous one

Footnote: the righteous one. If the expression, My righteous, is allowed, we see the ground on which God claims us, the principle of faith. We ought to live so that God will say to us, My righteous one.

shall live by faith

This is a quotation from Habakkuk 2:3-4. It appears three times in the New Testament, and each time in an interesting light.

Romans 1:17: Connected with the just or righteous.

Galatians 3:3: Connected with the subject of being perfected.

Hebrews 10:38: Set in the midst of conflict of sufferings.

and if he shrink back

The words any man appear in the King James version, but not in the original.

It is not any man that he is speaking of, but the just man.

We are to live by faith, in spite of all that the devil sends against us.

With God by our side let us not shrink back like Saul's army, but like David live by faith, and we are a match for any enemy. The danger lies in living by appearance rather than by faith. See 2 Corinthians 5:7.

My soul hath no pleasure in him

Shrinking back puts us in the class with Cain, wilderness wandering Israel, Ahab and the others. God loves the persevering, like Joshua, Abraham, David, Paul and others named in the following chapter.

but we are not of them that shrink back

It may seem a little thing to yield to sin, but how terrible are the results.

It is a turning from glory to doom.

The Christian is to keep on keeping on.

unto perdition

This sets forth damnation; and note that it is a place of bad company.

The false Christ, antichrist, and false prophets are doomed to perdition. Revelation 17:8-11.

2 Thessalonians 2:3: The same word is applied to this evil one.

Judas was the son of perdition. John 17:12.

1 Timothy 6:9 speaks of destruction and perdition together.

2 Peter 3:7: Perdition of ungodly men.

Shrinking back then must be a condition in danger of being permanent.

but them that have faith unto the saving of the soul

It is a joy to be on the salvation side of faith.

The author no doubt expresses this to give them courage.

We are on the road to eternal life, whereas the shrinkersback are on the road to perdition.

There is a faith that will not save us.

The wavering faith will not. Hebrews 10:39.

The faith without works. See James 2:17-26.

Study Questions

1831.

Who is blessed with boldness? Hebrews 10:19.

1832.

Did the high priest of old have fear?

1833.

What is the Holy Place referred to hereheaven, or the church, or the Presence of God?

1834.

With what do we enter as we do it with boldness?

1835.

What adjectives describe the Way?

1836.

Is the word Way a familiar one in the New Testament?

1837.

A road, a building is generally dedicated, How about Christ's Way?

1838.

Can it be now considered a new Way? What did the idea express in the beginning?

1839.

In what way can it be considered a living Way?

1840.

What kind of a sacrifice must we make to attain?

1841.

What is the veil to our Holy of Holies?

1842.

How important is the blood atonement of Christ as seen by this chapter?

1843.

What does John 6:54-56 say concerning His flesh?

1844.

Is blood conditional with us as it was with the priest?

1845.

What does the Christian possess in verse twenty?

1846.

Has the Hebrew author given any pre-eminence to Jesus-' mother, Mary, the blessed virgin?

1847.

Has he mentioned her?

1848.

What is suggested by the word great? Hebrews 10:21.

1849.

What is meant by the house of God?

1850.

Compare 1 Timothy 3:15 for a similar expression.

1851.

Compare Hebrews 8:2.

1852.

Is it actually a house, or things pertaining to God's house?

1853.

Do we use the word house to mean other than a dwelling?

1854.

What would cause us to draw near to the house of God?

1855.

Would we be so bold if we had not such a great Priest?

1856.

What must be the condition of our heart?

1857.

What would characterize a true heart?

1858.

Describe fulness. Hebrews 10:22.

1859.

Is it the opposite of a shrinking faith?

1860.

Does this verse teach sprinkling?

1861.

Is it figurative or literal sprinkling?

1862.

Can you literally sprinkle the heart?

1863.

What is the significance of the term?

1864.

What were the occasions for sprinkling in the Old Testament?

1865.

What word could be used in place of the word sprinkle?

1866.

What other verses in the Bible use the word sprinkle?

1867.

Is there any place where it speaks of using sprinkled water as a substitute for immersion?

1868.

Does the word water appear with the word sprinkle? What word does appear with it?

1869.

What is the sprinkling to do for us?

1870.

How can a person have a free conscience when he can-'t forget his sin even though God does?

1871.

A washing is referred to here. Is this an isolated teaching? Cf. Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:26; Acts 22:16.

1872.

Is it fair to say that sprinkling is figurative and that this is literal?

1873.

What Old Testament practices do we have as an example of washing? Cf. Leviticus 16:4; Leviticus 8:6; Leviticus 8:24; Exodus 30:19-21.

1874.

Does Ezekiel 36:25 bear on the subject?

1875.

Who was the prophecy concerning?

1876.

What is meant by pure water? Is it holy water or purified water?

1877.

Do we have any example in the New Testament of purifying water?

1878.

Would this eliminate baptizing in the Jordan during the muddy season?

1879.

When is a water pureto the heathen, to the farmer drinking from a well, to the scientist, or to the health nurse?

1880.

If this verse does not refer to our immersion, then what does it refer to?

1881.

Does it read having had our body washed?

1882.

Is it something that the Christian experiences, or is it something that we have had done in the past?

1883.

God has prepared the sacrifice. Whose job is named here? Hebrews 10:23.

1884.

Is the expression hold fast a familiar one?

1885.

If God will not let us go, then are these not unnecessary admonitions?

1886.

How can one hold fast?

1887.

What are we to hold to?

1888.

Does the word confession carry the idea of profession?

1889.

Do we confess hope or confess a Person in Whom is our hope?

1890.

Is the word hope personalized?

1891.

What must not waver? Did Simon waver while walking on the water?

1892.

What will the sailor do in a lifeboat when he loses hope?

1893.

What will the wavering Christian do?

1894.

What does this verse teach that will bolster our hope? Hebrews 10:23.

1895.

Did Christ keep His word on earth?

1896.

What great declaration did He make that was established so that our hope could be a reality?

1897.

Does this verse teach that we are our brother's keeper?

1898.

Did Cain infer otherwise?

1899.

Do we consider one another as we ought?

1900.

What is the meaning of the word provoke?

1901.

Are we provoking people, thereby causing dissension in the church?

1902.

If we provoke people to love, what should they love?

1903.

How can we encourage people in good works?

1904.

How can we do it through our work as a minister, elder, Bible School teacher?

1905.

What could be included in good works?

1906.

Can you name anything great accomplished with people, without having assemblies?

1907.

Can you have an army without assemblies for drill and instruction?

1908.

What definite reasons may be given for the Christian assembly?

1909.

What examples do we have in the Bible?

1910.

Is the day of assembly the day that draweth nigh?

1911.

How can we see any other day drawing nigh?

1912.

If it is not the day of worship, what are we to encourageto exhort?

1913.

If it is not a day of worship, what is violated? What does the willful sin refer to?

1914.

If neglect of worship was a serious transgression in the Old Testament, is it not a sorer sin under the new covenant?

1915.

If absenteeism is condemned, is it the same as willful sin?

1916.

What was the custom of some? Who do you suppose they were?

1917.

Why do you suppose that they were neglectful?

1918.

Why do people neglect attending church today?

1919.

Can 30% to 50% of a church in assembly be as effective as it should be?

1920.

Do we have a responsibility to our brethren in this matter?

1921.

If church people exhorted, would the preacher be so occupied with non-assembling Christians that he does not have time to call on the non-professing ones?

1922.

What do you say when you exhort?

1923.

What is meant by so much the more?

1924.

This verse suggests a time element. What ought consideration of it do to us?

1925.

What is the day referred to here?

1926.

What day do some think it is?

1927.

Does it not refer to a day of assembly, which men were neglecting by failure to assemble?

1928.

Is there anything to suggest that it refers to the overthrow of Jerusalem?

1929.

Could it refer to Christ's coming?

1930.

Could this day be forsaken by us?

1931.

Is it possible to neglect a day if you do not know that it is a day drawing nigh?

1932.

If absenteeism is discussed in the previous verse, then what is the willful sin here?

1933.

Ought we to be very much alarmed at the small percentage of a membership gathered around Christ's table?

1934.

What percent of your members were present last Lord'S, Day?

1935.

What if a company tried to manufacture with such absenteeism?

1936.

What truth have we received? Hebrews 10:26.

1937.

What should truth produce in usneglect or diligence?

1938.

Should the Christian be a willful exhorter or neglectful assembler?

1939.

What was the willful sin in the Old Testament called? Cf. Numbers 15:30.

1940.

What does Peter say concerning the Christian who returns to evil? Cf. 2 Peter 2:20-22.

1941.

Was there a sacrifice for sin of the high hand in the Old Testament? Cf. Numbers 15:30; Isaiah 1:10-15; Isaiah 59:1-2; Jeremiah 6:19-20; Jeremiah 7:9-16.

1942.

Does God hate the sin of the enlightened ones more than the sin of those living in sin?

1943.

What is meant by no more sacrifice for sin?

1944.

With the power of God at our disposal, is there any excuse for our falling? Cf. Philippians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13.

1945.

Does this verse mean that such a one can-'t return and repent?

1946.

What may the backslider expect? Hebrews 10:26.

1947.

What is Paul's adjective to describe the expectation of judgment?

1948.

What does Hebrews 10:31 say about it?

1949.

What is the cause for God's ability to be fierce according to Nahum 1:2; Nahum 1:6-7?

1950.

What will accompany the judgment?

1951.

Has God ever used fire to destroy people? See Genesis 19:28; Numbers 16:35.

1952.

Is the expression fierceness of fire a new doctrine?

1953.

Did John preach about fire? Cf. Matthew 3.

1954.

Did Paul? Cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Hebrews 10:27.

1955.

Did Peter? Cf. 2 Peter 3:8-14.

1956.

Does the word translated fire always mean fire?

1957.

What other meanings has it? Is it ever so translated?

1958.

Is the result the same, as seen by the word devour?

1959.

Is the indifferent person an adversary? Cf. Matthew 12:30.

1960.

Was it a great sin to set aside the law of Moses?

1961.

Was it a capital offense? Cf. Deuteronomy 17:3-6.

1962.

Do we have an example of the lack of compassion? See Numbers 15:32-36.

1963.

Why did God insist on a multiplicity of witnesses?

1964.

Does God require witnesses against an elder? Cf. 1 Timothy 5:19.

1965.

Is God sentimental when His laws are concerned?

1966.

What does the word sorer mean?

1967.

Do we deserve the worst when we have broken the best? Cf. Luke 12:47-48.

1968.

How deserving of forgiveness is the one who turns his back on it?

1969.

What are the sins named in this verse as deserving of punishment?

1970.

How can we tread upon Christ?

1971.

Do we walk on Him when we neglect His table for visiting, fishing, picnicking, etc.?

1972.

In what relationship does he speak of the blood here?

1973.

How is it expressed in other verses? Cf. Hebrews 10:19; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Peter 1:19; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 7:14.

1974.

What is meant by the expression unholy thing?

1975.

How can the backslider by his life make the sacrifice seem unholy?

1976.

Define done despite.

1977.

See other verses for examples. Cf. Matthew 22:6; Luke 18:32; Acts 14:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:2.

1978.

If the Spirit produces the blessings in our lives, what may we expect if we treat Him shamefully?

1979.

If He is the Comforter, may we expect comfort by insulting Him?

1980.

What did Jesus say concerning sin against the Holy Spirit? Matthew 12:32; Mark 3:29; Luke 12:10.

1981.

Who is known in Hebrews 10:30?

1982.

What verse is quoted?

1983.

Did these people know God?

1984.

Do you suppose that they knew Ananias and Sapphira?

1985.

What is meant by vengeance?

1986.

Was this an old doctrine carried over into the New Testament? Cf. Leviticus 19:18; Romans 12:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:6.

1987.

Does justice demand vengeance?

1988.

Is a law of value if God does not enforce it and punish for it?

1989.

Does God mean by recompense that He can do an adequate job?

1990.

Will He give a just recompense? Cf. Hebrews 2:2; Romans 1:27.

1991.

How does God's judgment compare with our modern penal systems, with libraries, food, recreation, etc.?

1992.

Did Jesus teach the judgment of God?. Cf. Matthew 25:46.

1993.

What is meant by God judging His people?

1994.

Does God exercise His absolute power now?

1995.

How does God's judgment differ from man'S?

1996.

If man judges by outward appearance, ought we to be the more careful?

1997.

Give examples of the fearfulness of God's judgment in the Old Testament. In the New Testament.

1998.

Is that pictured in Revelation and by Peter worse?

1999.

What former days are to be recalled?

2000.

What pleasant and worthwhile memories should they recall?

2001.

What would enlightened refer to? Hebrews 10:32.

2002.

What had they endured in suffering?

2003.

Could it be the persecution after Stephen's death?

2004.

What kind of good could come from such a memory?

2005.

Does easy living make for careless religion?

2006.

What is meant by gazingstock?

2007.

What does the word partly refer to?

2008.

Could it mean that some of them had been gazingstocks, and others had not?

2009.

Was it common for people to be publicly abused?. Cf. Acts 19:29; 1 Corinthians 4:9.

2010.

What is the difference between reproaches and afflictions?

2011.

Does Hebrews 10:34 give a clue?

2012.

How could they partly be partakers with abused people?

2013.

Could Hebrews 6:10 be a reference to this?

2014.

What two things were commendable in their life according to this verse?

2015.

Does the King James Version read differently here?

2016.

Is the commendation in order in either case?

2017.

What is meant by spoiling of possessions? Hebrews 10:33.

2018.

What possessions cannot be spoiled by man?

2019.

What is implied by the word abiding?

2020.

Cast away would be the sign of what?

2021.

The Christian should be girding for battle, What kind of a soldier would he be if he lost his courage?

2022.

Is boldness the same as cocksureness?

2023.

Is there room for haughtiness in this boldness?

2024.

What apostle had boldness?

2025.

What is meant by recompense?

2026.

Is it evident that the Christian will be rewarded?

2027.

Did Jesus ever warn concerning working for a losing cause?

2028.

If we lose our boldness, what hope have we?

2029.

Has the author analyzed the need of the Hebrews?

2030.

What did he conclude that they needed? Cf. Luke 21:19.

2031.

What is an alternate translation of the word patience?

2032.

Name some Old Testament characters who exemplified patience.

2033.

What will patience lead one to do according to verse thirty-six?

2034.

What is the promise mentioned here?

2035.

Why is it singular when we have so many promises?

2036.

What does he say concerning time?

2037.

Is this a quotation?

2038.

Who is the One coming?

2039.

Is it the actual coming or a providential coming?

2040.

What do the scholars mean by the providential coming?

2041.

Could the promise of Hebrews 10:36 be the coming referred to in Hebrews 10:37?

2042.

If it referred to the actual coming of Christ, then is this false hope in Hebrews 10:36-37?

2043.

What is meant by righteous one?

2044.

How can we be considered righteous when we have sin?

2045.

Does it say My righteous one or the righteous one?

2046.

Is this an original statement by the Hebrew author?

2047.

Is living by faith peculiar to God's people, or does the principle of faith act in other relationships?

2048.

How does the King James Version differ here?

2049.

Is it any man, or the righteous man referred to here?

2050.

What is meant by shrink back? Shrink from what?

2051.

Is the believer a shrinkera coward?

2052.

Does God have a soul?

2053.

In whose class would we be if we shrink back?

2054.

Name some courageous people in whom God was pleased.

2055.

Does the author identify himself with the shrinkers or perseverers?

2056.

What is meant by perdition?

2057.

The Christian keeps on for what?

2058.

The shrinker shrinks back to what?

2059.

In whose company would we be if we shrank back? Cf. Revelation 17:8-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 6:9; 2 Peter 3:7.

2060.

If perdition is so serious, can we take backsliding lightly?

2061.

In what class are those who keep on keeping on?

2062.

Is this a statement to give courage?

2063.

Does this verse imply two kinds of faith, one that saves and one that cannot?

2064.

Who has a faith that will not save?

2065.

What does James 2:17-26 say about faith?

Questions On Chapter Ten

True and False

_____

The law being a shadow of the good things to come can make perfect them that draw nigh.

_____

We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Christ.

_____

It is the custom of some to forsake the assembling together according to Hebrews.

_____

This chapter speaks of a wilful sin, and there is no sacrifice for it,

_____

Under the law of Moses, seven witnesses were required before a person could be put to death.

_____

Because we are sensitive, vengeance is a privilege extended to each of us.

_____

Christ is spoken of as being seated at the left hand of God after He had offered sacrifice for our sins,

_____

Our hearts are to be sprinkled from an evil conscience.

_____

God is pictured as a God of love, yet it is said that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God

_____

10.

Christ is to be at the right hand of God until His enemies are made to be His footstool.

_____

11.

The first sacrifices were ended in order to establish the second sacrifice.

_____

12.

Day by day sacrifices were essential in the task of the priests under the old covenant.

_____

13.

The one Sacrifice perfected forever the sanctified ones.

_____

14.

A warning suggests that men may shrink back, but it is not unto perdition.

_____

15.

The persons who were the objects of this epistle must have had a very easy Christian life,

_____

16.

Men may be guilty of treading under foot the Son of God.

_____

17.

This chapter does not refer to fire as a means of God's punishment.

_____

18.

Christ dedicated a Way for us through the veil.

_____

19.

We are to hold fast our confession of hope and to keep it from wavering.

_____

20.

The sanctified can never count the blood: of the covenant unholy.

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