Category: Hebrews

Faith Part 2

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Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The word “believe” denotes the act and process of faith. It comes from the Greek verb pisteuo which occurs 248 times in the New Testament. This use of the present tense indicates that faith must be continued, to receive its benefits (Acts 14:22; Eph. 6:16; Col. 1:23; 2:5-7; 1Thess. 5:8; 1Tim. 2:15; 3:9; 6:12; 2Tim. 3:8; 4:7; Tit. 1:13; Heb. 10:23-38; 2Pet. 1:5-10). It can be lost (Luke 8:13; 1Tim. 1:19; 4:1; 5:8, 12; 6:10, 21; 2Tim. 2:18; 3:8; Jude 1:3; Rev. 2:13). Faith means: To be persuaded of (Rom. 4:17-22; 8:38-39; 2Tim. 1:12). Place confidence in (Eph. 3:12; Php. 1:6; Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 10:35; 1Jn. 3:21; 5:14). The substance or conviction of things hoped for, the assurance of things not seen (Heb. 10:19-38; 11:1, 6; Rom. 4:17; 8:24). Absolute dependence upon and reliance in the Word of God and of Christ (Matt. 8:8-10; 15:28; Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:1-12:3). Full surrender, yieldedness, and obedience to all known truth (Rom. 1:5; 6:11-23; 16:26; Jas. 2:14-26; 2Cor. 10:4-7; Heb. 11:6). Trust wholly and unreservedly in the faithfulness of God (Matt. 6:25-34; 12:21; Luke 12:28-31; Eph. 1:13; 1Tim. 4:11; 6:17; 1Cor. 10:13). Give one’s self over to a new way of life (Rom. 1:17; 6:11-23; 8:1-16; 2Cor. 10:4-7; Gal. 5:16-26; Col. 3:5-10; Heb. 12:1-15; Tit. 2:11-14; 1Jn. 1:7; 2:6; 3:8-10; 4:17; 5:1-5, 18). The attribute of God and restored faculty of man whereby both can bring into existence unseen things (Rom. 4:17; Gal. 5:22; Matt. 17:20; 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; Luke 17:6; Heb. 11:1-40). The whole body of revealed truth (Luke 18:8; Jude 1:3; Rom. 10:17; 1Tim. 4:1, 6; 6:10; 2Tim. 3:16-17). Joyful faith in, and acceptance of Christ as the substitute for sin and our Saviour whereby one receives salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 4:12; 10:43; Rom. 1:16; 3:24-31; Eph. 2:8-9); access into grace (Rom. 5:2); fulfilment of the promises (Heb. 6:12); the Holy Spirit (Gal. 3:14); righteousness (Rom. 4:1-25; 9:30, 32; 10:6; Php. 3:9); sonship (Gal. 3:26); healing (Jas. 5:14-16; 1Pet. 2:24); eternal life (John 3:15-18, 36; 5:24; 6:47); and answers to every prayer (Matt. 7:7-11; 21:21; Mark 11:22-24; Luke 18:1-8; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16).

To be continued…

Faith Part 1

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Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

‘Faith’ [Greek: pistis] faith – eighteen definitions of faith: Substance of things hoped for (11:1). Evidence of things not seen (11:1, 7). Invisible backing of elders (11:2). Creative power of divine works (11:3). Divine testimony of right doing (11:4). Cancellation of natural laws (11:5). Basis of pleasing God (11:6). Dependence upon God’s word (11:7). Trust in an unknown future (11:8-10). Counting things that are not as though they were (11:11-12; Rom. 4:17). Seeing invisible things (11:13-16). Assurance of God’s faithfulness (11:17-19; 10:23). Confidence in things to come (11:20-31; 3:6, 14; 10:35; Eph. 3:12; 1Jn. 3:21). Stimulus of the Christian faith (11:32 – 12:2). The life-blood of the just (10:38). Shield of Christian armour (Eph. 6:16). The down payment of things desired (3:6, 12-14; 6:11-12; 10:22-23, 35-39). Guarantee of answered prayer (11:6; Matt. 21:22; Mark 11:22-24; Jas. 1:1-27).

The law of faith: “According to your faith be it unto you” (Matt. 8:13; 9:29; Jas. 1:5-8; Heb. 11:6; Mark 11:22-24).

‘Substance’ [Greek: hupostasis] is a support; ground work; confidence; subsistence; reality; and essence. Used in the Papyri of title deeds.

To be continued…

The Just Shall Live By Faith

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Hebrews 10:37-39 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. 

‘For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.’ This is the 24th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (10:37; Hab. 2:3). This refers to the second coming of Christ for the battle of Armageddon (9:28; Dan. 7:13-14; Zech. 14:1-5; Rev. 19:11-21).

‘Now the just shall live by faith.’ This is the 25th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (10:38; Hab. 2:4). Faith is the beginning of justification (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9). Faith is also the continuation of justification (10:38-39).

‘Draw back’ [Greek: hupostello] to let down; shrink back from. Translated as “draw back” (10:38); “withdraw” (Gal. 2:12); “shun” (Acts 20:27); and “keep back” (Acts 20:20). If Christians could not do this, these scriptures would mean nothing.

‘My soul’ – God has a soul. He has a personal soul with feelings of grief (Gen. 6:6), anger (1Kin. 11:9), repentance (Gen. 6:6), jealousy (Ex. 20:5), hate (Pro. 6:16), love (John 3:16), pity (Ps. 103:13), fellowship (1Jn. 1:1-7), pleasure and delight (Ps. 147:10), and other soul passions like other beings (Gal. 5:22-23).

‘But of them that believe to the saving of the soul.’ This is proof that those who draw back unto perdition lose their souls.

Your Confidence

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Hebrews 10:34-36 For you had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that you have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompence of reward. For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise. 

‘In heaven a better and an enduring substance.’ An everlasting inheritance (9:15; 1Pet. 1:4; Rom. 8:17-18). Final calling and election are based upon meeting God’s terms in our probation period. It is at the end of a life of conformity to the gospel that we receive the eternal inheritance (1Cor. 9:25-27; 2Tim. 4:8; Jas. 1:12; 1Pet. 1:4-5, 9, 13; 2Pet. 1:4-10).

‘Cast … away’ [Greek: apoballo] to throw away; lose (Mark 10:50). The reference is to cowardly soldiers, who throw away their weapons and flee from battle. Your confidence is your shield. So, keep it and use it (Eph. 6:10-18)!

‘Confidence’ [Greek: parrhesia] outspokenness. Translated: Boldness of speech (2Cor. 7:4). Plainness of speech (2Cor. 3:12). Freely (Acts 2:29). Openly (Mark 8:32; John 7:4, 13; 11:54; 18:20; Col. 2:15). Boldly (John 7:26; Eph. 6:19; Heb. 4:16). Boldness (Acts 4:13, 29, 31; Eph. 3:12; Php. 1:20; 1Tim. 3:13; Heb. 10:19; 1Jn. 4:17). Confidence (Acts 28:31; Heb. 3:6; 10:35; 1Jn. 2:28; 3:21; 5:14).

To Fall Into the Hands of the Living God

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Hebrews 10:30-33 For we know him that had said, Vengeance belongs unto me, I will recompense, said the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst you were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst you became companions of them that were so used. 

‘Vengeance belongs unto me, I will recompense, said the Lord.’ This is the 22nd Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (10:30; Deut. 32:35). ‘The Lord shall judge his people.’ This is the 23rd Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (10:30; Deut. 32:36). Quoted in Romans 12:19 and here. To God belongs vengeance, recompense, and judgment.

‘Living God’ – A God who can punish eternally for insults from His enemies.

‘Former days’ – Remembrance of former days: They were illuminated (10:32). They endured persecutions (10:32; Acts 8:1; 9:1; 12:1). They became a gazingstock (10:33). The Greek word theatrizo means to be exhibited in theatres (1Cor. 4:9). They became companions of other suffering Christians (10:33). They had compassion on Paul (10:34). The Greek word sumpatheo is translated “touched with feeling” in Hebrews 4:15. They took joyfully the spoiling of goods for the gospel’s sake (10:34). They knew their reward (10:34).

‘Afflictions’ [Greek: pathema] Translated as “suffering” (Rom. 8:18; 2Cor. 1:5-7; Php. 3:10; Col. 1:24; Heb. 2:9-10; 1Pet. 1:11; 4:13; 5:1); “affliction” (2Tim. 3:11; Heb. 10:32; 1Pet. 5:9); “affections” (Gal. 5:24); and “motions” (Rom. 7:5).

Sorer Punishment – Part 2

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Hebrews 10:28-29 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who had trodden under foot the Son of God, and had counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and had done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

‘Counted’ [Greek: hegeomai] Translated as “count” (10:29; Php. 3:7-8; 2Thess. 3:15; 1Tim. 1:12; 6:1; Jas. 1:2; 2Pet. 2:13; 3:9); “account” (2Pet. 3:15); “esteem” (Php. 2:3; 1Thess. 5:13; Heb. 11:26); “think” (Acts 26:2; 2Cor. 9:5; Php. 2:6; 2Pet. 1:13); “suppose” (Php. 2:25). If one does this to the blood of Christ he is worthy of eternal punishment.

‘He was sanctified.’ He was sanctified—not could have been, but was sanctified. This refers to personal holiness by the blood (13:12, 20; 1Jn. 1:7; Eph. 1:7; Rev. 1:5), and proves that sanctified people can apostatize to the point of final rejection of Christ and be lost.

‘Unholy thing’ The ultimate sin of apostates [Greek: koinon] is to make common or unclean. Translated as “an unholy thing” (10:29); “common” (Acts 2:44; 4:32; 10:14, 28; 11:8; Tit. 1:4; Jude 1:3); “unclean” (Rom. 14:14); and “defiled” (Mark 7:2). They count the blood of Christ a common thing, esteeming it of no value as an atonement. Once they did esteem it as the atonement or they could not have been sanctified by it; but later they became apostate, disregarding it all together as unfit to redeem.

‘Done despite’ [Greek: enubrizo] insulted.

Sorer Punishment – Part 1

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Hebrews 10:28-29 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who had trodden under foot the Son of God, and had counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and had done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 

‘He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy.’ He that rejected and denied the divine authority of the law died without mercy (Num. 15:30; Deut. 17:2-6).

‘Sorer punishment’ – The offences against the law were nothing compared to the seven sins noted below and punishment will be proportioned to the offence. They are to: Sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth (10:26). Renounce Christ as the only sacrifice after we have received Him. Despise the gospel after we have received its knowledge (10:26, 28). Tread under feet the Son of God after knowing Him (10:29). Count Christ’s blood that once sanctified us, an unholy thing. Do despite or blaspheme the Holy Spirit of grace that we have received. Become an adversary after knowing the truth.

‘Trodden underfoot’ [Greek: katapateo] is translated as “tread underfoot” (10:29; Matt. 5:13; Luke 8:5; 12:1); and “trample” (Matt. 7:6). It means to treat the Son of God with the utmost contempt and blasphemy.

To be continued…

Devour the Adversaries

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Hebrews 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 

‘Certain fearful looking for of judgement’ – Seven judgments of apostates – there are seven judgments we shall experience if we do the seven things above: Have no other sacrifice for sins. Certain fearful judgment (10:27). Fiery indignation that will devour all adversaries (10:27). Sorer punishment than being stoned to death under the law (10:28-29). Vengeance from God (10:30). Full judgment and recompense for sins committed (10:30-31). Fearful handling by God.

‘Fearful’ [Greek: phoberos] frightful, that is, (objectively) formidable: – fearful, terrible. (10:31; 12:21).

‘Fiery indignation’ Jealousy; fervour of fire; or zeal of God in punishing apostates. A Hebraism (Ps. 79:5; Ezek. 36:5; 38:19; Zeph. 1:18; 3:8).

‘Devour’ [Greek: esthio] to consume like an eating disease; to vex. Translated as “devour” (10:27); “live of” (1Cor. 9:13); “be eating” (Matt. 26:26); and “eat” 53 times. Here it means eternal punishment for adversaries of God.

‘Adversaries’ [Greek: hupenantios] hostile; opposers.

No More Sacrifice For Sins

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Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins

‘If we sin wilfully …’ Seven things we can do: Sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth (10:26). Renounce Christ as the only sacrifice after we have received Him. Despise the gospel after we have received its knowledge (10:26, 28). Tread under feet the Son of God after knowing Him (10:29). Count Christ’s blood that once sanctified us, an unholy thing. Do despite or blaspheme the Holy Spirit of grace that we have received. Become an adversary after knowing the truth.

‘After that we have received the knowledge of the truth.’ Receiving the knowledge of the truth is the same as tasting “the good Word of God” (6:5). If one receives the truth (knows what is) and despite it, still sins, they fall away from the grace – the sacrifice that was made for them. Those who claim that you cannot out sin God’s grace have corrupted the truth and are under demonic inspiration to mislead others (Romans 6, 1John 3).

‘There remains no more sacrifice for sins.’ The first New Testament prophecy is in Hebrews (10:26-31). There remains no other when one rejects Christ as the only sacrifice for sin. He will have to suffer the punishments of that rejection. Such are willful apostates, not ordinary backsliders. As long as a backslider retains his faith in Christ and His atonement he can be renewed to repentance, but if he totally rejects Christ and His gospel, he becomes hopeless.

The Assembling of Ourselves Together

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Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching. 

‘Profession of our faith’ [Greek: homologia] agreement; terms of surrender; confession. Translated as “profession” (3:1; 4:14; 10:23; 1Tim. 6:12; 2Cor. 9:13) and “confession” (1Tim. 6:13).

‘Without wavering’ to waver means to doubt, it is to be without true faith (Jas. 1:4-8; Rom. 4:17; Mark 11:22-24).

‘Consider’[ Greek: katanoeo] Translated as “consider” (10:24; 3:1; Matt. 7:3; Luke 12:24, 27; Acts 11:6; Rom. 4:19); “perceive” (Luke 6:41; 20:23); “discover” (Acts 27:39); and “behold” (Acts 7:31-32; Jas. 1:23-24).

‘Provoke’ [Greek: paroxusmos] to make keen; urge; prick; provoke (10:24) and contention (Acts 15:39).

‘Assembling’ [Greek: episunagoge] is a gathering together in one place (10:25; 2Thess. 2:1; cp. the verb in Matt. 23:37; 24:31). Christians got together at one another’s homes to pray and read together (the epistles), not in temples or churches as most assume today. The KJV translated the words assemble and congregation into ‘church’ because it was done in the days when the roman catholic church was in control of all access to Scripture. These words never refer to a certain place, but always to the verbal meaning of ‘getting together.’

‘As the manner of some is.’ It would seem here that some had forsaken the Christian gatherings, which occurred at individual’s homes, perhaps because of the persecutions referred to in Hebrews 10:32-33.

‘So much the more, as you see the day approaching.’ Christians should exhort one another to faithfulness, more and more, as the day of Christ draws near (1Cor. 1:8).