Tag: Gospel

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).

With a True Heart

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Hebrews 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. 

‘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.’ Seven commands for believers: To draw near to God (10:22). To have a pure conscience. To have clean bodies. To have unwavering faith (10:23). To provoke others to good works (10:24). To assemble with other Christians (10:25). To exhort one another daily (10:25; 3:13).

‘Draw near’ – Four ways to draw near to God: By boldness (10:19; 4:14-16); By the blood of Jesus (10:19); By a new and living way (10:20); By the high priesthood of Christ (10:21).

‘A true heart’ – An honest, earnest, sincere heart.

‘Full assurance’ [Greek: plerophoria] full conviction; certain (10:22; 6:11; Col. 2:2; 1Thess. 1:5).

‘Hearts sprinkled’ – Not the body sprinkled by the water of separation, as under the law (Num. 19:2-10), but our hearts—the inner man—sprinkled by the blood of Jesus (10:22; 12:24; 1Pet. 1:2). This is accomplished by faith in the blood (Rom. 3:24-25).

‘Conscience’ [Greek: suneidesis] is joint knowledge of God and man; knowledge of our acts, state, or character as to right and wrong; the faculty, power, or principle which decides the lawfulness of our actions and affections, and approves or condemns them; the moral faculty or sense; consciousness of actions; the eye, judge, and guide of the inner man. Used 32 times. The word “conscience” is not found in the Old Testament.

‘Bodies washed with pure water.’ Our bodies are bathed, referring to the actual cleanliness of the body rather than to baptism (Lev. 15:8-27; 17:15-16).

A New and Living Way

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Hebrews 10:19-21 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he had consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God

‘Boldness’ [Greek: parrhesia] liberty; full access to heaven. The practical teaching of the epistle begins here (Hebrews 10:19-13:25). It is a grand conclusion to the doctrinal arguments of Hebrews 1:1-10:18.

‘Enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.’ The high priest of the law could go only once a year into the holiest place on earth, but by the blood of Christ, the least saint can have daily access to the holiest place in heaven.

‘New and living way.’ It is a newly made way and a living way. It is so-called because Christ was newly slain and because He, being the way to God, is alive forevermore (John 14:6; Rev. 1:18). He is now alive within the veil (7:25).