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Hebrews 10

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

And having an high priest over the house of God;

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 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 ye see the day approaching.

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

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

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought 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?

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith 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 ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

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.

What does Hebrews 10:39 mean?

Explanation

Hebrews 10:39 presents a clear distinction between two groups of people and their spiritual trajectories.

On one hand, there are those who "draw back unto perdition," which implies falling away from the faith or retreating into destruction and loss.

On the other hand, there are believers who maintain their faith and thus experience the 'saving of the soul.' This verse serves to encourage perseverance in faith and to warn against the dangers of apostasy.

It implies that believers are called to be resilient and steadfast in their spiritual journey, pressing forward to the ultimate goal of salvation rather than shrinking back into condemnation.

Top Rated Hebrews Books

Historical Context

The Book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and hardship due to their faith in Jesus Christ.

In this context, the author of Hebrews encourages faithfulness and endurance amid suffering.

The statement in Hebrews 10:39 comes after a discourse on the superiority of Christ's sacrifice over the Old Testament sacrifices and an exhortation to continue in faith and not revert to Judaism or abandon the faith altogether due to pressure.

Historically, this pressure came as both social ostracism and, at times, physical persecution.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, Hebrews 10:39 touches upon the doctrines of perseverance and assurance.

Many Protestant theologians would argue that this verse reassures believers of their salvation and encourages them to persevere because their continued faith is evidence of genuinely being part of God's family.

Conversely, the warning against drawing back unto perdition is interpreted by some as a hypothetical situation meant to spur believers to faithfulness, while others see it as a genuine possibility which underlines the importance of free will and perseverance.

Practical Applications

Practically, Hebrews 10:39 can be applied in several ways.

Christians can use it to motivate themselves to remain steadfast in their faith and commitment to Christ, especially during challenging times.

It can also serve as an encouragement to support and edify one another within the Christian community, promoting a culture that helps believers to continue on the pathway that leads to salvation rather than faltering.

Cross-References

Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"
2 Peter 2:20-21: "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning."
Revelation 3:5: "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."

Language Study

In the original Greek, the verb translated as "draw back" is "hypostellomenoi," which means to shrink back or to withdraw.

Similarly, "perdition" is translated from the Greek word "apōleia," which carries a connotation of destruction, waste, or death.

This language intensifies the severity of turning away from the faith.

Conversely, "believe" comes from "pisteuontas" suggesting an active, continuous belief or faithfulness.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparatively, in other ancient religions and myths, perseverance in faith could also be a theme, but typically within a different framework.

For example, in some Greek myths, mortals had to remain steadfast in their duties to the gods to avoid their wrath or to receive their blessings.

The Christian concept differs significantly, as it emphasizes a personal and ongoing relationship with a single deity rather than a transactional relationship with multiple gods.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the verse does not directly address any natural phenomena but rather speaks to human psychology and behavior.

Modern psychological understandings of resilience and commitment can mirror the principles being taught in this verse, as both secular psychology and biblical teaching value the importance of perseverance and dedication to a particular course of action or belief system.

Commentaries

Various biblical commentaries have different views on Hebrews 10:39.

Matthew Henry's commentary emphasizes the need for patience and constancy in faith, drawing a line between the reward of the faithful and the consequence for those who waver.

John Calvin speaks about the perseverance of believers as an evidence of their participation in Christ's grace.

The commentaries by William Barclay and F.

Bruce both acknowledge the hardships that early Christians faced and how these words served as a form of encouragement to those who might have been contemplating abandoning their faith due to the cost of discipleship.

Hebrews 10

Hebrews 10

What does Hebrews 10:39 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Hebrews Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Hebrews 10:39 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Hebrews Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?