Wilful Sin: Hebrews 10.29

[Asyncritus]

WHY THE CONTEXT MATTERS SO MUCH​

Could you deny it if someone said to you: “The Bible says ‘There is no God’?â€

You couldn’t, you know, because IT DOES! If that was all there is to it, then yes, the person would be quite right. However, the CONTEXT soon finishes off that particular piece of idiocy.

Here’s the passage in full:

Ps 14. 1 “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.â€

What a completely different picture the context creates! It’s the fool, not the Bible, who says there is no God. Corrupt, and abominable are such people, because it is nonsense, no, evil to hold such an opinion.

There is nothing more important in understanding the Bible, indeed any book, than the context. Ignore it, and we are in very grave peril of misunderstanding something completely.

This is something which comes up everywhere, and there is no way that we should even want to ignore the context. It makes huge differences to our understanding of many passages.

So what is this ‘context’ thing?

Easy: it’s the thoughts surrounding a particular piece of scripture. As above. The thoughts that surround ‘There is no god’ are emphatic that there really IS a God, and you have to be a hardened fool to say there isn’t.

There is one passage in the Bible which has probably caused more agony and heartache among believers than any other:

Hebrews 10: 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. What is worse, no sin I can think of wasn’t willful: meaning, voluntarily chosen. I did them deliberately, not by accident. I suspect that anybody with a conscience which has been educated by the Scriptures, knows about this, and has done pretty much the same: deliberately, never unconsciously. So are we all dead then? Is judgment and fiery indignation going to come fearfully upon us all, and the whole of mankind be destroyed?

This doesn’t seem right, does it? Did God create us to have the pleasure of destroying us all?

No, we are created ‘for His pleasure’ not our destruction. So what does the passage mean?

Contrary to common interpretation, all sins are not the same. Jesus says so in this difficult passage.

Mt 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

You can see that there are two grades or tiers of sin here: The lower grade CAN be forgiven, and the higher grade CANNOT.

So leaving the first grade alone for this discussion, what is the 'blasphemy against the Holy Spirit' that cannot be forgiven?

The answer is held in Hebrews 10: 29:

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?

This is the unmistakable parallel with 'blasphemy against the Holy Spirit". It doesn't use the same words, but the meaning is plain enough. So what does this 'doing despite unto the spirit of grace' really mean? If we can solve that problem, we should have the answer to the first question.

Asyncritus

 

[Asyncritus]

Part 2: Wilful Sin

First notice that this guy will not be fogiven either. "Of how much sorer punishment..." means that he won't. Therefore whatever he is doing, is unforgivable. So what is that? The context tells us plainly, and in the process removes another major problem.

Let’s now look at another passage which has caused untold troubling of consciences – troubling which was completely unnecessary and would have been seen to be so if only the context had been properly consulted.

“ For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,†(Hebrews 10:26 AV)

How many tender consciences (including my own!) have been seared almost to destruction by these words, it is impossible to say. But it was, as I only found out much later, totally unnecessary self-punishment. The context provides the remedy.

Any sin we commit has got to be ‘wilful.’ There aren’t too many that are committed involuntarily and without our say-so: and even if they are, we wouldn’t know about them! Therefore, if we take the passage at face value, without consulting the context, everybody, but everybody, is in desperate trouble, which is the exact opposite of the Lord’s purpose in dying for our sins. Many have given up the race because of this, more’s the pity.

There is first, a larger context – of the whole Letter to the Hebrews - in this case, and second, the local context of chapter 10. The wider context is unequivocally about one thing, and one thing only. Paul takes thirteen chapters to get one message across to his readers in Jerusalem (hence the title, the Letter to the Hebrews). He comes at it from many, many angles – but all the way through the letter it is perfectly clear that the message really is:

DON’T GO BACK TO THE LAW OF MOSES!!! .

That one thunderclap re-echoes round and round, resounding throughout this wonderfully argued Letter. There is no letup from it anywhere. Therefore it would be surprising if this verse in question didn’t have something to do with just that – and it does. The Scriptural text and its local context below is in italics, and my remarks in normal print.

“ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (you didn’t have that when you were under the Law of Moses, did you?)

By a new and living way, (in contrast to the old and dead one, littered with animal corpses)

which he (the Son, not Moses or any High Priest) hath consecrated for us, through the veil, (He has gone through that permanently, not just once a year )

that is to say, his flesh (not that of bulls and goats);

And having an high priest (the real, genuine One) over (not ‘in’, like Moses or Aaron) the house of God;

Let us draw near (instead of running off in fear) with a true heart (not a cowardly, lily-livered one) in full assurance of faith, (knowing the truth of what we have believed)

having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience (it wasn’t so under the Law of Moses, remember?),

and our bodies washed with pure water(we are now truly clean, having been baptized into His Name).

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (instead of letting go of it under pressure of persecution);

(for he is faithful that promised;) (This is a promise made by God Himself, no less)

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love (of your brethren and your enemies)

and to good works (under the persecution you face, do good to one another and to your enemies, as the Lord said):

Not forsaking (abandoning irrevocably) the assembling of ourselves together (in Christian worship at the Breaking of Bread),

as the manner of some is (who have quit already under the persecution pressure);

but exhorting one another (to stand firm against the punishment):

and so much the more, as ye see the day (of the Lord’s coming) approaching.

For if we sin wilfully ( abandon Christ irrevocably, and His assembly, and stop remembering Him at the Breaking of Bread in favour of the Law of Moses)

after that we have received the knowledge of the truth (that His is the only sacrifice that saves),

there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins (because you have abandoned the only real one there is, in favour of those offered under the Law),

But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation (which the Lord will pour out when He comes ),

which shall devour the adversaries ( who are devouring you). He that despised Moses’ law (the inferior one)

died ( the penalty was death) without mercy

under two or three witnesses (but we have ‘so great a cloud of witnesses’ ch 12.1):

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye (answer: lots), shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God[/B] (trample underfoot His dead body, which was sacrificed because of your sins, on your way back to the Law of Moses) ,

and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing (these must be some of the most dreadful words in Scripture),

and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (these words are a plain reference to the ‘blasphemy against the Holy Spirit’ which can never be forgiven: and now we can see why).

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.

The relevance of the following verses is now stark and clear, and require little further comment. Under the persecutions they faced, they were not to quit, because they had come too far now, and had lost too much.

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 recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience (doggedness), that, after ye have done the will of God (by remaining in Christ), ye might receive the promise.†(Hebrews 10:19-36 AV)

Placing the words (“ For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinsâ€) into their proper context shows that the ‘sinning wilfully’ isn’t talking about any old sin. It is speaking in the direst terms about our total abandonment of Christ for another system of worship. If a believer in Christ chooses to become a Jew, Moslem, Hindu, Confucian, Buddhist or whatever else, then, and only then, does he fall into that condemnation – and the punishment will be unthinkable.

That is the true 'blasphemy against the Holy Spirit', to be feared above all else, and avoided at whatever cost.

So you see, once we pay careful attention to the context, something wonderful happens: huge questions are solved, easily, naturally and correctly.


Asyncritus

 

[Elijah674]

Psalms 19

[1] The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
[2] Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
[3] There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
[4] Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
[5] Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
[6] His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there [is nothing hid] from the heat thereof.

[7] The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
[8] The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
.....
[13] Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: [then shall I be upright], and I shall be innocent from the [great transgression].

(Matt. 12:31-32's sin that has [matured] into total rebellion is any sin which is presumptously carried on while it is known to be sin. No Born again believer can go against the Holy Spirits Leading (Rom. 8:14) without grieving Him & finally quenching Him away for good, to where the 'hardened' conscience is just not possible for Him to reach any more! Christ gives more hope for the very Cold than for these Lukewarm ones of Rev. 3:16-17 +. Just think of the false doctrines of the Rev. 17:1-5 & the Broadway ones of Matt. 7 who have been teaching these foolish false traditions for way on past 120 years of the Holy Spirits STRIVING? And along with Noah's preaching in Gen. 6:3. And preaching the WARNING of a world flood!!? And it had never even rained up to that point in time! Yet, who of the today ones had or will change even one detail of their very presumptous 'Desired' Gen. 4:7 beliefs?


James 1

[14] But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (sin is not 'consumated' at this point!)
[15] Then when lust [hath conceived], it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when [it is finished,] bringeth forth death.
(This is important to understand! it says lust, yet it is true with any sin as being defined by God in His Inspirition of 1 John 3:4 there is NO Sin except by Breaking the Eternal Law of God that He Himself has in Their Throne in Heavens Ark. (see Rev. 11:19 & Heb. 8:5) Being tempted is not sin, it is when one presumptously yields to the known tempted sin that sin is brought forth. And then in time this dangerous 'presumption' will find one [matured] in its FINAL FINISH.)

1 John 5

[14] And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
[15] And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

(even here we see asking according to His will, He heareth us! who even see's this CONDITION??
And the next verse is vital for understanding that one sin or two sins are not the final finished result of ones life! Yet, each & every know 'presumptious' sin does indeed lead to a deadening of the conscience, again we have the Inspired record of Matt. 7 + Rev. 17:1-5 + Gen. 6:3 & Matt. 23:38 & Rev. 3:9 with the whole church denominational folds! And 'us'?? where do we stand?)

[16] If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
[17] All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

(OK: All Born Again mankind sin. Psalms 19 gives this picture! We have Christ as our High Priest at present attending to these sins. And it is true that many sins of the REAL Brethern are done by babes in Christ & in ignorance. These are not sins unto death. Then we also have presumptous sins that are done, these also are forgiven when repented of & worked on. Now come the same sin of presumption done over & over again... these are what David prayed for God to keep him from, these dangerous [KNOWN] presumptous sins are the ones that 'mature' & 'lead to an FULL MATURE REBELLION'. Such as we see all over the place even while claiming to be Christ's followers. When one has every opportunity to Mature, that we End Time ones have, and we stand still or go backwards, we are in 'serious' presumptous trouble! Yet, these ones still look good to us?? See Luke 12:47-48 for who God Judges the worst offenders for & in hell's execution?

(Dan. 12:4 & while you are still there next comes Hosea, see Hosea 4:6 for these last day Increased facts.. when neglected or voided out!)

You name it!? God has given USA in particular, increased knowledge all over the place! And still we see Matt. 7 + Rev. 17:1-5, and AGAIN, ALL OVER THE PLACE! And MATURELY & SECURELY SET IN THE SIN AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST IN REBELLION & UNREACHABLE AS PER CHURCH DOCTRINAL FOLDS.

And this is why God gives the Rev. 18:4 warning for just a very few who will still hear His Voice speaking to them.)

--Elijah


​

 

[Asyncritus]

Elijah

I would appreciate it if you would either delete your post or start another thread with it , as it has absolutely nothing to do with my two posts.

Asyncritus

 

[Adullam]

This is an important topic! Thanks for starting it.

This is my take on the verse.

I agree that we all sin deliberately at times. We can't help ourselves when we are in the power of the flesh. Of course we are to remain dead to sin and alive to God. But there may be lapses.

Wilfull means to be stubborn. A stubborn child REFUSES to reconsider his position.

So to be wilfull in a spiritual sense is to CONTINUALLY grieve the Holy Spirit with a wilfull ATTITUDE that refuses to be corrected.:bigfrown

I think that is the context!

Maran atha!

 

[Sam21]

Part 2: Wilful Sin

First notice that this guy will not be fogiven either. "Of how much sorer punishment..." means that he won't. Therefore whatever he is doing, is unforgivable. So what is that? The context tells us plainly, and in the process removes another major problem.

Let’s now look at another passage which has caused untold troubling of consciences – troubling which was completely unnecessary and would have been seen to be so if only the context had been properly consulted.

“ For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,†(Hebrews 10:26 AV)

How many tender consciences (including my own!) have been seared almost to destruction by these words, it is impossible to say. But it was, as I only found out much later, totally unnecessary self-punishment. The context provides the remedy.

Any sin we commit has got to be ‘wilful.’ There aren’t too many that are committed involuntarily and without our say-so: and even if they are, we wouldn’t know about them! Therefore, if we take the passage at face value, without consulting the context, everybody, but everybody, is in desperate trouble, which is the exact opposite of the Lord’s purpose in dying for our sins. Many have given up the race because of this, more’s the pity.

There is first, a larger context – of the whole Letter to the Hebrews - in this case, and second, the local context of chapter 10. The wider context is unequivocally about one thing, and one thing only. Paul takes thirteen chapters to get one message across to his readers in Jerusalem (hence the title, the Letter to the Hebrews). He comes at it from many, many angles – but all the way through the letter it is perfectly clear that the message really is:

DON’T GO BACK TO THE LAW OF MOSES!!! .

That one thunderclap re-echoes round and round, resounding throughout this wonderfully argued Letter. There is no letup from it anywhere. Therefore it would be surprising if this verse in question didn’t have something to do with just that – and it does. The Scriptural text and its local context below is in italics, and my remarks in normal print.

“ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (you didn’t have that when you were under the Law of Moses, did you?)

By a new and living way, (in contrast to the old and dead one, littered with animal corpses)

which he (the Son, not Moses or any High Priest) hath consecrated for us, through the veil, (He has gone through that permanently, not just once a year )

that is to say, his flesh (not that of bulls and goats);

And having an high priest (the real, genuine One) over (not ‘in’, like Moses or Aaron) the house of God;

Let us draw near (instead of running off in fear) with a true heart (not a cowardly, lily-livered one) in full assurance of faith, (knowing the truth of what we have believed)

having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience (it wasn’t so under the Law of Moses, remember?),

and our bodies washed with pure water(we are now truly clean, having been baptized into His Name).

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (instead of letting go of it under pressure of persecution);

(for he is faithful that promised;) (This is a promise made by God Himself, no less)

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love (of your brethren and your enemies)

and to good works (under the persecution you face, do good to one another and to your enemies, as the Lord said):

Not forsaking (abandoning irrevocably) the assembling of ourselves together (in Christian worship at the Breaking of Bread),

as the manner of some is (who have quit already under the persecution pressure);

but exhorting one another (to stand firm against the punishment):

and so much the more, as ye see the day (of the Lord’s coming) approaching.

For if we sin wilfully ( abandon Christ irrevocably, and His assembly, and stop remembering Him at the Breaking of Bread in favour of the Law of Moses)

after that we have received the knowledge of the truth (that His is the only sacrifice that saves),

there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins (because you have abandoned the only real one there is, in favour of those offered under the Law),

But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation (which the Lord will pour out when He comes ),

which shall devour the adversaries ( who are devouring you). He that despised Moses’ law (the inferior one)

died ( the penalty was death) without mercy

under two or three witnesses (but we have ‘so great a cloud of witnesses’ ch 12.1):

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye (answer: lots), shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God[/B] (trample underfoot His dead body, which was sacrificed because of your sins, on your way back to the Law of Moses) ,

and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing (these must be some of the most dreadful words in Scripture),

and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (these words are a plain reference to the ‘blasphemy against the Holy Spirit’ which can never be forgiven: and now we can see why).

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.

The relevance of the following verses is now stark and clear, and require little further comment. Under the persecutions they faced, they were not to quit, because they had come too far now, and had lost too much.

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 recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience (doggedness), that, after ye have done the will of God (by remaining in Christ), ye might receive the promise.†(Hebrews 10:19-36 AV)

Placing the words (“ For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinsâ€) into their proper context shows that the ‘sinning wilfully’ isn’t talking about any old sin. It is speaking in the direst terms about our total abandonment of Christ for another system of worship. If a believer in Christ chooses to become a Jew, Moslem, Hindu, Confucian, Buddhist or whatever else, then, and only then, does he fall into that condemnation – and the punishment will be unthinkable.

That is the true 'blasphemy against the Holy Spirit', to be feared above all else, and avoided at whatever cost.

So you see, once we pay careful attention to the context, something wonderful happens: huge questions are solved, easily, naturally and correctly.


Asyncritus

I think you got it correct,actually turning from faith in Christ and His sacrifice to something else IS something that can cause us to lose our salvation,also it is obvious that all of us do things(daily)and are convicted by the Spirit and repent,the devil did not MAKE us do something,so we willed to sin(even though under pressure). So most all sin is willful,on the other hand I personally believe there is a difference between finding realized you sinned and asking for forgiveness as opposed to planning out a sin you have decided to commit.

 

[Former Christian]

Asyncritus

Note what the writer says after verse 29, and ending with verse 39. We are not of them who draw back to perdition. And note verse 26 where it implies through interpretation that one who sins wilfully has no hope of ever being saved, even if he repents later. Paul spoke of that which he experienced himself. He was not ignorant of the Bible. But he still considered Christ a heretic until Christ himself confronted him. The context of this book concerns the Jews more than the Gentiles. They are a hard headed lot. He had to be harsh with them. But he still said verse 39. He even had to describe faith to them because of the Tradition of men rampant in Judaism at the time. Is every sin that a Christian commits through ignorance? Do we only sin in relation to the parts of the Bible we are ignorant of? Is not every sin we commit wilful. Doesn't everyone have a conscience? And those who are in Christ, don't they also have the Spirit?

FC

 

[Elijah674]

Asyncritus

Note what the writer says after verse 29, and ending with verse 39. We are not of them who draw back to perdition. And note verse 26 where it implies through interpretation that one who sins wilfully has no hope of ever being saved, even if he repents later. Paul spoke of that which he experienced himself. He was not ignorant of the Bible. But he still considered Christ a heretic until Christ himself confronted him. The context of this book concerns the Jews more than the Gentiles. They are a hard headed lot. He had to be harsh with them. But he still said verse 39. He even had to describe faith to them because of the Tradition of men rampant in Judaism at the time. Is every sin that a Christian commits through ignorance? Do we only sin in relation to the parts of the Bible we are ignorant of? Is not every sin we commit wilful. Doesn't everyone have a conscience? And those who are in Christ, don't they also have the Spirit?


Elijah674

Registered Member Join DateMar 2009LocationS.C.Posts2,182

Re: Wilful Sin: Hebrews 10.29

Psalms 19

[1] The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

​

Hi, this post 3 has all the information REQUIRED to understand ones duty for Salvation. Note that Rev. 3:16 finds that even the COLD are earier reached by the Holy Spirit that these other know it all ones! And the reason? They are just to smart they think! 2 Peter 3:16
--Elijah

 

[Elijah674]

This is an important topic! Thanks for starting it.

This is my take on the verse.

I agree that we all sin deliberately at times. We can't help ourselves when we are in the power of the flesh. Of course we are to remain dead to sin and alive to God. But there may be lapses.

Wilfull means to be stubborn. A stubborn child REFUSES to reconsider his position.

So to be wilfull in a spiritual sense is to CONTINUALLY grieve the Holy Spirit with a wilfull ATTITUDE that refuses to be corrected.:bigfrown

I think that is the context!

Maran atha!

Hi young'in, it is good to find some around with True 'Spiritual Decernment'. And that does 'beg' the question to you, should we do what Eve did NOT DO in the Garden by sinning the sin of WILLFUL SIN, (as did Adam) by us knowingly going to listen to satan's 2 Cor. 4:2's 'cute' false and 'dishonest'.. + supposed craftiness? which is being tossed around as Truth, when we know better?


And, this rhetorical question is only for any who understand what brings on the SIN AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST. 2 Peter 2:16-17


--Elijah

 

[childeye]

Part 2: Wilful Sin

First notice that this guy will not be fogiven either. "Of how much sorer punishment..." means that he won't. Therefore whatever he is doing, is unforgivable. So what is that? The context tells us plainly, and in the process removes another major problem.

Let’s now look at another passage which has caused untold troubling of consciences – troubling which was completely unnecessary and would have been seen to be so if only the context had been properly consulted.

“ For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,†(Hebrews 10:26 AV)

How many tender consciences (including my own!) have been seared almost to destruction by these words, it is impossible to say. But it was, as I only found out much later, totally unnecessary self-punishment. The context provides the remedy.

Any sin we commit has got to be ‘wilful.’ There aren’t too many that are committed involuntarily and without our say-so: and even if they are, we wouldn’t know about them! Therefore, if we take the passage at face value, without consulting the context, everybody, but everybody, is in desperate trouble, which is the exact opposite of the Lord’s purpose in dying for our sins. Many have given up the race because of this, more’s the pity.

There is first, a larger context – of the whole Letter to the Hebrews - in this case, and second, the local context of chapter 10. The wider context is unequivocally about one thing, and one thing only. Paul takes thirteen chapters to get one message across to his readers in Jerusalem (hence the title, the Letter to the Hebrews). He comes at it from many, many angles – but all the way through the letter it is perfectly clear that the message really is:

DON’T GO BACK TO THE LAW OF MOSES!!! .

That one thunderclap re-echoes round and round, resounding throughout this wonderfully argued Letter. There is no letup from it anywhere. Therefore it would be surprising if this verse in question didn’t have something to do with just that – and it does. The Scriptural text and its local context below is in italics, and my remarks in normal print.

“ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (you didn’t have that when you were under the Law of Moses, did you?)

By a new and living way, (in contrast to the old and dead one, littered with animal corpses)

which he (the Son, not Moses or any High Priest) hath consecrated for us, through the veil, (He has gone through that permanently, not just once a year )

that is to say, his flesh (not that of bulls and goats);

And having an high priest (the real, genuine One) over (not ‘in’, like Moses or Aaron) the house of God;

Let us draw near (instead of running off in fear) with a true heart (not a cowardly, lily-livered one) in full assurance of faith, (knowing the truth of what we have believed)

having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience (it wasn’t so under the Law of Moses, remember?),

and our bodies washed with pure water(we are now truly clean, having been baptized into His Name).

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (instead of letting go of it under pressure of persecution);

(for he is faithful that promised;) (This is a promise made by God Himself, no less)

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love (of your brethren and your enemies)

and to good works (under the persecution you face, do good to one another and to your enemies, as the Lord said):

Not forsaking (abandoning irrevocably) the assembling of ourselves together (in Christian worship at the Breaking of Bread),

as the manner of some is (who have quit already under the persecution pressure);

but exhorting one another (to stand firm against the punishment):

and so much the more, as ye see the day (of the Lord’s coming) approaching.

For if we sin wilfully ( abandon Christ irrevocably, and His assembly, and stop remembering Him at the Breaking of Bread in favour of the Law of Moses)

after that we have received the knowledge of the truth (that His is the only sacrifice that saves),

there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins (because you have abandoned the only real one there is, in favour of those offered under the Law),

But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation (which the Lord will pour out when He comes ),

which shall devour the adversaries ( who are devouring you). He that despised Moses’ law (the inferior one)

died ( the penalty was death) without mercy

under two or three witnesses (but we have ‘so great a cloud of witnesses’ ch 12.1):

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye (answer: lots), shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God[/B] (trample underfoot His dead body, which was sacrificed because of your sins, on your way back to the Law of Moses) ,

and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing (these must be some of the most dreadful words in Scripture),

and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (these words are a plain reference to the ‘blasphemy against the Holy Spirit’ which can never be forgiven: and now we can see why).

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.

The relevance of the following verses is now stark and clear, and require little further comment. Under the persecutions they faced, they were not to quit, because they had come too far now, and had lost too much.

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 recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience (doggedness), that, after ye have done the will of God (by remaining in Christ), ye might receive the promise.†(Hebrews 10:19-36 AV)

Placing the words (“ For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinsâ€) into their proper context shows that the ‘sinning wilfully’ isn’t talking about any old sin. It is speaking in the direst terms about our total abandonment of Christ for another system of worship. If a believer in Christ chooses to become a Jew, Moslem, Hindu, Confucian, Buddhist or whatever else, then, and only then, does he fall into that condemnation – and the punishment will be unthinkable.

That is the true 'blasphemy against the Holy Spirit', to be feared above all else, and avoided at whatever cost.

So you see, once we pay careful attention to the context, something wonderful happens: huge questions are solved, easily, naturally and correctly.


Asyncritus

I applaud your use of the term willful. Indeed all flesh is willful toward sin. Only God is good and our righteousness. I do not believe in the theology of a freewill wherein one chooses to sin or not sin. If righteousness is by faith then one either believes in God for his righteousness or he thinks he wills it.