Hebrews 10:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

NIV: It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

NASB: It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

CSB: It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

NLT: It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

KJV: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

NKJV: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

The prior verse quoted from the Old Testament, where God had promised to seek vengeance on nations who harmed Israel. However, those promises were part of a warning, also from God, about what would happen if Israel sinned. In such cases, the nation would be subject to God's wrath, in the form of attack by those foreign nations.

In prior verses, the writer has indicated that those who know the truth—saved Christian believers—are subject to particularly harsh punishment from God if they choose to disobey. This is not a loss of salvation; rather, it's a consequence for sin similar to what Israel suffered in the wilderness (Hebrews 3:12–19). Earlier warnings included a reference to God's judgment in the form of fire (Hebrews 6:1–8). Earlier in this passage, this idea of God's wrath was again connected to flames (Hebrews 10:27). Since believers know, better than anyone, what the sacrifice of Christ is worth, God will respond to those who "profane" His covenant through willful sin all the more harshly.

Hebrews 10:26–39 contains the letter's most dire warning against apostasy. This passage should be understood in the same context as earlier references to Israel's punishment in the wilderness (Hebrews 3:12–19) and the dangers of a shallow faith (Hebrews 6:1–8). The concern here is not a loss of salvation, but of God's punishment on those who willingly rebel against His will. Since the new covenant is superior to the old covenant, we can expect those who ''profane'' the new covenant to suffer greater consequences for disobedience. This is followed by a word of encouragement and reassurance to those who have already survived hardship and persecution.

God's own words, found in the Old Testament Scriptures, declare His intention to replace the old covenant with a new covenant. Jesus fulfills all of these prophecies, and all of the symbolism found in the system of priests, the tabernacle, and animal sacrifices. Knowing that Jesus Christ is, undoubtedly, God's remedy for our sin, we should be encouraged in holding on to our faith in the face of persecution. However, that same confidence means dire spiritual consequences for those who know Christ's salvation, but choose to act in defiance of His will.

Chapter 10 completes the long, detailed explanation of why the new covenant is superior to the old covenant. Starting in chapter 7, the writer gave various arguments and Scriptures to support this idea. The theme of these points is that God had always intended to send Jesus, as the real fulfillment of the old covenant's symbolism. The second half of this chapter transitions into more practical ideas, including an extremely dire warning about the dangers of apostasy.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.

Accessed 5/5/2024 9:50:05 AM