Understanding Those Difficult Passages (Part II)

Religion

Last week I presented some basic rules of proper Bible interpretation principles (Hermeneutics). This week and in the following weeks I want to address some of the more controversial, hard to interpret, passages of Scripture. Ultimately, each reader will have to decide which interpretation is correct. I can only share what I am convinced is correct.This week we will look at Hebrews 10:26. Scripture states in the New American Standard and the Living Translation:

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…(New American Standard Bible).

Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins…(The Living Translation).

One thing we can rule out immediately is that the passage means that if we commit a willful sin after salvation that we will lose our salvation. This interpretation flies in the face of many other clear verses (remember our hermeneutics rule). If you combine Jesus’ statements in Matthew 12:31, Mark 3:28, and Luke 12:10 it is clear that any sin, every sin, and all sin shall be forgiven the sons of men. The only exception is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. (We will deal with this sin and the verses concerning it next week).

Jesus also tells Peter that he must forgive offenders not just seven times but seventy times seven times (Matthew 18: 21, 22). This is not a literal number. If it was we might be tempted to keep score. Rather, it is a figurative number meaning that we should always freely forgive regardless of the number of times someone offends us. Does not God do the same for us when we ask for forgiveness?

I don’t think this Scripture refers to a persistent sin or bad habit either. If it did I’m not sure any of us would make the final cut. Don’t misunderstand. There is no excuse for persistent sin but I know that most, if not all of us, struggle with recurring sins that we never totally get victory over in this life. At conversion some sins stop immediately but some sins seem to dog us throughout life.

However, our new nature always strives to overcome our weaknesses and failings. Once we are regenerated (saved) we don’t rest comfortably in sin anymore. We hate sin, we struggle against it, but sometimes we do succumb. Sanctification is a progressive process. I think this is because God wants us to remain dependent on Him during the process. We don’t have the power to overcome sin on our own. If we ever think we do, we are in for a fall.

So in conclusion what does Hebrews 10:26 mean? I don’t know if the following explanation will settle it for every reader but it did settle it for me. Some years ago I read an excellent exegesis of this verse. I cannot remember who authored it but it was compelling.

The author explained that in the larger context of Hebrews, chapter 10, this verse applied to Jewish believers who had accepted Jesus as the Messiah, but then later renounced their faith by returning to the Jewish ceremonial law and sacrifices. When they did this then there truly was no more sacrifice for sin. Jesus IS the sacrificial lamb, the only sacrifice that can take away the sins of the world. This interpretation is further bolstered by the fact that the entire book of Hebrews is directed toward Jewish believers and their specific circumstances.

Next week we will talk about the unforgivable sin, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Many Christians at one time or another have feared he or she has committed this sin. Prayerfully, we will clarify what this sin is.

Back to Top