Hebrews 10:19-39

Hebrews 10:19-39

[19] Having  therefore,  brethren,  boldness  to  enter  by  the blood  of Jesus,  [20] By a new  and  living  way,  which  he hath consecrated  through  the veil,  his  flesh;  [21] And  having an high  priest  over  the house  of God;  [22] Let us draw near  with  a true  heart  in  full assurance  of faith,  our hearts  sprinkled  from  an evil  conscience,  and  our bodies  washed  with pure  water.  [23] Let us hold fast  the profession  of our faith  without wavering;  (for  he is faithful  that promised;)  [24] And  let us consider  one another  to  provoke  unto love  and  to good  works:  [25] Not  forsaking  of ourselves  together,  as  the manner  of some  is; but  exhorting  one another: and  so much  the more,  as  ye see  the day  approaching.  [26] For  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.  [28] He  that despised  Moses'  law  died  without  mercy  under  two  or  three  witnesses:  [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?  [30] For  we know  him that hath said,  Vengeance  will recompense,  the Lord.  And  again,  The Lord  shall judge  his  people.  [31] It is a fearful thing  to fall  into  the hands  of the living  God.  [32] But  call to remembrance  the former  days,  in  which,  after ye were illuminated,  ye endured  a great  fight  of afflictions;  [33] whilst ye were made a gazingstock  both  by reproaches  and  afflictions;  and  whilst ye became  companions  so  used.  [34] For  ye had compassion  and  took  joyfully  the spoiling  knowing  yourselves  that ye have  a better  and  an enduring  substance.  [35] not  away  therefore  confidence,  which  hath  great  recompence of reward.  [36] For  ye have  need  of patience,  that,  after ye have done  the will  of God,  ye might receive  the promise.  [37] For  yet  while,  and he that shall come  will come,  and  not  tarry.  [38] Now  the just  shall live  by  faith:  but  if  any man draw back,  soul  no  pleasure  in  him.  [39] But  not  of them who draw back  unto  perdition;  but  of them that believe  to  the saving  of the soul. 

What does Hebrews 10:19-39 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

From this point on in the epistle the writer made application from the great truths concerning Jesus Christ that he had now finished explaining. He followed his exposition of Jesus Christ"s superior high priestly ministry ( Hebrews 6:13 to Hebrews 10:18) with exhortation, another stern warning against apostatizing, and an encouragement to remain faithful to the Lord ( Hebrews 10:19-39). (Even though chapter11is primarily exposition, it is full of application.) The Greek word parresia, which appears in Hebrews 10:19 ("confidence") and in Hebrews 10:35 ("confidence"), frames the section and forms an inclusio tying the thought together.
"With Hebrews 10:19-39 the great central division of the sermon ( Hebrews 5:11 to Hebrews 10:39) is drawn to a conclusion. Viewed from the perspective of the homiletical and literary structure of Hebrews , this concluding exhortation is symmetrical with the preliminary exhortation found in Hebrews 5:11 to Hebrews 6:20 .... The great exposition of Christ as priest and sacrifice is thus framed by parallel parenetic units ..." [1]
This warning passage is in a sense central to all the hortatory passages in Hebrews. Lane entitled this warning passage "The Peril of Disloyalty to Christ." [2] It echoes former warnings (cf. Hebrews 2:1-4 and Hebrews 10:28-31; and Hebrews 6:4-8 and Hebrews 10:26-31) and repeats characteristic expressions (cf. Hebrews 3:6 b and Hebrews 10:23; and Hebrews 3:17 and Hebrews 10:26). Yet it also anticipates what is to come by introducing the triad of Christian virtues, which the writer developed in chapters11-13 (cf. Hebrews 6:10-12). He spoke of faith in Hebrews 10:22 and developed it in chapter11 , hope in Hebrews 10:23 and developed it in Hebrews 12:1-13, and love in Hebrews 10:24 and developed it in Hebrews 12:14 to Hebrews 13:21.