Hebrews 10:26 is a verse that causes much confusion and debate among Christians regarding eternal security and whether a true believer can lose their salvation. The verse states: “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.” On the surface, this verse seems to indicate that deliberate, unrepentant sin can cause a believer to lose their salvation since it says “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.” However, we must interpret this verse in its full context to really understand what is being communicated.
First, we need to look at the overall context of the Book of Hebrews. The book was written to Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and were tempted to reject Christ and return to Judaism and the Old Covenant sacrificial system. The writer warns them not to turn away from Christ because He is superior to the old system. The sacrifices of the old system could never fully atone for sins, but Christ’s sacrifice paid for sins once for all (Hebrews 10:1-4, 10-14). The writer urges them to persevere in faith and warns them of the danger of deliberately rejecting Christ after professing faith in Him.
In chapter 10, after explaining Christ’s complete sacrifice, the writer warns about the sin of apostasy – rejecting Christ and turning away from the faith. Verse 26 is referring to those who have professed to be believers but then deliberately and continuously reject Christ. It’s not about true believers losing salvation, but about false believers who turn away from the faith they once professed. This becomes more clear when you look at verses 28-29, which describe this as trampling underfoot the Son of God, profaning His blood, and outraging the Spirit of grace. This is willful apostasy, not a sincere believer falling into sin.
Additionally, this verse cannot mean true believers lose salvation because that would contradict the clear promises of eternal security for believers throughout Scripture:
– John 10:28 – “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
– Ephesians 1:13-14 – “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance.”
– Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
So in the context of Scripture, Hebrews 10:26 is a warning about apostasy among false professors, not loss of salvation for genuine believers. Elsewhere, Scripture gives assurance that true believers are eternally secure in Christ.
There are several points that support this interpretation:
1. The book of Hebrews was written to believers tempted to reject Christ and return to Judaism. So this warning is in that context.
2. The writer is addressing those who deliberately go on sinning, not struggling believers. The willful, continuous rejection points to apostasy, not backsliding.
3. Verse 29 describes this as trampling Christ and outraging the Spirit, pointing to unsaved apostates, not saved believers.
4. Numerous other verses say believers have eternal security and cannot lose salvation, so this verse can’t contradict that.
5. Many other passages warn professing believers against apostasy and rejecting Christ (1 John 2:19; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1).
6. The overall message of Hebrews is exhorting believers to persevere in faith, not suggesting they could lose salvation.
7. Some interpret “no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” to mean apostates can’t be restored if they rejected Christ, not that believers lose salvation.
So in summary, Hebrews 10:26 is best understood as a warning about the dire consequences of apostasy, falling away from the faith, and rejecting Christ after professing to believe in Him. While genuine believers can certainly fall into sin, they will endure in faith because of the preserving work of the Spirit. There are many warnings about apostasy in Scripture because there are many who profess faith and then reject it. But for true converted believers, numerous Scriptures provide assurance that they are eternally secure in Christ.
Here are some additional points to support the interpretation that Hebrews 10:26 is a warning about apostasy, not loss of salvation for genuine believers:
1. The consistent testimony of Scripture is that true saving faith perseveres (Philippians 1:6; 1 John 2:19). Those who reject Christ show their faith was not real.
2. The warnings against apostasy in Hebrews are directed to the congregation as a whole, not individual believers. Not all were necessarily saved.
3. Hebrews was written to 2nd generation Christians. Some may have professed faith because of family but not had saving faith.
4. Similar warnings of apostasy are found in other books written to believers (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 2:16-19; 1 John 2:19). Apostasy is a real danger.
5. If this verse means believers can lose salvation, assurance of salvation would be impossible. Our security must be in Christ, not our ability.
6. Losing salvation would contradict Christ’s promises that believers have eternal life and will never perish (John 3:16; 10:28-29).
7. True salvation results in regeneration and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who is a guarantee of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14). The Spirit preserves believers.
8. Romans 8:29-39 promises nothing can separate believers from God’s love. Losing salvation would contradict this powerful promise.
9. There are warnings about apostasy and rejection of faith by professing believers throughout Scripture. Hebrews 10:26 is part of that repeated warning theme.
10. The broader context of Hebrews encourages believers to persevere in faith during persecution. Warnings against apostasy serve that purpose.
In conclusion, the weight of Scripture supports that Hebrews 10:26 is a dire warning about the consequences of apostasy, not a threat that genuine believers could lose their salvation. While we should take heed, true believers can have full assurance of spending eternity with Christ.
Some additional insights on Hebrews 10:26:
– The verse refers to “we” going on sinning deliberately. The writer includes himself as part of the warning. He’s not suggesting true believers can lose salvation but warning the congregation as a whole against apostasy.
– The verse says “no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” not “no longer remains forgiveness.” Sins are forgiven but apostates cannot be restored since they reject Christ’s sacrifice that brings forgiveness.
– Going on sinning “deliberately” points to willful rejection of Christ’s sacrifice, not accidental or unintentional sin.
– The warning passages in Hebrews are meant to exhort believers to endure persecution, not threaten them with losing salvation.
– The Old Testament backdrop highlights the seriousness of rejecting Christ. Apostasy under the New Covenant isparallel to punishable covenant unfaithfulness in the Old Testament.
– The later context (Hebrews 10:32-39) praises them for enduring and encourages them to persevere so they will receive the promise.
– All the warning passages in Hebrews end with encouragement to endure as believers, showing that’s the purpose. The warnings serve to exhort them in persevering faith.
So in summary, the verse is a wake-up call not to reject Christ and turn away from the faith, because the consequences are eternally disastrous. But the encouragement for true believers is to press on in faith, which they can have full assurance will endure to the end.
Here are some additional key points about Hebrews 10:26 and eternal security:
– Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works or human effort (Ephesians 2:8-9). Keeping ourselves saved by good works contradicts this.
– Christ said no one can snatch believers from His hand or separate us from God’s love (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:35-39). Salvation is secure in Christ.
– Believers have eternal life (John 3:16). By definition, eternal life cannot be lost or it wouldn’t be eternal.
– Scripture says salvation is a work of God that cannot fail (Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 1:12; Jude 1:24). Our security is based on His saving work.
– The Holy Spirit is given to believers as a guarantee and seal of their redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30). The Spirit keeps us secure.
– If salvation could be lost, assurance of salvation would be impossible. Believers can have full assurance (1 John 5:13).
– Passages about Christ’s atonement say sins are forgiven once for all, completely (Hebrews 10:10-14). Sins are not unforgiven if we stumble.
– Warnings against apostasy are meant to inspire perseverance, not threaten believers with losing salvation (Hebrews 10:32-39).
So in summary, Scripture gives many strong assurances about the eternal security of genuine believers. Passages warning against apostasy are for our instruction and encouragement in persevering faith, not to threaten us with losing Christ’s irrevocable gift of salvation.
Here are some final thoughts on Hebrews 10:26 and the doctrine of eternal security:
– This verse should drive us to Christ, not anxiety. Our security is in His completed sacrifice and enduring high priesthood.
– Warnings against apostasy are meant to inspire self-examination, not constant doubt about our standing before God.
– Our confidence is based on God’s character and promises, not our performance. He is able to keep us from stumbling (Jude 1:24).
– Passages warning against apostasy recognize that some profess faith but do not possess true saving faith that perseveres to the end.
– While we stumble and sin, true believers will evidence repentance and perseverance by God’s grace. We don’t continue willfully sinning.
– Scripture encourages assurance for believers (Hebrews 6:9-12; 10:22; 1 John 5:13). We must rest in Christ’s work, not constantly doubt our salvation.
– God gives eternal life (John 10:28), and Christ’s sacrifice perfectly sanctifies forever (Hebrews 10:14). He completes and keeps us secure.
– Warnings against apostasy are meant to exhort believers to endure trial and persecution. God uses these warnings to keep us close to Him.
In summary, Hebrews 10:26 is a sobering warning not to apostatize, but it should drive the repentant believer closer to Christ. He is the one who secures our salvation. We can have full assurance in His accomplished work on our behalf as we walk by faith in Him.