A Free Grace Understanding of Hebrews 10:26-39

The following excellent commentary on Hebrews 10:26-39 from a Free Grace perspective is excerpted from Studies in Hebrews by M. R. DeHaan:

M. R. DeHaan
(1891 - 1965)

Hebrews 10:26-39 

The Lord has graciously made forgiveness possible for the weaknesses of His children, their mistakes and errors, for their sins of ignorance, sins of omission and defilement. But for the Israelite who deliberately and presumptuously committed sin against the plain revelation of the Lord and continued therein, there was no offering provided. Nowhere in the law was "willful” sin left unpunished. A few Scriptures will make this clear. 

But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die (Ex. 21:14). 

Notice carefully the wording of this sin. It is a presumptuous sin, committed willfully and deliberately with full knowledge and warning of its consequences, and God says, "Take him from mine altar." The sacrifice on the altar cannot prevent such an one from paying the penalty. The same penalty applied to other presumptuous sins which had plainly been forbidden, such as smiting one's father or mother, theft, adultery, etc. This is the law which the writer of Hebrews refers to when he says: 

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses (Heb. 10:28). 

And then he applies this to the matter of sinning willfully—not under the law but under grace—and continues: 

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? (Heb. 10:29). 

Again the all-important question is, Who are these mentioned as treading underfoot the Son of God, and counting the blood of the covenant an unholy thing and having done despite to the Spirit of grace? It is an important question, for either they were unsaved or saved. It must be one or the other. They are said to be "sanctified with the blood of Christ." Can it be said by any stretch of the imagination that an unconverted sinner has been sanctified by the blood of Christ? But there is more, for verse thirty continues: 

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 (Heb. 10:30, 31). 

There is no escaping the words, "The Lord shall judge his people." This is a judgment for willful, deliberate, continued disobedience until God must step in, according to His word and purpose that He will judge His people. 

But the final argument is in the closing verse of this chapter. Notice carefully the descriptive words. In warning the believer against this danger of becoming a castaway, the writer gives this wise counsel: 

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 (Heb. 10:32, 33). 

Here we have the evidence of a true work of grace, the fruits of a real salvation. They had been illuminated; they suffered for their testimony, and even became a gazingstock by reproaches. But there is much more. 

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 (Heb. 10:34). 

Is this a description of an unconverted person? Think of it. These folks were not only saved, but were laden with fruit, as the evidence of it. They had compassion on the writer in his bonds, took joyfully the spoiling of their goods, and to crown it all, they had the assurance of salvation, for of them it is said: 

Knowing…that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 

But let us go on, and see the evidence mounting. Listen to this admonition: 

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward (Heb. 10:35). 

Two words are of tremendous importance. They are confidence and reward. It does not read, "cast not away therefore your salvation." It is not a matter of losing salvation, but losing the assurance. And the danger is losing the reward. But the evidence mounts still more: 

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise [reward] (Heb. 10:36). 

The reward will be given at the judgment Seat of Christ, when Jesus comes. There the work of God's children will be judged. There faithfulness will be rewarded. The unrepentant disobedient will be dealt with and the castaways shall be saved so as by fire. One passage alone will determine this. Consider again the words of 1 Corinthians 3:12-15: 

Now if any man build upon this foundation [that determines salvation] gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 

It is in view of this Judgment Seat of Christ that the admonition in Hebrews ten is given. It is a reminder that a reckoning is coming. 

For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry (Heb. 10:37). 

We are to evaluate everything in the light of Christ's coming. Then nothing else will count, and hence the closing warning: 

Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him (Heb. 10:38). 

The warning is against drawing back, instead of pressing on for the crown. This is the impact of the opening warning: 

…if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth… (Heb. 10:26a). 

This is "drawing back." Now what is involved in drawing back? Does it mean such an one is lost? Or does it refer to the loss of rewards, and “suffering loss" at Jesus' coming? The answer is in the final verse. The writer, fearing that some might misinterpret the meaning of "drawing back," hastens to explain: 

But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul (Heb. 10:39). 

Here is the final answer. Do not suppose that the believer can draw back unto perdition. He can draw back and invite the judgment of God in sickness, weakness and chastening and even commit the sin unto death, but God cannot go back on His promise, and so we are reminded that "we are not of them that draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." Yes, it is possible to draw back, but not unto perdition. 

Shall we then sin that grace may abound? Because we are saved by grace, can we then live as we please? Does the Gospel of the grace of God give us license to sin? Don't be deceived! 

God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Gal. 6:7). 

When a person receives Jesus Christ as Savior, the guilt of sin is removed forever, past, present and future. There is no condemnation for the believer. He has passed from death unto life (John 5:24). But it is possible to neglect this salvation (Heb. 2:3). He may come short of God's best for him (Heb. 4:1). Well may we be reminded, that just because our salvation is free and unearned, our responsibility to "work it out" is all the greater. There will be an accounting, and in the light of this clear revelation let us heed the warning of Colossians 3:23-25: 

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. 

(Studies in Hebrews, M. R. DeHaan)