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Hebrews 10:26-27 ESV

"For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgement, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries." [My emphasis.]

Is "if" here hypothetical, i.e., a thought experiment which highlights there being only one sacrifice for sins? Emphasising that if that sacrifice for sins is rejected there is no other alternative sacrifice for sins. And there being no alternative sacrifice the "fury of fire" will ensue.

From Matthew Henry commentary:

"The sin here mentioned is a total and final falling away...".

For Matthew Henry falling away after "receiving the knowledge of the truth" is a real possibility.

John 17:3

"And this is eternal life, that they may know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

Here eternal life is knowing "you the only true God, and Jesus Christ". So knowing God once entered upon is eternal-i.e., it goes on forever and falling away is impossible.

If in Hebrews 10:26 "if" is not hypothetical how would that be supported?

If here "if" is hypothetical are there other and better ways than I have suggested, to support this?

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    If it were merely a hypothetical and not a genuine reality, why follow it with a bunch of inapplicable consequences. To what end would the rest of the sentence matter? This hypothetical is seemingly forcing a theological pre-commitment Commented Feb 26 at 18:35
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    Why would you think it to be 'hypothetical' ? 'If we do this, then such will be the consequences' is not hypothetical, it is a real warning not to do it. Commented Feb 26 at 18:57
  • @Nihil Sine Deo I see what you call "inapplicable consequences" as warnings. And saved people as people who, in part, are saved because they are given the grace to heed warnings. Commented Feb 26 at 19:06
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    Understood C. Stroud but a warning is only as strong as it is true. If the warning entails ending up in eternal fire, but it’s not possible to end up in eternal fire then it’s no warning at all, is it now? Be careful you don’t fall into the pool of water covered by a thick piece of impenetrable glass. At that point you could dance over the water cause you’ll never fall in. Be careful you don’t go on sinning lest you end up in the pit of fire covered by eternal security. The point is the condition and inclination of the heart. Is one’s heart inclined toward sanctification or toward sin Commented Feb 26 at 20:08
  • The answer lies in what the Greek says. In Greek, does the verb for "go on sinning" imply something that's happening, may happen, or isn't happening? Like in English "if I'm talking"; "if I leave now"; or "if I'm the King of England"? We need a Greek scholar to tell us. Commented Feb 26 at 20:30

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The OP asks, “Is ‘if’ a hypothetical or real possibility in Hebrews 10:26?” Based on the grammatical construction of Heb 10:26, the verse is describing a real rather than a hypothetical possibility. The first thing to note is that the “if” in the ESV and other English translations is not in the Greek but is inferred from the context.

Hebrews 10:26a Interlinear (Note: not taken from interlinear of biblehub.com)

εκουσιως   γαρ   αμαρτανοντων   ημων   μετα   το   λαβειν       την    επιγνωσιν   της      αληθειας 
willingly  for   sinning        we     after   -   to receive   the    knowledge   of the   truth

Hebrews 10:26 YLT

For we -- wilfully sinning after the receiving the full knowledge of the truth -- no more for sins doth there remain a sacrifice

Syntax and construction

The first half of Heb 10:26 is constructed as a genitive absolute, a participle phrase wherein the participle, which is in the genitive case, functions as a verb with its own subject, one that is distinct from that of the main clause. Typically located before the main clause, the genitive absolute “usually functions adverbially, and especially temporally, telling you when one thing was happening in relation to something else” (“Participles: Genitive Absolute). Thus, the “if” in Heb 10:26 is more of a “while” or a “when.”

In other words, Hebrews 10:36 is not describing the relationship between a condition, which might be hypothetical, and a resulting consequence but between two events that are temporally related to one another (compare to genitive absolutes in Mt 25:10 and Lk 17:12). Because the participle in Heb 10:26 is in the present tense, Heb 10:26 is comparable to a present general conditional statement (“Greek Conditional Sentences”). The present general condition is one that indicates “a generic situation or universal truth” (compare to conditional statements in Jn 11:9 and 2 Tim 2:5).

In my opinion, because both the genitive absolute and the main verb are in the present tense, the genitive absolute is similar to the English zero condition.

“Conditional Sentences” (madonna.edu)

The zero conditional uses the present tense in both clauses and is used to talk about something that is always or generally true. The present tense signifies that these actions are both possible and typical.

Form: If + simple present, simple present
Example 1: If it rains, I take an umbrella with me to work.
Example 2: If I wake up early, I always read in bed.

Context and a closer look at the verbs

But if we accept the above interpretation, how does the thought in Hebrews 10:26 impact the efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice? In Hebrews 10, there is an interplay between certitude and uncertainty, a dynamic that is played out in the parsing of the verbs – the aorist tense and indicative mood of the actions related to Christ, and the present tense and subjunctive mood of those related to believers. On the one hand, the aorist indicative signifies that the work pertaining to Christ is completed, once for all time (vv. 12, 14, & 20). On the other, the present tense indicates that the work pertaining to believers is still in progress (vv. 14 & 25). The subjunctive, “used to portray a probable or desired action,” adds to the sense of uncertainty (vv. 22-25) (“Mood Subjunctive”).

Hebrews 10:14 ESV (parentheses added)

For by a single offering he has perfected (aorist indicative) for all time those who are being sanctified (present participle) .

Hebrews 10:22 YLT

may we draw (present subjunctive) near with a true heart

Hebrews 10: 23 YLT

may we hold fast (present subjunctive) the unwavering profession of the hope

John 17:3 and conclusions

Following the same grammatical pattern, the parsing in John 17:3 of the verb portraying the action of men is also in the present subjunctive.

John 17:3 YLT

and this is (present tense indicative) the life age-during, that they may know (present subjunctive) Thee, the only true God, and him whom Thou didst send (aorist indicative) -- Jesus Christ

Christ’s offering is enduring, but whether it remains for each of us is a matter that involves the human will. I believe this is the meaning of “wilfully sinning” in Hebrews 10:26 YLT. It’s not just about the act or state of sinning, but about whether we will that which is against what God desires. Only when we desire to do the will of God does there remain a sacrifice for sin; when such is the case, God’s grace is there to help us (cf. Rom 7:18-22), and His mercy embraces us even when we fail.

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Ἑκουσίως °γὰρ ἁμαρτανόντων ἡμῶν (NA28) is a genitive absolute forming a relative clause. "If" is understood because in the context it is a conditional clause. It isn't a third-class conditional clause, so it is a real possibility. The present participle is a continuing state ("go on" ESV, "keep on" NIV). It is about lifestyle, not a individual sin, in which there is forgiveness. That is the message in 1 John 1:5-10.

If we sin willfully (ἑκουσιως ἁμαρτανοντων ἡμων [hekousiōs hamartanontōn hēmōn]). Genitive absolute with the present active participle of ἁμαρτανω [hamartanō], circumstantial participle here in a conditional sense. -- Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Heb. 10:26). Broadman Press.

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In Matthew 12:31–32 (KJV), Jesus says:

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Hebrews 10:26–27 effectively continues the idea:

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

And Revelation 20:14–15 concludes it:

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

The NLT has it as:

So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven — except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.
… if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.
… Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

There is no reason to think of this as a hypothetical possibility.

If one receives God's holy spirit and then deliberately refuses to accept its guidance, then one has knowingly rejected God's gift of salvation. There is no other means by which one can be saved. So unless, without help from God's holy spirit, one could somehow repent of this behaviour and accept God's guidance and gift, destruction is certain.

(Note that deliberately isn't the same as carelessly.)

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If Hebrews 10:26 omitted the phrase "deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth," it would remain hypothetical. However, this phrase sets a specific criterion: once someone acknowledges the truth and then deliberately acts against it, Hebrews 10:26 then transitions from a hypothetical scenario to a conditional statement with real possibilities.

The author of Hebrews emphasizes that "no sacrifice for sins is left," aligning with his claim in Hebrews 10:10, which underscores that "the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ is once for all."

One might pose a hypothetical question such as: "What if someone acts against the truth deliberately but later repents?" While many hypothetical questions can be raised, the author of Hebrews seems to disregard these hypothetical scenarios. He makes it clear that anyone who deliberately acts against the truth they have acknowledged is subject to "a fearful expectation of judgement" (Hebrews 10:27).

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  • Thanks. Hebrews ch 10 ends with "We are not of those who shrink back" and I think that this confidence comes from knowing that the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Rom 11:29 Commented Feb 26 at 21:51
  • @C.Stroud - It can be difficult for humans to discern who has truly been called. For most enthusiastic evangelists, it is essential not to promote the "Prosperity Gospel," which encourages believers to take God's promises lightly. When someone is seen straying off track, it raises concern among evangelists out of love. Pre-warning and encouragement always work better than negligence, as assuming everyone is a true believer can be risky. Someone may not be a true believer today, but who knows if they acknowledge the warnings and become true believers tomorrow? Commented Feb 27 at 4:35
  • I acknowledge receipt of your thoughtful comment. Commented Feb 27 at 15:43
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Conclusion

It therefore is a warning and not a predictions for those who are in their early stages of walking with God and have yet to determine their leaning and how they will utilize grace. It is a prediction and no longer a warning for those who have decided to sin knowing grace abounds, profaning (to treat with disrespect and irreverence, a misuse of) in this way the blood of Jesus and cheapening it so as to gratify the flesh.

Expounding

Humans are tripartite, the housing (body) of the spirit and the soul is corrupted which is why we await the adoption or the redemption of our bodies R8:23. It’s the carnal nature and the flesh that wars against the spirit of man Gal5:17 over the soul of man because decisions are made at the soul level.

The flesh wants to hijack the soul in order to control the direction of man toward fleshly and carnal things. The man’s spirit, born from above by the Word 1Pet1:23 wants man to walk in accordance to the will of God. And this war exists in man. Now man at the soul level makes decisions and his attitude shows his leanings.

It’s almost impossible to live sinless in this earthen vessel that has carnal leanings. The question isn’t about perfection, it’s about leanings or attitude or motivation or intention. And it’s very difficult to know someone’s leaning over a short time span because there are no immediate fruits.

Here is the wisdom of God. We shall give the example of two possibilities. Two men both striving against sin, both become Christians, both born again, both cannot get rid of a certain sin in their life. The first man fights and fights, claims grace each time he sins but eventually he just deliberately sins and then claims grace. The other fights and fights and just like the first fails repeatedly too but though he too claims grace, he continues to fight not choosing to accept this sin despite not knowing how to overcome this sin.

The intention of the first man was to be technically clean in order that his status remains intact with God, the intention of the second is a heart bent toward God. Both failed and both appeal to grace, but one accepted the sin and the other though still sinning like the first never accepts the sin even if God will forgive him.

God honors not that one is sinless because it’s not about earning one’s salvation, God honors the motivation with which someone has done what he has done. Did he use the blood of Jesus to help keep himself connected to God despite his inability to rectify this persistent sin or did he use the blood to justify himself by clearing the debt owed. One is relational and the other is transactional. One focuses on not offending God, the other focuses on the appearance of righteousness. So long as at the end of the day he pleads the blood and repents God can’t accuse him of anything because the balance sheet says nothing owed.

“How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭29‬ ‭

This is an outrage to the Holy Spirit that understands the motivation of said person’s heart.

What does it mean to trample underfoot or to spurn the blood of Jesus or to profane the blood by deliberately accepting the sin?

“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭26‬ ‭

It’s this attitude of, I’ll just pray for God to forgive me but make no effort to resist. It’s treating with contempt or making light of the preciousness of the Blood.

It’s equivalent to using the Blood as a get out of jail card.

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭2‬

How can we embrace sin again?

It’s this DELIBERATENESS that is being accentuated, deliberately sinning knowing God will wash away the sin anyway. That attitude is not acceptable and will result in eternal fire.

It is not about never sinning. Or sinning less. Because if someone with the attitude that they can sin because God will forgive them might end up sinning less often than a person who doesn’t take that position, but yet the latter will be saved because he does not treat with contempt the blood of Jesus while appealing to it.

I don’t want to give examples of sins because it’s the attitude toward sin in general that is put into view not the sin itself or the quantity of sins committed.

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1 Cor 15 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Also I think Hebrews 6 4 applied up until 70 AD that is someone could lose their salvation by unbelieving in Jesus then going back to the old covenant way of life with animal sacrifices in the temple to get forgiveness of sins but ever since 70 AD I don't believe someone can lose their salvation So that same time context may apply to your verse if the explanation from Corinthians doesn't do it.

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The knowledge of God (John 17:3) is often misunderstood to be mere mental perception or perception and identification, or enlightenment of the Gnostics, however, the Bible consistently teaches that faith (which precludes such knowledge) is dead without works. John's epistles were particularly written to combat growing Gnosticism among the Gentile Churches.

The conditional sentence "if", is not unique here, but there are many which gives conditional law to qualify eternal life. See all writings of Paul, or search Jesus' words with "unless" keyword in the gospels, or study the parables. Compare John 15, 1John 3-5, and Matthew 7. The whole law can be described as hypothetical conditional. If and only if you commit the sins, then you are guilty.

Secondly, the number or range of sacrifice is not specified in Hebrews 10:26-27, but a general principle of any sacrifice is mentioned. Thirdly, if the hypothetical condition hadn't been real and of practical usage, it would have been useless.

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How can it not be a real possibility? Even greatest ascetics and holy men weren’t immune from lapsing into sin. Only the Lord Himself is immune from sin for He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13).

This gnostic crap of evangelicals that if one becomes Christian then he is immune from eternal damnation is to be thrown away as far as possible from any sound Christian mind lest one falls into a fatal conceit. In old paterics we read that even bishops can fall and perish, what to say about common laymen Christians, ha?

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  • @ Levan Gigineishvili Does " if we believe not" of the verse you quote refer to someone who never believed at all or someone who believed and denied? How are you Levan? Commented Feb 26 at 18:44
  • @Levan Gigineishvili You say "lapsing into sin" . "If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves.." 1 John 1:8 yes holy men sin but Hebrews 10:26 has "go on" i.e., hanging on to sin as in 1 John 3:8 "Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil". Commented Feb 26 at 19:19
  • @Levan Gigineishvili Someone who knows Jesus Christ and has eternal life is not of the devil, does not make a practice of sinning; does not "go on". Commented Feb 26 at 19:32
  • @C.Stroud St Augustine relates a story about his friend, gladiator fights aficionado, who, having become a Christian, abandoned this sinful habit. However, once he was enticed to the coliseum once again and could not abstain from seeing a murder scene; after that this man lapsed back to the same sinful addiction for several more years. So, nobody should be self-conceited but “work his salvation in fear and trembling”, as St Paul advices (Philippians 2:12). Commented Feb 26 at 19:41
  • @RHPclass79 Thanks! I am fine, hope, you too! Commented Feb 26 at 20:17

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