The Five Warning Passages in Hebrews

Conclusion and Summary Chart

Conclusion.  Hebrews remains one of the most beautiful and terrible of New Testament writings.  Christ is portrayed as excellent and His work complete.  In light of this, we are warned that if we ignore His work and our duty to persevere in this life, we may face judgment in this life and loss of rewards and inheritance in the next.  These warnings are meant to be taken seriously by every believer. 

Summary Chart

Warning Passage Passage Context/ Superiority of Christ Sin/Possible Problem Warning/ Consequences Exhortation/ Encouragement OT Example NT cf.
2:1-4 “How will we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?” Over Angels.  He gives believers, not angles, the right to rule with Him (2:13-14). Neglect (2:1). No escape from just recompense.  Loss of inheritance/rulership. Pay closer attention to what was taught (2:3, 13:7) to avoid drifting away. Ps. 7, 8 Matt. 24:14-30; Acts 6:2-4; I Tim. 4:14
3:7-4:13“Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God” Over Moses as a leader.  Moses was a faithful servant of the house, but Christ is the builder (3:1-6). Hardness (3:8,13), not listening/ heeding to the leader (3:7-8). Denial of partaking with Christ, sharing in inheritance rest. “Hold fast” (3:14) “be diligent” (4:11). Num. 13-14 II Tim. 2:11-13; I Cor. 9:24-27; Gal. 5:4
5:11-6:12 “…and then fallen away, it is impossible to renew them to repentance.” Christ as a high priest (4:15-16; 5:10). Apostasy. Not progressing (5:12), turning back to OT sacrificial system (6:1). Dullness, no repentance (6:6).  Barren life (6:7-8). Press on toward maturity (6:1-3). Confidence of greater things (9-12). Num. 13-14 I Cor. 3:11-15
10:26-39“If we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice.” Christ’s sacrifice has taken away sins (10:10,17f), so we can draw near to God in fellowship (10:19-25)
Willful, continuous sin (10:26), trampling underfoot the Son of God (10:29). Death or a punishment worse than death.  No fellowship forgiveness. Remember former progress (10:32), look toward reward (10:24b-36).  Look at heroes of faith (ch. 11). Num. 15:20-31; Ex. 31:14-15; Deut. 17:2-6 I Cor. 5:5; Jas. 5:20; I John 1:5-10; 5:16; Acts 5:1-11
12:14-29 “…much less will we escape who turn away from Him” Run with endurance (12:1-3). Father’s loving discipline (4-13).  Esau’s sin and neglect of inheritance (17). Temporal pleasure, neglecting inheritance (12:16).  Refusing to listen (12:25). No escape from temporal judgment (12:25). Listen to the mediator of the New Covenant (12:25). He will never leave you (13:5)! Ex. 19:10-25; 20:18-26 I John 2:28; I Cor. 9:24-27