Introduction

Introduction.  The warning passages of Hebrews provide stern warnings and positive encouragement for all Christians to persevere in faith and in the Christian life.  They are often misunderstood as warnings about the possibility of losing salvation or as tests for whether a person is truly saved, but properly understood, they are warnings that true believers may might fail in the Christian life resulting in disinheritance from rewards and loss of rulership with Christ.

The Original Audience.  The book has been labelled "Hebrews" because the audience was composed of Jewish Christians.  That the audience is Jewish is obvious from the extensive Old Testament quotations (from Genesis, the Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Habakkuk) and the discussion of topics such as sacrifices, the tabernacle, the Old and New Covenants and the faith of the Old Testament heros.  That the readers are genuine believers is indicated by the use of the word "brethren" ([v]Heb. 2:11; 3:1, 12; 10:19; 13:22[/v]) and the word "we" in several of the warnings ([v]Heb. 2:1; 3:6, 14; 6:3; 10:26; 12:25[/v]) and of justified people ([v]Heb. 4:15; 8:1; 10:10; 11:3; 12:20; 12:28; 13:6, 14[/v]).

At the time of the book's writing, Jews who had converted to Christianity were under intense persecution from the Roman government and from their families.  They were in danger of slipping back into Judiasm in order to regain the acceptance of their families and avoid the persecution of the Roman government.  This letter continually urges these Jewish believers to consider the greatness of Christ and the inhertance they would deny by turning.

The Warnings.  The author of Hebrews beautifully portrays the majesty and work of Christ and warns believers not to ignore their reward and inheritance He has offered them.  The first and fifth warnings bracket the main content of the book with "how shall we escape?" ([v]Heb. 2:3; 12:25[/v], the same Greek root ekpheugo is used for escape).  In between these two warnings the work of Christ is portrayed as surpassing and replacing the Mosiac Law and, as more of the greatness of Christ is revealed, the warnings become progressively more severe.

Each section of the book exalts Christ in some area and inserts a warning based on that aspect of Christ.  This article will examine each warning in five areas; 1) The context of the passage regarding the superiority of Christ, 2) The sin or possible problem the author speaks against, 3) the warning and consequence of the sin, 4) an exhortation and encouragement, and finally 5) Old Testament examples and New Testament cross references.  This format has been chosen so that the warning passage can be seen in light of the flow of the book.

"Salvation" in the book of Hebrews.  It is important to note that the author of Hebrews does not use the word salvation in the way that most Christians do today. [v]Hebrews 9:27-28[/v] says that the salvation he is addressing does involve the forgiveness of sins, but will come in the future.  This future salvation is a judgment (v. 27) and involves an future inheritance ([v]Heb. 1:14; 2:3[/v]).  This is similiar to Paul's use in [v]Romans 5:1,10[/v] where a believer has been "justified" and "reconciled," but in the future he "shall be saved."  Understanding that the author of Hebrews uses the "salvation" as in the present life and as a future reward that can be lost is vital to understanding the book as a whole and the specific warning passages.

The First Warning: How Can We Escape? (2:1-4)

The Context and Superiority of Christ.  In chapters 1 and 2, the author deals with Christ's superiority over the angelic beings by quoting several Messianic Psalms about Christ's deity and preisthood.  Chapter 1 addresses His deity and chapter 2 addresses His humanity. It has been proposed that these believers had begun worshipping angels and the author was condemning this practice, but this is not likely because he does not mention worship anywhere in the passage.  Instead, while upholding Christ over the angels, the author makes the point that humans are given the right to rule with Christ, not the angels ([v]Heb. 1:13[/v]).  In fact, the angels were created to serve the humans who will inherit salvation ([v]Heb. 1:14[/v]).

The Sin and Possible Problem.  After telling his audience that Christ has chosen humans not angels to rule with Him, the authors warns of neglecting this gift ([v]Heb. 2:1[/v]).  Christ is not only greater than the angels, He has chosen vessels even weaker than angels for His Kingdom.  To ignore this gift is sin.

The Warning and Consequences.  The author warns that by neglecting this salvation, the readers run the risk of not being able to escape "just penalty."  If those in the Old Testamant received judgment for disobedience, how much more will we who have the living Christ ([v]Heb. 2:2-3[/v])!  In the context of rulership talked about 1:13-14, the consequence of ignoring the work of Christ in this life will result in loss of ruleship in the next.

The Exhortation and Encouragement.  This warning opens the discussion of Christ in the remainder of the book.  The author exhorts his readers to pay closer attention to what Christ has done and who He is, things the author is preparing to discuss.  He tells them they might drift away from their inheritance if they ignore what was taught ([v]Heb. 2:4; 13:7[/v]) and what he is about to teach.

Old Testament Examples.  The author quotes Psalms 2, 7, 102, 104, and 110 and urges his readers to remember these teachings just as the Israelites were urged to study them.

New Testament Cross References.  The New Testament gives similiar warnings.  In the Parable of the Talents ([v]Matt. 25:14-30[/v]), Christ teaches the value of paying attention to the investment given to us.  In Acts, the disciples decided it was better for them to "not neglect the word of God" ([v]Acts 6:2-4[/v]).  Paul similiarly encourages Timothy not to "neglect" his gifts ([v]I Tim. 4:14[/v]).

The Second Warning: Lest You Fall Away (3:7-4:13)

The Context and Superiority of Christ.  Chapter 3 opens with a comparison of Christ and Moses as leaders.  Moses is praised for his role as a servant ([v]Heb. 5:5[/v]), but Christ is praised because He is the Son ([v]Heb. 5:6[/v]).  Chapters 4 and 5 discuss the future inheritance rest that Christ will bring to those who persevere.

The Sin and Possible Problem.  The author warns the Hebrews of the hardness of heart that comes from the deceitfulness of sin ([v]Heb. 3:12-13[/v]) and of not listening the Christ ([v]Heb. 3:7-8[/v]), their leader.

The Warning and Consequences.  The consequences of hardness is being denied the opportunity to be a partaker of Christ ([v]Heb. 2:14[/v]) and of not entering the inheritance rest ([v]Heb. 4:6, 11[/v]).

The Exhortation and Encouragement.  The Hebrews are encouraged to "hold fast" ([v]Heb. 2:14[/v]) and to "be diligent" ([v]Heb. 4:11[/v]) so that they will not fall and forfeit their inheritance.

Old Testament Examples.  In Numbers 13-14, the Israelites did not trust that God would allow them to enter Canaan ([v]Num. 13:31[/v]).  Because of their hardness of heart and unbelief, God did not allow them to enter their inheritance, the land of Israel ([v]Num. 14:22-23[/v].  Only Caleb and Joshua, because of their belief were allowed in ([v]Num. 14:24[/v]).

New Testament Cross References.  In [v]I Cor. 9:24-27[/v], Paul likens the Christian life to race that he trains for so he would not be "disqualified" for the prize.  In [v]II Tim. 2:11-13[/v], Paul tells Timothy that Christ will deny rewards (which Paul discusses in 2:1-10) to anyone that denies Christ in this life.  They are justified and "God will remain faithful," but they will lose reward because of their life.  The term "fall away" in [v]Gal. 5:4[/v] is translated from a different Greek verb (Hebrews: aposteenia, Galatians: exepesate) and represents a different concept.  In Galations, Paul is warning against turning to legalism, which results in a believer placing himself under the law. This causes him to fall from a state of grace to living under the Law.

The Third Warning: Impossible Repentance (5:11-6:12)

The Context and Superiority of Christ.  At the end of chapter 4 and the beginning of chapter 5, the author dicusses Christ as a priest in the order of Melchizedek ([v]Heb. 4:14-16; 5:10[/v]).  He is building toward a discussion of Christ as the final high priest who removes the Old Testament Law ([v]Heb. 7:12[/v]), brings in the New Covenant ([v]Heb. 9:15[/v]), and takes away sins once and for all ([v]Heb. 10:10[/v]).  The author wants to continue into this discussion, but he is forced to first address the Hebrew's dullness ([v]Heb. 5:11[/v]).

The Sin and Possible Problem.  The readers were in danger of becoming "dull" and not progressing toward maturity.  These Jewish Christians wanted to return to Old Testament Judiasm where they would not be persecuted by the Romans or denied by their families.  By apostisizing to Judiasm, they would not be leaving the "dead works" of the Law ([v]Heb. 6:1; 9:14[/v]).

The Warning and Consequences.  This warning is more severe than the last.  The consequence for continual dullness and turning back to Judiasm is a state were a believer might never be return to fellowship with God.  That the person is justified is certain.  The author says he has "been enlightened," "tasted the heavenly gift," is a "partaker of the Holy Spirit," and has "tasted the good word of God" (vv. 4-5).  Some theologians attempt to use these statements as evidence that these people are not genuine unbelievers.  Because the author does not say "has" the heavenly gift or "has" the Holy Spirit, it is claimed that these individuals are people who have come very close to believing, but have never "truly believed."  Yet in the book of Hebrews, Christ is said to have "tasted" death ([v]Heb. 2:9[/v]) and He certainly died.  Therefore, to argue that a person who has "tasted the heavenly gift" has only come very close to receiving it, is to argue that Christ only came very close to dying, but never actually did!  In truth, the author lists so many of these blessings as a comparision to what a great thing this person has "fallen away" from and denied.

At some point, if a person continues to ignore Christ and does not press on toward maturity, the Lord may harden him such that he can never turn back to the Lord in this life.  Because the Hebrews were in danger of turning back to Judiasm, they would be publicly mocking Christ in their actions.  Once they had apostized, they might never regain fellowship with God in this life.

The Exhortation and Encouragement.  Therefore, the author encourages his readers to leave the basics of Christianity and to "press on toward maturity" ([v]Heb. 6:1[/v]).  With the hightened severity of this warning also comes more powerful encouragement.  He compares believers to a field that is judged for the fruit it produces ([v]Heb. 6:7-8[/v]).  If it does not produce fruit, it is "worthless" and the dead works are burnt up.  This passage is almost identical to Paul's "foundation of Christ" illustration in [v]I Cor. 3:11-15[/v] where the useless works are burned, but the foundation of Christ remains and the person remains justified.  The author continues his encouragement being "confident of greater things" ([v]Heb. 6:9[/v]) for them and reminds them of the hope they have in God's unchangeable promises (Heb. 6:13-20).

Old Testament Examples.  There is no exact Old Testament example of this, but it remains analagous to the events in Numbers 13-14.

New Testament Cross References.  As mentioned this warning closely parallels Paul's warnings to the Corinthians that, although they had the foundation of Christ, they would "suffer loss" because of the actions in their life on earth ([v]I Cor. 3:11-15[/v]).  And although the author says repentance will become "impossible" at some point in a believer's life, "with God, all things are possible" ([v]Luke 18:27[/v]).

The Fourth Warning: Terrifying Judgment (10:26-39)

The Context and Superiority of Christ.  Chapters 7-10 are a comprehensive comparison of Christ's work to the work of the Old Covenant.  The author has shown that the Mosiac Law was meant to be temporal and Christ has made it "obselete" ([v]Heb. 8:13[/v]) in favor of the blessings of the New Covenant.  In [v]Hebrews 10:18[/v] he says that since Christ has paid for sins once and for all, there is no more sacrificing.  Under the Old Covenant, a Jew had to continually sacrifice in order to receive forgiveness of sins and fellowship with God.  But that time has passed and the Hebrews are urged to "draw near" to God ([v]Heb. 10:22[/v]) with confidence and assurance.

The Sin and Possible Problem.  After 10 chapters of the greatness of Christ and urging not to ignore it, the author warns against continual, habitual sin that completely ignores the work of Christ.  This is effectually "trampling underfoot the Son of God" ([v]Heb. 10:29[/v]).

The Warning and Consequences.  The fourth warning is the most devasting and severe in Hebrews and possibly the whole New Testament.  The Hebrews have been completely cleansed of sins, but if they willfully stay in continual sin there remains only judgment, possibly a judgment worse than death.  Because Christ has finished his work with sin, there are not more sacrifices ([v]Heb. 10:18[/v]) and we can draw near to God (Heb. 10:19-25).  At the moment of faith, a believer is justified ([v]Rom. 5:1[/v]).  But to remain in fellowship with God, we must confess and turn from our sins ([v]I John 1:3, 6, 9[/v]).  If we do not confess our sins and draw near to Him, we will recieve only judgment.  We cannot simply revert to the Old Covenant sacrificial system to regain fellowship with God.  "There no longer remains a sacfice for sins" ([v]Heb. 10:26[/v]b)!  Therefore, the consequence of deliberate, sustained sin is not only loss of fellowship, but terrifying earthly judgment.

The Exhortation and Encouragement.  In verse 32, the author changes tone and reminds the Hebrews of how well they have done under persecution already. ([v]Heb. 10:32-34[/v]).  He encourages them not to throw away their reward ([v]Heb. 10:25[/v]), but to continue persevering so that they might attain it.  The author then continues with the famous "Hall of Faith," chapter 11, which he uses to encourage the Hebrews with the examples of their faithful forefathers.

Old Testament Examples.  Several of Old Testament passages on judgment are referred to here ([v]Num. 15:20-31; Ex. 31:14-15; Deut. 17:2-6[/v]).

New Testament Cross References.  There are several New Testament examples of this type of severe punishment.  In Acts, Ananias and Saphira are struck dead because of their sin ([v]Acts. 5:4-5, 8-10[/v]).  Paul gives a sinful man over to Satan for bodily destruction ([v]I Cor. 5:5[/v]).  James warns of sins that could lead to physical death ([v]Jam. 5:20[/v]).  John also warns of this ([v]I John 5:16[/v]) and also uses the language of "shrinking away" in his first epistle ([v]I John 2:12, 28[/v]; cf. [v]Heb. 10:27-28[/v]).  But he also gives the enouragement that our sins are forgiven and that fellowship with God is restored when we confess our sins ([v]I John 1:6, 9[/v]).

The Fifth Warning: How Can We Escape? (12:14-29)

The Context and Superiority of Christ.  After the lengthy "Hall of Faith" chapter, the author urges the Hebrews, "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses... let us run the race with endurance." ([v]Heb. 12:1[/v]).  Similiar to Paul's "therefore" in [v]Rom. 12:1[/v] where he moves from doctrine to application, the author of Hebrews moves from greatness of Christ and the faith He caused to urging the Hebrews "not grow weary and lose heart" ([v]Heb. 12:3[/v]).  He then uses the illustration of a father discipling his children to show that God "disciples us for our own good" ([v]Heb. 12:10[/v]) so that we might receive reward and "share His holiness" ([v]Heb. 12:10[/v]).

The Sin and Possible Problem.  This warning begins with a reminder of Esau who was "immoral" and "sold his own birthright for a single meal."  Esau neglected his inhertance for the sake of temporal pleasure and ease, which is exactly what the Hebrews where in danger of.  The formal warning comes in verse 25, where he says, "How can we escape?" ([v]Heb. 12:25[/v]b).  This warning parallels the first ([v]Heb. 2:3[/v]) and, together, they serve as brakets for the book's content on the superiority of Christ over Judiasm.  The sin is again neglecting a great inheritance and refusing to listen to Christ ([v]Heb. 12:25[/v]a).

The Warning and Consequences.  The warning is that there will be no escape from temporal judgment in this life and possibly a loss of future inheritance similiar to Esau's loss.  Esau did not think through the consequences of turning over his birthright for food.  The Hebrews are told to think through giving up their eternal reward for temporal pleasure and ease.

The Exhortation and Encouragement.  The final exhoration is again to listen to the Mediator of the New Covenant ([v]Heb. 12:24-25[/v]).  Chapter 13 closes the book with further encouragement and reasons to persevere.  Christ will never leave us ([v]Heb. 13:5[/v]), he is always the same ([v]Heb. 13:8[/v]), he has suffered for us ([v]Heb. 13:12[/v]), he is bringing a lasting city to come ([v]Heb. 13:14[/v]), and he has completely equipped us to persevere ([v]Heb. 13:21[/v]).

Old Testament Examples.  The Old Testament speaks of cutting off a Jew who had committed certain sins ([v]Num. 15:27-31; Ex. 31:14-15; Deut. 17:4-6[/v]).

New Testament Cross References.  Similiar passages in the New Testament have already been discussed and include [v]Acts. 5:6, 10; I Cor. 9:24-27; I John 2:28[/v].

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