Apostasy Heb. 10:25–27. (124)
For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins” (v. 26). The general truth here set forth is that, should those who have been converted and become Christians apostatize from Christ their state would be hopeless. First, because of the nature of this sin, a deliberate and final abandonment of the Christian faith. Second, the ones warned against the committal of it. Third, the terrible aggravation of committing it. Fourth, the unpardonableness of it. The Bible says, “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us all sin,” and none of those spoken of throughout 1Jn 1:7 ever commit this sin! Moreover, 1Jn. 5:16 plainly teaches there is a sin for which the blood of Christ does not avail. Second,Christians need to heed the exhortations given in vv. 22–25: the duties therein prescribed are the means which God has appointed for preserving His people against this unpardonable crime. “For if we sin willfully.” “The word sin here is not of sin generally, but of a particular kind of sin, —apostasy from the faith and profession of the truth, once known and professed. ‘The angels that sinned’ are the apostate angels. The apostasy described is a state of apostasy. It’s not ‘If we have sinned, if we have apostatized’; but ‘If we sin, if we apostatize, if we continue in apostasy’” John Brown.
- “For if we sin willingly,” Who are the ones that are here warned and are in danger of this terrible sin? The answer is all Hebrews who make a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus. By extension all genuine Christians. God views the Christian both in Christ legally and in this world. He addresses us as responsible beings 2Pet. 1:10 and regulates the manifestations of His love for us according to our conduct Jn 14:23 “After that we have received the knowledge of the truth.” These words not only serve to identify the ones who are cautioned against apostasy but are added to emphasize the enormity of the sin. It is after being enlightened, they abandoned Christianity. The “Truth” rather than the “Gospel” is here specifically mentioned, to heighten the contrast—it is for a lie that Christ is rejected. The word “knowledge” here is a compound and signifies “acknowledgement,” and as in Tit. 1:1, Philem 6. Owen says, “…To “receive” this acknowledgement of the truth includes an act of the mind in understanding it, an act of the will in consenting, and an act of the heart in embracing it.
- “This is plainly a relinquishment and renunciation of the truth of the gospel, after we have been convinced of its truth, and avowed its power and excellency. This be ‘willingly’: not upon a sudden surprisal and temptation, as Peter denied Christ; not on those compulsions and fears which may work a present dissimulation, without an internal rejection of the Gospel; not through darkness, ignorance making an impression for a season on the minds and reasonings of men… Men who thus sin, do it by choice, and of their own accord, from the internal depravity of their own mind, and an evil heart of unbelief to depart from the living God; that they do it by, and with the preference of another way of religion, and a resting therein above the Gospel” John Owen
- The un-pardonableness of this sin is in “there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” Let us see1Sam. 3:14, “… I have sworn… that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice or offering forever.” So, it is now with those who apostatize from Christ: they voluntarily and finally reject the Gospel, forfeit all interest in the sacrifice of Christ. Let it be said emphatically that there is nothing in this text which in anywise conflicts with the blessed truth of the eternal security of God’s saints. The apostle faithfully points out the sure, dreadful, and eternal consequences of the Hebrews apostatize “For IF we sin willingly.” We are only in the place of safety while we maintain the attitude of complete dependency upon the Lord and of unreserved subjection to Him.
