Politicians and lawyers, as well as the media, know how to take a few words someone says, and misconstrue them in order to trap and attack a person with their own words.
The usual retort or defense by the trapped person is that their words were taken out of context. Context is important! This is always true when it comes to understanding words spoken and written.
This issue of context also applies to reading and studying the Bible. But context includes more than just the words and sentences. The time frame and culture of spoken or written words are an important frame of reference for understanding them.
Most of the lack of understanding or misunderstanding of the Bible is due to an ignorance of the full context of history, culture, the Scriptures as a whole, and the nature of God.
Scripture
If we go on sinning after we have learned the truth, no sacrifice can take away our sins. All that is left is a terrifying wait for judgment and a raging fire that will consume God’s enemies.
If two or three witnesses accused someone of rejecting Moses’ Teachings, that person was shown no mercy as he was executed. [vss 26-27]
What do you think a person who shows no respect for the Son of God deserves? That person looks at the blood of the promise (the blood that made him holy) as no different from other people’s blood, and he insults the Spirit that God gave us out of his kindness [grace]. He deserves a much worse punishment. [vss 28-29]
We know the God who said, “I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back.” God also said, “The Lord will judge his people.”
Falling into the hands of the living God is a terrifying thing. [vss 30-31]
(Hebrews 10:26-31 GW) [Context– Hebrews 10]
Key phrase—
Falling into the hands of the living God is a terrifying thing
Digging Deeper...
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions
What is the strong warning given? What is not available "if we go on sinning?"
How is rejection of the Mosaic Law compared to rejection of the New Covenant of grace?
What are we told insults the Spirit of God? What result can we expect if we insult God's Spirit?
How is all of this reasoning tied into the last strong expression of this warning?
Reflection...
I've seen this portion of text (the 4th of 5 warnings in Hebrews) used to discourage and scare people, which brings both condemnation and confusion. It is a strong warning and exhortation to be sure but is intended to encourage believers to persevere not despair.
This should be clear from the context of this whole chapter (10) and the following chapter (11), as well as the purpose of the whole book of Hebrews.
Once the Mosaic Law was completed and replaced (Matt 5:17; Heb 8:6-13), its provision of forgiveness and atonement was null and void. Trying to go back to the Law meant rejecting the perfect atonement of Jesus brought through His death and resurrection. This would be a rejection of God's grace and the promise of God's Spirit (John 14:16-17, 26) living in us as believers.
Be careful how you handle the truth of God! Falling into the hands of the living God is a terrifying thing. Be wary of sitting in God's place and pronouncing judgment on anyone! Rather than a false confidence in religious righteousness, accept and trust God's grace.
Make it personal...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
Since none of us lead a perfect, moral life, how is this warning an encouragement?
Do you understand how and why the rejection of New Covenant grace to rely on the Law is a personal and grievous insult to God?
Can you see all of this from the context of these early converts from Judaism to Christianity?
Are you living in the freedom of God's gracious forgiveness through Jesus or struggling to be righteous through your own efforts?
©2017—Word-Strong
Here's a free introduction for the book of Hebrews— Intro to studying Hebrews