Hebrews 10:28-39

From Warning to Consolation

Chrysostom captured it well when commenting on Hebrews 10, right after the fourth warning passage: the best physicians, after making a deep incision and increasing the pain, soothe the afflicted part, giving rest and refreshment to the disturbed soul. They do not make a second incision but apply gentle remedies to remove the violence of the pain.

The author of Hebrews did the same. After shaking souls with the warning of hell, convincing that those who do despite to God's grace will perish—more fearfully under Moses' law, confirmed by testimonies, and declaring it a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God—he now offers consolation. This passage creates an attitude of focusing on the seriousness of our profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

The one who professes belief yet continues in the same sin, sinning willfully, belligerently, blatantly, openly, dishonestly—that person falls under the warning of apostasy.

Hebrews 10 presents several key elements for our salvation. It begins with the gospel's power: the significance, preeminence, and perfecting nature of Christ's finished work (verses 1-18). Then comes the warning not to give up the profession. Now, after the soul-shaking warning, comes consolation—like ice on a wound—to encourage and comfort, starting in verse 32.

But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings, partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated. For you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

Gospel Motivation and Encouragement in Warnings

With each warning passage, the author provides gospel motivation and encouragement. The second warning affirms the promise of rest remains—you have not missed entering God's rest by believing the gospel and resting from dead works. The third declares confidence in better things: love and service accompanying salvation, not apostasy.

Now, in the fourth, recall former days. Look back on your life, recognizing victories and fruit—not to rest in past achievements as sufficient, becoming apathetic or idolatrous, but to confirm Christ's presence, encouraging progress.

For the apostate, warnings urge embracing Christianity fully. For true believers, they motivate by recalling salvation from sin's corruption and God's wrath—hell's eternal torment, from which you are forever saved.

The third warning looked at the present: serving and loving saints. Opportunities abound here to love one another beyond the meet-and-greet—after service, in fellowships.

This passage highlights four elements: commendation of endurance ("you endured a great struggle with sufferings"), sympathy (compassion for prisoners), command to continue ("do not cast away your confidence"), and consideration of identity ("we are not of those who draw back... but of those who believe to the saving of the soul").

Marks of Apostates vs. True Believers

Apostates abandon the faithful ("do not forsake the assembling"), devalue Christ's blood as common, continue in pre-profession sinning, and elevate self over Christ's work—judging the gospel insufficient, as Jews urged returning to Judaism.

True recipients of the gospel endure. Recall former days: profession of faith persisting through sufferings, not self-achieved victory, but Christ's perfecting, sanctifying work. This is the test of authenticity—continuance, as 1 John 2:19 states: they went out from us because they were not of us; if they were, they would have remained.

Can you see a pinpointed difference pre- and post-profession? Periods of excitement: exposed to sin's pollution, thrilled by Christ's forgiveness, living by faith ("I have been crucified with Christ... the life I now live... by faith in the Son of God"). Gung-ho preaching, serving, studying Scripture voraciously, gospel-motivated life.

Even struggles that should have crushed you—yet you endured. Public exposure as Christian brought insults, afflictions, tribulations. Yet these are positive: first-century Christians, beaten, prayed thanks for being counted worthy, asking for more.

How often do we sarcastically thank God in trials? Instead, gospel focus recognizes heavenly inheritance outweighs present situations. Romans 8:28 promises God works all for good. Eternal life—free from death, grief, trials, in God's presence—transforms perspective.

Gospel-centered lives yield gospel marriages, parenting, work "as unto the Lord," harmony, joy. Trials the world calls negative (or prosperity preachers blame on weak faith) are victories when gospel-motivated.

Illumination and Endurance

You were illuminated—light into darkness, exposing chaos like Carlsbad Caverns' total blackness: stumbling blindly, grasping cobras as treasures. Light reveals sin's corruption, Christ's value, heavenly inheritance. Trials then become beneficial.

You endured public spectacles: reproaches, tribulations personally, then as companions of the afflicted. Early Christians faced lions in coliseums, singing hymns to the end; women torched to light orgies. Baptism put targets on them.

Yet compassion for prisoners, joyful acceptance of plundered goods—knowing better heavenly possession. Not defined by situations, but attributes: endurance, compassion, joy. Fruits of the Spirit: long-suffering, joy, hope (expectation of salvation's guarantees).

Warning passages urge maturity; this comfort passage builds confidence on past victories for growth. Christians publicly identify with the body, uniting with the faithful—not rogues.

Identity in Faith

Quoting Habakkuk 2:4 (reversed in Greek): "If anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him"—the proud, self-centered. Not teaching believers can lose salvation; Christ's intercession ensures the Father's pleasure.

We are not of those who draw back to destruction, but of those who believe to the saving (preserving) of the soul. Salvation preserves; we are identified with the faith-preserved.

Chapter break misleads—verse 39 launches into the faith chapter. Look back: comforted by salvation's fruit, victories. Do not let situations define or deter. Endure; do not cast away confidence. Gospel focus produces life fruits, encouraging endurance.