Why is it a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31)?

Answer

The author of the letter to the Hebrews addresses Jewish believers, specifically challenging them to exalt Jesus the Christ and to consistently focus on Him in faith. Throughout the letter, the author gives cautions to help them grasp the gravity of neglecting to focus on Christ (Hebrews 2:1-3a;3:12-14;4:1-11;6:1-8;10:19-31;12:14-17;12:25-29;and 13:4-6). In Hebrews 10:31—following one of these warnings—the author reminds believers that falling into the hands of the living God is a terrifying prospect «It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. », (Hebrews 10:31).

In Hebrews 10:19–25, the writer presents crucial teachings that believers should heed. Because those who have faith in Jesus have been purified by Him, they can boldly approach Him and cling to the hope He offers (Hebrews 10:19-23). Due to the completeness of His work and the assurance we have in Him, we should urge one another to love and good deeds, and strive to gather together as believers (Hebrews 10:24-25). It may appear paradoxical that, in a section emphasizing building the believer’s confidence in their eternal destiny and the certainty of redemption in Christ, the writer would mention the dread of falling into the hands of the living God «It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. », (Hebrews 10:31).

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The writer explains that if we continue to sin willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there is no longer a sacrifice for sins. “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,”, (Hebrews 10:26)—in other words, there is no additional sacrifice that can be made. Jesus’ sacrifice was once for all and sufficient (Hebrews 10:19-23). The believer should have confidence in that. However, if there is continual, willful sin, then the believer’s confidence can be shaken. It is appointed that after death there is a judgment “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”, (Hebrews 9:27), and willful sin makes looking forward to that judgment fearful rather than joyful. Consider, for example, the description of this judgment in 1 Corinthians 3:10–15. There is a testing of the believer’s works by fire, and if the works are burned up, even the believer suffers loss—although he does not lose salvation “If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”, (1 Corinthians 3:15). So the willfully sinning believer looks forward to that judgment with fear rather than with the confidence that he should have “but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.”, (Hebrews 10:27).

The writer illustrates the seriousness of such a sinful walk by reminding readers of the consequences of this kind of sin under the Mosaic Law—death “He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:”, (Hebrews 10:28). If the person under the Mosaic Law was judged so severely, how much more penalty would a person deserve who has trampled the blood of Christ and insulted the Spirit of Grace “of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”, (Hebrews 10:29)? Yet, it is important to note that the writer does not say the believer will die or lose salvation; he simply questions what the believer would deserve. God is the judge, and vengeance belongs to Him “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”, (Hebrews 10:31). Indeed, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”, (Hebrews 10:31).

Because of God’s character, He won’t ignore sin— and there is judgment even for believers, even though that judgment is not about salvation, but about rewards (or lack thereof). The writer of Hebrews challenges believers not to throw away their confidence, because there is great reward “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.”, (Hebrews 10:35).

A clear conscience before God allows one to look forward to the day of judgment with confidence, whereas a believer with willful sin gives up that confidence— even though his position is seCure, be aware that the future judgment day is approaching, and it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God «It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.», (Hebrews 10:31). Since we cannot turn back to destruction after being declared righteous by God «But we are not of those who draw back unto perdition; but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.», (Hebrews 10:39), we should not persist in sin because God will address it, instilling fear rather than the confidence that believers are meant to have.

Please note that this article asserts that the warning passages in the book of Hebrews are directed to born-again believers. For an alternative perspective, refer to our articles on the warning passages, Hebrews 6, and Hebrews 10.