Hebrews 10:26
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Study Note
Study Note
The severe warning — 'if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries' — is among the most theologically challenging passages in the letter. The key phrase 'go on sinning deliberately' (hekousiós hamartanóntón hemon) refers not to ordinary post-conversion failures but to the intentional repudiation of Christ's sacrifice — effectively treating Christ's blood as common (verse 29). The parallel with the Mosaic law's provision for deliberate versus inadvertent sin (Numbers 15:30-31) clarifies the logic: the Old Testament withheld atonement for defiant, high-handed sin; how much more does the New Covenant have no alternative sacrifice available after deliberate apostasy. The verse functions as a pastoral warning against the presumption that grace can be treated as a blank check for ongoing willful rejection.
Other Translations
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins,
For we--wilfully sinning after the receiving the full knowledge of the truth--no more for sins doth there remain a sacrifice,
For if we do evil on purpose after we have had the knowledge of what is true, there is no more offering for sins,
Cross References
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of …
And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the …
And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the …
Because he hath despised the word of the Lord, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut …
And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before …
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, …
And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;
But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before …
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against …