If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,
Parallel translations
- WEB For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins,
- KJV For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
- NKJV For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
- NASB For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
- NLT Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
If we deliberately keep sinning after knowing the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains. Rejecting Christ leaves no other remedy.
Overview
This sobering warning addresses willful, persistent rejection of the truth after professing to know it. For such deliberate apostasy, 'there remains no more a sacrifice', since Christ's is the only and final one. Faithful Christians have differed on whether this describes genuine believers falling away or those who only professed faith; either way, it solemnly warns against rejecting the gospel one has known.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- 2 Pet 2:20–22If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first.
- Heb 6:4–6It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
- John 9:41“If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”
- Luke 12:47That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.
- Matt 12:43–45When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.
- Num 15:28–31And the priest shall make atonement before the LORD on behalf of the person who erred by sinning unintentionally; and when atonement has been made for him, he will be forgiven.
- Matt 12:31–32Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
- 1 Jn 5:16If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin.
- Jas 4:17Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.
- John 15:22–24If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.
- 2 Th 2:10and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.
- John 13:17If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
- Ps 19:12–13Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.
- 1 Tim 1:13I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.
- Deut 17:12But the man who acts presumptuously, refusing to listen either to the priest who stands there to serve the LORD your God, or to the judge, must be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel.
- Dan 5:22–23But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this.
- Lev 4:2“Tell the Israelites to do as follows with one who sins unintentionally against any of the LORD’s commandments and does what is forbidden by them:
- Lev 4:13Now if the whole congregation of Israel strays unintentionally and the matter escapes the notice of the assembly so that they violate any of the LORD’s commandments and incur guilt by doing what is forbidden,
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Christ at the center
Hebrews is sustained worship of Christ: better than angels, Moses, and the priests; the great High Priest after Melchizedek who by one sacrifice perfects forever those he saves.
How Hebrews 10:26 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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