For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins,
Parallel translations
- KJV For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
- BSB If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,
- 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 2:20–22For if, after they have escaped the defilement of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in it and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
- Heb 6:4–6For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
- John 9:41Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.
- Luke 12:47That servant, who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes,
- Matt 12:43–45When an unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places, seeking rest, and doesn’t find it.
- Num 15:28–31The priest shall make atonement for the soul who errs, when he sins unwittingly before Yahweh, to make atonement for him; and he shall 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 men.
- 1 Jn 5:16If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for those who sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death. I don’t say that he should make a request concerning this.
- Jas 4:17To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.
- John 15:22–24If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
- 2 Th 2:10and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn’t receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
- John 13:17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
- Ps 19:12–13Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors.
- 1 Tim 1:13although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
- Deut 17:12The man who does presumptuously, in not listening to the priest who stands to minister there before Yahweh your God, or to the judge, even that man shall die. You shall put away the evil from Israel.
- Dan 5:22–23You, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this,
- Lev 4:2“Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘If anyone sins unintentionally, in any of the things which Yahweh has commanded not to be done, and does any one of them:
- Lev 4:13“‘If the whole congregation of Israel sins, and the thing is hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done any of the things which Yahweh has commanded not to be done, and are guilty;
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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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