Hebrews 10:31
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
This verse serves as a warning and reminder of the awesome power and holiness of God. To better understand its meaning, let’s explore the context of this verse by looking at the surrounding verses in Hebrews 10:26-31:
“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot 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? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
In these verses, the author of Hebrews is addressing the danger of willful and deliberate sinning after having received the knowledge of the truth. The author compares the consequences of such intentional sinning to the punishment under the Mosaic Law, where transgressors were put to death without mercy based on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
The author emphasizes the seriousness of rejecting Christ’s sacrifice and regarding it as unholy. This rejection is described as treading underfoot the Son of God and counting the blood of the covenant, by which believers are sanctified, as an unholy thing. Such an attitude is considered to be doing despite unto the Spirit of grace, showing contempt for the grace and mercy of God.
The passage highlights that God is a God of judgment and vengeance, and He will repay according to His righteousness and holiness. The author quotes two Old Testament passages to support this view: “Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense” (Deuteronomy 32:35) and “The Lord shall judge his people” (Deuteronomy 32:36).
The verse concludes by stating that falling into the hands of the living God is a fearful thing. It signifies the dread and terror that should accompany the thought of facing the judgment and wrath of the Almighty. It underscores the importance of revering God and taking sin seriously.
