A Brief Study of Hebrews 10:32-11:3

A Brief Study of Hebrews 10:32-11:3

The book of Hebrews is filled with new covenant truth. Written to the Hebrew people, it holds great value for everyone who has been steeped in the traditions of the church. This brief passage is one that many find problematic and unsettling. Often it seems unclear and at first glance it can be intimidating. This is especially true if the church tradition in which one is steeped includes doctrine that suggests that one might be able to lose one’s salvation.

I have included the passage below from the New American Standard Bible (1995 Edition). I have removed the chapter and verse numbers so that the text flows naturally as it might in a letter.

The NASB capitalizes Old Testament quotations. The section capitalized below is taken from a number of passages including Habakkuk 2:2-4 and Isaiah 26:20. If you look these passages up, you will find that they do not read exactly as they are quoted here. This is a common practice for the writers of the New Testament. There are a number of reasons for this. First, they often reflect New Testament truth in their use of Old Testament passages. Second, they sometimes use them to make other points all together. We might use a common phrase that says one thing to communicate something else. For example, a teen might say to her friend, “My parents will literally kill me if I am not home by 10:00.” While all of us would understand her meaning, none of us would be afraid for her life. “My parents will kill me” is a common saying, nothing more.

I have included that information to help you as you read scripture. It is important to understand why texts that are quoted in the New Testament are not always used as they were directly given in the Old.

Now to our text: Hebrews 10:32-11:3 (NASB)
“But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE,
HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.
BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH;
AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.
But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared (created/made) by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”

The writer of Hebrews has been contrasting those who have believed on Jesus as their Messiah with those who have not. Some of the people are not clearly in one camp or the other. None of can judge the heart of another. Still, it is clear that some knew the Gospel and even fellowshipped with believers but had not come to belief. These people started out hearing the good news but later turned back to observing the Law and trying to work their way to righteousness. Perhaps this happened because of persecution or perhaps because they were simply still in the flesh never having come to belief. Either way they had never been in Christ.

Right at the beginning of this text, we see that believers were indeed being persecuted. So-called cancel culture is really nothing new. These new Christians faced reproach, their goods were taken from them, their lives were made difficult, they were publicly shamed, and some were imprisoned. Those who had faith were able to deal with all the tribulation and true faith gave them confidence that better days lay ahead if not in this world then certainly in the next. This confidence brought them a great reward. We see this in our lives today. As we come through tough times and look back on how Father walked with us and guided us, we become more peaceful when facing difficulty. That is a reward those in the world never see.

The statement that follows can be challenging if we have not become fully assured that Father is not keeping score based on behavior. In saying that we have need of endurance so that when we have done the will of the Father, we may receive what He has promised, the writer may seem to be indicating that our eternal standing my somehow be contingent upon our performance or lack thereof.

Galatians 6:9 reminds us not to lose heart in doing good because in due time we will reap the benefits. These benefits are not the inheritance guaranteed to us by the Holy Spirit within us. These are the temporal effects of walking by faith and not by sight. These are benefits such as, the quiet confidence we gain by seeing Father work in our lives and the lives of those we love. The peace that trusting Him, denying ungodliness, and living uprightly (see Titus 2:11-12) provides. The joy that loving those around us as Jesus loves us bring. The restful comfort that watching Him produce fruit in us yields.

The writer then loosely quotes from the Hebrew scriptures. The last line in that part of the text talks about shrinking back. This refers to those who have tasted (heard the good news) but not taken in for themselves the gift of righteousness provided by the grace of God. We know this because the very next verse says that those to whom the writer is speaking are not like that. Rather, the writer says, they have faith that preserves their souls.

Remember in Ephesians 6:16 we read that the shield of faith extinguishes all the flaming arrows of the evil one. This is an apt example of the benefits of faith. At the cross, the enemy was declawed and defanged by Jesus. All he can do is lie and truth is his Kryptonite. Our passage in Hebrews immediately goes on to define faith and its benefits. We are told that it is the substance or assurance of things we do not see. This is an important thing for us to remember as we face difficulties and hear of terrible things that may lay ahead. It may look bleak and frightening, but Father will never fail us. The effects of the fallen world may be painful and disheartening, but the One who is within us is greater than the one who is in the world. (see 1 John 4:4)

To sum this up I am reminded of the words of Jesus as recorded in Luke 12:32, “Fear not little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” That is the will of the Father for you, saint. It has been accomplished, and it will continue to be accomplished forever.