Hebrews 10:30 - For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me,” says the Lord, “I will repay.” Deuteronomy 32:35 Again, “The Lord will judge his people.” Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalm 135:14

Generated Verse: Hebrews 10:30

What does "Hebrews 10:30" mean?


This verse in Hebrews 10:30 is a powerful reminder and warning, drawing on Old Testament scripture to underscore the seriousness of rejecting Christ and the consequences of apostasy (abandoning one's faith). Let's break it down:

"For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me,” says the Lord, “I will repay.” Deuteronomy 32:35"

"We know him": This "him" refers to God. The author of Hebrews assumes the readers already know and acknowledge the existence and character of God.
"Vengeance belongs to me": This is a direct quote from Deuteronomy 32:35. It's a declaration that God is the ultimate arbiter of justice. Humans are not to take revenge into their own hands. Instead, they are to trust that God will ultimately make things right.
"Says the Lord, 'I will repay.'": This reinforces the previous point. God will enact justice and deal with wrongdoing. He is not indifferent to sin. The "repayment" can be understood as both blessing for righteousness and punishment for wickedness.

"Again, “The Lord will judge his people.” Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalm 135:14"

"The Lord will judge his people": This quote, found in both Deuteronomy and Psalm, emphasizes that God's judgment extends even to those who claim to be his followers. It's not just about punishing outsiders; it's about holding his own people accountable to his standards.
"His people": In the context of Hebrews, this refers to the covenant community, those who claim to be followers of Christ. The verse serves as a warning that simply claiming to be a believer isn't enough; true faith is demonstrated by obedience and perseverance.

Overall Meaning in the Context of Hebrews 10:

The book of Hebrews is written to Jewish Christians who were tempted to revert back to Judaism. The author is making a strong argument for the superiority of Christ and the new covenant over the old. In chapter 10, the author has been discussing the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus, which provides complete and lasting forgiveness of sins.

Verse 10:30, then, comes as a warning following descriptions of what happens if someone deliberately keeps on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth (Hebrews 10:26). The author is saying:

Rejection of Christ is a grave offense: To turn away from Christ after understanding his sacrifice is to treat the blood of the covenant as something common or unclean, to insult the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:29).
God will not overlook such defiance: Since God is the ultimate judge and the one who will repay, those who reject Christ should not think they can escape judgment. They will face God's wrath.
There is a specific accountability for those who know the truth: God will hold those who have claimed to be "his people" to a higher standard. If they then deliberately turn away, they face consequences.

Key Implications:

The seriousness of apostasy: The passage underscores the severity of rejecting Christ after having known him.
God's justice: God will ultimately bring about justice. He will not ignore sin.
The importance of perseverance: The book of Hebrews repeatedly emphasizes the need for believers to persevere in their faith, not to drift away or fall back into old ways.
Warning, not condemnation: While stern, the passage is ultimately a warning, urging believers to remain steadfast and avoid the tragic consequences of turning away from Christ.

In short, Hebrews 10:30 is a solemn reminder that God is just, that rejecting Christ is a serious sin, and that believers must persevere in faith to avoid judgment. It is a call to take one's commitment to Christ seriously and to live a life that reflects genuine faith.

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