A new section starts here in verse 26. Be sure to read all the way through to the end of the chapter before trying to understand what is meant by verses 26 and 27. Keep in mind the contrasts the author has been using throughout this letter.

v. 26-27 "deliberately keep on sinning" implies a rebellious attitude whereby a person knows what sin is but continues to sin as a way of life. When one has received "the knowledge of the truth" but continues with this rebellion against God then there is "no sacrifice for sin left" because the only way of forgiveness (faith in Christ) has been rejected. So what does this person have ahead of him or her? Judgment as one who is an enemy of God.

v. 28 Next the author compares this to something the readers would have known very well-- the Law. Any Jew who rejected the Law of Moses was put to death by stoning. This was done "without mercy" after the first offense and was deemed a just punishment for anyone who rejected the Law.

v. 29 But rejecting Jesus' sacrifice is far worse than rejecting the Law of Moses. Therefore, it would seem that a heavier punishment should be in order. Rejecting Jesus is referred to as:

• trampling the Son of God underfoot
• calling His shed blood unholy and
• insulting the Holy Spirit.

v. 30-31 The Lord will judge. He will take vengeance on His enemies. Just because He hasn't done it yet doesn't mean He will not. This verse refers to the wrath of God toward His enemies. His enemies have reason to fear Him.

v. 32-33 But the author reminds his readers that they had shown great promise in the beginning.

After they'd heard the Gospel preached to them they'd "stood their ground" and suffered a great deal. They were publicly insulted and persecuted. Some were imprisoned or had property confiscated just because they were Christians. Why were they willing to be treated this way?

v. 34 because they had "better and lasting possessions" i.e., heavenly ones.

Remember the Hebrews diagram. These readers were Jews who became followers of Christ. They were being persecuted and were tempted to go back to Judaism which would have been much easier for them. But the author has been telling them through this whole letter that they must not go back. If they rely on the Law to make them righteous in the sight of God then they will be rejecting Jesus.

The Law and its sacrifices can't forgive their sins. Only the blood of Jesus can.

Click to view Hebrews Diagram...

v. 35-36 They must not throw away their confidence in Christ by going back to a system that is inferior to Him. They need to persevere and then they will surely receive the "promise" of eternal life.

v. 37 Hab. 2:3-4 is quoted as encouragement for them to wait as long as it takes. Christ surely will return. But if they "shrink back" then God will not be pleased with them. The author closes by saying "We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved."

 v. 11-14 God "has qualified" them (past tense) to have an inheritance in the kingdom of light. They did not qualify themselves. God "has rescued" them (past tense) "from the dominion of darkness" and brought them into Jesus' kingdom of light. In Christ they have redemption i.e., the forgiveness of sin. Who is doing the work here? Why didn't they rescue themselves?

v. 15-18 Paul says many things about Christ in this passage. Christ is

• the visible image of the invisible God
• the firstborn over everything
• the creator of everything including thrones, powers, rulers, and authorities
• the one who holds all things together
• the one for whom all things were created.
• the one who is before everything
• the one who is head of the church, also known as His body.

Christ is even the firstborn from among the dead. He was the first one to be resurrected from the dead never to die again. Every person who had ever been resurrected, like Lazarus, had to die again. But Christ's resurrection was not a resurrection to physical life but to eternal life. By being the first to experience this resurrection He has the supremacy even over death.

v. 19 It pleased God to have all His fullness dwell in Christ bodily. Paul doesn't explain how it is possible for the fullness of God to dwell in a physical human body.

v. 20 God reconciled all things in heaven and on earth to Himself by "making peace" through the blood of Jesus.

Click to view the Ephesians Diagram

v. 21 Once the readers were alienated from God (before they became believers). They were enemies of God in their minds and this was proven by their "evil behavior."

That was then but this is now....

v.22-23 Now (in the first century AD) God reconciled them by Christ's physical body through death. Christ will present them (collectively) to the Father and they will be holy and "free from accusation." But if they have all sinned then how can they be free from accusation?

They can't be accused of sin anymore because of Jesus' sacrifice. That's why they must continue in their faith in Him without being "moved" from this hope they have in Him (remember Ephesians chapter six and the armor that makes believers able to stand their ground and not be moved).

v. 24-25 Paul rejoices in the sufferings of Christ and identifies with Him in his own suffering. Paul knows he's in prison because of the gospel and he's willing to suffer for the sake of the church.

Paul says again that he is a servant of the gospel because God has commissioned him for this role.

v. 26-27 Like in Ephesians chapter two Paul speaks of the mystery of the gospel that was once hidden (by God) but now has been revealed (by God) in the ministry of Jesus. The glorious part of this mystery is "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

v. 28-29 Paul keeps teaching with only one goal in mind; that he may present everyone perfect in Christ. In other words, he expects his teaching ministry to result in greater spiritual maturity among the believers. Paul works hard at his ministry, even while he is imprisoned. Yet he says it is Christ's energy that is working so powerfully in him. Paul knows it's not his own strength.

--Sandy Blank