Bible Strands
Hebrews 10:26
If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The anonymous author writes to a Jewish-Christian congregation under pressure to revert to the temple sacrificial system, positioning this warning between an exhortation to persevere (v. 25) and a description of coming judgment (v. 27).
The words — Ἑκουσὶως (heousiōs) means "willingly, of one's own will"; it is the word that separates the sin in view from ordinary human failure and makes the warning specific rather than generic.
The thread — Hebrews 6:4–6 describes the same trajectory (enlightenment, then falling away) and reaches the same conclusion of impossibility; 2 Peter 2:20–22 and John 9:41 pair knowledge with heightened guilt.
Why it lands — The verse removes the assumption that Christ's atonement functions as an unlimited safety net for deliberate, informed rejection of him; it asks the reader to distinguish between struggling with sin and choosing to abandon the very ground on which forgiveness stands.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Cross-references
- 2 Peter 2:20 If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first.
- Hebrews 6:4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
- John 9:41 “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”
- Luke 12:47 That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.
- Matthew 12:43 When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.
- Numbers 15:28 And the priest shall make atonement before the LORD on behalf of the person who erred by sinning unintentionally; and when atonement has been made for him, he will be forgiven.
- Matthew 12:31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
- James 4:17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.
- 1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin.
- John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.