New Living Translation
Hebrews 10:31
31It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 10:31 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
- New International Version (NIV)It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
- English Standard Version (ESV)It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
- New King James Version (NKJV)It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Context of Hebrews 10:31
29Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. 30For we know the one who said, “I will take revenge. I will pay them back.” He also said, “The Lord will judge his own people.” It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things.
Read all of Hebrews 10Hebrews 10:31 word by word
φοβερὸν τὸ ἐμπεσεῖν εἰς χεῖρας θεοῦ ζῶντος.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Hebrews 10:31
- Hebrews 10:27There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.
- Isaiah 33:14The sinners in Jerusalem shake with fear. Terror seizes the godless. “Who can live with this devouring fire?” they cry. “Who can survive this all-consuming fire?”
- Luke 21:11There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.
- Hebrews 12:29For our God is a devouring fire.
- Psalms 50:22Repent, all of you who forget me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you.
- Psalms 76:7No wonder you are greatly feared! Who can stand before you when your anger explodes?
- Psalms 90:11Who can comprehend the power of your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve.
- Matthew 10:28“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- Luke 12:5But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear.
Commentaries on Hebrews 10:31
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God - To fall into the hands of God is to fall under his displeasure; and he who lives for ever can punish for ever. How dreadful to have the displeasure of an eternal, almighty Being to rest on the soul for ever! Apostates, and all the persecutors and enemies of God's cause and people, may expect the heaviest judgments of an incensed Deity: and these, not for a time, but through eternity.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God - There may be an allusion here to the request of David to “fall into the hands of the Lord and not into the hands of men,” when it was submitted to him for the sin of numbering the people, whether he would choose seven years of famine, or flee three months before his enemies, or have three days of pestilence; 2 Samuel 24. He preferred “to fall into the hands of the Lord,” and God smote…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 26-31Verses 26-31 The exhortations against apostacy and to perseverance, are urged by many strong reasons. The sin here mentioned is a total and final falling away, when men, with a full and fixed will and resolution, despise and reject Christ, the only Saviour; despise and resist the Spirit, the only Sanctifier; and despise and renounce the gospel, the only way of salvation, and the words of eternal life. Of this destruction God gives some notorious sinners…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 30-31“The Lord will judge His people”: Deuteronomy 32:36; compare 1 Peter 4:17–18. That God will repay them and will judge His people shows how serious the situation is for those who have rejected Christ. Once God decides to judge someone, no one can save that person from God's hand (Deuteronomy 32:39).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3131. fearful ... to fall into the hands--It is good like David to fall into the hands of God, rather than man, when one does so with filial faith in his father's love, though God chastises him. "It is fearful" to fall into His hands as a reprobate and presumptuous sinner doomed to His just vengeance as Judge (He 10:27). living God--therefore able to punish for ever (Mt 10:28).Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 10:31
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Hebrews 10
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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