Philip Dampier's Blog

“But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.” By former days the writer means the time when they became followers of Christ. They had expressed…

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” This is a warning, not a threat. It is a reminder of the other side of God. This is the God of the blessings and the curses. This is the God who offers a land flowing…

“For we know him who said, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’” We will keep in mind that the writer is addressing people who have tasted the good things of the new covenant and accepted the gift of grace from God. This…

“How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?” Many people would like to ignore this verse and…

“Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of one or two witnesses.” Here we have a not so gentle reminder of what happened to Israel if they failed to follow the law given by Moses. Punishment was swift and certain. The Israelites…

“…but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.” Here is the conclusion to the proposition in the previous verse. If we go on sinning, having shunned the offering of eternal forgiveness made by Jesus, there is a consequence. As we saw in…

“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…” This verse is a co-thought with the one in Romans 6:1. There Paul asks a similar question, and the answer to Paul’s question is much the same as…

“…not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” The very idea of church was assembly. The assembly of the saints, in spite of all the difficulties, was of paramount importance to the…

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…” Once we are past the decision to embrace the new covenant and the new covenant bringer, it becomes our responsibility to encourage others to do the same thing. Loving others, especially our relatives in Christ,…

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” This is the third time our writer has encouraged the holding on of their faith to the Hebrews. Not only to hold on but to hold fast. He knows they need to be…