lightbearer said:
No it is a conditional clause. The word "if" signifies this and The writer of Hebrews includes himself in admonition. There is no way around that. Besides that the word "for" is used to start the sentence. This means that what follows it is being stated to assign a reason to what was previously stated. Which is an exhortation which the writer also includes himself......
Then do not throw away your confidence (Faith), which has great reward. For you have need of patience, that having done the will of God you may obtain the promise. For, yet a very little while, and the One coming will come, "and will not delay. But the just (the righteous) shall live by faith (confidence)and if he draws back," "My soul is not pleased in him. But we are not of those withdrawing to destruction, but of faith, to the preservation of the soul.
(Heb 10:35-39)
you forgot the words (BUT WE)
Actually that is covered. several times actually. The post states.
We are to be exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. There is no reason for an admonition after the exhortation if it were not possible for the "we"(the writer included) to suffer judgement and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries if they should be sinning willfully.
And continues to say.
The writer of Hebrews states that if they sin willfully there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. If there is no more sacrifice for sins the "we" which includes the writer are not covered by the sacrifice of Christ and are not saved. And the "we" mentioned have a fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
And then in closing.
He continues to tell The ones to whom have been illuminated to not cast away their confidence (their Faith) which have great recompense of reward. That better enduring substance in Heaven. He tells them that He that shall come will come don't lose hope. He reminds them the Just (the righteous) shall live by Faith but he warns them not to draw back to destruction. And then closes telling them so they do not lose hope that they are not those who sin willfully after receiving the knowledge the truth. that they have not thrown away their confidence, their faith but believe as he to the saving of the soul.
Then do not throw away your confidence (Faith), which has great reward. For you have need of patience, that having done the will of God you may obtain the promise. For, yet a very little while, and the One coming will come, "and will not delay. But the just (the righteous) shall live by Faith (confidence)and if he draws back," "My soul is not pleased in him. But we are not of those withdrawing to destruction, but of faith, to the preservation of the soul.
Let's continue shall we.
For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again,
The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
(Heb 10:30-39 KJV)
The writer admonishes, "The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." But then exhorts those to whom He is admonishing so they do not lose hope. He says "
But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured" He tells them not to cast away their confidence (faith) for they have need of patience (joyful constancy), that after they done the will of God (not sinned willfully) they might receive the promise. And then they are reminded that the Just live out of Faith but if the just one draws back from faith God will not be pleased with him.
So how does one draw back from being Just (righteous) out of Faith if they are not just (righteous) out of Faith
in the first place. How does one cast away their confidence, their Faith if they are not experiencing it to begin with. How can one be illuminated and enduring a great flight of afflictions if they are not Righteous out of Faith, believing to the saving of the soul.
you also forget not everyone who was going to the churches where pauls letters were read were saved. He is the ones he is directing his writting to. Because THEY ARE the ones who are at danger of falling away, If they do not become [art of the WE who do not fall away. by being born again by Gods spirit. and laying the foundation for which their house is built. which will never crumple no matter what kind of storm they encounter.
If they are not saved what are they falling away from?