It is a fearful thing
The phrase "It is a fearful thing" underscores the gravity and seriousness of the subject at hand. The Greek word used here is "phoberos," which conveys a sense of terror or dread. This is not merely a mild concern but an overwhelming fear that grips the soul. In the context of Hebrews, this fear is tied to the understanding of God's holiness and justice. Historically, the early Christian community would have been acutely aware of the consequences of falling away from the faith, as they faced persecution and the temptation to return to old ways. This phrase serves as a stark reminder of the awe and reverence due to God, who is both loving and just.

to fall
The word "to fall" in Greek is "empipto," which means to fall into or upon something. This implies a sudden and perhaps unexpected descent into a situation. In the biblical context, it suggests a loss of standing or favor, particularly in relation to God. The imagery here is vivid, evoking the idea of a person who has lost their footing and is now at the mercy of the forces around them. This serves as a warning to believers to remain steadfast in their faith and not to take lightly the consequences of turning away from God.

into the hands
The phrase "into the hands" signifies being under the control or power of someone. In ancient times, being in someone's hands often meant being at their mercy, whether for good or ill. The hands of God, in this context, are not just protective but also just and righteous. The imagery here is powerful, as it conveys the idea of being completely subject to God's will and judgment. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the ultimate accountability that all people have before Him.

of the living God
The term "of the living God" emphasizes the active and dynamic nature of God. Unlike the idols worshiped by surrounding cultures, the God of the Bible is alive and involved in the world. The Greek word "zao" for living indicates vitality and presence. This is a God who sees, knows, and acts. For the original audience of Hebrews, this would have been a profound reminder of the God who delivered Israel, who raised Jesus from the dead, and who continues to work in the lives of believers. The living God is not distant or detached but is intimately aware of and engaged with His creation. This phrase serves as both a comfort and a warning, highlighting the reality of God's presence and the seriousness of being accountable to Him.

(31) The living God.--As in Hebrews 3:12; Hebrews 9:14 the exact meaning of the writer's words is "a Living God;" and a reference to the first of these passages (and to Hebrews 4:12) will show clearly what is their force in this place. There can be little doubt that Deuteronomy 32, from which he has been quoting, is still in his thought. See Deuteronomy 32:40--"I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever."

Verse 31. - It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. David, when the option was given him, preferred falling into the hand of the LORD to falling into the hand of man (2 Samuel 24:14), trusting in the greatness of his mercies. But the case contemplated here is that of its being "too late to cry for mercy, when it is the time of justice." Fearful (the writer would say) is the thought of being exposed, without possibility of escape or of atonement, to the wrath of the Eternal Righteousness. The inspired author of this Epistle had evidently an awful sense of the Divine wrath against sin, and of man's liability to it without atonement. He felt deeply the contradiction between humanity as it is and its ideal of perfection; and hence the wrath attributed to God in Holy Writ would appear to him as inseparable from a just conception of Divine holiness. For the more ardent the love in the human heart of moral good, by so much the keener is the indignation against moral evil, and the sense of the righteousness of retribution. The existence of such evil at all in the good God's universe is indeed a mystery; but, as long as it is there, we cannot but conceive the face of the holy God as set utterly against it; and so any revelation to us of the Divine nature would be imperfect did it not include the idea which is humanly expressed by such terms as "zeal," "jealousy," "wrath," "vengeance." Hence came the long-felt need of some atonement, to reconcile sinful man to the eternal holiness. This need was expressed of old by the institution of sacrifice, which, however - as is so clearly perceived in this Epistle - could never itself be really efficacious in the spiritual sphere of things. In the atonement of Christ (if rightly apprehended) is found at last a true satisfaction of this spiritual need. But, man's concurrence being still required, the idea of Divine wrath remains notwithstanding, as operative against such as, in deliberate perversity of free-will, after full knowledge, refuse to be thus reconciled. Hence the awful anticipations of future judgment on some, contained in this Epistle. The nature and duration of the doom to come, on such as remain subject to it, are in these passages left in obscurity. They speak only of φοβερά τις ἐκδοχὴ, an undefined expectation of something terrible. It may be observed, however, that, whatever be the force of other Scriptures in which the fire of that day is described as eternal and unquenchable, here at least the figure of a zeal of fire to devour the adversaries seems in itself to suggest rather utter destruction than perpetual pain.

Parallel Commentaries ...


[It is] a fearful thing
φοβερὸν (phoberon)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5398: Fearful, dreadful, terrible. From phobos; frightful, i.e. formidable.

to fall
ἐμπεσεῖν (empesein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1706: To fall in, be cast in, be involved in. From en and pipto; to fall on, i.e. to be entrapped by, or be overwhelmed with.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

[the] hands
χεῖρας (cheiras)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5495: A hand.

of [the] living
ζῶντος (zōntos)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2198: To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.

God.
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.


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NT Letters: Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall (Heb. He. Hb)