Hebrews 12:29 Commentary and Bible Study

This is most frightening of all to the ungodly: God will purge from his church those who are not really converted. But it is a warning also to those who are insincere. Genuineness is what counts. We may be surprised to see this here after all that the writer has said to emphasise the grace of God and the encouragement extended to those who come to Mount Zion, the church of Jesus Christ. How can they come if they are afraid of meeting with God’s consuming fire? But this warning is not given to those who come for forgiveness, however far they have fallen. We must come boldly to the Lord, confident of receiving his forgiving love to sinners. Christ came as the friend of sinners and called all to himself, including the prostitutes and tax collectors, to strengthen this confidence. This warning is given rather to those who are trying to take advantage of grace to continue in their sin. It is of course a warning to all who do not believe, but those addressed by the writer are people who claim to be following the Lord but are at the same time turning back to the ceremonial law and therefore are in danger of failing of the grace of God. Any who fail to heed the warning to ‘follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord’ (verse 14) are in this category.