The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Hebrews 10:26-

Yes, I find MacArthur's interpretation to be 'awkward' too. Syntactically, the "he" belongs with all that precedes it and that which follows it. Secondly, if the "he" refers to Christ, did He count the blood of the covenant an unholy thing and was He 'sanctified' by the blood of the covenant? Surely NOT. I am thinking that MacArthur is probably understanding the word "sanctified" in reference to Christ as He was consecrated to His high priestly office. However, the entire passage is addressing the aggravating sins which the apostate commits and they being so heinous that there is no possibility of reconciliation.

Hebrews 10:29 (ASV) "of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?"

The word "sanctified" here can mean "to be set apart" rather than to be actually made holy". When this type of person professes faith in Christ, albeit a spurious profession since it is empty, not having been wrought by the Holy Spirit, that person is received into the fellowship of God's people; the Church and thus this profession signifies a being set apart from the world and a joining to Christ and His Church outwardly. Or, perhaps the author is intending we understand it as "by which there is sanctification".