(Matthew 12:24-32) "But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. {25} And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: {26} And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? {27} And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. {28} But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. {29} Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. {30} He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. {31} Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. {32} And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."
The word "whosoever" in verse 32 includes all of mankind from then to eternity. This word appears in the new testament 110 times in 93 verses. There is no mistake, this word includes you and me.
Thayer, at p. 102, defines "blasphemy" as "railing, reviling, slander, detraction, speech injurious to another's good name."
We must note here that according to the reading, speaking against the Holy Ghost is the same as blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. This was not the first time the Pharisees had accused Jesus of casting out devils by the power of devils.
(Matthew 9:34) "But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils."
Now it becomes quite clear what prompted our Lord to make the statement in Matthew 12:31. Never before in the history of the Jewish nation had God employed the Holy Ghost as a comforter or to work with the Jews as he does under the law of Christ. Therefore, the Holy Ghost was virtually unknown to the Jews and they were totally ignorant of His powers, purpose, and place in the Godhead.
Being ignorant of these things, God did not hold them responsible. But now, since the Holy Ghost was to be an integral part of the relationship between God and the church which our Lord was about to establish, these accusations took on an entirely different perspective. In effect, our Lord said that you were excused up to this point, but now I am putting you on notice that if you continue to make these accusations against the Holy Spirit, you will be eternally lost at the point you make them.
A good comparison of the point of no return is when Esau sold his birthright:
(Hebrews 12:16-17) "Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. {17} For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears."
It is not necessary for our Lord to repeatedly pronounce this sentence of eternal damnation upon those who commit this sin. Once is enough. Therefore, those knowingly or unknowingly will be guilty as charged. Those who knowingly commit this sin can seek repentance with tears as did Esau, but they will not find it.
I have heard in years gone by, different definitions of blasphemy. Some say we cannot commit this sin today because we have not seen Jesus Christ. Others say it is not possible since the age of miracles have ceased. The most popular definition today is that it means to resist the Holy Ghost. It appears the reason for this latter notion is in the center margin of many bibles, next to Matt. 12:31, reference is made to Acts 7:51, which reads:
(Acts 7:51) "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye."
The most common mistake many make in determining the correct understanding is ignoring the text. We must stay with the text and completely examine all of it and not get caught up with an emotional deluge of prejudice. We may have the tendency to want to help God in his decisions, because of our love for mankind. God wills all should come to repentance, but that does not nullify any of his commands. Reacting from the fleshly emotional side of man, I don't think God would destroy anyone who wants to be saved. However, on the spiritual side, it doesn't matter what I think, but what God has decreed in his Holy Writ.
Reading again a portion of the text:
(Matthew 12:31) "Wherefore I say unto you, all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men."
Those who believe this sin cannot be committed today move to 1 John 1:7 for their final authority:
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
Our Lord said it first, "all manner of sin." Is "all manner of sin" and "all sin" the same thing? Absolutely! Then John said the same thing, except he did not include the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Does John's omission make void what our Lord said? Absolutely not!
Getting back to speaking against the Holy Ghost compared to resisting Him, we are not comparing apples to apples. I may resist an invitation, request, or even a law, but that does not indict me as verbally abusing those making the request or command. For sure, resisting the Holy Spirit is a sin, but verbal abuse does not necessarily follow.
(Hebrews 6:4-6) "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, {5} And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, {6} If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."
These verses emphatically state that under no circumstance was there to be any relief in repentance. It is obvious we cannot fall into this category, seeing we were not privy to those things mentioned. Unfortunately, in years gone by, I have heard preachers say by missing a service of the church one has, "crucified the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." Not true! The reference in the reading is to an open slap in the face of Christ and God.
(Hebrews 10:26-29) "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, {27} But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. {28} He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: {29} Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought 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?"
(Hebrews 10:38-39) "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. {39} But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul."
The key words in the verses are, wilfully, despite, and draw back.
According to our common understanding of the word "wilfully", it would be impossible to obtain the forgiveness of sins. However, our understanding does not match the definition of the Greek word. About the only explanation offered by those who believe no sin is unpardonable is, if a sin is not repented of, then it will not be forgiven. That is true except in this case where it makes no difference.
We will break down the verses in chronological order:
1. Sin wilfully:
Thayer page 198; "Is tacitly opposed to sins committed inconsiderately, and from ignorance or weakness." For clarification, "tacit" means "not expressed but openly implied."
2. But a certain fearful:
The Greek word for "fearful" means "terrible."
3. He that despised Moses' law:
The Greek New Testament renders the word "despised" as "having set aside."
4. Who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing:
The Greek word for "unholy" is "common." Under the law of Moses, the drinking of blood was forbidden just as it is in the new testament (Acts 15:29). However, spiritually speaking, our Lord said:
(John 6:53-56) "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. {54} Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. {55} For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. {56} He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him."
Luke 22:20) "Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."
These statements by our Lord caused his popularity to plummet and many walked no more with him (Jn. 6:66). By the same rationale, many today walk no more with our Lord on this issue. Those to whom reference is made in Heb. 10:26-29 were those Jews who said they were Christians, but were not Christ-like, because it is stated they had been sanctified by the blood of the covenant. They were also saying the eating of blood is forbidden, but you brethren are saying you are drinking the blood of Christ in observance of communion of the Lord on the first day of the week. These accusations are implied in the text, but we will not catch them if we do not understand what the communion of the Lord is, and when it is to be observed. This was called by them an unholy or common thing forbidden by the law of Moses. Remember they counted the blood of the covenant an unholy thing. Regarding the blood of the covenant, our Lord had this to say when he instituted his own passover after he concluded the eating the Jewish passover; "for this is my blood of the new testament" (Matt. 26:28). We have what is called a paradox. On the one hand, we cannot drink the blood of men or animals, but are commanded to spiritually drink the blood and eat the body of Christ. Otherwise, we have no life in us.
If we can understand how the Lord's church is his body (Eph. 1:22-23), then for sure we can understand how the bread and the cup are His body and blood (1 Cor. 11:24-25).
(Ephesians 1:22-23) "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, {23} Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."; (Colossians 1:18) "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.":
(1 Cor 11:24-25) "And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. [25] After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me."
The apostle Paul said:
Eph.5:30, "For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones."
This truly is a great mystery as Paul made the comparison to man and wife. Both the church and the bread are the body of Christ and are spiritual in nature. Unlike political and social issues, under no circumstance does popular opinion alter the correct understanding.
5. And hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace:
Here the Greek reads "insulted." Thayer, at p. 219, defines it as: "To treat with contumely. A scornful insult." There is no mistake that the Holy Ghost was blasphemed by these rebels. We shall see later how anyone can verbally insult the Spirit of grace.
6. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition:
Now the picture is complete. These are all those who have forsaken the Lord with malice in their hearts, and are bound to do everything in their power to destroy the word of God and the church of our dear Lord. Wherefore, there no longer remains the blessing of the sacrifice of the blood of Christ for their forgiveness.
(Jude 8-13) "Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. {9} Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. {10} But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. {11} Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. {12} These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; {13} Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever."
"Twice dead, plucked up by the roots" means as all others die physically, so will they; and are already spiritually eternally dead with no hope. The blackness of darkness will be their next home for ever.
Dignities in verse eight is rendered "glories" in the Greek. Thayer, at p. 156, defines "dignities" as "the majesty (glory) of angels, as apparent in their exterior brightness, Lk. 9:26; in a wider sense, in which angels are called as being spiritual beings of preeminent dignity."
We don't find people speaking evil of angels today, but so far as the rest of the things detailed in the verses, there is an overabundance.
(Acts 5:1-11) "But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, {2} And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it, at the apostles' feet. {3} But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? {4} Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. {5} And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. {6} And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. {7} And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. {8} And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. {9} Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. {10} Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. {11} And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things."
It is said that Ananias and Sapphira tempted and lied to the Holy Ghost. There was no offer of grace for them to repent, but punishment was swift and deadly. I'm not going to say Ananias and his wife blasphemed the Holy Spirit, but the consequence of their actions was the same. Remember this was after the establishment of the church in the Christian age in which we now live.
(Acts 13:6-12) "And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: {7} Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. {8} But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. {9} Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, {10} And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? {11} And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. {12} Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord."
Here the apostle Paul was endeavoring to teach the gospel to a man who was anxious to hear. The sorcerer was determined to put a stop to it and was rewarded with blindness for a season. Was God unjust in both of these cases? We had best consider the cost before we accuse the God of all spirits unjustly. Neither could I say this man blasphemed the Holy Ghost, but for sure he squared off in battle against Him. Also this was after the establishment of the church. Does God deal with rebels and false teachers today as he did then? I wish I knew.
(Ephesians 4:30) "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
(1 Thessalonians 5:19) "Quench not the Spirit."
In no way can these two things be classified as blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. We do have the Holy Spirit abiding in us and it is to our advantage not to grieve nor quench the Spirit.
(1 John 5:16-17) "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. {17} All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death."
Two types of sin are the focus of these verses. On the one hand, a sin (sins) not unto death which should be prayed for; On the other hand, one (sins) unto death which should not be prayed for. Repentance here is not the issue. However, one must repent in order to receive forgiveness. The question is, Why shouldn't all sins be prayed for? The reason is that there is no hope for some sins as we have already learned in this discussion.
(Hebrews 12:1) "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"
Quoting from the Greek New Testament will clear this matter regarding "the sin."
"Therefore also we having so great a cloud of witnesses encompassing us, having laid aside every weight and the easily-surrounding sin, with endurance we should run the race lying before us."
"The sin" is in the plural.
There is not even a hint anywhere in the scripture which causes us to believe our Lord has withdrawn his curse from those who blaspheme the Holy Ghost. Because of erroneous teaching in the past on this subject, many people live with the constant fear they may have committed this sin. To cover those errors, preachers today just say we cannot blaspheme the Holy Ghost for which there is no forgiveness.
The Holy Ghost and the word of God are the two most powerful living
things upon the face of the earth, above the earth, and under
the earth. God himself is God of all, Christ crowned with all
power and authority in heaven and earth, and the Holy Spirit of
God who from the very beginning, has performed every work of God,
and will continue until the end. Amen. Woe to him who speaks an
unkind word against the very Spirit of God who made him (Job 33:4).
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