Hebrews 10:29 is often brought up by those who argue against Perseverance of the Saints. The verse says:
“How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?”
At first glance, some assume this refers to a true believer who has lost salvation. But when we examine the passage carefully and in its context, we see that it does not teach that the truly saved can fall away. Instead, it serves as another strong warning against false profession and turning from the only way of salvation.
Notice the broader context. In Hebrews 10:26-27, the writer warns that if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment.” This is not describing a Christian who stumbles or struggles with sin, but one who hears the truth of Christ and then rejects Him outright. To reject Christ leaves no alternative sacrifice, only judgment remains.
So what does it mean that the person was “sanctified” by the blood of the covenant? Some argue this must mean they were truly saved. But in the Old Testament, things and people were often “sanctified” in an outward or covenantal sense without being inwardly transformed (Hebrews 9:13, John 17:19). The person described here had been set apart by association with the covenant community, perhaps even outwardly identified with the church, but never truly regenerated.
This interpretation is confirmed by the rest of Hebrews 10. Verse 39 draws a sharp line: “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” The writer is clear: there are two groups, those who ultimately fall away to destruction and those who by true faith persevere to eternal life. The warning is real, but so is the assurance for God’s people.
This fits perfectly with the rest of Scripture’s teaching. Jesus says His sheep hear His voice and will never perish, for no one can snatch them from His hand (John 10:27-30). Paul says that the one who began a good work in us will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6). True believers may stumble, but they cannot finally fall away because God Himself preserves them.
The warnings in Hebrews 10 are not meant to undermine this truth but to uphold it. They serve as the means by which God keeps His people in the faith, urging them to persevere and exposing false professors. Those who trample Christ’s blood show that they were never truly born again. But those who belong to Christ will heed the warning, cling to Him, and endure to the end.
Far from refuting Perseverance of the Saints, Hebrews 10 confirms it. The saved will persevere by God’s grace, while false professors will eventually reveal their unbelief.