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I. The word judgment may inform us that this justice is not legislative, but judicial; and, as judicial, not remunerative, but vindictive, which presupposeth crime and guilt in the party to be judged. This judgment is the decree of condemnation which determines the penalty: and to signify how dreadful it is, it is said, metaphorically, to be fiery indignation. The words may be translated, the heat, or boiling, or burning of fire; that is fiery heat. By these terms the Spirit informs us of God's high displeasure against apostasy, and the severity of His justice, whereby He is resolved most fearfully to punish that sin, which is not barely a disobedience of some particular law, but a plain revolt.

II. The parties that must suffer are adversaries: adversaries are apostates, who are not merely disobedient subjects, but revolters.

III. There remains a certain fearful looking for of this judgment.

1. Though they never fear it, nor think of it, yet they are obnoxious to it.

2. This will certainly be their doom; and as they are obnoxious by law, they shall certainly suffer that which they have deserved.

3. If they ever seriously reflect upon themselves, and remember what they have done; as conscience will now and then lash them, and mind them of their crime, they must needs expect it, and their fear will be very great. For as they apprehend the peril, so will their fear be; and they cannot apprehend the judgment, but as very grievous, pressing hard upon them, and unavoidable, and so it will torment them before the time of execution.

(G. Lawson.)

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KJV: For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

WEB: For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins,