1For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshiperswould have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guiltof their sins.
3Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4because it is impossible for the bloodof bulls and goats to take away sins.
ⓘThese verses quote Psalm 40:6 – 8. Psalm...
These verses quote Psalm 40:6–8. Psalm 40 is a song praising God, where the writer expresses a wish to follow God's will. The author of Hebrews sees Christ as the one speaking.
5Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said:
“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,but a body You prepared for Me.6In burnt offerings and sin offeringsYou took no delight.7Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll:I have come to do Your will, O God.’”†ⓘThe author of Hebrews carefully follows the order...
The author of Hebrews carefully follows the order of thought in the psalm.
In the passage above He says, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire…": The author of Hebrews sees this as God rejecting the old system of sacrifices.
Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.”: The author of Hebrews interprets this as Christ's willingness to be the ultimate sacrifice for sins.
The author of Hebrews concludes that because of Christ’s sacrifice, God has canceled the first covenant. God’s plan, as shown by Psalm 40:6–8, was for Christ to die for sins as a sacrifice, and this only needed to happen once for all time.
8In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offeringsand sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are offered according to the law). 9Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. 10And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the bodyof JesusChrist once for all.
ⓘChrist’s sacrifice was greater and final. This was...
Christ’s sacrifice was greater and final. This was different from the repeated sacrifices made by the priests under the old covenant.
11Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
ⓘChrist’s sacrifice was different from that of the...
Christ’s sacrifice was different from that of the earthly high priests. He offered himself to God, rather than offering animal sacrifices.
After his sacrifice, Christ sat in a place of honor (see Psalm 110:1). Unlike the old covenant priests who stood daily (Hebrews 10:11), he waits until his enemies are humbled and become a footstool under his feet (Psalm 110:1).
12But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. 13Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet, 14because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.
ⓘThe author again quotes from Jeremiah 31:33–34 (see...
The author again quotes from Jeremiah 31:33–34 (see Hebrews 8:7–12) to support the statement in 10:14. This shows that Christ’s one sacrifice under the new covenant has made worshipers perfect forever.
God’s laws have now been placed in their hearts and on their minds. This means that a believer’s relationship with God is now inward, not just outward.
Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more: As the author has shown in 9:11–10:14, this is possible only because Christ’s sacrifice is greater than all others.
15The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says:
16“This is the covenant I will make with themafter those days, declares the Lord.I will put My laws in their heartsand inscribe them on their minds.”†
17Then He adds:
“Their sins and lawlessactsI will remember no more.”†
18And where these have been forgiven, an offering for sin is no longer needed.
The author of Hebrews repeats words and ideas from Hebrews 4:14–16 to highlight and summarize the main section (4:14–10:18). This also introduces the advice that follows. The message of Hebrews is clear: The new covenant, established by Jesus's superior work, provides a better foundation for approaching God and staying strong in the Christian faith.
19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place†by the bloodof Jesus, 20by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,†21and since we have a great priest over the houseof God, 22let us draw near with a sincereheart in full assuranceof faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promisedis faithful. 24And let us consider how to spur one another on tolove and good deeds. 25Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
ⓘdeliberately: Open rebellion against God's laws was called...
deliberately: Open rebellion against God's laws was called "sinning with a high hand" (see study note on Numbers 15:30–31). Here, the author refers to rejecting Christ and his work. Christ's sacrifice for sins ended the old covenant's sacrificial system (Hebrews 9:11–10:18). If someone rejects the Son's sacrifice, there is no other sacrifice for forgiveness. A person who rejects Christ can only expect judgment as one of God's enemies (compare Isaiah 26:10–11).
ⓘThe author gives a strong warning about the...
The author gives a strong warning about the danger of rejecting God's Son and his message. This warning urges listeners to commit to following Christ.
26If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, 27but only a fearful expectation ofjudgment and of ragingfire that will consume all adversaries.
ⓘThe author compares two situations, one less severe...
The author compares two situations, one less severe and one more severe (see study note on Hebrews 9:14). The less severe situation is the old punishment of death for someone who refused to follow the law of Moses (see Deuteronomy 13:6–11). The more severe situation involves those who reject Christ and show him disrespect.
How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished: Eternal damnation awaits those who have rejected Christ.
The blood of the covenant, which made us holy, is Christ’s perfect sacrifice (9:11–10:18).
insulted the Spirit of grace: Those who reject the Spirit’s guidance and mercy deny the truth of the good news and the greatness of Christ and his saving work (compare Mark 3:22–30).
28Anyone who rejected the lawof Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spiritof grace?
ⓘ“The Lord will judge His people”: Deuteronomy 32:36;...
That God will repay them and will judge His people shows how serious the situation is for those who have rejected Christ. Once God decides to judge someone, no one can save that person from God's hand (Deuteronomy 32:39).
30For we know Him who said, “Vengeance isMine; I will repay,”†and again, “The Lordwill judge His people.”†31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the livingGod.
ⓘAfter the harsh warning in Hebrews 10:26 –...
After the harsh warning in Hebrews 10:26–31, there is a message of encouragement. The listeners are reminded of their past faithfulness as a positive example to follow now.
32Remember the early days that you were in the light.†In those days, you endured a great conflict in the face of suffering. 33Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated. 34You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.
ⓘBecause of their strong faith in the past...
Because of their strong faith in the past (Hebrews 10:32–34), the author encourages them not to lose their trust in the Lord. The term translated as confidence also refers to boldness when approaching God (4:16; 10:19; see also 3:6). Those who stay faithful will receive a great reward (see 1:14; 6:12; 9:15; James 1:12). Patient endurance is crucial when facing persecution, as the author explains in Hebrews 10:32–12:17.
35So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward. 36You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
ⓘThese verses quote Habakkuk 2:3 – 4 to...
These verses quote Habakkuk 2:3–4 to show the difference between the righteous and the wicked when they face God's judgment (see also Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11).
37For,
“In just a little while,He who is coming will come and will not delay.38But My righteous one will live by faith;†and if he shrinks back,I will take no pleasure in him.”†
39But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
Commentary
Hebrews 10:1
The old system under the law of Moses (literally the law), like the tabernacle itself (Hebrews 8:5), was just a shadow, a dim preview of a greater reality—the good things that Christ started in the new covenant. Under the old covenant, sacrifices had to be repeated many times because they could not permanently cleanse worshipers or allow them to be in God's presence forever.
Instead of removing guilt, the ongoing sacrifices actually reminded those who wished to come near to God, year after year, that they were guilty before God.
The sacrifices of bulls and goats in the old covenant provided some cleansing (Hebrews 9:13, 23), but it was limited. They could not remove sins completely. These sacrifices could not permanently cleanse or bring lasting peace with God (see Acts 10:36; Romans 5:1; 11:26–27).
but a body You prepared for Me: God had prepared the psalm writer to obey and be ready to do God's will. Hebrews now applies this idea to Christ. For Hebrews, preparing a human body, especially Christ's body, shows that God would use it as a better sacrifice.
When God completely and permanently forgives sins (Hebrews 10:1–4, 11), there is no need for more sacrifices. Christ's superior sacrifice has made the old covenant's sacrificial system unnecessary.
The earthly Most Holy Place was not open to everyone (see study note on Hebrews 9:3). Now, however, God's presence in heaven (9:11, 24) is accessible because of Jesus's sacrificial death (9:11–10:18).
Jesus's death has created a new and life-giving path for us through the curtain. This refers to the curtain that separated the first and second rooms of the tabernacle (see Hebrews 9:1–5). Believers may now enter the Most Holy Place of God's presence because of Jesus's sacrificial death.
in full assurance of faith: Christ's actions for us give us confidence that God will welcome us.
having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience: Christ's sacrificial death has completely cleansed us from sin (see 9:13–14, 19–23).
the early days that you were in the light: The author reminds his audience about the early days after they believed in Christ. During that time, their faith was tested. Even when they suffered greatly, they stayed faithful. Suffering is normal for someone who identifies with Christ and his community (see 13:12–13; Acts 9:16; Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 4:12–13; Philippians 1:29; James 1:2–4).
Those who were put in jail depended on friends and family for basic needs (see Hebrews 13:3).
the confiscation of your property: The Roman government sometimes forced people out of their homes and cities (see Acts 18:2–3). These Christians had experienced this persecution before and accepted it with joy (see Romans 5:3; James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 1:6). They looked forward to better things that will last forever (see Hebrews 11:35). God promises rewards to those who stay faithful.