Hebrews 10

CHAPTER 10

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All (10:1-18)

1 The Jewish law together with the old covenant are only the shadow of the good things that are coming (see Hebrews 8:5). These good things are Christ’s sacrifice, His priesthood, and the salvation and eternal life He has provided for us.

The Jewish law and its sacrifices repeated endlessly, which are “shadows” of the new covenant, could not make perfect or inwardly cleanse the worshipers—that is, those drawing near to God to worship (see Hebrews 9:9).

2 The proof that the law and its sacrifices couldn’t cleanse the worshipers is this: after offering a sacrifice, the worshipers still felt guilty for their sins; their consciences continued to accuse them. Their consciences could not be cleansed. Therefore, these sacrifices had to be repeated over and over.

An unclean or guilty conscience keeps a person from coming to God. The psalmist has written: If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened (Psalm 66:18).

Through the sacrifice of Christ’s body, the consciences ofthose who believe in Him have been cleansed once for all. Jesus said to His disciples: “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean” (John 13:10). Paul wrote to the Corinthians: But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11). This washing or cleansing takes place at the beginning of our Christian lives. The sign of this cleansing is our baptism.

3-4 The sacrifices of the old covenant could not take away sins (verse 4). Such sacrifices only reminded the Jews of their sins. But under the new covenant God says: “I… will remember their sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:12). When our sins are taken away and forgotten, then our consciences will be truly clean.

King David knew that sacrifices and offerings could not cleanse the conscience. He cried out to God: “Have mercy on me, O God … blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. … Create in me a pure heart, O God. … You do not delight in sacrifice … you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices ofGod are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:1-2,10,16-17).

5-7 The writer of Hebrews here quotes from Psalm 40:6-8. Here we again read that God did not desire sacrifices and offerings. What He desired was a body—not the body of a dumb animal, but the body of a man offered to God in complete obedience. Therefore, God prepared a body for Christ (verse 5). When Christ in complete obedience offered up His own body as a living sacrifice, God was pleased. Christ said, “I have come to do your will, O God” (verse 7). Christ’s obedience was what God desired most of all. The Old Testament prophet Samuel said: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22).

The scroll mentioned in verse 7 is the Old Testament, which contains many prophecies concerning Christ. Christ Himself was the fulfillment of all these prophecies. In the Old Testament, God’s will is explained. And in Christ’s life, God’s will was perfectly fulfilled.

8-9 When Christ came to offer Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice, He “set aside” the first covenant in order to establish the second covenant (verse 9).

10 And by that will—that is, by fulfilling God’s will—Christ, through the sacrifice of His body, has made us holy both inside and out. God’s will was that Christ should offer His own body to atone for our sins, and that through His sacrifice we might be presented before God having been made holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation (Colossians 1:21-22).

11-12 The writer here repeats the thoughts of Hebrews 1:3; 7:27; 9:25-26. The priests of the old covenant had to offer sacrifices again and again. They could never come and sit down in the presence of God. Their work was never finished. But Christ has not only sat down in God’s presence; He has sat down on a throne at God’s right hand. God has raised Jesus up from a shameful death on the cross and has exalted Him to the highest place of glory (see Philippians 2:8-9).

13 See Hebrews 1:13 and comment.

14 In verse 10, the writer says that we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ. Here in verse 14, the writer says that by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The writer’s meaning is this: We have been justified (declared righteous) in God’s sight (Romans 5:1); Christ’s work is finished. All who believe in Him have been made perfect forever.

Why, then, does the writer say in verse 14 that we are still being made holy? The reason is this. Even though all that has been written above is completely true, we in this present life have not yet become fully holy or perfect. From time to time we sin. God wants us to increase in holiness. He wants to make us holy in this life. Therefore, we can understand that in one way we have already been made holy and perfect for all eternity; but, in another way, we must continue growing in holiness in our daily behavior here on earth (see Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13 and comments).

15-18 The writer here again quotes from Jeremiah 31:33-34 (see Hebrews 8:10,1213 and comment). Notice that now the Holy Spirit is speaking through Jeremiah (verse 15). We must understand that every word in the Bible is God’s word spoken through the Holy Spirit.

In repeating these verses from Jeremiah, the writer of Hebrews wants to show that the new covenant is final and complete. God’s law is now written in men’s minds and on their hearts. Their sins are remembered no more. And where sins are forgotten, there is no longer any need for sacrifices (verse 18).

A New and Living Way (10:19-25)

19 Now a very important part of this letter has come. In the first nine chapters, the writer of Hebrews has described the old and new covenants, the old and new priesthoods, the old sacrifices of animals and the new sacrifice of Jesus’ body. Now what are we to understand from all this?

Therefore—because of all that is written above—since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place¹⁸ … let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith (verse 22). We don’t have to wait until after we die to draw near to God; through faith we can come into His presence right now.

Let us think for a moment about the first word in this verse: Therefore. In the New Testament, many important statements follow the word “therefore.” (Good examples are found in Romans 5:1 and 8:1.) God is holy; “therefore,” He will render judgment against sin. God is merciful; “therefore,” He is ready to forgive our sins. Christ is our righteousness; “therefore,” through faith we have been declared righteous. Christ has freed us from the law of sin and death; “therefore,” we are no longer under condemnation (Romans 8:1). Christ is our great high priest, through whose perfect sacrifice of Himself we are made perfect forever; “therefore,” we can now enter the Most Holy Place by [His] blood. We have become God’s children; “therefore,” just as children can go to their earthly fathers with confidence, so we believers can draw near to our heavenly Father with confidence (see Hebrews 4:16).

In what other religion, through what other priesthood, through what other Savior, can weak and sinful men be made righteous and come into God’s presence as His children? There is no way this is possible except through faith in Jesus Christ.

In verse 10, the writer says that we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ. Here and in verse 29, he says that we are made holy by the blood of Jesus. In both instances, the writer is saying the same thing: namely, that through Jesus’ death and sacrifice we are made holy and righteous. At the time Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice, His body was broken and His blood was shed. Both Jesus’ body and His blood are important for us. At the last supper, Jesus said to His disciples: “This is my body given for you. … This cup is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:19-20). On another occasion, Jesus said to His followers: “… unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life” (John 6:53-54). Just as under the old covenant there was no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22), so under the new covenant it was necessary for Jesus not only to die but also to shed His blood in order to make us holy.

20 How can we enter the Most Holy Place? Jesus has opened up for us a new and living way into God’s presence. This way is living, because Jesus Himself is living. Jesus said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Jesus’ body was like the curtain that hung between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (Hebrews 9:3). We can say that Jesus stoodbetween man and God—between men outside the curtain and God inside the curtain. Thus, when Jesus died, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Mark 15:37-38). The way into God’s presence was now fully opened. Not only did Jesus enter into God’s presence (Hebrews 6:19-20), but we also, having been cleansed by His sacrifice and having received His righteousness through faith, can now enter God’s presence.

21-22 Here the heavenly sanctuary or tabernacle is called the house of God. We believers are God’s house (Hebrews 3:6). Christ is both the Son and the great priest in God’s house.

Through faith in Christ, we have received full rights as children of God. We also have become sons and heirs (Galatians 4:4-5,7). Therefore, we can draw near to God. But even though we are God’s children, we must go to God with a sincere heart and in full assurance of faith. Without faith, even God’s children cannot please their Father (see Hebrews 11:6).

A sincere heart is a heart that has been cleansed and purified. Only the pure in heart will get to see God (Matthew 5:8). Jesus our high priest has cleansed us from a guilty conscience (see Hebrews 9:14). Our hearts have been sprinkled (verse 22); that is, our hearts have been cleansed through the blood of Jesus.

Not only our hearts have been cleansed; ourbodies, too, havebeenwashed—washed with pure water (see 1 Corinthians 6:11). This bodily or outward “washing” occurs at our baptism.¹⁹ Thus, through Christ, we have been made clean both outwardly (ceremonially) and also inwardly (spiritually).

23 Again the writer of Hebrews exhorts us to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess—that is, to stand firm in the faith we profess (see Hebrews 3:14). Let us not waver. God never wavers. Man’s promises may fail, but God’s promises are sure. God is faithful to fulfill His word. Therefore, since our hope is placed on the sure promises of a faithful God, we have no reason to waver.

24 If anyone begins to waver, let us be quick to encourage and strengthen him. Let us spur each other toward love and good deeds. Let us see that no one among us falls back. Together we are strong, but alone we are weak.

25 Some of these Hebrew believers had stopped meeting together. Let this not happen among us. Only by meeting together in fellowship can we encourage and strengthen one another.

There are many reasons why Christians stop meeting together. In some countries, it may be fear of government authorities that keeps Christians from meeting. Others may stop meeting because of ill feelings toward other believers. Some may refuse to meet together because of pride; they think they don’t need the fellowship and support of others. Sometimes we don’t go to church because of some sin in our lives. We know that we cannot continue in sin and at the same time have true fellowship with other believers, so we choose to give up the fellowship instead of our sin. Our conscience is unclean; we find it hard to look into our brother’s face. All these reasons for avoiding fellowship are wrong reasons, sinful reasons. Therefore, we should never give up meeting together for any of these reasons.

… but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. The Day is the day of Christ’s second coming. The Hebrews expected that Day to come quickly. They were suffering persecution; but they hoped that their suffering would not last long, and that Christ would return soon. Therefore, the writer says to them: Do not be discouraged; in a little while your suffering will end.

Let us also have that same mind. We do not know what day Christ will return; but we must remain firm in faith until He comes, so that we will not lose our inheritance in heaven (see verses 35-36).

Sin Committed Knowingly (10:26-31)

26-27 If we deliberately keep on sinning,²⁰ Christ’s sacrifice is no longer of any benefit to us; no sacrifice for sins is left (verse 26). Because, according to verse 29, when we keep on sinning in this way without repentance, we trample the Son of God under foot; we treat as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant—that is, we despise His sacrifice for us; we insult the (Holy) Spirit of grace, through whom we have received all the blessings of Christ (see Mark 3:29 and comment). If we do all this, we have, in fact, completely given up our faith in Christ. And if we give up our faith in Christ, our salvation is lost. But it’s possible that anyone who does all this never had true faith to begin with (see 1 John 3:6).

The writer of Hebrews is not talking here about those sins we do from time to time, and afterwards repent of. Because this kind of sin God is ready to forgive quickly and erase from memory (see 1 John 1:9 and comment). Instead, the writer is here talking about those sins which we continue doing deliberately without repentance (see Hebrews 6:4-6 and comment). The man who sins in this way surely has no true faith.

28 According to the Old Testament, those who rejected the law of Moses (the Jewish law) received the death sentence (Deuteronomy 17:2-7). Their physical bodies were put to death.

29 But how much more severe will be the punishment of those who reject Christ after having received a knowledge of the truth! (verse 26). If after having “accepted” Christ we then reject Him, we shall receive not only physical death but also spiritual death for all eternity.

30 The writer here quotes from Deuteronomy 32:35-36. If in the course of deliberately sinning we cease to believe, our “faith” will no longer protect us. God will repay us. The Lord will judge his people. He will separate true believers from false believers. If we, having once been counted among His people, afterward fall away, we shall in no way escape God’s judgment (Hebrews 3:12).

31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. This verse is not written primarily for non-believers; rather, it is written primarily for those who first “believe” and then later fall away. We always like to talk about the love and mercy ofGod. But we must also keep in mind that God shows no love or mercy to those who deliberately keep sinning against Him and who persist in rejecting His Son Jesus.

A Call to Persevere (10:32-39)

32 When we first become Christians, we are usually filled with enthusiasm, zeal, and courage. If trouble comes on us because of our faith, we are ready to bear it with joy. We happily stand our ground in the great contest with Satan. These Hebrews were like that (see Matthew 5:11-12; Acts 5:41).

33 These Hebrews had been publicly exposed to insult and persecution. When some of them suffered, the others came and stood with them; they didn’t run away and hide. If one brother was persecuted, they were all ready to be persecuted (see 1 Corinthians 12:26).

34 In New Testament times, prisoners in jail often starved to death. They relied on the help of friends and relatives to survive. But it was very risky for a believer to go and visit another Christian in jail, because frequently the visiting believer was also put in jail. Nevertheless, these Hebrews had not abandoned their brothers in prison. They remembered the words of Jesus: “I was in prison, and you came to visit me. … I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:34-40).

Because their enemies were numerous and powerful, some ofthese Hebrew Christians had lost their land, their possessions, their family inheritance. Yet they had joyfully accepted this loss because they knew that they had better and lasting possessions in heaven (see Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

But now what had happened to these Hebrews? Their initial zeal was beginning to cool. Now they had started to run from suffering. They had begun again to love their possessions. They were no longer so willing to suffer for Jesus’ sake.

Is this situation also true in our church today? Has our initial love for Jesus cooled off? Brothers and sisters, let this not be! Listen to the words of Jesus: “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place” (Revelation 2:3-5).

35 Therefore, says the writer: Remember those earlier days (verse 32). In those days you showed courage. So do not throw away your confidence.

36 God has promised to reward us. But we must persevere, and we must continue to do the will of God with perseverance until the end; otherwise, we shall lose our reward. We shall lose what he has promised.

37-38 The writer here quotes from Hab-akkuk 2:3-4. He who is coming—that is, Christ—will come and will not delay (see 2 Peter 3:8-9). In verse 38, my righteous one is the believer in Christ who remains firm in persecution, who lives by faith. But if he shrinks back, God will not be pleased with him.

39 Therefore, let us not shrink back. Because if we do, we not only will lose our reward (verse 36); we will also be destroyed (see Mark 8:35; 13:13; Luke 21:19).

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