Hebrews 10

Hebrews 10 discusses the insufficiency of the Old Testament sacrifices and the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It highlights that the Law was only a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of those things. Through Christ’s single offering, He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified, making a way for believers to confidently enter the holiest by His blood. The chapter also emphasizes the need for perseverance in faith and warns against the dangers of willfully sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth.

Hebrews 10:1-2 (NKJV)
For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.

The Law is depicted as a shadow, lacking the substance to perfect those who draw near. The repetitive nature of sacrifices underlines their ineffectiveness; if they were effective, there would be no need for their continual offering. True purification, it implies, would eliminate any consciousness of sins, something the Law could not achieve.

Hebrews 10:3-4 (NKJV)
But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

These verses continue to critique the Old Testament sacrifices, pointing out that they serve more as an annual reminder of sins rather than a remedy for them. The inability of animal blood to truly remove sins underscores the need for a greater, more perfect sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:5-7 (NKJV)
Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—In the volume of the book it is written of Me—To do Your will, O God.’”

Christ’s entry into the world marks a pivotal shift from the inefficacy of animal sacrifices to the effectiveness of His own sacrifice. Quoting from Psalms, Jesus emphasizes that God’s plan was never about animal sacrifices but about the willing obedience of the Son, who came to fulfill God’s will as prophesied.

Hebrews 10:8-9 (NKJV)
Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second.

These verses reiterate the inadequacy of the Law’s sacrifices and the supremacy of Christ’s sacrifice. By fulfilling God’s will, Jesus abolishes the old system of sacrifices and establishes a new covenant, under which believers are sanctified through His one perfect offering.

Hebrews 10:10 (NKJV)
By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

This verse encapsulates the central theme of Hebrews: sanctification through Christ’s sacrifice. Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament, Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient, complete, and effective forever, offering eternal sanctification for believers.

Hebrews 10:11-12 (NKJV)
And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,

The contrast between the ongoing, ineffective ministry of the priests and the definitive, efficacious act of Christ is stark. While priests continue their daily rituals without achieving true remission of sins, Christ’s single sacrifice is so complete that He sat down at the right hand of God, signifying the fulfillment and finality of His work.

Hebrews 10:13-14 (NKJV)
From that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

Christ’s current position is one of waiting until His final victory, when all opposition is subdued. The effectiveness of His one offering is such that it has forever perfected those who are in the process of being sanctified, highlighting the enduring impact of His sacrifice and the assured future for believers.

This chapter continues with further exhortations and warnings to the believers, emphasizing faith, hope, and endurance in the light of the supreme sacrifice made by Christ.

Hebrews 10:15-17 (NKJV)
But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

The Holy Spirit affirms the new covenant prophesied in Jeremiah, emphasizing an internal transformation rather than external adherence to the Law. This internalization of God’s laws is coupled with a divine promise of complete forgiveness, where God will no longer remember their sins, highlighting the total efficacy of Christ's sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:18 (NKJV)
Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

This verse concludes the argument on the superiority of Christ's sacrifice: since sins are fully remitted, there is no longer any need for further sacrificial offerings. This marks the end of the sacrificial system under the Old Covenant, fully replaced by the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus.

Hebrews 10:19-21 (NKJV)
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God,

Believers are encouraged to confidently approach the presence of God, symbolized by the Most Holy Place, because of the new access granted through the sacrifice of Jesus. The imagery of the veil refers to Christ’s body, broken for us, and His role as the eternal High Priest interceding on behalf of humanity.

Hebrews 10:22-23 (NKJV)
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

These verses call for a heartfelt response to the truths presented: approaching God sincerely, cleansed and assured by faith. Believers are urged to steadfastly maintain their hope in God’s promises, reinforced by the faithfulness of God Himself.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV)
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

The community aspect of faith is highlighted here, urging believers to motivate each other towards love and good deeds. Regular fellowship is emphasized as essential, especially as the day of Christ’s return draws nearer, underscoring the importance of mutual encouragement and spiritual vigilance.

Hebrews 10:26-27 (NKJV)
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

A stern warning is issued against deliberate sinning after embracing the truth of the gospel. Such willful sins, knowing the truth, render one incapable of being covered by Christ’s sacrifice, leading instead to an expectation of judgment akin to that faced by God’s adversaries.

Hebrews 10:28-29 (NKJV)
Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

These verses draw a parallel between the severe consequences under the Mosaic Law and the even greater consequences for those who, having known the redemptive power of Christ, treat it with disdain. It stresses the gravity of dishonoring the sacrifice of Christ and the Spirit of grace, pointing towards a harsher divine response.

Hebrews 10:30-31 (NKJV)
For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

These verses recall God's declarations from the Old Testament, affirming His role as the ultimate judge who will execute vengeance. It serves as a reminder of the fearful reality of divine judgment, urging believers to live in reverence and righteousness.

Hebrews 10:32-34 (NKJV)
But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.

These verses call on believers to remember their early days of faith when they persevered through persecution and suffering, underscoring their solidarity and compassion during trials. The encouragement lies in the eternal perspective that earthly losses are overshadowed by heavenly gains.

Hebrews 10:35-36 (NKJV)
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

Believers are encouraged to maintain their confidence and endurance, qualities that lead to the fulfillment of God’s promises. The focus is on the assurance that steadfast faith results in divine reward, particularly the fulfillment of God’s ultimate promise of salvation.

Hebrews 10:37-39 (NKJV)
“For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

These concluding verses echo the prophetic assurance that Christ’s return is imminent and the righteous are called to live by faith. The stark contrast is drawn between those who shrink back, whom God disapproves, and those who persist in faith, securing the salvation of their souls. This caps the chapter with a call to unwavering faith and the anticipation of Christ’s return.