Bible Commentaries
Hebrews 10

Verse 1

Hebrews 10:1

1) The need for a better sacrifice - vs 1-4.

(The ineffectiveness of the sacrifice of the O.C. vs 1-4)

Verse 2

Hebrews 10:2

Point: An effective sacrifice would not have to be repeated.

IF purged, then one would not have to offer again another sacrifice.

The national sins were covered, but not cancelled.

Illustration: A wart can be covered with a bandaid, but it doesn’t make it well, it only reminds you that you have it. You must go to the doctor and get it removed.

Verse 3

Hebrews 10:3

The national sins were covered, but not cancelled.

Illustration: A wart can be covered with a bandaid, but it doesn’t make it well, it only reminds you that you have it. You must go to the doctor and get it removed.

Verse 4

Hebrews 10:4

Verse 5

Hebrews 10:5

2) The provision for a better sacrifice - vs 5-9

Psalms 40:6 quoted as Christ’s words when He came into the world.

"thou wouldest not " ... RSV "you did not desire."

1 Samuel 15:22; Psalms 51:16-17;

Psalms 20:6 "my ears you have opened" or pierced, to volunteerly become your servant forever.

Verse 6

Hebrews 10:6

Burnt offerings and sacrifices -- these stand for the entire O.T. system, abolished in Christ

These sacrifices wee utterly incapable of removing sin.

Hosea 6:6

Verse 7

Hebrews 10:7

A summary of Jesus’ ministry.

Verse 8

Hebrews 10:8

Verse 9

Hebrews 10:9

"I" -- Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, because he did perfectly the will of God.

OLD TESTAMENT (LAW)

For our learning- Romans 15:4

Changed- Hebrews 7:12 & Hebrews 8:7-8 & Hebrews 8:13 & Hebrews 10:9, Ephesians 2:13-15, Colossians 2:14,

Ended at the death of Christ-

Hebrews 9:15-17, Galatians 3:19 & Galatians 3:16 & Galatians 3:24-25, Galatians 5:4 & Galatians 5:18.

Sabbath to Jews - Deuteronomy 5:2-3 & Deuteronomy 5:15.

Made known at Sinai- Nehemiah 9:13-14.

Verse 10

Hebrews 10:10

Sanctified -- separated from what is profane and dedicated to God. cf. Barclay, p.130.

Verse 11

Hebrews 10:11

Shows the futility and ineffectiveness of its system.

daily -- day after day, or continually, regularly.

Stand -- There is no chair in the Holy Place, no place to rest, for the work didn’t cease. Contrast with Hebrews 10:12 where Jesus "sat" down, that is, he finished his work.

Verse 12

Hebrews 10:12

Aaronic priests only stood (v.11) a short time in the Most Holy Place, but Christ has sat down.

Verse 13

Hebrews 10:13

Verse 14

Hebrews 10:14

I.e., that one sacrifice is final and under the New Covenant no further remembrance of sin.

Verse 15

Hebrews 10:15

Verse 16

Hebrews 10:16

cf. Jeremiah 31:31-33 (The prophecy par excellence of the New Covenant.)

Verse 17

Hebrews 10:17

Verse 18

V. 18 concluded the "doctrinal" section, having given 12 reasons why the recipients should NOT go back to the Law of Moses.

Verse 19

V. 19 begins the practical section. Here is what we should be doing! Because (since) v. 18 is true, here is our proper response.

Therefore -- since, or because of the previous arguments being true, let us -- v.22, v. 23, v. 24.

SINCE (the previous is true) 1) We have confidence, to enter the Most Holy Place because our sins have been forgiven. 2) We have a great His Priest. LET US ...

The natural response of faith --

Verse 20

New -- recent, fresh.

Living -- That is, a continuing way, not an abrogated way such as the Law of Moses shows, but a way that is still alive, active, in effect: because Christ ever lives to make intercession;

The Old sanctuary was entered by the veil, the New entered through Christ, the Living Way

Verse 22

1) True heart -- sincere, not hypocritical. cf. Matt.

2) In full assurance ..

3) Hearts sprinkled -- symbols of sprinkling of blood is used repeatedly in O.T. cf 1 Peter 1:1-2 ff

4) Bodies washed -- water often used in purification. Exodus 30:19 ff. Ephesians 5:25-26; Titus 3:5;

Devotional thought:

v. 22 Let us draw near

v. 23 Let us hold fast

v. 24 Let us consider one another

The officiation of our Lord’s blood (a life-giving sacrifice) Hebrews 9:20; Revelation 1:5; Colossians 1:14; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 3:21.

Sprinkled -- this verse is used by many religionist as proof that baptism is "sprinkling".

Truth: When one is baptized (his body immersed in obedience) his heart (heart, soul,spirit) is sprinkled by the blood of Christ, cleansed, etc.

There is a ratification of a covenant between the candidate and the Lord. The person is agreeing to live according the covenant and its demands, and the Lord is agreeing to bless and forgive. The Lord’s Supper each week should remind the participate of this covenant that he has entered into (Matthew 26:28).

Verse 23

Notice the "Let us" verses.

Let us exhort (v.19-25 etc) one another, Jesus Christ is worthy of our faith. (The purpose of the book of Hebrews)

Let us draw near (v.22)

a) sprinkled by Jesus’s blood

b) when, baptism, the what and where!

Verse 24

Hebrews 10:24

Let us ... provoke -- today we would say "challenge".

Devotional thought: Our Worship Together

v.22 "draw near" -- Deepens our communion with God

v.23 "hold fast".. Deepens our conviction of Faith

v.24 "consider one another" -- Deepens our committment to love and good works.

Verse 25

The day approaching -- a day of judgment, whether it is a reference to AD 70 and God’s judgement on the Jewish nation (WG); or to the final day of judgment at the Second Coming. [See the note on Hebrews 10:37 below.]

(Some think the "day approaching" was the Lord’s day, and that we are to "exhort" one another not to forsake the Lord’s day, but rather we are not to forsake the Lord’s day because that is when we can come together to "exhort" one another as the "day" (of some judgment) is approaching.)

ATTENDANCE

Hebrews 10:25-26 (and Isaiah 54:7),

Matthew 6:33,

Titus 3:1,

Psalms 122:1

See Hebrews 10:25 for note on "Attendance"

Verse 26

See James 5:19 note on APOSTASY

Verse 29

Re: Degrees of punishment. cf. Luke 12:47, Matthew 11:21.

(This could have reference to the ’punishment’ or ’persecution’ of the Jewish Christian by the Jewish hierarchy, even when such a one claims to have turned back to the Jewish system!)

Verse 30

Hebrews 10:30

Verse 31

Hebrews 10:31

Verse 32

Hebrews 10:32

Former days -- cf. Hebrews 12:4, apparently the book indicates an early date at they have endured affliction but the persecution has not meant death.

Verse 33

Hebrews 10:33

Verse 34

Hebrews 10:34

Better and enduring substance -- # 9 ("better"), next is Hebrews 11:16.

Enduring substance -- "a better and lasting possession." NET.

Verse 35

Hebrews 10:35

Verse 36

Hebrews 10:36

Verse 37

Hebrews 10:37

And he that shall come will come - The reference here is, doubtless, to the Messiah. But what “coming” of his is referred to here, is more uncertain. Most probably the idea is, that the Messiah who was coming to destroy Jerusalem, and to overthrow the Jewish power Matt. 24, would soon do this.

Barnes .

"This expectation of soon occurrence is prevalent throughout the New Testament; something dramatic was looming upon the very horizon of apostolic Christianity: Romans 13:11-12; Romans 16:20; 1 Corinthians 7:26; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Colossians 3:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:16; Hebrews 10:25; Hebrews 10:37; James 5:8-9; 1 Peter 4:5; 1 Peter 4:7; 1 John 2:17-18."

Kenneth Gentry

Verse 38

Hebrews 10:38

Verse 39

Hebrews 10:39

The purpose of the book is to encourage the Jewish Christians "not to draw back" to the old way which will not save them!