Hebrews Chapter 10
The author of Hebrews reinstates the argument of the preceding two chapters in 10:1-18, bringing the central argument to a conclusion, namely, the imperfection of the old order and the perfection of the new.
He includes new material in verses 5-10 from which he finds further support in his exegesis of Psalms 40:6-8. He then rounds up the chapter by the quotation of Jeremiah 31:33-34. He focuses on the repetitious character of the levitical sacrifices to further his argument of the inadequacy by the necessity of repetition.
The law is a shadow of the good things that come and not the realities themselves. The author stresses the fulfillment that has already come in Christ and is already here (9:11).
The levitical priests offer the same sacrifices continually year by year but the sacrifices cannot make those who approach perfect. Otherwise the offering of those sacrifices cease since the worshippers once purified have no consciousness of sins. The sacrifices are continued to be offered, as they are a reminder of sins (vs.1-4)
Jesus Christ came with a body prepared for Him to do the will of God His Father. He takes away the first that He may establish the new covenant. By that will, believers are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
The priest under the first covenant stands ministering daily and offers the same sacrifices which cannot take away sins. But Christ Jesus by His one offering has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. The new covenant that Jesus Christ establishes, by which ‘He puts His law into our hearts and writes it in our minds, and our sins and lawless deeds He remembers no more’, has better promises of remission of sins by His blood and of the putting of His laws in our hearts and writing them in our minds by the Holy Spirit (vs.5-18).
Jesus Christ in His body of flesh being offered results in the veil separating the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies being torn from top to bottom (Matt. 27:50-51). A new and living way through the veil is consecrated so that with boldness one enters the Holiest by the blood of Jesus the High Priest (vs.19-21).
Therefore the author says,
“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, 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 (vs.22-24)
The author in Hebrews 10:26-29 discusses the sin wherein the guilty faces a certain fearful prospect of judgment. If one sins willfully after having received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins. One who rejects the law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Of how much worse punishment is thought worthy of him who tramples the Son of God underfoot, counts the blood of the covenant by which he is sanctified a common thing, and insults the Spirit of grace. Vengeance belongs to God; He repays and judges His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (vs.26-31)
The author commends the recipients of the epistle for their endurance in sufferings while being made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations and partly while being companions of those who are so treated. They have compassion for the author’s sufferings in chains and joyfully accept the plundering of their goods, knowing that they have a better and an enduring possession for themselves in heaven.
He exhorts them not to cast away their confidence which has a great reward. For they have need of endurance to do the will of God and afterward receive the promise. He writes, “Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back My soul has no pleasure in him.”(vs 37-38). He then encourages, saying, “We are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” (vs 39)
Summary:
1. The author reinstates the argument that the old covenant priestly ritual and the high priestly ministry of yearly entering into the Holy of Holies with blood to make atonement for sins are a shadow of the true thing. They are not able to purify or sanctified the hearts but a reminder of sins. Hence sacrifices are repeatedly offered and the high priest goes yearly on the Feast of Atonement to make atonement in the Holiest with blood of animals
2. Jesus Christ by the body of flesh prepared for Him does the will of God to be the propitiation by His blood. By that will believers are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus once for all. By one offering He has perfected those who are being sanctified.
3. The veil in the temple is torn from top to bottom at the death of Jesus Christ. A new and living way is consecrated for believers to come into the divine presence. The veil is the body of Christ Jesus which is crucified on the cross.
4. The covenant that Jesus Christ establishes, states, “I will put My laws into their hearts and in their mind I will write them. Their sins and their lawless deed I will remember no more.”
5. Therefore having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus through the veil which is His body and having Him as the Most High Priest, let us draw near with a true heart with full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
6. The sin by which the guilty faces the prospect of a fearful judgment more severe that the stoning to death of the one who violate the Moses’ law is the deliberate sin of trampling the Son of God underfoot, counting the blood of the covenant by which he is sanctified a common thing, and insulting the Spirit of grace.
7. The recipients of the epistle of Hebrews endure the sufferings of faith in Jesus, having being made a spectacle by reproaches and tribulations; joyfully accepting the plunder of their goods because they know they have a better and an enduring inheritance in heaven.
8. They have need of endurance, so that after they do the will of God they may receive the promise.
9. The believers are not those who draw back to perdition but those who believe in the saving of the soul.
Exhortation:
1. Draw near to Him with a true heart in full assurance of faith (vs.22)
2. Hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering (vs.23) 3. Do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together (vs.25)