The Epistles · Chapter 10 of 13

Hebrews 10

The law's sacrifices, being shadows, could never take away sins or perfect worshipers. Christ came to do God's will, offering his body once for all, and by that single offering perfected forever those he sanctifies. Then he sat down. Because sins are forgiven, believers may draw near boldly by his blood through a new and living way. The chapter urges perseverance, mutual encouragement, and enduring faith, warning against drawing back.

What happens in Hebrews 10

The author argues that the law was only a shadow, its yearly sacrifices unable to make worshipers perfect, for animal blood cannot take away sins. Quoting Psalm 40, he presents Christ saying that God desired not sacrifice but a prepared body, coming to do God's will. By that will believers are sanctified through the offering of Christ's body once for all. Unlike priests who stand daily offering the same sacrifices, this priest offered one sacrifice forever and sat down at God's right hand.

By one offering he perfected forever the sanctified. Therefore, with boldness to enter the holiest by Jesus' blood, through the new and living way opened through the veil, believers should draw near in full assurance, hold fast their confession, and stir one another to love and good works, not forsaking assembling. The chapter warns solemnly against sinning willfully and drawing back, and urges patience, closing that the just shall live by faith.

Hebrews 10 in context

Chapter ten brings the letter's central argument to a climax and pivots toward exhortation. It quotes Psalm 40 to show Christ's willing self offering and returns to Jeremiah's new covenant promise. Written to believers tempted to abandon Christ under pressure, it draws the practical conclusion: since the sacrifice is complete, draw near, hold fast, and endure.

The severe warning and the call to community respond to real dangers of neglect and apostasy.

Main themes of Hebrews 10

Hebrews 10 (KJV)

1For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21And having an high priest over the house of God; 22Let 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. 23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 33Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 34For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Verses to carry from Hebrews 10

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”Hebrews 10:10

“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.”Hebrews 10:22

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”Hebrews 10:25

Reflection

By one offering Christ has perfected forever those he sanctifies. Perfected. Forever. Yet how often do you approach God as if still on probation? The way is open, new and living, through Jesus' own body. Draw near today with boldness, and do not neglect the brothers and sisters walking beside you.

A prayer from Hebrews 10