Tyndale Open Study NotesHebrews 10

This passage explains that the role of Jesus as the heavenly high priest is better than the role of earthly priests.

This section explains that Christ's death, as the sacrifice in the new covenant, is better than the sacrifices in the old covenant. In Hebrews 9:1–10, the author describes worship practices under the old covenant rules (see Exodus 28–29; Leviticus 1–10; 16:1–17:16). In Hebrews 9:11–10:18, these rules are compared to Christ's superior offering.

The author compares the old system (Hebrews 9:1–10) with Christ's superior sacrifice as high priest. Christ offered his own blood, not animal blood (9:13–22; see also 9:7). His offering took place in the heavenly tabernacle, not the earthly one (9:23–24; see also 9:1–5). Unlike repeated offerings, Christ's sacrifice happened only once (9:25–10:18; see also 7:27; 9:6–7).

The old system under the law of Moses (literally the law), like the tabernacle itself (Hebrews 8:5), was just a shadow, a dim preview of a greater reality—the good things that Christ started in the new covenant. Under the old covenant, sacrifices had to be repeated many times because they could not permanently cleanse worshipers or allow them to be in God's presence forever.

• The ongoing sacrifices show they were not enough. If the old covenant sacrifices had provided lasting purity, they would have ended.

• Their guilt would have disappeared: See Hebrews 9:9, 14; 10:22; 13:18.

Instead of removing guilt, the ongoing sacrifices actually reminded those who wished to come near to God, year after year, that they were guilty before God.

The sacrifices of bulls and goats in the old covenant provided some cleansing (Hebrews 9:13, 23), but it was limited. They could not remove sins completely. These sacrifices could not permanently cleanse or bring lasting peace with God (see Acts 10:36; Romans 5:1; 11:26–27).

These verses quote Psalm 40:6–8. Psalm 40 is a song praising God, where the writer expresses a wish to follow God's will. The author of Hebrews sees Christ as the one speaking.

but a body You prepared for Me: God had prepared the psalm writer to obey and be ready to do God's will. Hebrews now applies this idea to Christ. For Hebrews, preparing a human body, especially Christ's body, shows that God would use it as a better sacrifice.

• The author of Hebrews carefully follows the order of thought in the psalm.

• In the passage above He says, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire…": The author of Hebrews sees this as God rejecting the old system of sacrifices.

• Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.”: The author of Hebrews interprets this as Christ's willingness to be the ultimate sacrifice for sins.

• The author of Hebrews concludes that because of Christ’s sacrifice, God has canceled the first covenant. God’s plan, as shown by Psalm 40:6–8, was for Christ to die for sins as a sacrifice, and this only needed to happen once for all time.

Christ’s sacrifice was greater and final. This was different from the repeated sacrifices made by the priests under the old covenant.

• every priest stands: See Deuteronomy 18:5.

• Day after day: For example, see 2 Chronicles 13:11.

• Christ’s sacrifice was different from that of the earthly high priests. He offered himself to God, rather than offering animal sacrifices.

• After his sacrifice, Christ sat in a place of honor (see Psalm 110:1). Unlike the old covenant priests who stood daily (Hebrews 10:11), he waits until his enemies are humbled and become a footstool under his feet (Psalm 110:1).

• made perfect: See study notes on Hebrews 7:11, 28.

• those who are being sanctified: This means being fully purified from sins.

• The author again quotes from Jeremiah 31:33–34 (see Hebrews 8:7–12) to support the statement in 10:14. This shows that Christ’s one sacrifice under the new covenant has made worshipers perfect forever.

• God’s laws have now been placed in their hearts and on their minds. This means that a believer’s relationship with God is now inward, not just outward.

• Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more: As the author has shown in 9:11–10:14, this is possible only because Christ’s sacrifice is greater than all others.

When God completely and permanently forgives sins (Hebrews 10:1–4, 11), there is no need for more sacrifices. Christ's superior sacrifice has made the old covenant's sacrificial system unnecessary.

The author of Hebrews repeats words and ideas from Hebrews 4:14–16 to highlight and summarize the main section (4:14–10:18). This also introduces the advice that follows. The message of Hebrews is clear: The new covenant, established by the superior work of Jesus, provides a better foundation for approaching God and staying strong in the Christian faith.

The earthly Most Holy Place was not open to everyone (see study note on Hebrews 9:3). Now, however, God's presence in heaven (9:11, 24) is accessible because of the sacrificial death of Jesus (9:11–10:18).

The death of Jesus has created a new and life-giving path for us through the curtain. This refers to the curtain that separated the first and second rooms of the tabernacle (see Hebrews 9:1–5). Believers may now enter the Most Holy Place of God's presence because of the sacrificial death of Jesus.

Jesus, as Messiah, is the high priest and king who leads God's people (see Hebrews 3:1–6; 2 Samuel 7:13).

• sincere heart: Under the new covenant, believers have changed hearts (Hebrews 8:10; 10:16; Jer 31:31–34).

• in full assurance of faith: Christ's actions for us give us confidence that God will welcome us.

• having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience: Christ's sacrificial death has completely cleansed us from sin (see 9:13–14, 19–23).

We should firmly hold on to the hope we affirm, that Christ's death helps us have a right relationship with God.

True Christian commitment is shown through acts of love and good deeds (Hebrews 6:10; 10:32–34; Galatians 5:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; Revelation 2:19).

• Some people in this Christian community had started to skip their regular worship meetings, possibly to avoid persecution (Hebrews 10:32–39).

• We should encourage each other to love and do good deeds, keeping in mind the day of Christ’s return, his second coming (9:28; Luke 12:42–46; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10; 1 John 2:28).

deliberately: Open rebellion against God's laws was called "sinning with a high hand" (see study note on Numbers 15:30–31). Here, the author refers to rejecting Christ and his work. Christ's sacrifice for sins ended the old covenant's sacrificial system (Hebrews 9:11–10:18). If someone rejects the Son's sacrifice, there is no other sacrifice for forgiveness. A person who rejects Christ can only expect judgment as one of God's enemies (compare Isaiah 26:10–11).

The author gives a strong warning about the danger of rejecting God's Son and his message. This warning urges listeners to commit to following Christ.

• The author compares two situations, one less severe and one more severe (see study note on Hebrews 9:14). The less severe situation is the old punishment of death for someone who refused to follow the law of Moses (see Deuteronomy 13:6–11). The more severe situation involves those who reject Christ and show him disrespect.

• How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished: Eternal damnation awaits those who have rejected Christ.

• The blood of the covenant, which made us holy, is Christ’s perfect sacrifice (9:11–10:18).

• insulted the Spirit of grace: Those who reject the Spirit’s guidance and mercy deny the truth of the good news and the greatness of Christ and his saving work (compare Mark 3:22–30).

• “The Lord will judge His people”: Deuteronomy 32:36; compare 1 Peter 4:17–18.

•  That God will repay them and will judge His people shows how serious the situation is for those who have rejected Christ. Once God decides to judge someone, no one can save that person from God's hand (Deuteronomy 32:39).

After the harsh warning in Hebrews 10:26–31, there is a message of encouragement. The listeners are reminded of their past faithfulness as a positive example to follow now.

the early days that you were in the light: The author reminds his audience about the early days after they believed in Christ. During that time, their faith was tested. Even when they suffered greatly, they stayed faithful. Suffering is normal for someone who identifies with Christ and his community (see 13:12–13; Acts 9:16; Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 4:12–13; Philippians 1:29; James 1:2–4).

• publicly exposed to ridicule: They were insulted and shamed.

• persecution: They were physically abused.

• Sometimes they were directly abused, and other times they supported others who were suffering.

• Those who were put in jail depended on friends and family for basic needs (see Hebrews 13:3).

• the confiscation of your property: The Roman government sometimes forced people out of their homes and cities (see Acts 18:2–3). These Christians had experienced this persecution before and accepted it with joy (see Romans 5:3; James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 1:6). They looked forward to better things that will last forever (see Hebrews 11:35). God promises rewards to those who stay faithful.

Because of their strong faith in the past (Hebrews 10:32–34), the author encourages them not to lose their trust in the Lord. The term translated as confidence also refers to boldness when approaching God (4:16; 10:19; see also 3:6). Those who stay faithful will receive a great reward (see 1:14; 6:12; 9:15; James 1:12). Patient endurance is crucial when facing persecution, as the author explains in Hebrews 10:32–12:17.

These verses quote Habakkuk 2:3–4 to show the difference between the righteous and the wicked when they face God's judgment (see also Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11).

The author concludes this section by expressing confidence in the listeners (see study note on Hebrews 6:9).