1]. The OT Sacrifices Could Never Take Away Sin. 10:1-4
In the opening verses, the writer shows the inability of the sacrifices offered in the Old Testament era, to take away sin. That inability was shown in the fact that the sacrifices had to be offered continually every year. “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” If sin had been dealt with, there would have been no more need for sacrifices. However, worshippers’ consciences were not cleansed, for the blood of bulls and goats is unable to take away sins.
2]. Jesus’ Single Sacrifice Takes Away Sin For Ever. 10:5-10
Jesus, operating in the will of God, offered a sacrifice that brought to an end the Old Testament order of offering sacrifices, “Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’” 8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” 10:6-10. This meant that there was no more need for the Old Testament sacrifices to be offered [offered according to the law] because a new order had been established, based on Jesus obeying the will of God in offering Himself as the sacrifice. The old order has been done away with, and the new order introduced by Jesus has come. In fulfilling the will of God, believers have been sanctified through Jesus’ offering of Himself. [NOTE 1]
3]. Jesus As The Better High Priest Who Offered The Better Sacrifice. 10:11-14
The contrast is now made between Jesus as the great high priest and the succession of high priests under the old order of priesthood. Of the latter the writer wrote, “And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.” 10:11. Then comes the great contrast, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” 10:12-14. The priests under the old order had to stand daily offering sacrifices which could not take away sin. But Jesus offered His single sacrifice for sin and then sat down at the right hand of God. His sacrificial work was done and God accepted it as done. Verse 14 confirms that truth saying, “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” 10:14. This is an interesting verse as the verb “has perfected” from [teleioō; τελειόω] is in the perfect tense meaning that Jesus’ offering was complete. No more sacrifices would ever need to be offered. However the participle form of the verb ”being sanctified” is in the present tense. [NOTE 2]. They were being sanctified [or made more holy] as they lived for Christ.
4]. The Victory Jesus Accomplished On The Cross. 10:15-18.
Jesus through His death on the cross introduced a new covenant. It showed God’s initiative in working inwardly in His people and what would be the result of Jesus’ single sacrifice on the cross. His inward work would be, “And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds.” 10:15-16. They would become sensitive to Him and to His laws.
The results of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross? Forgiveness! “Then he adds, ‘I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.’ 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.” 10:17. No more sacrifices needed! The single sacrifice of Jesus had made forgiveness available for the people of God.
5]. The New And Living Way Into The Presence Of God. 10:19-25
What are the results of Jesus sacrifice for sins? We can draw near to God through Him, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh.” 10:19-20. Jesus is the great high priest whose sacrifice of Himself allowed Him to enter into the holy of holies and into very presence of God. By doing so He has also allowed us to enter directly into the presence of God as forgiven sinners.
What other advantages or obligations are there for us in having Jesus as our great high priest? The writer lists 3, “and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” 10:19-25.
We can draw near to God as forgiven, cleansed sinners. 10:22.
We can hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. 10:23.
We can consider how to encourage each other in our faith. 10:24-25.
6]. The Fourth Warning Against Deliberate Sin. 10:26-31
The Christian message of Christ’s death for sinners is liberating, but there are dreadful consequences for those who don’t act on the message and deliberately sin, “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one
• who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and
• has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and
• has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 “For we know him who said, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’ 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Believers need to take God seriously. He has acted in grace towards guilty sinners offering them forgiveness and a new life in Him. They open themselves to His judgment if they ignore, disregard or belittle His amazing grace.
BUT there may be some hope.
7]. Going On In Faith And With Endurance. 10:32-39.
Praise God that the writer writes, “But!” He reminds them of former victories they had known and encourages them to endure to receive the promises of God. “But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.37 For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” 10:32-39.
Chapter 10 ends on a positive note as the writer expresses confidence in thereaders describing them as “those who have faith and preserve their souls.” But they have been warned!
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
[NOTE 1. “Sanctified” is from [hagiazō; ἁγιάζω] meaning to separate, cleanse, purify, sanctify; to regard or reverence as holy. Believers who trust in Christ have been separated from the unbelieving world to belong to Christ. God regards them as holy, as set apart for Him. It is a verb in the perfect tense, meaning that it is established, not just part of a process. Believers are now His through Christ’s sacrifice.
NOTE 2]. “Are being sanctified” is the present participle form of the same verb used in verse 10. What it means is that those set apart to belong to God [sanctified] are in the ongoing process of being made more holy [sanctification.]
Blog No.529 posted on Saturday 17 February 2024.
holbeck 
529. THE NECESSITY OF CHRIST’S SACRIFICE ONCE FOR ALL. Hebrews 10
1]. The OT Sacrifices Could Never Take Away Sin. 10:1-4
In the opening verses, the writer shows the inability of the sacrifices offered in the Old Testament era, to take away sin. That inability was shown in the fact that the sacrifices had to be offered continually every year. “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” If sin had been dealt with, there would have been no more need for sacrifices. However, worshippers’ consciences were not cleansed, for the blood of bulls and goats is unable to take away sins.
2]. Jesus’ Single Sacrifice Takes Away Sin For Ever. 10:5-10
Jesus, operating in the will of God, offered a sacrifice that brought to an end the Old Testament order of offering sacrifices, “Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’” 8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” 10:6-10. This meant that there was no more need for the Old Testament sacrifices to be offered [offered according to the law] because a new order had been established, based on Jesus obeying the will of God in offering Himself as the sacrifice. The old order has been done away with, and the new order introduced by Jesus has come. In fulfilling the will of God, believers have been sanctified through Jesus’ offering of Himself. [NOTE 1]
3]. Jesus As The Better High Priest Who Offered The Better Sacrifice. 10:11-14
The contrast is now made between Jesus as the great high priest and the succession of high priests under the old order of priesthood. Of the latter the writer wrote, “And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.” 10:11. Then comes the great contrast, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” 10:12-14. The priests under the old order had to stand daily offering sacrifices which could not take away sin. But Jesus offered His single sacrifice for sin and then sat down at the right hand of God. His sacrificial work was done and God accepted it as done. Verse 14 confirms that truth saying, “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” 10:14. This is an interesting verse as the verb “has perfected” from [teleioō; τελειόω] is in the perfect tense meaning that Jesus’ offering was complete. No more sacrifices would ever need to be offered. However the participle form of the verb ”being sanctified” is in the present tense. [NOTE 2]. They were being sanctified [or made more holy] as they lived for Christ.
4]. The Victory Jesus Accomplished On The Cross. 10:15-18.
Jesus through His death on the cross introduced a new covenant. It showed God’s initiative in working inwardly in His people and what would be the result of Jesus’ single sacrifice on the cross. His inward work would be, “And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds.” 10:15-16. They would become sensitive to Him and to His laws.
The results of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross? Forgiveness! “Then he adds, ‘I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.’ 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.” 10:17. No more sacrifices needed! The single sacrifice of Jesus had made forgiveness available for the people of God.
5]. The New And Living Way Into The Presence Of God. 10:19-25
What are the results of Jesus sacrifice for sins? We can draw near to God through Him, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh.” 10:19-20. Jesus is the great high priest whose sacrifice of Himself allowed Him to enter into the holy of holies and into very presence of God. By doing so He has also allowed us to enter directly into the presence of God as forgiven sinners.
What other advantages or obligations are there for us in having Jesus as our great high priest? The writer lists 3, “and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” 10:19-25.
We can draw near to God as forgiven, cleansed sinners. 10:22.
We can hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. 10:23.
We can consider how to encourage each other in our faith. 10:24-25.
6]. The Fourth Warning Against Deliberate Sin. 10:26-31
The Christian message of Christ’s death for sinners is liberating, but there are dreadful consequences for those who don’t act on the message and deliberately sin, “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one
• who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and
• has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and
• has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 “For we know him who said, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’ 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Believers need to take God seriously. He has acted in grace towards guilty sinners offering them forgiveness and a new life in Him. They open themselves to His judgment if they ignore, disregard or belittle His amazing grace.
BUT there may be some hope.
7]. Going On In Faith And With Endurance. 10:32-39.
Praise God that the writer writes, “But!” He reminds them of former victories they had known and encourages them to endure to receive the promises of God. “But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.37 For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” 10:32-39.
Chapter 10 ends on a positive note as the writer expresses confidence in thereaders describing them as “those who have faith and preserve their souls.” But they have been warned!
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
[NOTE 1. “Sanctified” is from [hagiazō; ἁγιάζω] meaning to separate, cleanse, purify, sanctify; to regard or reverence as holy. Believers who trust in Christ have been separated from the unbelieving world to belong to Christ. God regards them as holy, as set apart for Him. It is a verb in the perfect tense, meaning that it is established, not just part of a process. Believers are now His through Christ’s sacrifice.
NOTE 2]. “Are being sanctified” is the present participle form of the same verb used in verse 10. What it means is that those set apart to belong to God [sanctified] are in the ongoing process of being made more holy [sanctification.]
Blog No.529 posted on Saturday 17 February 2024.
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About Jim Holbeck
Once an Industrial Chemist working for the Queensland Government but later an Anglican minister in Brisbane, Armidale and Sydney. Last position for eighteen years before retirement in 2006 was as the Leader of the Healing Ministry at St Andrew's Cathedral Sydney.