Lesson 10: A Better Offering (Hebrews 10)

Thus far, the author has stated several times that the Levitical system was insufficient to deal with man’s real problem: sin. Neither the Levitical priesthood or the Law could make man perfect (Hebrews 7.11,19) and while the blood of bulls and goats could “sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh” (Hebrews 9.13), they could not “make the worshiper perfect in conscience” (Hebrews 9.9). However, the blood of Christ has the power to “cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (Hebrews 9.14). In Hebrews 10.1-18 the author gives a more detailed explanation of why the Levitical system could not make perfect, but Christ can.

Why The Law Could Not Take Away Sins (Hebrews 10.1-4,11)

The author does not mince words in this section as he points out the insufficiency of the Levitical system. First, he states that the Law is “only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form…” (vs. 1). The author had previously stated that the tabernacle was merely copy of the true dwelling of God (see Hebrews 8.3-5; 9.23-26) and now he states that the Law itself is only a foreshadowing of what was to come. But his strongest language is used in regards to the sacrificial system of the Levitical law:

• Those sacrifices “can never… make perfect” (vs. 1).
• “It is impossible” for those sacrifices “to take away sins” (vs. 4).
• Those sacrifices “can never take away sins” (vs. 11).

But what proof does the author offer for stating that the Levitical sacrifices so deficient? The fact that the worshipers still had a consciousness of their sins (vs. 2)! The fact that the same sacrifices had to be offered “continually year by year” (vs. 1), that the priests stood “daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices” (vs. 11) meant that those sacrifices contained “a reminder of sins year by year” (vs. 3). Remember, the Levitical sacrifices could only cleanse the flesh (9.13) but not the conscience (9.9). “The Day of Atonement was designated as a day for fasting (Lev 23:26–32) and the confession of sins (Lev 16:20–22). The elaborate ritual was intended to accentuate a consciousness of sins. The solemn entrance of the high priest into the Most Holy Place dramatized the fact that sin separates the congregation from God. From this perspective, the sacrifices really provided ἀνάμνησις ἁμαρτιῶν, “a reminder of sins,” which brought to the consciousness of the worshipers the reality of their sins as an obstacle to fellowship with God.” (William Lane, Word Biblical Commentary)

Sanctification Is Found In Christ (Hebrews 10.5-10 ,12-14)

It was “impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (vs. 4) because consciousness of sins remained in those sacrifices. So, what made Christ’s sacrifice so much better and able to sanctify? In short, it was His devotion!

The section opens with a quotation from Psalm 40.6-8. Two things stand out from the passage:

1. A “body” was prepared for the Messiah (vs. 5). It was this “body” that was offered” (vs. 10). This sacrificial “body” was superior to the sacrificial offerings of the Law.
2. The Messiah came not to make offerings, but “to do your will, O God” (vs. 7). God repeatedly stated that what He desired was the obedient hearts of His people (see 1Samuel 15.22; Psalm 51.16-17; Isaiah 66.2-4; Jeremiah 7.21-24; Hosea 6.6; etc.). And that is exactly what Jesus did, completely submitting to the Father’s will by offering His body (vss. 9-10; cf. Matthew 26.39). Furthermore, His submitting completely to the will of God is what fulfilled the first covenant and established the second (vs. 9)… a covenant that offers real sanctification because of the superiority of the sacrifice (vs. 10). “These are not complementary systems that may exist side by side. The one excludes the other. No compromise is possible between them.” (Leon Morris, Expositors Bible Commentary)

In vss. 11-14 the author brings our attention back to the priesthood, showing by contrast just how much superior Jesus’ work is to that of the Levitical system:

• They “stand daily” (vs. 11), but He “sat down at the right hand of God” (vs. 12).
• They offer the same sacrifices daily (vs. 11), but He offered “one sacrifice… for all time” (vs. 12).
• Their sacrifices “can never take away sins” (vs. 11), but His sacrifice was “for sins”(vs. 12) and has thus “perfected for all time those who are sanctified” (vs. 14).
• Furthermore, Christ now awaits the time when all of His enemies will be subjugated (vs. 13). “The session at the right hand puts Christ in a position where he may provide assistance to his people without having to offer sacrifices. The allusion to Ps 110:1 in vv 12–13 insists on the established firmness of his position. For the future he has only to wait for the complete subjugation of every power that resists the gracious redemptive purposes of God. Jesus’ place in the presence of God enables him to exercise in heaven the ministry of the new covenant. This is the basis of the assurance extended to the community that they possess now full access to God.” (William Lane, Word Biblical Commentary)

The Law Is No Longer Needed (Hebrews 10.15-18)

The author then returns to God’s promise of the new and better covenant which He made in Jeremiah 31.31-34. This quotation was given in full in Hebrews 8.7-12, but now the author uses a smaller portion to establish one point: now that sins are forgiven, no other offerings are needed (vs. 18). This takes us back to the how the author began the section, stating that the Law was “only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things” (vs. 1). Now that real sanctification is available through the sacrifice of Christ’s body (vss. 9,14), the sacrifices of the shadow system are not needed… they accomplish nothing. A better sacrifice has been made; sanctification is ours in the better covenant.

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Good theology is more than learning some truths about God, rather good theology always has practical application. In other words, good theology teaches “since this is true about God, this is what we should do in response.” The author of Hebrews had been reminding his audience of some important theological truths: the failure of the Levitical system to make perfect, the superiority of Jesus’ priesthood and offering, the taking away of the old covenant and the bringing in of the new, etc. But what did these theological truths mean for the author’s audience… what do these truths mean for us? How can this good theology be put into practice?

“Since we…” (Hebrews 10.19-21)

Before moving to the practical application of the theological truths presented, the author summarizes two blessings at the heart of these truths, each introduced with the phrase, “since we…”. The first blessing is the confidence we have to enter the holy place (vss.19-20).

• The holy place is where Jesus now is, ministering on our behalf (Hebrews 6.19-20; 8.1-2; 9.11-12,24).
• Our entrance is provided “by the blood of Jesus”. Remember, it was His blood that can completely cleanse our conscience (Hebrews 9.14) and is what perfects and sanctifies us (Hebrews 10.14).
• Our entrance is “by a new and living way”. Remember, the former way was only a “shadow” or “copy” (Hebrews 10.1). This new way has replaced the old and actually leads to life (Hebrews 8.13; 9.9).
• Our entrance has been “inaugurated” by Jesus who serves as the forerunner into the presence of God (see Hebrews 6.19-20).
• He inaugurated the entrance “through His flesh” (ESV and NASB2020). The offering of His body is what has made our access possible (see Hebrews 10.10).

The second blessing is the fact that “we have a great priest over the house of God” (vs. 21). The subject of Jesus’ priesthood has been at the heart of the author’s message (see Hebrews 8.1), but now we are reminded again that Jesus is over God’s house… a reminder of Jesus’ greatness compared to Moses (see Hebrews 3.1-6).

“… let us” (Hebrews 10.22-25)

Having summarized the blessings that spring from the theological truths established, the author moves on to three calls to action, each introduced by the phrase, “let us”. Significantly, the calls to action are formed around “faith… hope… love” the three great spiritual gifts (see 1Corinthians 13.13). “Since we… let us”

Let us draw near in faith (vs. 22). Drawing near was an impossibility under the old covenant because the offerings and sacrifices of that covenant could not make perfect (see Hebrews 10.1). But since Jesus has inaugurated the way for us, we can draw near… but we must do so in faith!

• Recall that faith was where Israel stumbled (see Hebrews 4.2).
• The author also stresses the need for sincerity of heart… the same kind of heart possessed by Jesus who committed Himself to doing the will of God (see Hebrews 10.5-9). Furthermore, our hearts have been freed from an evil conscience (see Hebrews 9.9,14).
• And our bodies have been washed. The author may be drawing on the imagery of the priests who were sprinkled with blood and their bodies washed with water (Exodus 29.4,21; Leviticus 8.6,30). Without question, baptism is in view (cf. 1Peter 3.21).

Let us hold fast in hope (vs. 23). Recall the author’s words in Hebrews 6.17-18: “In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.” We have every reason to hold fast our hope because of the proven trustworthiness of God. But, it remains up to us to hold fast to that hope… or abandon it.

Let us practice love toward each other (vss. 24-25). “the picture here is like that in Ephesians 4.16, of a church made up of interconnected members who support each other and in so doing build each other up in love. Cf. also 1Thess 5.11; Col. 3.14. When some become weak in faith and cease to contribute to the well-being of the group, the entire group suffers. It therefore behooves every member to show love to the rest, and to encourage others to continue in the good works that reflect our faith. With each one contributing to the support of the others, the Lord’s church can remain strong even in times of persecution.” (David McClister).

In vs. 25 the author stresses the importance of the assembly. “It stands to reason that no provocation to love is possible unless suitable opportunities occur for the stirring process to take effect.” (Donald Guthrie, Tyndale Bible Commentary). Significantly, the word translated as “assembly” is found in only one other passage in the NT, 2Thessalonians 2.1. “Hebrews 10:25 refers to the assembling of Christians in worship. II Thessalonians 2:1 describes the second coming of Christ. Putting these two texts together, our assembling of ourselves to worship here and now helps prepare us for the great assembling of all Christ’s people at the end of time. Also, every time we assemble to worship God, it is a foreshadowing of a greater assembling to come.” (Tommy Peeler)

Call To Continue In Faith (Hebrews 10.26-39)

Having exhorted his audience to put good theology into practice, the author warns them against continuing in willfully sinning (vss. 26-31). However, the author is confident that his audience will have the proper response given their past actions (vss. 32-36). Thus, he ends this chapter with a note of confidence: “But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” Note the following from the passage:

• Sinning willfully (vs. 26): “The concept of deliberate sin derives from Num 15:22–31, where a distinction is made between those who unintentionally transgress God’s commandments (vv 22–29) and the person who sins “defiantly,” who must be “cut off from his people” because he has despised the Lord (vv 30–31).” (William Lane, Word Biblical Commentary)
• Dies without mercy (vs. 28): see Deuteronomy 17.2-7; 13.8.
• Trampled under foot” (vs. 29): “to thoroughly despise someone or something” (Louw Nida).
• When you have done the will of God (vs. 36): Jesus came to do the Father’s will (Hebrews 10.7,9) and so it is expected that His followers will do the same.
• Of those who have faith… (vs. 39): a topic the author will explore in depth in chapter 11.