The writer of Hebrews knew that Christians would find power in Christ’s permanent sacrifice. The writer had seen the ineffectiveness of Old Testament sacrifices (Heb. 10:1–4), but the author had also witnessed that Christ’s sacrifice produced long-lasting changes which prompted new life in His followers. Christ’s sacrifice demonstrated a chosen commitment to follow God’s will (10:5–10). His sacrifice did the job because it obtained forgiveness for believer’s in Jesus (10:11–18), unlike the Jewish priests who regularly offered sacrifices which did not remove sin (10:11).
Because Christ’s sacrifice had power to change people, three appeals were given (10:19–25). These believers were urged to draw near to God, to hold fast to their confession and commitment, and to encourage up fellow believers to love and unselfish deeds.
Some of these believers were considering turning away from Christ. They were reminded that abandoning Christ left them without any sacrifice for their sins. Those who left Jesus could expect judgment because they would turn away from the only solution to their sin, the body and blood of Jesus (10:26–31).
The author of Hebrews had strong hope that the readers had made a commitment they would follow (10:32–39). They had faced public humiliation, imprisonment, and loss of property because they had followed Christ. They had endured in doing God’s will. God would honor their faithfulness. Only Jesus could provide struggling believers the grace and strength to move forward in stalwart service to Him.
The same is true for us. God will honor our faithfulness. Whether it is through all the darkest valleys or the wonderful times on top of the mountain, we are to remain faithful. Jesus will give us strength and grace to serve Him in whatever capacity He chooses.
The general outline of Chapter 10:
- The Permanence of Christ’s Sacrifice and its Superiority (vv. 1–18)
- Permanent in contrast to Old Testament sacrifices (vv. 1–4)
- Permanent based on Jesus’ obedience (vv. 5–10)
- Permanent because it secured forgiveness (vv. 11–18)
- The Fourth Warning (vv. 19–39)
- The basic admonition and an appeal to experience the power of Christ (vv. 19–25)
- A warning to avoid God’s judgment (vv. 26–31)
- An encouragement to all who persevere (vv. 32–39)
The permanence of Christ’s sacrifice and its superiority (vv. 1-18):
The great resource of Christians when tempted to apostatize is our high priest, Jesus Christ. The writer therefore spent considerable time and space expounding Christ high priesthood to enable the readers to benefit from their resource. This section of the book continues to glorify Jesus Christ so the readers would appreciate Him sufficiently and not turn from Him. The priesthood of Melchizedek provided an analogy, for the writer, of Jesus’ priesthood. “In Hebrews 7, the writer argued that Christ’s priesthood, like Melchizedek’s, is superior in its order. In Hebrews 8, the emphasis is on Christ’s better covenant; in Hebrews 9, it is His better sanctuary; and Hebrews 10 concludes the section by arguing for Christ’s better sacrifice.”[1]
This section on the high priestly ministry of Christ (7:1 – 10:18) concludes with the writer emphasizing the perfecting effect of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on New Covenant believers. The author wrote this to inspire the readers further with the superiority of their condition compared with that of Old Covenant believers.
Hebrews 7:1-10:18 constitutes an exposition of distinctive features of the high priestly office of the Son. These are its similarity to the priesthood of Melchizedek (ch. 7), the fact that it involved a single, personal sacrifice for sins (chs. 8-9), and its achievement of eternal salvation (Hebrews 10:1-18).
In Hebrews 10:1-18 the writer elaborates the ’subjective’ effects of Christ’s offering for the community that enjoys the blessings of the new covenant. Christ’s death is considered from the perspective of its efficacy for Christians.
The fourth warning and the danger of willful sinning (vv. 19-39):
From verse 19 on in the epistle the writer made application from the great truths concerning Jesus Christ that they had now finished explaining. The author followed their exposition of Jesus Christ’s superior high priestly ministry (6:13 – 10:18) with exhortation, another stern warning against apostatizing, and an encouragement to remain faithful to the Lord (10:19-39). (Even though chapter 11 is primarily exposition, it is full of application.) The Greek word parresia, which appears in verse 19 (“confidence”) and in verse 35 (“confidence”), frames the section and forms an inclusio (i.e. a frame or bracketing of similar material) tying the thought together.
This warning passage is in a sense central to all the hortatory passages in Hebrews. It echoes former warnings and repeats characteristic expressions. Yet it also anticipates what is to come by introducing the triad of Christian virtues, which the writer develops in chapters 11-13 (cf. 6:10-12). The author spoke of faith in 10:22 and developed it in chapter 11, hope in 10:23 and developed it in 12:1-13, and love in 10:24 and developed it in 12:14 to 13:21.
PRINCIPLES
- The annual repetition of sacrifices reminded the Jews of their sin but did not remove it.
- Application: No matter how many sacrifices we make or tithes we offer or good works we do, we cannot remove our sin. Trust in the work and life of Jesus. Rest in His grace. Being strengthened everyday by finding your identity and security in Him
- Jesus’ sacrifice represented a volitional choice to obey God. Jesus was not randomly chosen like the animals were. He volunteered Himself
- Jesus’ sacrifice secured forgiveness of sin. Believer’s in Jesus are holy, justified, and being sanctified
- Jesus’ sacrifice provided Christians the privilege of entering God’s very presence.
- Rejecting Jesus’ sacrifice leads to judgment.
- Do not throw away or abandon belief in Jesus for conformity in this world or to please our flesh. Look at the greater picture that is beyond these fleeting moments of this earthly life. Know the truth and hold onto it, holding fast to the confession of our hope because He who promised is faithful
- Christians need stamina to endure in commitment to God’s will despite hardship and persecution.
APPLICATIONS
- Freely choose to obey God even as you suffer.
- Live before God in the joy of forgiven sin and the freedom of being cleansed.
- Trust God’s faithfulness, and maintain your commitment to Christ without wavering.
- Let fear of God’s judgment give you a healthy incentive to obey Him. Do not let fear rule your life or see God as some type of vengeful God, but know that every action has a consequence, whether good or bad.
- Ask God for the stamina to obey Him even when you cannot understand what is happening. When the road is tough and bleak, ask God for the strength, endurance, and perseverance to get through.
- It is good to assemble together. Church can be tough and finding a church can be difficult. Church is filled with imperfect people and sometimes church has hurt us. But let us not forsake getting together with the body of believers.
- Look forward with a confident expectation of being with the Triune God for all eternity
- When others are suffering and being tortured, what are ways you can help. Whether it is shelter, prayer, or a shoulder to cry on, look for how you can help those in need
Summary:
Christ’s sacrifice is permanent. It makes forgiveness possible, gives access to God, and produces people who can endure in righteous living and in love for one another. It develops followers who can face and overcome persecution. Receiving Christ’s sacrifice is so important that anyone rejecting it will find no other means of paying for sins.
Quick-fire topics:
Cleansing (v. 2): When Christians trust Jesus as Savior and Lord, they receive permanent cleansing from sin. This cleansing does not require any repetition of animal sacrifices because Christ’s sacrifice involved a perfect offering. Cleansing involves the forgiveness of sin and brings the privilege of perfect fellowship with God. Christians receive this cleansing by faith (Acts 15:9). Christians who fall into sin and disobedience break their fellowship with God, but they never lose their position in His family. Confession of sin can restore this fellowship (1 John 1:9).
Take Away (v. 11): This vivid word (periaireo) describes the action of removing something which surrounds someone. It portrays the image of the peeling away of an unwanted coat or covering in a warm room. Hebrews teaches that Old Testament sacrifices could never peel away sin. Sin still lingered even after the priests offered sacrifices. Jesus’ single sacrifice permanently removed the sin which hinders our fellowship with God.
Confidence (v. 19): Confidence (parresia) also appears in 4:16. It describes boldness gained from our new freedom in relationship to God. Christians can approach God with a freedom of expression and a release from fear. This confidence allows believers to approach God with a hopefulness previously limited to the priests.
Perseverance (v. 36): Perseverance involves endurance in the face of difficult circumstances. It is a spiritual grace developed by facing and overcoming hardship and adversity with divine strength (Jas. 1:2–4). Christians must endure to reap the benefits of God’s promised blessings. Those who are believers will persevere. Those who are not believers will fall away in the face of persecution, life’s difficulties, or the worries of life.
[1] Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary (Victor Books: Wheaton, 1989), 299.