Hebrews 10

King James Version

Full text for Hebrews Chapter 10

1¶ For 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.

7¶ Then 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.

15[Whereof] 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.

19¶ Having 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.

31[It 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The Law's sacrifices were a shadow, unable to perfect or remove sin. Christ's single offering of his body, however, perfectly sanctifies believers forever, establishing a new covenant of forgiveness. This grants boldness to approach God, but also carries a severe warning against wilfully rejecting this truth, urging steadfastness and faith.

Medium Summary

Hebrews 10 contrasts the inefficacy of the Old Testament law and its animal sacrifices, which merely served as a "shadow" and a yearly reminder of sins, with the perfect and eternal sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Christ came to do God's will, offering his body "once for all," thereby taking away the first covenant to establish the second. This single offering eternally perfects those who are sanctified, leading to a new covenant where sins are remembered no more. Consequently, believers are exhorted to approach God with boldness through Christ's blood, maintaining their faith, encouraging one another, and not forsaking assembly. A grave warning is issued against deliberate sin after receiving the truth, as no further sacrifice remains, only a fearful expectation of judgment for those who profane Christ's atoning work. The chapter concludes by urging believers to remember their past endurance and to hold fast their confidence and patience, living by faith and not drawing back unto perdition.

Long Summary

Hebrews 10 begins by asserting that the Old Testament law, with its continuous sacrifices, was merely a "shadow of good things to come," incapable of truly perfecting worshippers or removing their consciousness of sin. The very need for yearly offerings demonstrated their inadequacy, as it is impossible for the blood of animals to take away sins. The author then introduces Christ's advent, quoting Psalm 40, where Jesus declares his purpose to do God's will, stating that God desired not sacrifice and offering, but a body prepared for him. By taking away the first system of sacrifices, Christ established the second, through which believers are sanctified by the "offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Unlike the Levitical priests who daily offered repetitive, ineffective sacrifices, Christ, after offering one perfect sacrifice for sins forever, "sat down on the right hand of God," awaiting the subjugation of his enemies. This single offering eternally perfects those who are sanctified, a truth confirmed by the Holy Ghost through the new covenant promise: God will write his laws in their hearts and minds, and their sins and iniquities will be remembered no more. Where such remission exists, there is no further need for sin offerings. Based on this profound truth, believers are exhorted to approach God with "boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus," through the new and living way consecrated by his flesh, having him as their High Priest. They are called to draw near with sincerity and full assurance of faith, with hearts cleansed from an evil conscience and bodies washed with pure water. Furthermore, they must steadfastly hold to their profession of faith, encourage one another to love and good works, and not neglect their communal assembly, especially as "the day approaching." A severe warning follows: if one "sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth," there remains "no more sacrifice for sins," but only a "fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation." The punishment for despising Moses' law was death without mercy; how much sorer, then, will be the punishment for those who "trodden under foot the Son of God," profane his covenant blood, and insult the Spirit of grace. The Lord's vengeance and judgment upon his people are recalled, emphasizing the terror of falling into the hands of the living God. Finally, the chapter encourages the readers to remember their past endurance through afflictions and the joyful acceptance of suffering, knowing they possess a "better and an enduring substance" in heaven. They are urged not to cast away their confidence, which brings great reward, but to have patience to receive the promise, for the coming Lord will not tarry. The just are to live by faith, not drawing back to perdition, but believing to the saving of the soul.

Core Concepts

  • Inadequacy of the LawThe Old Testament law and its animal sacrifices were a "shadow" of future good things, unable to truly perfect worshippers or permanently remove the consciousness of sins. They served as a yearly reminder of sin rather than a complete atonement.
  • Christ's Perfect SacrificeJesus Christ's offering of his own body "once for all" is presented as the singular, ultimate sacrifice that perfectly fulfills God's will and eternally sanctifies believers. Unlike the repetitive Levitical offerings, Christ's work is complete and effective.
  • The New CovenantThrough Christ's sacrifice, God establishes a new covenant, prophesied by Jeremiah, where His laws are written in the hearts and minds of His people, and their sins and iniquities are remembered no more, leading to full remission.
  • Boldness to Approach GodBelievers are now granted direct access and "boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus," through the "new and living way" consecrated by his flesh, with Christ serving as their High Priest over God's house.
  • Steadfastness and Mutual EncouragementThe chapter exhorts believers to maintain their faith without wavering, to draw near to God with sincerity, and to actively provoke one another to love and good works, emphasizing the importance of not forsaking communal assembly.
  • Warning Against ApostasyA severe warning is given against "wilful sin" after receiving the knowledge of the truth, indicating that for such deliberate rejection of Christ's sacrifice, no further atonement remains, only a fearful expectation of divine judgment.
  • Endurance and FaithReaders are encouraged to recall their past endurance through suffering and persecution, and to hold fast their confidence and patience, living by faith and not drawing back from their commitment, in anticipation of receiving God's promises.