10:1–18 Arguing from Psa 40:6–8, the author shows that the ot anticipates the demise of the first covenant and the sacrifices associated with it (Heb 10:5–7; see 8:8–12). The passage also affirms that Christ’s sacrifice effectively sanctifies believers in accordance with the divine will (vv. 7, 9–10).

10:1 law Likely referring collectively to the ot law found in the Pentateuch.

shadow The law revealed the need for atonement but only provided a short-term solution. See 8:5 and note. Compare Col 2:17.

10:3 reminder of sins Refers to the Day of Atonement. See Lev 16:34; Heb 8:12; note on 9:7.

10:4 impossible for the blood of bulls and goats An animal sacrifice cannot take away sins in an eternal way; only the sacrifice of Christ can accomplish that (see vv. 12–14).

In the ot, animal sacrifices signified forgiveness of sin (Lev 4:20, 26, 31; 5:10, 13, 16). The Hebrew terms used in these contexts refer to the cleansing of the impurity caused by sin and God’s pardoning of the sinner following that cleansing (see note on Lev 4:20; compare Exod 34:9; Num 14:19–20).

10:5–7 In its original context, the psalm cited here (Psa 40:6–8) is associated with David, who understands right living to be better than right rituals. The author of Hebrews presents Christ as the speaker of this psalm (compare Mark 15:24, 30–32, 36; John 2:17; Rom 15:3, 9; Heb 2:10–12). Quotation of Psa 40:6–8 in Hebrews 10:5–9 CNTUOT

10:5 came into the world Refers to the incarnation of the Son of God (2:9, 14–18).

body you prepared Likely refers to Jesus’ body (sōma in Greek). Verse 10 speaks of believers being sanctified by the offering of the body (sōma) of Jesus.

10:6 whole burnt offerings Such a sacrifice could be practiced for ritual cleansing (Lev 1:4; 5:7, 10), vows (Num 15:3, 8), and festival offerings (Num 10:10; 28:10). See Lev 1:3–17 and note.

offerings for sins Refers to the offering undertaken for unintentional sins (see Lev 4:1–5:13 and note). The requirements for this offering differed depending on who sinned. For example, the high priest’s sin required a more costly sacrifice than that of a common Israelite.

10:7 to do your will The quote from Psa 40:6–8 demonstrates Christ’s obedience to the divine will; He fulfilled the divine purposes of God for humanity (see Heb 2:10, 14, 17; compare Isa 53:10).

roll of the book Since Psa 40:8 mentions the law, this might refer to a scroll of the law of Moses (Heb 9:19).

10:9 the first in order to establish the second This contrast could refer to the two parts of the citation from Psa 40 (Heb 10:5–6, 8 and 10:7, 9) or the first and second covenants (8:7, 13; 9:1, 18).

10:10 once for all See 7:27; 9:12.

10:11 every priest stands Indicates the perpetual and ineffectual nature of the Levitical priesthood (see Deut 17:12; 18:5; 21:5).

take away In the ot, the term periaireō refers to the removal of an impediment, such as a rebellious deed (Zeph 3:11), guilt (1 Chr 21:8), or judgment (Zeph 3:15). Animal sacrifices cannot take away sins—they symbolically represent God taking away sins.

10:12 offered one sacrifice Christ offered a single sacrifice for sins, drawing attention to the earlier emphasis on the “once for all” nature of His death (Heb 9:25–28; 10:1–3).

for all time His death addresses both past and future sins.

sat down at the right hand Alludes to Psa 110:1 and depicts Jesus’ completed priestly action (see Heb 1:13). The author uses similar language at 1:3; 8:1.

10:13 waiting until his enemies At the end of the ages, Christ’s enemies will be subjected to him completely (2:14–15). See note on 1:13.

10:14 perfected for all time Believers are made perfect (11:40; 12:23), following Jesus Christ who Himself was made perfect (see 2:10; 5:9; 7:28). Christ achieved this by means of His sacrificial death (v. 10), which enables believers to draw near to God (see 7:11–12, 19; 9:9; 10:1).

10:15–17 The author quotes from Jer 31:33–34 again, forming an inclusio (that is, bracketing by repetition; see Heb 8:8–12). The citation shows that, because the new covenant has been inaugurated, God no longer remembers the sins of His people. God puts His laws in the hearts and minds of His people (v. 16), who consequently are empowered to obey Him and conform to His holy character (3:1; 12:2). Quotation of Jer 31:33–34 in Hebrews 10:16–17 CNTUOT

10:15 Holy Spirit The author sets up the quotation from Jeremiah as an utterance of the Spirit.

10:16 on their hearts Compared to the citation in 8:10, the author inverts the terms “heart” (kardia) and “mind” (dianoia) here. He may intend to emphasize the “heart” drawing near to God with full assurance (v. 22). See note on 8:10.

10:17 their lawless deeds God will not remember “their lawless deeds” because He has acted mercifully toward them. He has not merely overlooked their iniquities, but He atoned for them through Jesus.

10:19–25 Summarizing 8:1–10:19, the author offers three exhortations in light of Jesus’ high priestly work.

10:19 confidence Results from Jesus’ work as high priest, brought about by His death and resurrection—allowing for people to enter God’s presence without fear of His wrath (9:14; 10:22; compare Isa 6:1–6).

blood of Jesus The basis for confidence is Jesus’ atoning sacrifice (Heb 9:12, 14; 10:19, 29; 12:24; 13:12, 20). Just as Moses enacted the first covenant with blood (Exod 24:6, 8), Jesus inaugurated a new entrance into the sanctuary for believers with His blood (Heb 9:28).

10:20 new and living way Refers to the entrance into God’s life-giving presence that Jesus made possible. See 4:14; 5:9; 9:8, 12.

curtain See note on 6:19; note on 9:3.

his flesh Refers to Jesus’ death (see Matt 27:51).

10:21 great priest Synonymous with “great high priest,” echoing Heb 4:14–16.

house of God Recalls 3:1–6.

10:22 true heart Refers to a heart characterized by sincerity and truth, as opposed to “an evil, unbelieving heart” (3:12). Whereas the evil heart leads to falling away, the true heart leads to approaching God. The new covenant promise called for the reworking of the heart (see 8:10; Jer 31:33 esv; Ezek 36:26–27).

hearts sprinkled clean Recalls Moses sprinkling the people with blood to enact ritual purity (Heb 9:18–22; Exod 24:8). Whereas the ot sacrifices could purify only the flesh, Jesus cleanses people’s hearts and consciences (Heb 9:13–14).

bodies washed An outward symbol of inward cleansing. This likely alludes to the cleansing rituals of the priesthood (see Exod 29:4; Lev 8:6; 16:4; Heb 9:10).

Baptism

10:23 Let us hold fast Similar expressions occurred earlier, urging readers to “hold fast” (katechō) to confidence (3:6), commitment (3:14), and a confession (4:14). Believers should do this “without wavering” (aklinēs), referring to an immovable disposition.

confession of our hope Refers to belief in Jesus, His work so far, and His future work. Holding fast to the confession means maintaining a consistent confidence in the salvation Jesus brings through His faithful life, death, and resurrection (see 3:6; 6:11, 18; 7:19). See note on 3:1.

10:25 meeting together Early Christians typically gathered for worship in the home of a wealthy patron (Acts 2:46; 16:40; Phlm 2). Paul describes the tradition of sharing a ceremonial meal, in which the sacrificial death of Jesus was remembered (1 Cor 10:16–17; 11:20–29). Believers exercised prophetic gifts (see 1 Cor 14:1–33), sang (Eph 5:19), prayed (1 Cor 11:4–5), and instructed each other (1 Cor 14:26; Col 3:16).

day drawing near Refers to the coming Day of the Lord, when Christ will return to free His people and condemn evil (Rom 2:16; 1 Cor 3:13).

10:26–39 This section contains the fourth warning (compare Heb 2:1–4; 3:12–13; 6:4–8), which focuses on the rejection of the truth of Christ’s work (vv. 26–31). The author then shifts to a message of encouragement (vv. 32–39).

10:26 sinning deliberately Refers to sins performed willingly or knowingly. The particular sins identified here include disdaining God’s Son, denying God’s Spirit, and regarding the blood of the covenant as ordinary (v. 29). Such sins indicate that one has fallen away from the living God (3:12).

The ot law made provision for those who committed sins unintentionally. Upon realizing their sin, people could sacrifice an animal in order to make atonement (see Lev 4:2–3, 13–14, 27–28; Num 15:22–29). However, those who sin intentionally had to be cut off from Israel because they rejected the word of Yahweh (Num 15:30–31).

knowledge of the truth Refers to learning about the good news of Jesus (see Eph 1:13; 1 Tim 2:4; 4:3; 2 Tim 2:25; 3:7). Other nt texts describe the Christian message as the truth (see Gal 5:7; 2 Thess 2:12; Jas 3:14; 5:19; 1 Pet 1:22).

no longer remains a sacrifice Those who choose to reject Jesus’ sacrifice continue to bear their own sin. The ot indicates that those cut off from fellowship with Israel because of deliberate, repeated sins must bear their sin (Num 15:31). Since they are cut off from the priestly ministry, they still bear their sins. Similarly, those who deny Christ after hearing the gospel do not have access to His sacrifice; it’s not applicable to them because they have not accepted Him.

10:27 fury of fire An allusion to Isa 26:11, which contrasts the righteous with the wicked. Regarding the wicked, Isaiah states that fire will consume them.

adversaries Refers to those who persist in evil despite God’s goodness and favor toward them (Isa 26:10–11). Here, it specifically refers to those who deliberately continue to sin even after learning about the gospel (Heb 10:26).

10:28 rejected the law of Moses Deliberately transgressed the law. This implies an act of rebellion (see Mark 7:9; Gal 2:21; 3:15).

dies without mercy Perhaps drawing from Deut 17:2–7, this passage refers to the death that awaits those who reject God’s covenant and serve other gods.

10:29 worse punishment Reserved for people who reject the “living God” (see Heb 3:12; 10:31; 12:22).

10:30 the one who said The verse quotes Deut 32:35–36, emphasizing that God will severely judge those who reject His covenant. This applies also to the new covenant inaugurated by Christ.

10:31 terrifying thing Refers to God’s judgment (Heb 10:27).

living God See 3:12; 9:14; 12:22. In the context of this stern warning, this expression emphasizes that God lives, whereas idols do not. Turning to idolatry results in judgment or being cut off (vv. 28; Deut 17:2–5).

10:32 after you were enlightened Echoes Hebrews 6:4, where the language refers to the pillar of fire that “enlightened” (phōtizō) the way for the Israelites (Neh 9:12, 19; Psa 105:39). Here, it signifies illumination of the gospel and solidarity with the people of God.

struggle The listeners not only underwent a great struggle, they “endured” it rather than fleeing from adversity. Their endurance is a testament to their relationship with Jesus; it will prompt other people to join the faith rather than choosing the route of denying Jesus’ work and role in the world.

10:33 publicly exposed both to insults and to afflictions This persecution involved verbal abuse and acts of violence. Through this persecution, these believers participated in the sufferings of Christ (11:26; 13:13).

10:34 seizure of your belongings In the first-century ad Roman Empire, authorities sometimes seized the property of accused criminals, and people sometimes looted homes after homeowners were imprisoned (according to first-century ad writer Philo, Against Flaccus 10, 56).

permanent possession Refers to believers’ eternal salvation (5:9) and inheritance (9:15).

10:35 great reward The Greek term misthapodosia appears elsewhere in Hebrews with both positive (11:26) and negative (2:2) connotations. Here it is used in the positive sense, anticipating the reward that Moses sought. God is the one who rewards (11:6). The great reward” refers to blessings associated with God’s promised salvation, the “rest” (see 9:28; 10:23, 25).

10:36 endurance This motif of enduring fits with the wilderness theme established throughout Hebrews. In settling for merely making it out of Egypt rather than making it to the promised land, the people of God failed to endure. Entering into God’s rest requires endurance.

what was promised Refers to the salvation inaugurated by Christ (4:1, 8; 6:12, 17; 8:6).

10:37–38 To reinforce the previous argument, citations from Isa 26:20 and Hab 2:3–4 contrast a wicked person with a righteous person, whose life is characterized by faithfulness. They encourage the righteous person to persevere. Isa 26:20 and Hab 2:3 in Heb 10:37–38 CNTUOT Remember the Past and Persevere Hebrews (PNTC)

10:37 the one who is coming The author cites Hab 2:3 to emphasize Christ’s return.

10:38 my righteous one The author cites the ancient Greek (Septuagint) translation of Hab 2:4, probably in reference to believers.

shrinks back Refers to those who return to their life of sin after learning about the gospel, demonstrating that they do not believe in the validity of God’s work (see Heb 10:26).

10:39 to the preservation of our souls This points ahead to ch. 11, which will both define faith and provide examples of faithful people.