THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE

TO THE

10:1-4

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. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

In this passage it mentions the law having a "shadow." It is telling us that the people were in the "shadow" of the law. That means that they sometimes looked at their sacrifices as a ritual. We too often times look at our worship time as a ritual or routine.

These sacrifices were just a shadow of what Christ would later do on the cross for their sins. They were not the real thing. If they were, then the sacrifices offered would only need to be offered once. The law, or the sacrifices offered, could never purge the sins of the one offering it.

There is something unique about a shadow. Take the shadow of a fruit tree. You can stand in the shadow of that fruit tree, but never eat of its fruit. The same could be said about church, or even Christ. You could stand in the shadow of His cross, and never get saved. Hell is full of people that attended church services all their life.

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

When Christ left heaven, He came to fulfill the work of the Father (John 4:34). He was conceived of the Holy Ghost into the womb of Mary (Matthew 1:18, 20). The word "prepared" in verse 5 speaks of Christ being manifest in the flesh (Galatians 4:4; I Timothy 3:16). Christ, as we have already covered in chapter 5, is the eternal Son of God. However, God the Father prepared His fleshly body to be the eternal sacrifice for the sins of the world.

The sacrifices that were offered by those that believed under the law is not what had please God. It was their obedience and faith in what He had them to do. The only time God was pleased in what sacrifice was being offered was when Christ gave His body as our sacrifice.

Isaiah 53:10 says, "Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand." 1 John 2:2 tells us, "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." JESUS CHRIST WAS THE SATISFYING SACRIFICE FOR OUR SINS!

10:7

Verse 7 is a reference to Psalms 40:7 that says, "Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me." Christ here is telling us that His first coming was foretold thousands of years before His incarnation. The phrase "in the volume of the book" speaks of ancient manuscripts. These books were written out on sheets of skins that were rolled up on rods on both ends. On each end of the rods were knobs. As the reader would read, they would unroll one side to expose the writing, and as quickly, roll up the other side.

The passage being quoted here was the writing of David. During his time, the only book containing the Word of God was the Pentateuch. The Pentateuch was a book that was composed of the first five books of our Bible; Genesis through Deuteronomy. These are the five books of Moses; which on every page, whether telling about the seed of the woman that shall bruise the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15), the seed of whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 18:18; 22:18; 26:4), or in all the sacrifices and sacrificial rituals mentioned in the law, pointed to the coming Messiah that would complete the work of the Father.

10:8-10

Above 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; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Again, we see here that the Father did not have pleasure in the "Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin...offered by the law." Therefore, He sent His Son to take away the Old Covenant, that the New Covenant may be established. Christ took away the offerings, sacrifices, burnt-offerings, and sacrifices for sin, which were prescribed by the law, because the offering of His body was once for all! Thank you Lord!

10:11-15

And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For 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.

The sacrifices offered by those under the Old Covenant were offered over and over. However, when Christ offered His sacrifice for our sins, He offered it one time. That one sacrifice has the ability to cover the sins of every person that calls on Him. As mentioned in chapter 1, when Christ completed His work He was sent to do, He sat down on the right hand of the Father.

When a person calls upon Him, through His finished work, He secures their freedom from sin for all eternity. This does not mean that a saved person becomes sinless. They have been set apart (initial act of salvation; sanctification), then through the work of the Holy Spirit they continue to grow more and more holy (progressive sanctification), till they finally become completely whole (final sanctification).

The Holy Ghost proclaims the truth of the Scriptures. He is a proof that the atonement made by the Sacrifice of Christ lays the foundation for the eternal perfection of all that have been sanctified.

The work that Christ did on the cross has been completed. However, we, as the redeemed, anticipate the fulfillment made here that all things shall be subdued under him. The enemies of the Redeemer are all things that are against Him. These things include Satan, the wickedness of the earth, and all evil passions of man’s heart.

There is coming a day that all things will be made subject to His will; either by a willful submission to His authority, or by being crushed beneath the weight of His power. The Redeemer, having performed His complete work of redemption, now calmly awaits until this great work is achieved, and the promise is fulfilled.

10:16-18

This 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; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

After the New Covenant took effect, there was no more need of a sin offering. When Christ gives forgiveness, there is full remission. Once sin is completely blotted out, there is no more need of a sacrifice to atone for them. The word "atone" means to make at one with. When we are made "at one" with Christ, nothing can remove us from that position! Amen!

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let 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.

Again, we see here that, through the shed blood of Christ, we have the ability to enter the Holiest place. Having boldness means we have the right to speak bluntly. We have the privilege to ask anything in the name of the creator, and know that He will not ignore us. Before the finished work of Christ, man did not have that access.

There was a veil separating us from the throne room of God. When Christ completed His work, that veil was rent (Matthew 27:51). There was not an offering good enough to be accepted by a Holy God. However, through the perfect blood sacrifice of Calvary, the way has been opened, and all may freely enter.

Verse 20 speaks of the "new and living way." The word "new" here has a different meaning than anywhere else in the New Testament. It has the meaning of slain, or killed. It proves to us that we have a way that imparts life, and leads to happiness.

Not only is Christ the "new and living way," but He is also the High Priest over the house of God. This truth gives us the assurance that we can have confidence when we worship. The phrase "full assurance of faith" means unwavering confidence. As children of God we are permitted to come with this confidence because He has proved Himself, through the redemption Christ gives, deserving our fullest confidence.

When we worship, we must do so with a true heart. John 4:23 and 24 says, "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." A sincere heart has always been required to worship the Holy God. That is the reason we must first be cleaned before approaching His very presence.

An adequate cleansing is required to stand before God. We must be cleaned inside and out. The blood of Christ cleanses the inside to make our conscience pure. The outside is cleanse by the Word of God. One can never truly have one without the other.

10:23

This is a troublesome verse for some who read it. Some try to make the Bible say that true believers must endure to the end to keep their eternal security. However, if salvation can be lost, then it was never based upon a finished work. Before Christ gave up the Ghost on the cross, He cried out "IT IS FINISHED!" If a person’s salvation is not finished, then it is not based the redeeming work of Christ.

The Bible says here "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering." The word "profession" does not mean a person is saved. A person NEVER receives God’s gift of salvation on a profession. Throughout the Scriptures, the Lord teaches us that we obtain salvation through a POSSESSION of faith, and NEVER a PROFESSION! The profession comes after the possession. The Word of God clearly shows that profession is when a person identifies themselves with Christ (AFTER THE INITIAL ACT OF POSSESSION).

The best way for a child of God to identify themselves with Christ is through baptism. Baptism NEVER saves a soul. It is the first step in obedience after salvation. The Bible declares in 1 Peter 3:21, "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." Baptism never puts "away of the filth of the flesh", but, as a true profession of faith, is always "the answer of a good conscience toward God."

When this book was written, it was written almost 30 years after the death of Christ, to Jews that were being persecuted because of their faith in Him (verse 32). To accept Christ meant to reject Judaism. After their conversion, there was great pressure placed on them to renounce Christ, and return to their faith in the law. However, Christ is unwavering, therefore, the profession the Jews made should remain stable no matter what they faced. God was so faithful to them, therefore, they ought to be faithful to Him.

We a person today looks at verses like these, they forget to whom the book was written. This book was not written to us, but it is written for us (2Timothy3:16). For the most part, we are not Jews being persecuted for rejecting Judaism. However, it can be a banner to us saying to never quit no matter how trying persecution gets, and an encouragement that we do not have to waver because we serve an unmovable God.

10:24, 25

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not 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.

The Lord here wants the reader to consider other believers around them. If a believer is going through trials and tribulations, then it is a good chance that other believers are as well. God never intends for His children to be battling amongst themselves. Too many times people want to tear down another believer over something that is not even in the Word of God! They draw battle lines against other believers, and take aim as though they are the enemy.

However, Ephesians plainly teaches us that flesh and blood is not our battle: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." We must stay focused on building up one another.

The word "provoke" here means to arouse, to excite, or to call into action, Therefore we are to help others to love and to do good works. Therefore, according to God’s Word, we are to strive to arouse or excite each other to the manifestation of love.

All of that was said to mention the "assembling of ourselves together." God here is commanding us to meet together for worship, and provoke one another to good works. The early church met often to strengthen and encourage each other in times of persecution. God does not take the church lightly at all; in fact, He gave His life for it (Acts 20:28). The fact that God takes His church very seriously, we should never consider "forsaking the assembling of ourselves together."

Another reason not to forsake this dear assembling is that when we are gathered together, we are to be anticipating the imminent (any minute) return of our Saviour. It would be a fearful thing if the Lord would return, and catch us ridiculing and persecuting the Father’s children; our brothers and sisters in Him!

10:26, 27

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

This passage is often taken out of context, and when it is, it preaches a wrong doctrine. Some say that verse 26 says if we sin wilfully, there is no forgiveness. However, that is not what this passage is saying. Verses 10 and 18 are connected to this verse also. This passage of scripture is telling us that the payment for our sins has already been paid for.

That’s right, there remains no more sacrifice for our sins. Hebrews 10:10, "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:18, "Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin."

Some of those living under the Law would take the sacrifices for granted. They would just go ahead and sin knowing that the daily, or even the yearly, sacrifice was just around the corner.

We often time do the same, we just go ahead and sin, not thinking about what punishment Christ suffered for every little sin we commit. Verse 27 talks about "a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation." That is telling us that we should tremble at the sight of sin. The same eyes that will judge the adversaries, will also judge our works.

10:28, 29

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of 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?

We must remember that the only sin that causes a person to go to hell is rejecting Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Under the Old Covenant, the punishment of sin against the law, in many cases, meant death (Deuteronomy 17:2). All it took was the witness of two or three (Deuteronomy 17:6). According to the book of Hebrews, God has, in these last days, spoken unto us by His son. God has three witnesses (1John5:7, 8) when one rejects Him. The "sorer punishment" will be poured out on those who "wilfully" reject the Son of God.

Notice the phrase, "trodden under foot the Son of God." When Moses told the children of Israel to put the blood on the side posts and lintel (Exodus 12), he said nothing about putting the blood on the floor. This is a picture that those people were spared by going through AND under the blood. In order to be saved, we must go through AND under the blood, but some people have lowered the blood of Christ, and have "trodden under foot the Son of God."

Then we see the phrase "wherewith he was sanctified." Remember that the word "sanctified" means to be set apart in holiness. If the word "sanctified" meant salvation, then one would have to say that the Sabbath was saved (Genesis2:3), the tabernacle was saved (Exodus29:43), the Lord was saved (Leviticus10:3), the Father saved the Son (John10:36), and many other things that just do not line up with God’s Word.

Remember the two-fold theme of the book: 1.) Jesus Christ is better than anything; 2.) Jesus Christ is better than anyone! Some would say that the person sanctified is the same person who has counted the blood of the covenant an unholy thing. However, it says that Christ’s blood sanctified Himself. The precious blood of Christ set Him apart from all other sacrifices.

Now notice the phrase "despite unto the Spirit of grace." What this person has done has insulted the Spirit of Grace. We are saved by grace, and when someone turns from the free offer of salvation to Judaism, or any other religion, it is a disgrace to the Spirit of Grace.

10:30, 31

For 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.

Deuteronomy 32:35 states, "To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste." The reason we are to love and exhort one another is because vengeance belongs to the Lord. The word "Vengeance" means retribution or punishment. Jesus Christ is the judge over all mankind (John 5:22, 27). God is the One who will certainly inflict punishment on those who deserve it. That decision is not left up to us, so let’s exhort and love one another!

The Lord will judge and punish those that deserve it. The fact that they are His people will not save them from punishment if they deserve it, any more than the fact that one is a beloved child will save him from the correction of his earthly father when he does wrong. This truth, time and time again, was illustrated in the history of the Israelites. As He judged and punished the Jews when they needed it, so He does with us when we need it. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

10:32

Here the Jews were reminded of past persecution. After they had gotten saved, they started facing persecution, and now they were looking back on what they had already been through. What they had to endure was a great struggle for them. However, they had been able to bear it with a Christian spirit, and with patience. The Scriptures here is now reminding them that they were sustained under those trials, and to encourage them with a similar patience. This should be a lesson to us that we can endure afflictions with an unwavering faith as they did.

10:33, 34

Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 34 For 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.

Through their suffering, they were made a public example. When we face afflictions, the world will be there to see how we react. It might even be the world that is causing the trials we are going through. Not all believers will face afflictions at the same time. We see here that some of the believers "became companions of them that were so used."

As these believers faced what they were going through, they had other friends come and share the burden they were facing. Too often one believer may see another going through a trial, but stand back and watch, or even pass by. I am reminded of the man in Luke 10 that went through the trial of being robbed, beaten up, and then left half dead. There were several that traveled where this man was, but just walked by.

Those that have compassion on others that are in need give joyfully of their possessions. The Samaritan gave of his own oil and wine to bind up his wounds, then he placed the weak man on his own beast. These Jews shared what they had with Paul while he was yet in prison. That is a shame to us that have so much, and yet share so little with those that truly are in need! We must realize that our earthly goods are not eternal, but the rewards we can earn in heaven are eternal (Matthew 6:19, 20).

10:35

We see here that the child of God should never waver on their confident hope in God. They were not to cast this away, and to become hesitant, disgruntle, or discouraged. They were to stand strong under all their trials, and to remain steadfast toward God, and to His cause.

Knowing that we have a hope that is steadfast and sure, we can have confidence that He will reward us if we remain faithful. One of the rewards that will be given for staying faithful till death is the crown of life (Revelation 2:10)! What a joyous time it would be to hear the master say "Well Done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." (Matthew 25:21)

10:36, 37

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

When trials and suffering come our way, the thing that will get us through is patience. The tendency of our human nature is to either give up and quit, or to make a hasty decision. Both can be just as harmful as the other to a child of God. We must be patient, and always remember Christ will never forsake us; and that His return is nearing.

We must also remember that the trying of our faith works patience, and patience has a perfect work. James 1:3, 4 says, "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." We have the guarantee that we will receive the promise of the heavenly inheritance.

10:38, 39

Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Here we see that the just shall live by faith. This is a quotation of Habakkuk 2:4 which says, "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith." This means that the righteous man will live by moral convictions, or after the truthfulness of God. When a person lives by faith, they are living by continued confidence in God. We can have peace, that even when we don’t know what to do, there is an all knowing and all powerful God there to sustain us.

God does not have pleasure in a person not living by faith.  As we will see in the next chapter, the Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please Him (11:6).  When a child of God draws back their faith, they must face the wrath of the One they have turned from. In the next chapter we will read many accounts of those that lived by faith, and will examine their testimony to us.

In verse 39 we see that Paul had a high level of confidence in the Jews he was writing to. He believed that they would stay true to their profession, and not turn unto the path of destruction. He knew that they would be courageous, and no matter how hard their trials would get, they would persevere to the end. The fact that you and I serve the same God, should be an encouragement to us that, no matter the situation, we can also endure to the end.