Hebrews 10:1-18

Hebrews 10:1-18

[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  the comers thereunto  perfect.  [2] For then  would they  not  have ceased  to be offered?  because  that the worshippers  once  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.  [5] Wherefore  when he cometh  into  the world,  he saith,  Sacrifice  and  offering  thou wouldest  not,  but  a body  hast thou prepared  [6] In burnt offerings  and  sacrifices for  sin  no  pleasure.  [7] Then  said I,  Lo,  I come  (in  the volume  of the book  it is written  of  to do  will,  O God.  [8] 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  will,  He taketh away  the first,  that  he may establish  the second.  [10] By  the which  will  sanctified  through  the offering  of the body  of Jesus  Christ  once  [11] And  every  priest  standeth  daily  ministering  and  offering  oftentimes  the same  sacrifices,  which  can  never  take away  sins:  [12] But  after he had offered  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  offering  he hath perfected  for  ever  them that are sanctified.  [15] Whereof  the Holy  Ghost  also  is a witness  for  after  [16] This  is the covenant  that  I will make  with  them  after  those  days,  saith  the Lord,  I will put  laws  into  their  hearts,  and  in  their  minds  will I write  them;  [17] And  their  sins  and  iniquities  more.  [18] Now  where  remission  is, there is no more  offering  for  sin. 

What does Hebrews 10:1-18 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This section on the high priestly ministry of Christ ( Hebrews 7:1 to Hebrews 10:18) concludes with this pericope in which the writer emphasized the perfecting effect of Jesus Christ"s sacrifice on New Covenant believers. He wrote this to impress his readers further with the superiority of their condition compared with that of Old Covenant believers.
As pointed out previously, Hebrews 7:1 to Hebrews 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 (ch7), the fact that it involved a single, personal sacrifice for sins (chs8-9), 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." [1]
The argument is again chiastic.
AThe inadequacy of the Old Covenant: repeated sacrifices were necessary ( Hebrews 10:1-4)BThe one sacrifice of Christ: supersedes the repeated sacrifices ( Hebrews 10:5-10)B"The priesthood of Christ: supersedes the Levitical priesthood ( Hebrews 10:11-14)A"The adequacy of the New Covenant: no more sacrifice for sins is necessary ( Hebrews 10:15-18)