Hebrews Chapter 10 — The Perfect Sacrifice and the Call to Persevere

Hebrews 10 contrasts the repetitive animal sacrifices of the old law with the one-time, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, urging believers to remain faithful.

SacrificeNew CovenantPerseveranceCommunityFaith

1For the law, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near.

2Or else wouldn’t they have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins?

3But in those sacrifices there is a yearly reminder of sins.

4For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.

5Therefore when he comes into the world, he says,

6You had no pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin.

7Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me)

8Previously saying, “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you didn’t desire, neither had pleasure in them” (those which are offered according to the law),

9then he has said, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He takes away the first, that he may establish the second,

10by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11Every priest indeed stands day by day serving and offering often the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins,

12but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God,

13from that time waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet.

14For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

15The Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,

16“This is the covenant that I will make with them

17“I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more.”✡Jeremiah 31:34

18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

19Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus,

20by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh,

21and having a great priest over God’s house,

22let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our body washed with pure water,

23let’s hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful.

24Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works,

25not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

26For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins,

27but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries.

28A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses.

29How much worse punishment do you think he will be judged worthy of who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?

30For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me. I will repay,” says the Lord.✡Deuteronomy 32:35 Again, “The Lord will judge his people.”✡Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalms 135:14

31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings:

33partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppressions, and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so.

34For you both had compassion on me in my chains and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the heavens.

35Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward.

36For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

37“In a very little while,

38But the righteous one will live by faith.

39But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul.

WEB Translation

Notable Verses

Hebrews 10:10

by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

This verse highlights the definitive and final nature of Christ's sacrifice compared to the repetitive old law.

Hebrews 10:24-25

Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

These verses emphasize the necessity of fellowship and mutual encouragement within the faith community.

Hebrews 10:38

But the righteous one will live by faith.

This is a foundational principle for Christian endurance and reliance on God's promises.

Chapter Summary

Hebrews 10 argues that the old law was only a shadow of the things to come and could not permanently remove sin through repetitive animal sacrifices. Instead, Jesus Christ offered His own body once for all time, fulfilling God's will and perfecting those who are sanctified. Based on this completed work, the author invites readers to enter the holy place with boldness and a true heart. The chapter emphasizes the importance of Christian community, encouraging believers to meet together and spur one another toward love and good works. It concludes with a solemn warning against willful sin and a call to endure through suffering, reminding the audience that the righteous live by faith and should not shrink back from their confidence in God's promises.

Frequently Asked Questions

The text explains that animal sacrifices were a yearly reminder of sins rather than a permanent solution, as it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins once and for all.

This refers to the direct access believers have to God through the sacrifice of Jesus, described as passing through the 'veil' of His flesh to enter the holy place with boldness.

The author encourages believers to meet regularly to provoke one another to love and good works and to offer mutual encouragement to prevent anyone from wavering in their hope.

Study Note

The author uses the Greek word 'eikon' (image) in verse 1 to contrast the 'shadow' of the old law with the substantial reality of Christ's work.

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