Hebrews 10 Study Notes
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10:1-18 Bringing his comparison of the new and old priesthoods to an end, the author in these verses focused on the superiority of the sacrifice of Christ. The old sacrifices were only a shadow of the blessed realities that come from the personal sacrifice of Christ. Citing Ps 40:6-8, the author demonstrated that God was no longer interested in the whole burnt offerings and sin offerings of the old covenant. The old sacrifices had to be offered continually, and they did not accomplish anything beyond ritual purification because they could not take away sins. This is why it was prophesied that the Christ would come to do God’s will. Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins forever by offering himself. Afterward, he sat down at the throne of God. By his blood atonement, he has perfected forever those who are sanctified. The old sacrifices are no longer necessary because he offered the perfect sacrifice that perfects believers.
hagiazo
| Greek pronunciation | [hah gee AH dzoh] |
| CSB translation | to sanctify |
| Uses in Hebrews | 7 |
| Uses in the NT | 28 |
| Focus passage | Hebrews 10:10,14,29 |
In the NT, hagiazo has three distinct shades of meaning. First, it may indicate the action of dedicating something to the service of God (consecrate, set aside as holy). This may involve the consecration of objects (Mt 23:19; 1Tm 4:5) or persons (Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 6:11; 7:14; Eph 5:26; Heb 9:13; 10:14) for holy service unto God. Second, hagiazo may mean to treat as holy. Jesus prays that the Father’s name be honored as holy (Mt 6:9), and Peter urges believers to regard Christ the Lord as holy (1Pt 3:15). Third, hagiazo may mean to purify or make someone holy, in the sense of causing someone to have the quality of holiness. Paul prays that God would sanctify the Thessalonian believers (1Th 5:23), and John closes his apocalypse with the heavenly exhortation that the holy should still be holy (Rv 22:11).
10:19-39 The author again exhorted his brothers and sisters to faithfulness (see 6:4-20 and note there). This exhortation contains commands, a warning, an encouraging reminder, a promise, and an expression of confidence. Due to the boldness that believers have to enter the divine presence through the perfect sacrifice of Christ, the author commands his readers to: (1) draw near to God with assurance, (2) hold on to their confession without wavering, and (3) watch out for one another and not forsake the gathering of the church. The warning is a reminder that there is no effective sacrifice for sin apart from that provided by Christ. If Christians turn their backs on Jesus, they have no hope—only the expectation of terror. On their sympathizing with the prisoners, see 13:3. According to vv. 32-34, the readers had endured persecution—even to the point of having their property confiscated.